Football: Permian Basin playoff preview capsules (Nov. 19 edition)

>> ANDREWS MUSTANGS VS. ABILENE WYLIE BULLDOGS

CLASS 3A DIVISION I REGIONAL PLAYOFF

Time, date, place: 7:30 tonight, Grande Communications Stadium, Midland.

Head coaches: Andrews, Jeff Cordell; Abilene Wylie, Hugh Sandifer.

Districts: Andrews, 3-3A; Abilene Wylie, 2-3A.

Records: Andrews 5-6, Abilene Wylie 9-1.

Next opponent: Burkburnett-Burnet winner.

Last week: Andrews 36, Fort Stockton 33 3OT; Abilene Wylie 24, Lubbock Estacado 7.

Playoff appearances: Andrews 27, Abilene Wylie 20.

Last playoff appearance: Andrews, 2007; Abilene Wylie, 2008.

Deepest advancement: Andrews, quarterfinals (1958, Breckenridge 44-0; 1959, Breckenridge 32-6; 1964, Wichita Falls Hirschi, 14-0; 1971, Brownwood 38-0; 1993, Stephenville 17-7; 2006, Canyon 53-28; 2007, Abilene Wylie 28-14); Abilene Wylie, finals (2000, Gatesville 14-10; 2004, Abilene Wylie 17, Cuero 14).

Previous playoff meetings: 2007, Abilene Wylie 28, Andrews 14 (Class 3A Division I regional quarterfinals)

Andrews leaders: RB Jorge Gutierrez (63 carries for 436 yards, 2 touchdowns); QB Hunter Hicks (129 of 277 for 1,787 yards and 16 touchdowns, with 8 interceptions).

Abilene Wylie leaders: QB Matt Preston (94 of 142 for 1,192 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 3 interceptions); WR/DB Austin Gray; OL-DL Sal Tonche,; LB Jimmy Holley.

Radio: KACT 105.5-FM and 1360-AM (Andrews).

Web: www.kactradio.com.

Notes: Andrews head coach Jeff Cordell said his team will have to play a perfect game to have a chance to upset Abilene Wylie. ... Quarterback Hicks threw the ball 35 times in the victory last week, completing 16 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns. ... Cordell has faced Abilene Wylie twice in the playoffs and beat them both times. ... Andrews played Wylie tough two seasons ago, but eventually fell in the quarterfinals. ... Wylie has only played 10 games because of a game canceled because of weather against Liberty Hill in Week 2. Starting quarterback Matt Preston has not played the last two weeks because of a knee injury and it is unknown whether he will play Friday. Collin Harris has filled in, winning both starts. Harris, a junior, was 10 of 12 with two touchdown passes in the win over Lubbock Estacado in a bi-district playoff last week. ... Sandifer is not worried about his team overlooking the Mustangs, despite their losing record. “We are all in the second round of the playoffs,” he said. “We have a team that works very hard to put ourselves in that position and so do they.” 

>> SEMINOLE INDIANS VS. BROWNWOOD LIONS

CLASS 3A DIVISION IIAREA PLAYOFF

Time, date, place: 7:30 p.m. Friday, San Angelo Stadium.

Head coaches: Seminole, Chris Burtch; Brownwood, Bob Shipley.

Districts: Seminole, 3-3A; Brownwood, 2-3A.

Records: Seminole, 8-3; Brownwood, 9-2.

Next opponent: Iowa Park-Wimberley winner.

Last week: Seminole 55, Clint 7; Brownwood 33, Dalhart 7 (bi-district playoffs).

Playoff appearances: Seminole 17; Brownwood 36.

Last playoff appearance: Seminole 2008; Brownwood 2006.

Deepest advancement: Seminole, regional (1943, Seminole 19, Wink 12; 1952, Stamford 35-0; 1997, Aledo 38-36; 2007, Vernon 33-3); Brownwood, finals (1960, Brownwood 26, Port Lavaca Calhoun 6; 1965, Brownwood 14, Bridge City 0; 1967, Brownwood 36, El Campo 12; 1969, Brownwood 34, West Columbia 16; 1970, Brownwood 14, Cuero 0; 1977, Dickinson 40-28; 1978, Brownwood 21, Gainesville 7; 1981, Brownwood 14, Fort Bend Willowridge 9).

Previous playoff meetings: None.

Seminole leaders: QB Michael Navarro (22-33-1 passing for 418 yards and seven TDs in three games); WR Jarod Adams (21-386 receiving with 8 TDs); LB Chago Gomez (69 tackles, 4 sacks, 11 tackles for loss); RB-DL Tevyn Reed (101-676 rushing with 6 TDs; also 45 tackles, 2 sacks); NG Mario Morales (31 tackles, 1 fumble recovery).

Brownwood leaders: QB Vance McShan 85-130-6 passing for 1,153 yards and eight TDs); WR Jaxon Shipley (28-580 receiving and five TDs); WR Dillon Ellis (29-418 rushing with two TDs).

