Week 1 Rewind
Thoughts on the first full week of football in the Big Country, presented by Budget Blinds of Abilene.
OFF THE TOP
My thoughts on the biggest stories of Week 1.
Abilene High, Cooper, and Wylie all earned victories in their season openers. The Eagles turned it on after a sluggish first quarter to top San Angelo Central 42-21, Cooper came out swinging on the road and blew out Azle 49-25, and Wylie used solid defense and just enough offense to ruin Jeryl Brixey’s Brownwood head coaching debut in a 25-0 decision.
Snyder hopes to be a different team after going 1-9 last season. The Tigers battled hard at Pecos, but came up short in a 36-28 overtime thriller. Senior receiver Ethan Rios broke a school record with 275 receiving yards, breaking the previous record of 230 set by Marlowe Riggins in 1994.
Clyde, Jim Ned, and Sweetwater all cruised to season opening victories. All three knocked off teams that were ranked in the top 25 of the Texas Football preseason polls: Jim Ned 42-21 over 4A DII Lubbock Estacado, Sweetwater 44-22 over 3A DII Idalou, and Clyde 33-13 over 2A DI Cisco.
Merkel snapped a ten-game losing streak and earned win number one for Wes Wood with the Badgers in a 38-26 decision at Ballinger. Merkel looks to be a much improved squad in 2025.
Albany avenged a 44-point season opening loss to Stamford in 2024 with a 21-7 home victory in 2025. The Lions, playing with freshman quarterback Lyle Wheeler for an injured Clay Chapman, scored twice in the fourth quarter to break a 7-7 tie and let the Big Country know they may be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.
The worst Blitz Pick of the week? Hamlin over Anson. The Tigers made sure that did not happen, rolling past the Pied Pipers 49-6 behind another stellar performance from a freshman quarterback. Grayson Feagan threw for 377 yards and five touchdowns as the Tigers topped their Jones County rivals for win number one for new head coach Kyle Wheeler.
Coleman didn’t win until week nine last season, but got a notch in the win column in week one this year with a dominating 29-0 shut out win over Eastland.
De Leon scored early and often in a 68-14 rout of Dublin. The Bearcats pass the first non-district test with flying colors, with Stamford, Valley Mills, Hawley, and Muenster yet to come.
Haskell had one of the more eye-opening week one victories, taking care of Cross Plains 50-13. The Indians got win number one for new head coach Creighton Henderson.
Two-time defending 1A DI state champ Gordon saw Richland Springs go toe-to-toe with them for a little more than a quarter, then turned on the jets to pull away from the Coyotes and win early in the third quarter 52-6. The Longhorns did it all without star Ry Reed, who played sparingly with an injury.
Jayton, the defending 1A DII champs, scored 36 points in just a quarter of play and ended up winning a weather shortened 36-16 decision over Ira.
May just may climb up the state rankings after clobbering #2 Whiteface 64-46 in the finale of the Jayton Gridiron Classic. Big win for Jacob Brown in his head coaching debut.
Lueders-Avoca went 0-10 in year one under Donnie Waters, but jumped into 2025 with a 54-0 win over Moran.
Big wins in the six-man game this week as well for Zephyr, Robert Lee, Bronte, Rising Star, and Aspermont, among others. Aspermont took down Blackwell 72-24 in a game many saw Blackwell winning or at least going down to the wire.
COACHING DEBUTS
Congrats to the eight area head coaches that earned victories in their debuts.
Merkel’s Wes Wood, Sweetwater’s Brian Hodnett, and Zephyr’s Derek Stevens also won for the first time as head coaches at their new/current school. They had earned coaching wins in previous seasons at different schools.
Winters’ Ryan Pannell, Throckmorton’s Tommy Sugg, Gorman’s Brady Hibbitts, Brownwood’s Jeryl Brixey, Ballinger’s Bryan Gayoso, Eastland’s Matt Landers, Roscoe’s Dan Loyd, Colorado City’s Danny Mejia, and Baird’s Jeremy Kirk will have to wait at least a week to earn their first win at their new school.
