SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE THOUGHTS: WEEK 5

It was an interesting week, to say the least in 806 football. Here are some of my observations, thoughts and insight on the week and the week ahead for our West Texas teams.

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Plainview just put everyone on notice that’s it’s different now for the Bulldogs this season: can they keep their momentum?

I was happy to see the Bulldogs get a key win over the Lubbock-Cooper Friday night and some new stars were introduced to me as well. Jordan Porter is a man amongst boys at the Wide Receiver position for Plainview and Seth Mayberry had over 350 total yards rushing and four total touchdowns in the win. As I talked with Coach Martinez, we both agreed on one thing: Gotta let this one go quickly and get ready for a tough rest of their slate in District 3-5A DII.

Estacado is starting to figure it out on defense and that’s all the Matador Nation has been waiting on.

The Matadors won a tough, gritty, trenchy game against the Randall Raiders Thursday, 14-7. This wasn’t the normal type of win. The Matadors and Raiders pounded and grounded all game and no one scored until the fourth quarter when Randall scored first and Estacado, led by their Offensive Line with Vershauundrick Smith front-and-center, scored the last two touchdowns to win it. But I came away very impressed with the game-plan and their defensive execution. Raydon Sanders played great run defense and almost had an interception as well. This team looked totally different than week one, in a good way! Folks, that’s coaching…Great coaching.

If I’m Forsan’s Buffaloes, I’m not playing Ropes for a while.

Look man, I’m all for great games and competition, but the way Ropes has dominated Forsan the last two years, by a total of 103-0, I’m not playing them again! Give me a 2-0 forfeit loss! Ropes is starting to get into district championship mode and Coach Riker will have the Eagles flying and soaring every game, every play! How far will they go?!?!

The non-district game of the year is here: What will Lubbock-Cooper Liberty do against a great Midland Greenwood team at their house??

Lubbock-Cooper Liberty was 0-4 this time last year before their first program win in their small history over Fort Stockton. Flip it 365 days and now they are 5-0, probably going to be ranked this week and will face their toughest test by far this season against an undefeated Greenwood Ranger squad in Midland. Colton Bichard, Rodriguez, Walker, Hendrix, Thomas and their great coaching staff will have to figure out how to slow Greenwood down or it could be a shootout; or Liberty can get their running game going and pound their way to a 6-0 record before they jump into district play.

Coronado played a great half of football, and then the second.. I don’t know..

Coronado gave a great effort in their 65-28 loss to Tascosa Friday; especially in the first half where they went toe-to-toe with the Rebels and had it tied at 28, heading into the break. Now in the third quarter, something changed. Tascosa scored 37-unanswered points on the Mustangs and picked up a key win to start District 2-5A DI’s road to a title. JJ Villalobos and Campbell Stanek are a great duo and they looked outstanding Friday. There are flashes that this team can turn it around even though are 0-5 this season. Hopefully they do, sooner than later.

There was some blowouts that were pretty bad for teams Friday.

Canadian was up, 62-8 over Sunray at the half, Gruver was up 52-6 early, Panhandle shut out previously undefeated Wellington, 41-0. Lubbock-Christian beat New Deal, 43-0. And lastly, Seminole beat Denver City, 75-0…. I just hope the youngans keep playing hard because there are more losses on the horizon like that for some of those teams.

Slaton bounced back after thier first loss of the season in grand fashion.

Slaton defeated Morton, 55-16 to move to 4-1 on the year and did it in the trenches, led by Billy Harris: who had over 125 yards and three touchdowns in the contest. The Tigers still have everything they want to accomplish this season ahead of them and they’re playing like it!

What the HALE is going on in Hale Center!

The Eagles are flying around on defense for Hale Center and they have only given up eight points in their last four games! All of those games were convincing blowout wins too! Great job guys on the 62-8 win over Floydada Friday.

Levelland secured a big win before district play, knocking off previously undefeated San Angelo Lakeview, 40-35.

This win was big for the Lobos because it gives them some much needed confidence that they can play with anyone in 4A, including their district foes! Coach Leong is doing his best with a great attentive staff and they will get the best out of their guys: believe it!

Shallowater will not get a break as they face a potential state semifinal team Friday.

Shallowater’s Mustangs just lost to Idalou, 45-20 Friday and now they have to get ready to host the Canadian Wildcats: a team that has been putting up 50 burgers all year with the fries. This will make the Mustangs better late in the season, but some people can’t see the vision yet. Great losses are just as good as great wins..