Radio: KIKZ 1250-AM (Seminole); KOXE 101.3-FM (Brownwood).

Web: www.koxe.com.

Notes: Seminole’s Navarro, who broke his foot during a preseason scrimmage, started just his second game of the season last week in the playoff against Clint and completed 10 of 17 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns. All four of the TDs went to Adams, who had 215 receiving yards. … Last week against Dalhart, Jaxon Shipley had seven catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns while McShan completed 20 of 26 passes for 259 yards. Also, Stehl Ratliff rushed for two touchdowns and the Lions defense didn’t allow a point as Dalhart’s lone score came on a fumble return. … Under first-year head coach Bob Shipley, Brownwood has won five consecutive games, including a 28-27 victory against Graham. Brownwood’s last loss was a 41-21 decision against Abilene Wylie. … Seminole and Brownwood almost met in the 1962 playoffs. However, Seminole lost in the bi-district round to Dumas and Brownwood then beat Dumas in the area round. 

>> GRAHAM STEERS VS. MONAHANS LOBOES

CLASS 3A DIVISION II AREA PLAYOFF

Time, date, place: 7:30 tonight, Mustang Bowl, Sweetwater

Head coaches: Brad McCoy, Graham; Mickey Owens, Monahans.

Districts: Graham, District 2-3A; Monahans, District 3-3A.

Records: Graham, 10-1; Monahans, 11-0.

Next opponent: Winner of Bridgeport-China Spring

Last week: Graham 42, Borger 14; Monahans 41, Pecos 7

Playoff appearances: Graham, 23; Monahans, 28.

Last playoff appearance: Graham, 2007; Monahans, 2008.

Deepest advancement: Graham, semifinals (1963, Corsicana 14-13); Monahans, finals (1948, Monahans 14, New Braunfels 7).

Previous playoff meetings: None.

Graham leaders: QB Case McCoy (186-for-313 passing for 3,146 yards, 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions); RB Cameron Bailey (144 carries for 973 yards and 11 touchdowns); WR Dylan Fulford (46 catches for 1,033 yards and 14 touchdowns).

Monahans leaders: QB Wade Roark (33-for-53 for 542 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception); LB Ricky Robledo (137 tackles); DE Trevor Owens (97 tackles); DE Kevin Coldewey (72 tackles).

Radio: KKCM-AM (1330).

Web: Live updates at www.oavarsity.com.

Notes: Case McCoy, the younger brother of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, has verbally committed to follow his brother to Texas. McCoy’s best asset is his arm, but the senior has picked up 346 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. …. Other than Bailey, Graham doesn’t really have a second back. … Three receivers have more than 30 catches for the Steers. In addition to Fulford, Garrett Spears has 33 catches, and Conner Higgins has 30. …. Ethan Hiser leads Graham with 110 tackles. Hubbell Allen is second with 90 tackles. … Monahans is facing the most prolific passing attack the Loboes have faced this season. “Andrews and Seminole threw it quite a bit against us,” Owens said. “Although probably not at the level that these guys do.” … Cornerbacks Byron Scharf and Bryan Pippen will be key against a passing attack that has shredded nearly every team the Steers have played. Scharf leads the Loboes with five pass break-ups. “ … Blitzing might not help. “It’s real easy to say, just go heat him up, but when you do that you take somebody from coverage,” Owens said. “He sees that pretty quick, so you have to change coverages a lot.” 

>> FRIONA CHIEFTAINS VS. CRANE GOLDEN CRANES

CLASS 2A DIVISION II AREA PLAYOFF

Time, date, place: 7:30 tonight, Mustang Stadium, Denver City.

Head coaches: Mike Herbert, Friona; Naldo Esparza, Crane.

Districts: Friona, District 2-2A; Crane, District 4-2A.

Records: Friona, 8-3; Crane, 10-1.

Next opponent: Cisco-San Saba winner.

Last week: Friona 44, Sanford-Fritch 7; Crane 13, Idalou 7 (2OT).

Playoff appearances: Friona, 16; Crane 27.

Last playoff appearance: Friona, 2008; Crane, 2008.

Deepest advancement: Friona, semifinals (1996, Tatum 48-21); Crane, semifinals (1999, Commerce 30-0).

Previous playoff meetings: 1999, Crane 43, Friona 16 (Class 3A Division II area).

Friona leaders: QB Joey Dickson (50-101-4 passing for 670 yards and eight TDs); RB Zack Fair (125-1,178 rushing and 12 TDs; 20-239 receiving and two TDs); RB-LB Noe Saenz (633 rushing yards and nine TDs; team-leading 101 tackles); LB Matthew Stanberry (82 tackles).

Crane leaders: QB Jordan Cavazos (101-179-3 passing with 1,455 yards and 12 TDs); RB Cody Black (193-1,230 rushing and 13 TDs); LB Justin Mendoza (125 tackles).