FINAL SCORES
THURSDAY
Tascosa 10, Palo Duro 0
Hereford 42, Lubbock High 35
Munday 53, TLCA Abilene 14
Frost 45, Winters 21
Reagan County 42, Olney 13
Zephyr 46, Veribest 0
Lueders-Avoca 54, Moran 0
Rotan 52, Trent 6
Westbrook 65, Nazareth 20
Jayton 36, Ira 16 (weather shortened)
Robert Lee 52, Loraine 0
Sidney 22, Strawn JV 6
Three Way 52, Evant 6
Bluff Dale 59, Throckmorton 0
Gordon 52, Richland Springs 6
Bronte 45, Santa Anna 0
Eden 50, Paint Rock 0
Paducah 62, Guthrie 14
Lometa 40, Gorman 16
FRIDAY
Abilene High 42, San Angelo Central 21
Cooper 49, Azle 25
Wylie 25, Brownwood 0
Stephenville 28, Midlothian Heritage 8
Graham 17, Midland Christian 7
Brock 52, Decatur 31
Sweetwater 44, Idalou 22
Pecos 36, Snyder 28 - OT
Clyde 33, Cisco 13
Holliday 43, Breckenridge 0
Jim Ned 42, Estacado 21
Caddo Mills 54, Comanche 24
Brady 60, San Antonio YMLA 0
Peaster 34, Tolar 0
Merkel 38, Ballinger 26
Wall 48, Mason 7
Coahoma 60, Forsan 8
Coleman 29, Eastland 0
Albany 21, Stamford 7
Hawley 33, Roscoe 14
Anson 49, Hamlin 6
De Leon 68, Dublin 14
San Saba 27, Grape Creek 12
Hamilton 35, Millsap 6
Haskell 50, Cross Plains 13
Sonora 40, Miles 0
Ozona 65, McCamey 0
Seymour 33, Colorado City 27
Rio Vista 23, Hico 20
Santo 30, Electra 6
Junction 40, Goldthwaite 16
Gustine 68, Paint Creek 20
Harrold 56, Woodson 6
Aspermont 72, Blackwell 24
Rising Star 53, Highland 20
Medina 57, Rochelle 8
Milford 58, Baird 12
Nueces Canyon 46, Lohn 0
Strawn 67, Valley 19
Perrin-Whitt 48, Gold-Burg 14
Jonesboro 59, Abilene Christian 56
Menard 57, Blanket 25
Newcastle 46, Iredell 0
Water Valley 54, Grandfalls-Royalty 0
Panther Creek 45, Priddy 0
Hermleigh 46, Sands 29
Roby 59, Lorenzo 50
Brookesmith 85, Mullin 37
Benjamin 46, Amarillo PCHEA 7
Stephenville Faith 67, Lingleville 0
SATURDAY
May 64, Whiteface 46
Cherokee 62, Knox City 30
Garden City 32, Bryson 24
Borden County 53, Crowell 0
Tulsa 35, ACU 7
THE UNDEFEATED - WEEK 1
Many area teams have yet to taste defeat after one week, but who will remain perfect after week two?
