Brownwood contest highlights area playoff action

By BILL HART / Senior Staff Writer

The Brownwood Lions may be running low of tape to hold the team together, but they still continue to win football games.

But things look a little brighter for tonight's area round playoff game with Denison in Fort Worth's Amon Carter Stadium. Top running back Audey Mitchell, who carried just once last week against Fort Worth Eastern Hills because of a leg injury, will be available.

Running back Michael Johnson, who injured both knees and an ankle in the third quarter of that contest, will play only on a limited basis on defense, however.

Despite their limited play, Brownwood rushed for a season-high 403 yards against a team that had been allowing only 200 yards a game.

'Audey wanted to play last week even if he was limited to just blocking," said Brownwood coach W.T. Stapler. "And he threw a great one on Colby Freeman's first long run that set up a touchdown. But later, he told us he was hurting and could only block straight on, so we took him out.

"He didn't work out Monday, but he was in shorts the rest of the week. He was limping after today's (Thursday) workout, but I'm hoping he's at least 90 percent for Denison."

And to make matters worse, Freeman, the quarterback who gained 126 yards against Eastern Hills, hasn't worked out much this week because of a battle with the flu.

Denison is led by running back Chris Robertson, who had 1,123 yards and 18 touchdowns in the regular season. Denison beat Springtown, 13-9, last week, scoring a fourth quarter touchdown for the win.

Sweetwater vs. Levelland

Sweetwater and Levelland were in the same district last year, but this time, the Mustangs go for their third win in as many years over the Lobos in Lubbock tonight.

Sweetwater is 11-0 and ranked No. 4 in the state. The Mustangs rolled past El Paso Burges, 41-0, in bi-district last week, while Levelland was getting past Canyon, 18-14, a team that beat the Lobos, 24-7, earlier in the year.

Levelland believes in close games. Three of its eight wins were by eight points are less, and two of the four losses were by eight or less. Two other wins were by 10 and 11 points.

Of the last nine opponents, only Lubbock Estacado (21) has scored 20 points or more against the Lobos.

The Mustangs are led offensively by quarterback Andrew Boatright (987 yards passing and 13 touchdowns, and 926 rushing and six touchdowns) and running back Jason Blueford (1,227 rushing and 17 touchdowns). The defense has been punishing, giving up only 91 points and four shutouts. Three others scored just one touchdown each.

Stamford vs. Shallowater

The Stamford secondary will get a strong test tonight when the Bulldogs take on the Shallowater Mustangs in Snyder.

Quarterback Shaun Cody has completed 109 of 190 passes for 1,665 yards and 22 touchdowns. Tight end Cole Roberts (6-5, 230) has caught 45 for 744 yards and 10 touchdowns. Cody was 14 of 22 last week in the 32-31 win over Stanton for 243 yards. Roberts caught nine for 186 yards and two touchdowns.

Stamford's defense picked off four Eldorado passes last week in a 27-3 win. The secondary ringleader is Paul McClendon, who has nine interceptions, three coming in one game.

Josh Murphree leads the Stamford running attack with 953 yards and 13 touchdowns, while John Sanchez had 93 yards rushing against Eldorado.

Roscoe vs. Iraan

Roscoe puts its 9-1 record on the line tonight in Midland against Iraan, the state's No. 5-ranked team in Class 2A.

The Plowboys rallied for a 30-16 win over Albany in bi-district last Friday, while Iraan scored in the second quarter to beat Seagraves, 7-0.

Iraan is led by the versatile Robin Hanna, who during the regular season rushed for six touchdowns, caught passes for nine others, returned three punts for scores and ran two kickoffs back for 20 total touchdowns. He had 1,364 all-purpose yards.

Quarterback Billy Palmore passed for 671 yards and 11 touchdowns, while running back Ross Blackwelder gained 681 yards and 11 touchdowns. Only three teams scored more than one touchdown against the Braves.

Roscoe is sparked by running back Andy Howard, who has rushed for 1,205 yards and 22 touchdowns. He's also kicked six field goals and has made 34 of 36 extra points. Quarterback Beau Barnes has rushed for 334 yards and 12 touchdowns, while passing for 855 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Plowboys have won 24 of their last 27 games.

Munday vs. Cross Plains

At the start of the season, the Munday Moguls figured to be in the second round of the playoffs. The only ones who thought Cross Plains might make it past bi-district were probably the Buffaloes.

But they clash tonight in a Class A game at Breckenridge. Neither throws the football much and both have played sound defense.

Cross Plains has allowed only 30 points in 10 games this year, while Munday has given up 79, but 31 have come in the last two games. On the other hand, the Moguls, ranked fourth in the state, have scored 427 points compared to 228 points for the Buffaloes.

Munday has a one-two running attack in fullback Gerald Taylor and running back Jonathan Reagins. Reagins has rushed for 1,361 yards and 21 touchdowns while Taylor has around 900 yards.

Cross Plains is led by quarterback Jarad Richards and running backs Jody Fortune and Sean Jones, but the key to the Buffaloes is their defense. It has allowed only four touchdowns, all on the ground.

Windthorst vs. Sterling City

The Windthorst Trojans are the No. 1-ranked Class A team in the state and the closest game they have had is 23 points - to Bryson, which lost to Munday last week in bi-district, 15-12. They are averaging 50 points a game and allowing an average of five a game.

Sterling City tied for second place in District 7-A then upset Baird, 24-23, in bi-district. The Eagles will try to end the Trojans' 10-game winning streak tonight at McMurry's Indian Stadium.

Bill Green, the former assistant coach at Munday and Stamford, is the Windthorst coach. Former Roby coach Howard McDaniel is the Sterling City boss.