By DAVID MAY / Special to Mineral Wells Area News
Both six-man powerhouses advance to the area round
Two of six-man football’s best teams reside a mere 8 miles apart in Palo Pinto County, and both programs showed why they are serious forces to be reckoned with this football season after cruising to dominating wins in their respective first-round playoff games.
Strawn
Five-time state champions the Strawn Greyhounds blew past Fannindel, 76-6, on Thursday in Blum – yes, that is a 70-point victory in two quarters played. Strawn (8-2) entered the game ranked No. 6 in Class 1A-2 by MaxPreps.
The ‘Hounds will face a stiffer test this week when they meet the 9-2 Iredell Dragons in the area round of the Texas UIL playoffs.
Iredell advanced after its 59-14 win over the Bynum Bulldogs (2-9) on Friday in Waco.
The two district winners, and now bi-district champions, are set to meet at 7 p.m. Friday in Hico. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals round to play Oakwood or Gold-Burg.
Winners of seven straight, the Greyhounds are playing at an incredible level. After three consecutive shutouts, Strawn has allowed just 20 combined points in their last two games while scoring 344 points over that five-game span.
Iredell has won six straight games.
Gordon
The defending Class 1A-1 state champions and top-ranked Gordon Longhorns said you may not to the May Tigers on Friday, claiming a bi-district title with a 56-8 win in Blum. The game was called at halftime.
The ‘Horns (11-0) own three state titles and are looking to collect a fourth with its talented and junior-laden squad. Quarterback Noah Kostiha threw two touchdown passes to receiver Brayden Walters. Ry Reed scored three rushing touchdowns, and Stryker Reed had a rushing touchdown and scored on a fumble recovery that covered 71 of the field’s 80 yards.
Gordon led 40-0 in the second quarter before May (9-2) got on the board with a 12-yard rushing touchdown. The Tigers TD snapped a four-game scoreless streak for the ‘Horns defense, which has allowed just two touchdowns in its last seven games. Gordon has recorded shutouts in six of 11 games this season.
The ‘Horns ran just 15 plays, amassing 313 total yards – 140 yards rushing on eight carries and 173 yards passing as Kostiha was 5-for-5 for 91 yards and two scores while Stryker Reed was 2-of-2 passing for 82 yards.
Gordon has now won 26 straight games and 38 of its last 39 contests dating back to 2022.
Next up for Gordon is Menard. The teams are set to play at 6 p.m. Thursday at Roo Stadium in Weatherford. Menard is the home team. The Yellowjackets are 9-1-1 on the year after going undefeated in their district. The winner will face Medina or Jonesboro in the quarterfinals.