HONOR ROLL
11-MAN
Brayden Henry, Abilene High: 6-8, 41 yds passing; 176 yds, 2 td rushing; punt return for td
Ethan Joyner, Abilene High: 75 yds, 1 td rushing
Jayden Starks, Abilene High: 4 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 fumble forced/returned for TD
Breylon Billington, Albany: 119 yds, 2 td rushing
Calhan Fairchild, Albany: 3 rec, 47 yds, 1 td; 2 int
Grayson Feagan, Anson: 23-36, 349 yds, 5 td
Alex Lozano, Anson: 3 rec, 106 yds, 2 td
Ethan Lozano, Anson: 9 tkl
Malachi St. John, Anson: 9 rec, 99 yds, 2 td; 5 tkl, 2 tfl
Cason Tidwell, Bangs: 148 yds, 1 td rushing
Sean Jacoby, Brady: 4-6, 120 yds, 1 td, 1 int; 116 yds, 3 td rushing
Ashton Taylor, Brady: 130 yds, 2 td rushing
Johnny Roque, Brady: 14 tkl, 3 tfl, 1 int
Jaime Cruz, Breckenridge: 97 yds rushing; 2 rec, 10 yds
Hayden Mendoza, Breckenridge: 6 tkl, 3 tfl, 2 sacks
Levi Pearson, Brownwood: 66 yds rushing
Devan Wright, Clyde: 3-10, 18 yds passing; 151 yds, 3 td rushing
Miles Wilsher, Clyde: 102 yds, 1 td rushing; 17 tkl
Jeffery Watson, Clyde: 10 tkl, 1 fr
Jett Black, Coleman: 9 tkl, 1 tfl, 2 fr
Darren Hurtado, Coleman: 11 tkl, 1 tfl
Easton Meador, Coleman: 9 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 ff
Lane Bowers, Coleman: 10 tkl
Jason Strickland, Coleman: 10 tkl
Micah Lackey, Coleman: 10 tkl, 3 fr
Paul Salas, Coleman: 10 tkl, 1 tfl
Hunter Edington, Coleman: 13-22, 188 yds, 2 td
Jayden Smith, Coleman: 3 rec, 100 yds, 2 td
Ace Mejia, Colorado City: 9-18, 52 yds, 1 td, 2 int; 155 yds, 3 td rushing
Brandon Lee, Colorado City: 14 tkl, 1.5 tfl, 1.5 sacks, 2 int
Noah Atkinson, Colorado City: 10 tkl, 1.5 tfl, 0.5 sacks
CT Buford, Comanche: 5 rec, 97 yds, 1 td; 5 tkl
Zaden Tello, Comanche: 13 tkl, 1 ff, 1 fr
Peyton Ewing, Cooper: 98 yds, 3 td rushing
Jaden Carrillo, Cooper: 14-18, 170 yds, 1 td, 1 int; 87 yds, 2 td rushing
Heston Jobe, De Leon: 16-21, 262 yds, 3 td; 39 yds, 1 td rushing
Lane Couch, De Leon: 75 yds, 3 td rushing
CJ Martinez, De Leon: 8 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 sack, 1 ff
Bryce Burkeen, De Leon: 3 rec, 102 yds, 2 td
Caden Wilson, Early: 11-13, 191 yds, 2 td passing; 83 yds, 2 td rushing
Angel Marquez, Early: 18 tkl, 1 tfl
Brayden Schafer, Early: 16 tkl
Rhett Williams, Early: 10 tkl
Aidyn Lee, Goldthwaite: 11-13, 109 yds, 1 td passing; 8 yds rushing
Jace Gill, Graham: 16-27, 230 yds, 1 td passing; 90 yds, 1 td rushing
Brazos Brendle, Haskell: 4 rec, 156 yds, 2 td
Ethan Camacho, Haskell: 113 yds, 1 td rushing; 1 rec, 9 yds
Haegen Pinkerton, Haskell: 7-11, 195 yds, 2 td passing; 112 yds, 1 td rushing; 3 tkl
Beaux Shaginaw, Haskell: 19 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 ff, 1 blocked kick
Brandt Turner, Haskell: 15 tkl
