Mineral Wells Area News

‘Rabbits and ‘Horns look to advance to regional semi-finals

By DAVID MAY | Special to Mineral Wells Area News

The Gordon Longhorns and Graford Jackrabbits hope to stay hot despite the cold temps tonight in area round Texas UIL playoff games.

The No. 8-ranked Running ‘Rabbits eased past Crawford, 58-36, earlier this week to claim their first Class 2A bi-district title. The win improved Graford’s season record to 22-10.

The District 11-2A runners up advance to face Albany in the area round. The game is set for Friday at 7 p.m. in Eastland.

The Lions finished third in District 10-2A with an 8-4 mark while going 14-8 on the year. Albany got past the Petrolia Pirates, 46-33, to make it to the area round against Graford. 

The Jackrabbits average 10 more points per game than Albany, scoring at a 59 ppg clip to 49 for the Lions. 

The teams had two common opponents during the season – Mineral Wells and Poolville. Graford defeated Mineral Wells, 72-68, in a late November duel. Albany claimed a 41-36 win over the Rams in a end-of-the year holiday tournament affair. Albany lost to Poolville, 50-46, in the same tourney. Graford easily dispatched Poolville in two district meetings, 65-27 and 78-42.

The winner advances to the regional semi-final round of the Region 2 bracket to face the winner of tonight’s Lindsay vs. Clarksville game in Bonham.

Gordon Longhorns

Gordon and the Jayton Jaybirds hook up in a top 3 area-round affair at Abilene Wylie ISD’s gym for Friday’s game, set for a 6 p.m. start. The ‘Horns are the home team. 

Ranked No. 3 in Class 1A, Gordon (21-3) eased past Hermleigh, 92-42, on Monday in a game also played at Abilene Wylie. No. 1 Jayton (18-2) advanced after knocking off Knox City, 88-34.

The teams did not face each other in the regular season. The teams had one common opponent – Liberty – with both losing to the Patriots from Lubbock. Jayton fell to Liberty, 60-56, while Gordon lost to the Patriots, 52-47. The games were played five days apart.

Jayton and Gordon narrowly missed facing each other last season. Gordon lost to Benjamin in the state semifinals in Austin. Jayton then beat Benjamin to win the Class 1A state title.

The winner will advance to the Region 2 regional semis and play the winner of tonght’s Balmorhea-Irion County game.