After two weeks of District 7-3A Division II play, the Bells and Howe football teams are leading the pack.
The Panthers ran past Blue Ridge, 42-21, and the Bulldogs suffocated S&S, 49-0, last week. Both Bells and Howe are 4-2 overall and 2-0 in district play.
BELLS (4-2, 2-0) AT VALLEY VIEW (1-4, 0-1)
The Panthers visit the struggling Eagles at 7 p.m. Friday. Valley View had a bye last week.
In Bells’ win against Blue Ridge, the Panthers ran for 392 yards and six touchdowns. It was the fourth time in as many games and the fifth time in six games that Bells gained every offensive yard on the ground.
Westin Hicks (9 carries, 140 yards, 2 TDs) and Asa Curtis (14 carries, 124 yards, TD) led the way for the Panthers. Jaxon Brown (16 carries, 75 yards, 2 TDs) and Jax Pitt (4 carries, 22 yards, TD) also contributed.
Brown (11 tackles, one tackle for loss) was one of four Bells players to register double-digit tackle totals. The others were Je’Kobe Washington (12 tackles, 3 TFLs, sack), Je’Darius Washington (13 tackles, 2 TFLs) and Matt Anderson (11 tackles, 2 TFLs).
HOWE (4-2, 2-0) AT BLUE RIDGE (2-4, 1-1)
The Bulldogs visit the Tigers at 7 p.m. Friday at Tiger Stadium in Blue Ridge. Howe has posted shutout victories in each of its first two district contests.
Against S&S, the Bulldogs limited the Rams to 25 yards of total offense — 18 rushing and seven passing. Howe also clicked on all cylinders offensively behind Rylan Strong (10 carries, 266 yards, 3 TDs rushing; 49-yard TD reception), Deacon Bender (111 yards, 3 TDs passing; TD run), Riken Cross (2 carries, 77 yards, TD rushing; 28-yard TD reception) and Brodie Sellers (TD reception).
LEONARD (1-4, 1-0) AT S&S (1-5, 0-2)
The Rams look to bounce back from consecutive 49-0 losses to Bells and Howe when they host the Tigers at 7 p.m. Friday in Sadler. Leonard earned its first win of the year with a 14-8 victory against Callisburg.
S&S will try to improve its production on both sides of the football. This is the Rams’ third game with interim head coach Gary Robinson, who took the reins after head coach Dan Pike was suspended.
PLAINVIEW (2-4) AT GUNTER (4-1, 1-0)
The Tigers host the Bulldogs in nondistrict action at 7 p.m. Friday in Gunter. Plainview suffered a 34-10 setback against Shallowater, while Gunter trounced Dallas A+ Academy, 56-6, last week.
The Bulldogs are in a four-team district, which is why the Tigers are playing a nondistrict game after already playing a league contest. Gunter observed its bye in Week 2 to free up Plainview on the schedule.
Against A+ Academy, Tristan Barton threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns, with Cole Bolt and Alex Fenner catching the scoring passes. Gavin Rutherford threw for 80 yards and a touchdown, with Andrew Pulpaneck catching the scoring pass. Jayden Stogsdill ran for two touchdowns, Josh Taylor and Casen Standridge each had scoring runs, and Blake Boland returned a fumble for a touchdown.
TOM BEAN (4-2, 2-0) AT COOPER (3-2, 1-0)
The Tomcats look to remain undefeated in District 9-2A Division I play when they visit the Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Friday in Cooper. Tom Bean defeated Honey Grove, 35-14, last week, while Cooper had a bye. The Bulldogs defeated Honey Grove, 63-21, on Sept. 25.
In the Tomcats’ win against the Warriors, Tatum Hanson (13 carries, 42 yards, 3 TDs rushing), Slayton Farris (13 carries, 71 yards, TD rushing; 6 catches, 84 yards, TD) and Henry Cheek (155 yards, TD passing) led the way offensively. Jacob Lind (10 tackles), Cody Luelf (8 tackles), Carter Mayo (8 tackles, 2 TFLs) and Tony Secreto (8 tackles, TFL) led the defense.
WHITEWRIGHT (4-2, 1-1) AT HONEY GROVE (4-2, 0-2)
The Tigers visit a Warriors team fighting to stay alive in the District 9-2A Division I playoff race at 7 p.m. Friday in Honey Grove. Whitewright ran past Bogata Rivercrest, 41-7, while Honey Grove lost to Tom Bean, 35-14, despite big rushing nights from Armani Woods (22 carries, 154 yards, TD) and Trelyn Bailey (12 carries, 104 yards, TD).
In the Tigers’ win, Austin Baio (TD reception, TD fumble return) and Nolan Rigby (10 carries, 125 yards, TD) led the way. Xander Hall (TD reception), Peyton Smith (68 yards, TD passing; TD rushing) and Nick Ulmer (7 carries, 29 yards, TD) also contributed.
MUENSTER (4-1) AT TIOGA (3-2)
The two-time defending state champion Hornets visit the Bulldogs in the District 6-2A Division I opener for both teams at 7 p.m. Friday in Tioga. Both teams are coming off byes.
The Bulldogs are led by running back Jake David (31 carries, 277 yards, 2 TDs rushing; 22 catches, 258 yards, 2 TDs receiving), wide receiver Jaxson Hurst (23 catches, 454 yards, 7 TDs receiving) and quarterback Camden Stephens (670 yards, 9 TDs passing; 12 carries, 173 yards, 2 TDs rushing). Quarterback Cole Boyd (584 yards, 6 TDs passing) and wide receiver Quesyn Arrington (13 catches, 280 yards, 5 TDs receiving) also contribute.
DENISON (2-4, 1-3) AT FRISCO (3-2, 2-1)
The Yellowjackets visit the Raccoons in a crucial District 4-5A Division II matchup Friday at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco. Denison snapped a four-game losing streak with a 55-14 rout of Frisco Independence, while Frisco suffered a 16-14 loss at Anna last week.
In the Yellowjackets’ win, Rashaun Dehorney (10 carries, 88 yards, 2 TDs), Paxton Neasbitt (101 yards, 3 TDs passing; TD run), Jashaud Sims (4 catches, 44 yards, TD) and Mekhi Stewart-Diaz (8 carries, 67 yards, TD) led the way. Robert Andrews (TD run), Gavin Mandrell (TD reception) and Zoryian Duffie (TD reception) also contributed.
SHERMAN (1-5, 1-1) AT AZLE (3-3, 0-2)
Two teams looking to stay alive in the District 3-5A Division I playoff race meet at 7 p.m. Friday in Azle as the Bearcats visit the Hornets. Sherman lost to Denton Ryan, 40-27, while Azle was humbled by Denton, 49-6.