Brian Weng, Haskell: 11 tkl
John Doerschuk, Hawley: 153 yds, 2 td rushing; 13 tkl, 2 tfl
Camden Ables, Hawley: 117 yds, 1 td rushing; 5 rec, 68 yds, 1 td; 1-4, 12 yds passing
Alex Cadena, Hawley: 11 tkl, 1 tfl
Cash Gwinn, Jim Ned: 8-15, 187 yds, 3 td passing; 67 yds rushing
Aiden Ellis, Jim Ned: 113 yds, 1 td rushing; 9 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 sack
Gavin Brooks, Jim Ned: 3 rec, 80 yds, 2 td
Stone Griffon, Jim Ned: 10 tkl, 2 tfl
Easton Malone, Merkel: 17-24, 319 yds, 4 td passing; 26 yds, 1 td rushing; 6 tkl, 3 tfl
Kaden Blubaugh, Merkel: 6 rec, 190 yds, 4 td; 1 tkl
Haiden Bowman, Munday: 4-8, 156 yds, 2 td passing; 82 yds, 2 td rushing; 70-yd kickoff return for TD
Jariyis Williams, Munday: 2 rec, 102 yds, 1 td
Jace Arnwine, Roscoe: 20-40, 165 yds, 1 td, 1 int passing; 28 yds rushing; 5 tkl
Aiden Brown, Roscoe: 19 tkl, 1 ff, 1 fr returned 80 yds for td; 1 pbu
Braxton Smith, Roscoe: 11 tkl, 1 int; 6 rec, 76 yds, 1 td; 22 yds rushing
Luke Tharp, San Saba: 142 yds, 2 td rushing
Seth Cooper, Snyder: 16-30, 311 yds, 4 td, 1 int passing; -14 yds rushing
Ethan Rios, Snyder: 12 rec, 275 yds, 2 td; 3 yds rushing; 8 tkl
Chris Vigil, Snyder: 17 tkl
Cadyn Barboza, Snyder: 14 tkl, 1 tfl
Keshaun Lenard, Snyder: 12 tkl, 2 tfl
Carlos Vega, Stamford: 16 tkl
Brayden Jimenez, Stamford: 10 tkl
Slayden Young, Stamford: 10 tkl
Trot Jordan, Stephenville: 212 yds, 3 td passing
Caden Monk, Stephenville: 4 rec, 140 yds, 1 td
Caiden Ortiz, Sweetwater: 16-22, 303 yds, 3 td, 1 int passing; 21 yds rushing
Alijah Iriate, Sweetwater: 121 yds rushing; 1 rec, 10 yds
Darwin Blueford, Sweetwater: 5 rec, 133 yds, 2 td
Braxton Bartee, Sweetwater: 10 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 fr, 1 punt blocked and returned for TD
Talan Lujan, Sweetwater: 2 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 sacks; 2 rec, 20 yds
Nolan Martinez, Winters: 4 rec, 143 yds, 3 td
Coy Martinez, Winters: 10-19, 212 yds, 3 td, 1 int passing; -3 yds rushing
Jorge Malagon, Winters: 7 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack, 1 ff
Julius Laine, Wylie: 126 yds, 1 td rushing; 1 rec, -1 yds
Dylan Regala, Wylie: 9 yds, 2 td rushing; 3 rec, 27 yds
Bo Kates, Wylie: 14 tkl, 1 pbu, 1 fr
Cooper Hill, Wylie: 11 tkl, 2 sacks
6-MAN
Pierson Walters, Abilene Christian: 17-30, 218 yds, 7 td, 1 int passing; 102 yds, 1 td rushing
Levi Sheets, Abilene Christian: 3 rec, 63 yds, 2 td
Mateo Flores, Abilene Christian: 14 tkl
Kolby Bradshaw, Aspermont: 126 yds, 4 td rushing; 5 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 int returned for TD
Caleb Broshears, Aspermont: 126 yds, 3 td rushing; 14 yds passing; 6 tkl, 1 sack, 1 tfl