Web: www.lonestarsports.com.

Notes: Friona is going to line up in the triple option and try to run the football. The Chieftains run the ball on 77.7 percent of their plays. … Fair is Friona’s feature back. “A lot of times you think you have him wrapped up, and he just pops out and keeps going,” Herbert said. “We try to get him the ball as much as we can.” … Crane had to fight off a late drive deep in its own territory to knock off Idalou. Cody Black came up with a sack to force fourth-and-goal, and Idalou missed the field goal. … The Crane defense didn’t force a turnover in regulation. When Idalou tried to throw in overtime, though, David Contreras picked off a pass to end the first half. Teague Esparza followed that by making another interception in the second overtime to give Crane a chance to win the game. … Crane might be able to open things up in the passing game. “Idalou played a zone,” Esparza said. “They were not going to let you beat them deep. Friona runs a little more press coverage.” 

>> IRAAN BRAVES VS. NEW DEAL LIONS

CLASS 1A DIVISION II AREA PLAYOFF

Time, date, place: 7 tonight, Wig Wam Stadium, Seminole.

Head coaches: John Fellows, Iraan; Ron May, New Deal.

Districts: Iraan, District 8; New Deal, District 6.

Records: Iraan, 9-2; New Deal, 11-0.

Next opponent: Sunray-Wheeler winner.

Last week: Iraan 49, Plains 7; New Deal 48, Farwell 7.

Playoff appearances: Iraan, 30; New Deal, 23.

Last playoff appearance: Iraan, 2008; New Deal, 2008.

Deepest advancement: Iraan, finals (1996, Iraan 14, Groveton 7); New Deal, semifinals (1987, Lorena 27-16).

Previous playoff meetings: 2008, area (Iraan 37, New Deal 7).

Iraan leaders: RB Jose Chavez (137-1,156 rushing with 17 TDs); QB Drew Fellows (51-104-7 passing for 835 yards and nine touchdowns); DB Dakota Green (5 interceptions).

New Deal leaders: RB Larry Dennis (112-1,366 rushing with 18 TDs); WR Garrett Mayo (9-137 receiving with 1 TD).

Radio: 1340-AM (Lubbock).

Notes: Iraan has won nine straight after dropping its first two games of the season. … Running back Jose Chavez carried the ball just five times last week against Plains, but rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns, along with catching a touchdown pass … The Lions come into the game ranked fifth in the state and have outscored their opponents 486-38 during their 11-game winning streak … New Deal has shut out six opponents this season, including Division II qualifier Seagraves. 

>> BALMORHEA BEARS VS. BORDEN COUNTY

SIX-MAN DIVISION II REGIONAL PLAYOFF

Time, date, place: 6 p.m. Friday, Rotary Field, Pecos.

Head coaches: Balmorhea, Debiasie Mendoza; Borden County, Trey Richey.

Districts: Balmorhea, Six-Man District 8 Division II; Borden County, Six-Man District 6 Division II.

Records: Balmorhea, 8-2; Borden County, 11-0.

Next opponent: Sands-Sierra Blanca winner.

Last week: Balmorhea, bye; Borden County 62, Loop 6 (bi-district playoff).

Playoff appearances: Balmorhea 12; Borden County 22.

Last playoff appearance: Balmorhea, 2001; Borden County, 2008

Deepest advancement: Balmorhea, semifinals (1994,Amherst 32, Balmorhea 28; 1998, Borden County 70, Balmorhea 24; Borden County, finals (1997, Borden County 48, Panther Creek 16; 1998, Trinidad 62-16; 2008, Borden County 54, Woodson 8)

Previous playoff meetings: 1998 semifinals (Borden County 70, Balmorhea 24).

Balmorhea leaders: QB Nigiel Lozano (38-76-1 passing for 716 yards and 15 TDs); RB Jeremy Baeza (83-732 rushing and 11 TDs); RB Alexander Mendoza (66-788 rushing and nine TDs); DE Ryan Mondgragon (104 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions); LB Justin Ramos (117 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 1 interception); DB Alvaro Beltran (5 interceptions).

Borden County leaders: B Michael Cooley (118-1,784 rushing and 46 total TDs); QB Miles Valentine (15-26-2 passing for 416 yards and six TDs); QB Karl Lamming (15-27-5 passing for 315 yards and 18 TDs).

Radio: KPTX 98.3-FM (Pecos).

Web: www.98xfm.com.

Notes: Borden County, the defending Six-Man Division II state champion, takes a 25-game winning streak into this matchup. … Borden County has trailed twice during its winning streak, both coming this year against Sands and Buena Vista in district games. … The Coyotes have had 11 players run the ball. Five of them have rushed for more than 115 yards in a game. … Balmorhea won its first district title since 1994, which was head coach Debiasie Mendoza’s freshman year of high school at Balmorhea. … Mendoza said his team’s size and physicality are going to be key in trying to slow down Borden County.