Big Spring Herald

Second Time Around

By Steve Belvin Contributing Sports Writer

WILDCATS GEARING FOR A REPEAT

The Westbrook Wildcats keep on rolling, as they advance to the final four of six-man football in Division I. If you don't think Westbrook means business ask the Rankin Red Devils.

Early in the season Westbrook had to rally to nip Rankin 59-58. Last week in the quarterfinals, the Wildcats mercy ruled the Red Devils 62-16 by halftime. Westbrook's double edged sword running attack of Grayson Jeffery and Cedric Ware shredded the Rankin defense.

Grayson had seven carries for 85 yards and Ware rushed for 103 yards on 16 carries. Adding balance was quarterback Parker Matlock (Homer's son) who threw two touchdown passes while completing 6 of 8 attempts for 107 yards.

Matlock and Hadley White led the defense with four tackles apiece. "Our team played fired up," said coach Matlock. "We played real well as a team and we didn't have turnovers. We knew Rankin had a good team and we couldn't come in flat. Our fans packed the stands and excitement was on our side. It was a fun game to be a part of."

This week's opponent, the 12-1 Happy Cowboys, is a familiar opponent also. In the season opener in August, Westbrook beat Happy 62-16, the same score it beat Rankin last week. Only against Happy it was a three-quarter mercy rule.

“Forget about all of that” said Matlock. "It's a brand-new game. Happy is playing really well and we can't have a letdown. We have to play with passion and work as a team. It's been a fun ride and we hope it continues. We are excited to be playing December football." Game time is 6 p.m. Friday in Slaton.

BULLDOGS SILENCE NAYSAYERS

Division II Loraine manhandled the Cherokee Indians 24-6 on a soggy, nasty field in Miles. Many thought that game would be the end of the road for Loraine. Next hurdle is the Oakwood Panthers, a very formidable test. Loraine's defense has been playing lights out in the playoffs, allowing only six points.

Leading the defensive charge in the win over Cherokee were senior standouts Wrangler Little and Damion Delgado who made 6 and 8 tackles respectively. It's no secret that that Loraine defense has to stop Oakwood's running back Zack Nickerson who's put up some unbelievable numbers this season. He's rushed for more than 3,000 yards and scored 77 touchdowns. Those 77 touchdowns is a Texas six-man single season record.

"Oakwood is a very good football team with a ton of talent," said Loraine coach Jake Popham. "Zack Nickerson is the real deal and he has a good team around him," Popham said.

The Bulldogs have swagger of their own. "Our boys understand the potential, the process, and it has continued to grow with their expectations' level of competitiveness each passing week. For instance, most thought we wouldn't be able to beat Cherokee. So, we challenged hem to ignore 'the noise' and do what we do best and we would come out with a victory This week is no exception, we have a lot to look forward to as we take on one of the best teams in Texas.".

Loraine, 12-1 for the season, will face 11-2 Oakwood. Friday night at 7 in Dublin. By the way, isn't Wrangler a great name for a West Texas high school athlete?

HIGH EXPECTIONS FOR HOOPSTERS

The Midland Reporter News recently released its preseason list of high school superlatives of high school basketball and several crossroads players were on the list. Heading the girls' group was Stanton forward Madeleine Mathes. The 5-foot-10 senior has all the skills to play at the next level. Last season she had to do everything for the Lady Buffs, averaging 25 points, 12 rebounds and two steals per game, leading Stanton to a second-place finish in district behind Coahoma.

Hopefully she'll get a little more help this season. Coahoma junior guard Isabella Cox is another difference maker. Last year she led the district champs averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals per game. The Bulldogettes will be in a different district this season and it will be much tougher. With the likes of Merkel, Wall, Jim Ned and Ballinger, the Bulldogetes will be hard pressed to make the playoffs.

Also mentioned on the list were Jessi Everett of Grady, Shae Lang of Coahoma and Kaeli Woodall of Forsan. Headlining the boys group is Grady senior Logan Chapman, the reigning District 8-1A MVP and an All-region selection. The 5-9 guard averaged 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals last year.

Others mentioned were John Lopez of Garden City, Aidan Galaviz of Stanton ad Chapman Sims of Grady. Not on the MRT list but worth mentioning are Coahoma junior forward Ryan Shifflett, a do everything type of player and handles the ball well, scores and rebounds.

A dark horse is Big Spring senior guard Derick Walleck. Walleck played on the junior varsity squad last year because the Steers had an overabundance of senior guards. Walleck can shoot it! I saw him score 30 points a couple of times last season.

LADY STANGS HAVE TITLE TO DEFEND

Coach Ben Connell's Sands Lady Mustangs basketball team has a hard road to travel. That's because they have a State Class 1A championship to defend. It's hard to repeat and even more challenging that Sands lost several key pieces from last year's state championship team, most notably was Landry Morrow, who's playing ball at Angelo State University.

Back however are senior guards Elysa Martinez and Bianca Plata. Martinez was state tournament MVP last year. She dropped in 22 points in Sands 60-33 championship win over Robert Lee. Like last year the Lady Mustangs are welcoming all opponents, big or small school.

They sport a modest 4-4 record which includes a 24-22 loss to perennial 1A powerhouse Nazareth and a 50-49 loss to Class 5A Abilene Cooper. The seven underclass women on the team, most who saw considerable playing time last year, will only get stronger as the season progresses. Somehow, I don't think Sands is giving up its crown easily.

PUTTING THE HURT ON THE PACKERS

Is there anything Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts can't do. He did a number on Green Bay in a 40-33 win. Ran for 157 yards, passed for 153. Heck he even made a tackle after an Eagles turnover. Eagles headed for a showdown with Dallas Christmas Eve in Arlington. The ball is in the Cowboys corner. Three of their next four games are at home.

SPORTS

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2022-12-05T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-05T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://bigspringherald.pressreader.com/article/281582359659777

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