Keegan Hayes, Benjamin: 150 yds, 4 td rushing; 2-3, 63 yds, 1 td passing; 4 tkl, 2 int returned for TD
Kannon Kensing, Blanket: 198 yds, 3 td rushing; 2 rec, 72 yds; 10 tkl, 1 fr
Alex Saucedo, Bluff Dale: 52 yds, 2 td rushing; 1-1, 3 yds passing; 1 tkl, 1 int returned for TD, 2 fr, 1 fumble returned for TD, 1 punt return for TD
Joel Deskin, Bluff Dale: 4 tkl, 4 tfl
Raymond Williams, Bronte: 5 rec, 112 yds, 1 td
Joel Pena, Bronte: 7 tkl, 1 fr; 37 yds rushing
Parker Holland, Bronte: 143 yds rushing
Aden Bates, Brookesmith: 7 tkl, 1 int
Addy Heard, Brookesmith: 196 yds, 6 TD rushing; 23 yds, 1 TD passing; 6 tkl, 1 fumble recovery, 1 int returned for TD
Jace Julien, Brookesmith: 80 yds, 1 TD rushing; 1 rec, 25 yds
Austin Loyd, Brookesmith: 8 tkl; 1 rec, 7 yds; 32 yds passing
Stryker Reed, Gordon: 109 yds, 2 td rushing; 3-3, 72 yds, 2 td passing
Brayden Walters, Gordon: 7 rec, 129 yds, 3 td
Zaylan Delce, Hermleigh: 255 yds, 6 td rushing; 7-12, 117 yds passing
Hayden Simpson, Hermleigh: 18 tkl, 1 tfl
Justin Smith, Hermleigh: 6 tkl
Aaron Olvera, Hermleigh: 5 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack
Rance McBroom, Hermleigh: 6 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 sack
Colby Sanders, Highland: 102 yds, 2 td rushing; 4 rec, 94 yds, 1 td
Rhyder Glass, Highland: 15-27, 206 yds, 2 td passing; 2.5 tkl, 1 int
Bode Ham, Jayton: 79 yds, 2 td rushing; 1 rec, 35 yds, 1 td
Zander Abila, Knox City: 134 yds, 2 td rushing; 14-22, 228 yds, 2 td passing
Izaiah Trevino, Knox City: 8 rec, 138 yds; 1-2, 13 yds passing; 3 tkl
Chase Rowland, Knox City: 9 tkl, 1 sack
Justin Stewart, Lueders-Avoca: 2 rec, 65 yds; 3 extra points, 1 fumble recovery returned for TD
Hunter Wylie, Lueders-Avoca: 134 yds, 5 TD rushing
Lane Goodson, May: 72 yds, 3 td rushing, 6-11, 153 yds, 2 td passing; 9 tkl, 2 tfl
Jackson Lusk, May: 4 rec, 93 yds, 2 td; 30 yds, 1 td rushing; fumble return for TD
Caleb Storey, Panther Creek: 86 yds, 3 td rushing; 6 tkl, 1 int, 1 fr
Adan Wyatt, Panther Creek: 9 tkl, 1 int; 29 yds, 2 td rushing; 1 rec, 28 yds
JV Kelly, Rising Star: 137 yds, 3 td rushing; 2-2, 21 yds, 1 td passing; 2 rec, 48 yds, 2 td; 55-yard kickoff return for TD
Anthony Pollard, Rising Star: 13 yds, 1 td passing; 2 rec, 18 yds; 11 tkl, 1 ff, 1 fr
Kason McGinn, Rising Star: 12 tkl
Chance Wells, Rising Star: 88 yds rushing; 4-6, 66 yds, 2 td passing; 1 rec, 2 yds; 9 tkl, 7 tfl, 2 ff
Noah Gonzales, Robert Lee: 1 rec, 39 yds, 1 td; 3 yds rushing; 2 tkl, 1 int return for TD
Brenner Sherwood, Robert Lee: 3-3, 75 yds, 2 td passing; 43 yds, 2 td rushing; 4 tkl, 5-5 pat
Gage Barrera, Roby: 207 yds, 3 td rushing; 2 tkl
Gabriel Cerveny, Roby: 154 yds, 3 td rushing; 1 rec, 3 yds, 1 td
