RISING STAR – The Zephyr Bulldogs bounced back from their first loss of the season and handed the Rising Star Wildcats a second straight setback, 38-34, Friday night in a game that was a late addition to the calendar.

Coming off a 42-22 home loss to Veribest in which Zephyr turned over the ball seven times, the Bulldogs overcame four more turnovers by producing 305 yards – 172 on the ground and 133 through the air.

Zephyr (2-1) also created four Rising Star (1-2) turnovers, as the Wildcats generated 276 total yards – 210 rushing and 66 passing.

Karsen Floyd caught seven passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 55 yards and another score to spark the Zephyr offense. Tripp Ballard chipped in 61 yards and a touchdown on the ground, Jim Evetts rushed for 53 yards, and Chayden Woodcock contributed a 3-yard touchdown carry.

Evetts also completed all six of his pass attempts for 101 yards and a touchdown and Wyatt Stevens finished 6 of 11 for 32 yards with a scoring strike and a pick. Other Bulldogs catching passes were Rhett Williams (19 yards), Woodcock (12 yards), Stevens (5 yards), Trapper Schoenhals (5 yards) and Ballard (3 yards).

Defensively for the Bulldogs, Ballard registered 14 tackles followed by Floyd with 13, Woodcock with nine and Schoenhals with six.

For Rising Star, Pacey McGinn rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown, Anthony Pollard added 71 yards and Payton McGinn finished with 35 yards and a score.

Through the air, Kobey Morris completed 6 of 11 passes as Pollard caught four for 27 yards and a touchdown and Dakota Higgins grabbed two receptions for 39 yards with a trip to the end zone.

Morris led the Wildcats with 15 tackles and Pollard contributed 12.

Next week, Zephyr hosts Lohn (0-3), coming off a 43-13 loss to Paint Creek, for homecoming. Rising Star will host Cranfills Gap (2-1), which picked up a 55-6 win over Three Way Friday night.

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Blanket 72, Eden 39

EDEN – After dropping their first two games at home, the Blanket Tigers found the win column on the road with a 72-39 victory over the Eden Bulldogs Friday night.

Blanket (1-2) finished with 539 yards of total offense, including 512 rushing, against the Eden (0-3) defense as Kannon Kensing amassed 277 yards and six touchdowns on 26 carries, Cameron Aultman contributed 180 yards and four scores on 22 rushes, and A.C. French added 55 yards on the ground.

Defensively, Aultman led Blanket with 12 tackles followed by 10 from Kensing, seven and a fumble recovery from French, Mason Beck with six tackles, four and a fumble recovery by Abel McLaughlin, and Cory Beauchamp recovered a fumble.

Next week, Blanket ventures to Santa Anna (1-1), whose bye fell Friday night. The Mountaineers have defeated Priddy, 50-26, and lost to Veribest, 50-0, thus far in 2023.

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Brookesmith 54, Veribest JV 12

VERIBEST – After their game against Weatherford Grace Christian was cancelled, the Brookesmith Mustangs picked up a Thursday night contest with the Veribest JV and notched a 54-12 victory.

Statistical information for the Mustangs (2-1) is not available.

Brookesmith has a bye listed on its schedule for next week with the next game for the Mustangs Sept. 22 at home against Gustine.

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Goldthwaite 40, Rosebut-Lott 27

GOLDTHWAITE – The Goldthwaite Eagles snapped a 12-game skid last week, and now have started their first win streak under second-year head coach Andy Howard with Friday night’s 40-27 homecoming victory over the Rosebud-Lott Cougars.

Goldthwaite (2-1) amassed 478 yards of total offense with 360 coming on the ground and 118 via the air against Rosebud-Lott (0-3).

Max Storm rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown, Erick Lozoya contributed 97 yards and a score, Marcus Stevens chipped in 46 yards, and quarterback Ethan Deeds added 30 yards with two trips to the end zone.

Through the air, Deeds completed 4 of 8 passes for 118 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Stevens caught a 52-yard touchdown, Luke Sanderson grabbed two catches for 48 yards, and Cayden Koho hauled down an 18-yard reception.

Defensively for the Eagles, standouts were Sanderson with 10 tackles and an interception; Malachi Thomas and Stevens with eight tackles each; Storm with six tackles; Stetson Butler with five tackles; and Gary Weidebusch with four tackles.

Next week, Goldthwaite wraps up its pre-district schedule with a trip to Granger (2-1), which is coming off its only loss of the season to Holland, 24-21.

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Coleman 30, Brady 14

BRADY – The Coleman Bluecats are in the midst of a win streak following their second straight victory, 30-14 at Brady Friday night.

Coleman (2-1) manufactured 286 yards of total offense, with 244 coming on the ground, without the services of starting quarterback Jadin Jackson.

Brent Bouldin rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries to spark the Coleman offense, while Brayden Torres chipped in 73 yards and a score on the ground and completed 4 of 9 passes for 44 yards with one pick.

