Gordon Overwhelms Richland Springs in Clash of Titans

PRIDDY, TX — A marquee matchup between two of the best six-man teams in the state turned into a showcase for the Gordon Longhorns.

The No. 1-ranked Longhorns ran their winning streak to 31 games with an impressive 52-6 rout over Richland Springs in their season opener Thursday in Priddy.

Gordon, the two-time defending state champion in Class 1A Division I, was the favorite over Richland Springs, ranked No. 3 in 1A D-II, but the Longhorns’ dominance was still a bit jaw-dropping.

Richland Springs returned two all-state players — Billy Perry and Cohen Ethridge — from last year’s 12-1 team that reached the state quarterfinals.

The Coyotes are also a nine-time state champion that boasts one of the most consistent six-man programs in Texas.

Gordon, home to four state titles overall, is making a case for its own legacy as one of the state’s great six-man dynasties. The Longhorns have now won 43 of their last 44 games.

Stryker Reed, the reigning Texas Six-Man Coaches Association Player of the Year who has committed to Air Force, led Gordon with two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns and a goal-line stand on defense.

Brayden Walters had three TD catches for the Longhorns.

With Gordon leading 14-6 early in the second quarter, Richland Springs was threatening to tie the game with the ball inside the 5-yard line.

Three straight times, the Coyotes were stuffed, including a TD-saving tackle by Reed at the 1-yard line.

Though Gordon was intercepted near midfield by Ethan Deeds, the Longhorns got the ball right back when Ethridge was hit as he passed the ball, which fluttered into the hands of Aiden Shank, who returned it 45 yards for a score.

Just like that, Gordon was ahead 22-6 and steamrolled the Coyotes the rest of the way.

The Longhorns raced to a 46-6 lead by halftime, then ended the game on their opening drive of the second half when Reed threw a 36-yard TD pass to Asher Salinas.

Evan Deeds scored Richland Springs’ only TD on a 4-yard run midway through the first quarter.

Gordon will play at Valley next week, while Richland Springs will host May (No. 4 in 1A D-I).