1A DI and DII First Round Preview, Which Ranked Team Will Survive?

SAN ANGELO, TX — Six man football is one of the most exciting high school sports you can find, and now we have the chance to watch the best play the best.  

Several area teams have had successful seasons and want to carry that regular season momentum into the postseason.  Here’s a look at top games from our region.

Class 1A Division 1

Region II

#5 Sterling City 9-1 at #6 Rankin 9-1 (Friday at 8:00, Garden City's Bearkat Stadium)

Sterling City and Rankin put on a show in their contest earlier this year.  The Eagles outscored the Red Devils 74-66 in a barn-burner before both teams started district play.  Since that game on October 4, Sterling City lost its only game of the season to Garden City for the district championship, and Rankin moved up to #6 in the state rankings by winning out.  Rankin defeated #1 Balmorhea 68-44 last Thursday for the district crown and number one seed.

Garden City 8-2 vs. #1 Balmorhea 9-1 (Thursday at 7:00, Rankin's Red Devil Stadium)

Both teams are coming into this game on different sides of the same coin.  Last week, Garden City beat Sterling City 64-46 for an outright district championship.  One night prior, Balmorhea's perfect season ended as Rankin celebrated their title.
These two teams did play earlier in the year.  In their week three matchup, Balmorhea flew by the Bearkats 68-22.

Region IV

Eden 7-3 vs. Gorman 7-3 (Friday at 7:30, Coleman’s Hufford Field)

The Bulldogs are coming into this game with a four game win streak and 13-1A DI district championship.  Over that four week span, Eden has allowed just 30 points to their 226.  Their most recent loss was to 9-1 Leakey.

Gorman’s only loss since the first two weeks of the season came in week 10 against 9-1 #9 May.  The Panthers went 3-1 in the district to nab the second seed.  The winner of Friday’s game will play the winner of Thursday’s game between Jonesboro and Leakey.

Robert Lee 5-4 at #9 May 9-1 (Thursday at 7:00, Santa Anna’s Mountaineer Field)

Robert Lee snuck into the playoff’s after district rival Veribest had to forfeit their October 11 victory against them.  The UIL's decision to deny Veribest's appeal put Robert Lee above Veribest in the standings and allowed the Steers to continue their season while Veribest’s ended.  

Their season probably won’t last much longer as they have to face May.  The Tigers are 9-1 with their only loss coming in week one to the #3 ranked and still unbeaten Richland Springs Coyotes.  May has beaten #10 Blanket and #6 Strawn.

From Around Our Area

Undefeated #4 Ira plays 5-5 Crowell Friday night at 7:30 at Munday's Scruggs Field.  The game is a rematch of the season opener where Ira won 50-0.  Ira is in Region I and will play the winner of Petersburg/White Deer.

Undefeated #3 Borden County plays 3-7 Morton Thursday night in Lamesa.  They are in a Region II, and the winner will play Garden City or Balmorhea.

Class 1A Division II

#4 Blackwell 10-0 vs. Sanderson 4-4 (Friday at 6:30, Mertzon’s Wolfenbarger Field)

Blackwell should be able to get past Sanderson no problem.  The undefeated Hornets have not run into a team yet that can stop them, and that will not change this week.  

From Around Our Area

In Region II, 6-4 Loraine plays 8-1 #2 Grandfalls-Royalty in Garden City’s Bearkat Stadium Friday at 5:00 p.m.  4-6 Lueders-Avoca will face 5-5 Throckmorton Friday at 7:00 in the Bears Den in Baird.  

In Region IV, #3 Richland Springs will play 9-1 Brookesmith on Mountaineer Field in Santa Anna.  6-2 Rochelle will play 8-2 #10 Blanket on Tiger Field in May.  Both games will take place Friday night at 7:30.