As it has been for many seasons, the Denison and Sherman football teams opened the season with the annual Battle of the Ax last Friday.
The Yellowjackets claimed their second victory over the Bearcats in as many tries last Friday with a 50-19 victory at Munson Stadium in Denison. The win also marked the 13th time in 14 tries Denison (1-0) defeated Sherman (0-1).
The ’Jackets scored 36 unanswered points after the Bearcats took a 19-14 lead late in the second quarter on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Ramos to Gavin Mandrell. Shandan Love blocked the ensuing extra point and returned it for two, which started the string of unanswered Denison scores.
The ’Jackets forced seven turnovers, including three interceptions by Tayden Luper, two interceptions by Jason Carney and a fumble recovery in the end zone by Ace Hernandez. Paxton Neasbitt passed for 191 yards and two touchdowns, Mekhi Stewart-Diaz amassed 103 yards of total offense and two scores and Robert Andrews and Rashaun Dehorney each had touchdown runs.
Sherman was led by Diaz, who threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Christian Mackey (6 catches, 91 yards, TD) and Pierre Browhow (21 carries, 77 yards) also contributed.
Both teams hit the road for non-district contests.
Denison visits Decatur and Sherman visits Joshua.
VAN ALSTYNE
Van Alstyne opened the season with a 55-7 rout of Dallas Carter last Friday in Van Alstyne. The Panthers were led by Cason Howard, who completed 6 of 9 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown and ran for two more scores.
Tanner Powers had one reception for a 75-yard touchdown, while Cayden Benedict caught two passes for 22 yards and a score. Seth Wyatt ran for 95 yards and a touchdown on just four carries, while Aiden Landeros completed all four of his passes for 39 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a score.
VA (1-0) also received two non-offensive touchdowns. Tim Moore returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score and Hudson Taylor had an interception return into the end zone.
The Panthers visit Aubrey at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
GUNTER
Gunter ran past Sealy, 41-17, last Friday at Midway High School in Waco. Tristan Barton completed 8 of 15 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns and ran seven times for 72 yards and a score. He accounted for 208 yards and three touchdowns of total offense.
Ashton Pinkernell led all rushers with 129 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, while Knox Gage added 39 yards and a score on five carries.
Alex Fenner led all receivers with three catches for 60 yards, while Rhys Dainauski’s lone reception was a 41-yard touchdown and Cole Bolt caught three passes for 40 yards and a score. Casen Standridge also had a touchdown run for the Tigers.
Gunter (1-0) shut out Sealy (0-1) in the second half. The Tigers have a bye this week.
POTTSBORO
The Cardinals look to bounce back from a 27-21 loss to Bells last Friday. Pottsboro (0-1) hosts Farmersville at 7 p.m. Friday.
The Cardinals scored first on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Sheffield to Brady Wynn before Bells (1-0) scored 27 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to seize a 27-7 lead. Wynn added a 3-yard touchdown run and Brody Burdette scored on a 6-yard run before the Panthers ran out the clock.
Pottsboro was led by Sheffield (163 yards, TD passing), Burdette (12 carries, 66 yards, TD rushing) and Corbin Robinson (5 catches, 45 yards receiving).
S&S
The Rams will look to bounce back from a 34-13 loss at Rice last Friday. S&S (0-1) hosts Dallas Inspired Vision at 7 p.m. Friday.
Joe Orr accounted for 262 yards — 162 yards passing and 100 yards rushing — and a touchdown. He carried 10 times for his 100 yards, while Eli Nortman ran 17 times for a team-high 140 yards.
Uriah Mannis had six catches for 93 yards, Gabriel Jaramillo finished with six receptions for 56 yards and Connor Roberts scored on the ground for the Rams.
Rice quarterback Jalon Bruks completed 13 of 17 passes for 258 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
HOWE
The Bulldogs look for their first win of the season Friday when they host Bonham at 7 p.m. Howe (0-1) is coming off a 30-20 loss at Alvord.
Riken Cross accounted for 138 yards and two touchdowns of total offense. He ran seven times for 72 yards and a touchdown and added a 66-yard touchdown reception.
Deacon Bender completed 8 of 15 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns and added 31 yards on six carries. Rylan Strong caught four passes for 75 yards and a score and ran seven times for 29 yards, while Kaiden Thomas added a 29-yard reception.
Kamper Barnes scored twice on the ground for Alvord.
TOM BEAN
The Tomcats are looking to bounce back from a 54-14 loss at DeKalb last Friday. Tom Bean (0-1) hosts Cumby at 7 p.m. Friday.
Henry Cheek accounted for both Tomcat touchdowns. He completed 17 of 34 passes for 107 yards, a touchdown and an interception and also ran for a score.
Cain Pearson led Tom Bean in receiving with seven catches for 69 yards and a touchdown, while Tatum Hanson added three catches for 18 yards.