Playoff Football Roundup: No. 2 Water Valley Opens Postseason With Big Win

GARDEN CITY, TX — The No. 2-ranked Water Valley Wildcats opened their playoff run Thursday with a 62-14 win over Hermleigh.

Water Valley has won every game this season by 37 points or more, and this was the 10th time they’ve won by the 45-point mercy rule.

The Wildcats improved to 11-0 and now advance to the regional round, where they’ll take on either No. 9 Newcastle or Petersburg. Those two teams are playing Friday night.

Hermleigh’s season ended with a record of 7-4.

Water Valley has spent most of the season ranked No. 2 in Class 1A Division I, trailing only back-to-back defending state champion Gordon.

Mason Starts Playoffs With 7th Straight Win

The Mason Punchers rolled to a 55-21 win over Marlin on Thursday night to open the playoffs with their seventh straight victory.

Mason started the season 1-3 with losses to Wall, Brady and Junction, but they’ve allowed only a combined 35 points since then, highlighted by four shutouts.

Mason improved to 8-3 and will move on to the area round to play Schulenburg (6-5) at a site and time to be determined next week.

Caleb Koenig led Mason with 10 carries for 91 rushing yards and a touchdown. Grant Nobles had eight carries for 40 yards and two TDs, while Clancy Osbourn had six carries for 29 yards and two TDs, along with a 25-yard TD catch.

Marlin quarterback De’Angelo Wright was limited to 6-of-19 passing for 59 yards. Brysen Maxwell-Steele managed 10 carries for 104 yards and a TD, no easy feat against the Punchers’ defense.

Marlin’s season ended with a record of 2-9.

No. 3 Richland Springs Routs Calvert

The No. 3-ranked Richland Springs Coyotes began the playoffs Thursday with a 62-0 win over longtime rival Calvert.

Richland Springs hasn’t lost since a season-opening setback against Gordon, the No. 1-ranked team in 1A Division I.

The Coyotes (9-1) now advance to the second round in the 1A D-II bracket against Zephyr (10-1) at a site and time to be determined.

Calvert’s season ended with a record of 4-6.

Stamford Finally Breaks Through Sonora’s Defense 

The Sonora Broncos, playing without starting quarterback Aaron Segura, needed other players to step up to have a chance against Stamford on Thursday.

That’s exactly what the Broncos had from a defense that kept them in the game until the fourth quarter.

Stamford led only 6-0 at halftime and 12-0 at the end of the third quarter before finally pulling away for a 31-2 win.

Sonora was limited to a mere 61 yards of offense. Sophomore Armani Coronado stepped in at QB in a difficult situation.

Stamford was held to 74 yards rushing, but QB Miles Follis found success through the air. He was 16-of-20 passing for 259 yards and three TDs. Mahsyn Alvarado had six catches for 110 yards and two TDs.

Stamford improved to 7-4 and will play New Home (9-2) in the area round. Sonora’s season ended with a record of 7-4.

Other Thursday Scores

San Angelo Central 24, El Paso Pebble Hills 14

Lampasas 52, San Angelo Lake View 14

Cisco 55, Christoval 0

Hawley 42, Forsan 14

Balmorhea 56, Blackwell 8

Cherokee 70, Rochelle 24

Friday's Schedule

Wall (10-0) vs. Anthony (2-8), 6 p.m. at Pecos

Grape Creek (6-4) vs. Crane (6-4), 7 p.m. at Big Lake

Brady (7-3) vs. Wichita Falls City View (8-2), 7 p.m. at Abilene Wylie

Ozona (10-0) vs. Anson (7-3), 7 p.m. at Big Spring

Eldorado (6-4) vs. Tahoka (6-4), 7 p.m. at Sweetwater

Junction (10-0) vs. Somerville (6-4), 7 p.m. at Lago Vista

Garden City (6-4) vs. Whiteface (8-2), 6 p.m. at Klondike

Robert Lee (9-1) vs. Ira (8-2), 7 p.m. at Sterling City

Menard (10-0) vs. Knippa (7-3), 7 p.m. at Rocksprings

Bronte (7-3) vs. Grandfalls (8-2), 6:30 p.m. at Mertzon