Hunter Lackey caught a 34-yard pass, Blaze Hronek added a 10-yard reception and Anthony Espitia rushed for 18 yards to aid the Bluecat offense.

Defensively, the Bluecats allowed Brady (0-3) to gain 214 yards – 209 through the air and just 5 on the ground – with five takeaways, including a pair of interceptions.

Next week, Coleman hosts Llano (2-1), fresh off a 20-17 victory over Austin Crockett, in its pre-district finale.

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Richland Springs 73, Lometa 26

RICHLAND SPRINGS – In a game moved to Thursday night, the Class A Division II No. 8 Richland Springs Coyotes secured their most impressive victory of the young season, 73-26 over the previously unbeaten Lometa Hornets.

Richland Springs (3-0) compiled 262 yards of total offense – 152 rushing and 110 passing – against the Lometa (2-1) defense.

Billy Perry rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns for the Coyotes, while Gage Behrens tacked on 50 yards and two more scores. Jayden Sutherland caught four passes for 83 yards with two trips to the end zone as Troy Shelton was 3 of 5 through the air for 75 yards and Kenny Triplett went 2 of 3 for 33 yards. Hutton Rogers also pulled down a 27-yard reception for Richland Springs.

Clayton Meador scored on a 52-yard kick return as well for Richland Springs.

Defensively for the Coyotes, Triplett led the way with five tackles and a sack; Perry added 4.5 tackles; Sutherland intercepted two passes; and Behrens and Connor Womack each recovered a fumble while also teaming up for a safety.

The Coyotes are back in action at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 as they will host Bell County Homeschool (0-2) in their fourth straight home game.

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Knox City 64, May 14

MAY – In a battle of Class A Division I Top 10 programs, the No. 3 Knox City Greyhounds spoiled the home opener for the No. 6 May Tigers, 64-14, Friday night.

Knox City (3-0), which opened its season with a 34-24 win over two-time state champion Westbrook, limited May (2-1) to 209 yards of total offense – 157 rushing and 52 passing.

Braden Steele finished with 112 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for the Tigers while Lane Goodson chipped in 45 yards rushing.

Through the air, Steele was 5 of 8 for 39 yards, Cayson Dail completed a 9-yard and pass and Goodson added a 4-yard completion. Goodson hauled down three catches for 35 yards, Jackson Lusk caught two passes for 16 yards and Steele added a 4-yard reception.

Defensive standouts for the Tigers were Lusk (6 tackles), Goodson (5 tackles), Kaden Watkins (4 tackles), Steele (3 tackles and a fumble recovery), Hagan Hester (3 tackles), Mikey Scheriger (2 tackles and a fumble caused), and Ben Harrell (1 tackle).

Next week, May is back on the road at Garden City (0-2), which was slated to play Midland Trinity Saturday.

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Johnson City 56, San Saba 34

SAN SABA – The San Saba Armadillos were dealt a second straight loss, both at home, as the Johnson City Eagles logged a 56-34 road victory Friday night.

The Armadillos amassed 445 yards of total offense – 313 rushing and 132 passing – but coughed up the ball twice.

Ethan Gonzales rushed for 218 yards and three touchdowns for the Armadillos and caught four passes for 53 yards. Lane Miller ran for 78 yards and a touchdown and completed 5 of 8 passes for 56 yards with an interception. Alex Estrada connected on 3 of 8 passes for 76 yards – including a 68-yard touchdown to Skyler Romero – with one interception.

Defensively for San Saba, Levi Glover registered 21 tackles with a fumble recovery trailed by Estrada and Sterling Proffit with eight tackles each, and Alex Aguirre with seven. Julius Salinas also recovered a fumble and recorded three tackles.

Next week, San Saba seeks its first victory at home in its third straight game at Rogan Field as Eldorado (2-1), which suffered its first loss to Sonora, 39-13, Friday night, visits for homecoming.

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Hico 31, Cross Plains 7

CROSS PLAINS – The Cross Plains Buffaloes were limited to one touchdown for the second straight outing as they dropped a 31-7 decision to the Hico Tigers Friday night.

Hico (3-0) remained undefeated on the season by holding Cross Plains (1-2) to 242 yards – 157 rushing and 85 passing – with three turnovers. The Buffaloes gave up 398 yards – 248 on the ground and 150 through the air – and did not record a takeaway.

Dusty Wyatt rushed for 101 yards and a 14-yard touchdown for Cross Plains, while Theron Albrecht chipped in 63 yards on the ground. Kade Purvis connected on 9 of 23 passes for 51 yards with an interception and Alex Parker completed a 34-yard toss to Coltyn Barron. Gray Albrecht caught four passes for 29 yards and Wyatt grabbed two passes for 21 yards.

Defensively for the Buffaloes, Wyatt and Ryder Reed led the way with nine tackles apiece followed by Colt Sanderson with eight, Caleb Blue with seven, and Barron and Tyler Mackey with five apiece.

Next week, Cross Plains will attempt to halt its two-game skid at Junction (2-1), which knocked off D’Hanis, 32-7, Friday night.