Playoff competition continues to ramp up. Here’s a look at the best high school football games in the Lubbock area in the second round.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Ropes (10-1) vs. Farwell (7-3)
7 p.m. Friday, Littlefield
There’s always intrigue in a rematch, especially one in the playoffs.
Ropes and Farwell met in the same round last year, when the Eagles prevailed 28-0 en route to the Region I-2A Division II final. But the teams have plenty of differences this season.
That’s more true for the Steers, who beat Sudan 56-42 in a bi-district. Farwell is under the direction of first-year coach Derrick Shelton and is led by a young backfield.
Freshman quarterback Kolson Allen thrived in his playoff debut, and sophomore running back Coy Miller was a more-than-capable complement. Allen accounted for 370 yards and six touchdowns, while Miller ran for a team-high 132 yards. Hudson Agee (5-114) and Andrae Pullen (3-125) combined for three of four receiving TDs.
Ropes replaced a few offensive weapons, but the defense looks as dominant as last year. The Eagles beat McCamey 76-6 last week. It was the seventh time Ropes has allowed eight points or fewer.
Like Miller, Ropes’ Ryland Kieth (1,155 yards, 13 TDs) was a top-10 rusher in the Lubbock area through the regular season. The Eagles have also utilized Jaivyth Cruz, a transfer from Monterey, in the backfield. Cruz, who doubles as a linebacker, led the team with 116 rushing yards and a TD in bi-district.
Friday’s winner in Littlefield will face Wink or Gruver in the regional semifinals. Ropes beat Wink in that round last season, before Gruver topped the Eagles the following week.
Second-round playoff games to watch for Lubbock area
New Home (9-2) vs. Stamford (7-4)
7 p.m. Thursday, Colorado City
Last week: New Home 57, Amarillo Highland Park 18; Stamford 31, Sonora 2
Both teams are battle-tested from tough districts. The Bulldogs reloaded after a state runner-up finish last season.
Lubbock-Cooper Liberty (10-1) vs. Graham (8-3)
6 p.m. Friday, Shotwell Stadium, Abilene
Last week: Liberty 49, Monahans 0; Graham 32, Godley 0
The Patriots picked up the program’s first playoff victory and will look to make more history.
Seminole (8-3) vs. Glen Rose (6-5)
7 p.m. Friday, Sweetwater
Last week: Seminole 77, Levelland 38; Glen Rose 48, Mineral Wells 34
This will be the teams’ third playoff meeting in as many years. Last season’s area-round matchup went three overtimes before the Tigers prevailed.
Shallowater (8-3) vs. Peaster (10-1)
7 p.m. Friday at Childress
Last week: Shallowater 60, Brownfield 0; Peaster 31, Sweetwater 0
These teams met in the second round last season as well. The Mustangs won 41-21.
Lubbock-Cooper (7-4) vs. Prosper Walnut Grove (11-0)
3 p.m. Friday at Abilene Christian University
Last week: Lubbock-Cooper 45, El Paso Del Valle 42; Walnut Grover 35, Arlington Seguin 21
The Pirates have been playing with a playoff mentality the past three games. Can they keep it going against one of the most talented teams in the region?
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Ropes, Farwell football meet in second-round playoff rematch in Game of the Week
Reporting by Stephen Garcia, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