Kullen Daniel, Roby: 13 rec, 64 yds, 1 td; 1-2, 12 yds, 1 int passing; 9 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 ff
Rhylon Lester, Rotan: 126 yds, 3 td rushing; 3 tkl, 1 ff, 1 fr
Sebastian Garcia, Rotan: 57 yds, 2 td rushing; 3 tkl
Rees Miller, Sidney: 95 yds, 1 td rushing; 25 yds, 1 td passing; 1 rec, 33 yds, 1 td; 15 tkl, 1 fr
Ryan Crawford, Sidney: 1 rec, 18 yds, 1 td; 15 tkl
Caleb Browne, Westbrook: 2-2, 72 yds, 2 td; 49 yds, 2 td rushing; 1 rec, 16 yds; 5 tkl
Landon Rodriguez, Westbrook: 3-4, 91 yds passing; 54 yds rushing; 2 rec, 36 yds, 2 td; 6 tkl
Shawn Salazar, Westbrook: 81 yds, 2 td rushing; 5 tkl, 1 sack, 2 tfl
Chayden Woodcock, Zephyr: 127 yds, 3 td rushing
DISTRICT STANDINGS
NEXT WEEK
Abilene High at Cooper
Wylie at Lubbock Monterey
Lubbock High at Big Spring
Wall at Brownwood
Everman at Stephenville
San Angelo Lake View at Snyder
Breckenridge at Childress
Clyde at Eastland
Comanche at Llano
Jim Ned vs Cedar Hill Trinity Leadership (at Mineral Wells)
Greenwood at Sweetwater
TLCA San Angelo at Cisco
Coahoma at Roscoe
Bangs at Merkel
Brady at Mason
Coleman at Clifton
Millsap at Dublin
Early at Hamilton
Teague at Tolar
Colorado City at McCamey
Archer City at Anson
Hawley at Albany
De Leon at Stamford
TLCA Abilene at Cross Plains
Ballinger at Christoval
Moody at Hico
Haskell at Quanah
Winters at Munday
Seymour at Hamlin
Miles at Sterling City
Center Point at Goldthwaite
Baird at Bryson
Strawn at Knox City
Crowell at Newcastle
Perrin-Whitt at Aquilla
Silverton at Northside
Water Valley at Hermleigh
Nueces Canyon at Highland
Ira at Spur
Roby at Motley County
Rotan vs. Miami at Crowell
Westbrook at Jonesboro
Irion County at Rankin
Loraine at Paint Rock
Garden City at Robert Lee
Veribest at Whitharral
Gordon at Valley
Brookesmith at Gorman
Lingleville at Rising Star
Ranger at Woodson
Lometa at Blum
May at Richland Springs
Rocksprings at Santa Anna
Eden at Sidney
Leakey at Cherokee
Menard at Rochelle
Zephyr at Blackwell
Rule at Bronte
May JV at Olfen
Trent at Wilson
Follett at Benjamin
Guthrie at Lorenzo
Southland at Aspermont
Jayton vs. Pasadena First Baptist - Oglesby, Saturday
Lohn at Lueders-Avoca
Paint Creek at Moran
Throckmorton at Harrold
Cranfills Gap at Blanket
Buckholts at Gustine
Panther Creek at Mullin
Midland Trinity at Abilene Christian
COLLEGE ROUNDUP
ACU got stopped inside the five-yard line twice in the early going at Tulsa and ended up on the wrong end of a 35-7 decision.
Read more: ACU Drops Season Opener to Tulsa
Next Week:
Thursday - Pacific at Howard Payne, 7 p.m.
Saturday - Cisco College at Coffeyville (KS) - 1 p.m.
Saturday - Southwestern at McMurry, 6 p.m.
Saturday - Stephen F. Austin at ACU, 7 p.m.
Saturday - Hardin-Simmons at Chapman (CA) - 9 p.m.
