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.

Branson Lacy had 12 carries for 223 yards and four touchdowns to lead the offense.

Boston Wiese had 13 tackles and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a score, to lead the defense. He also had two TD runs.

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