AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STATISTICS AFTER WEEK 9 (includes scoring, tackles and interceptions)

SURE STOP: Temple senior linebacker Teryon Williams-Echols (36) grabs Harker Heights senior receiver Alexander Bailey to make one of his team-leading 14 tackles during the Wildcats' 13-9 loss to the Knights last Friday night at Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen. Closing in on the play is Temple senior defensive back Steve Jackson. The defeat stopped Temple's District 12-6A winning streak at 19 games. After an open date this week, the playoff-bound Wildcats (6-3, 4-1) will complete the regular season against last-place Copperas Cove on Nov. 4 at Wildcat Stadium. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

CLASS 6A/5A

TEAM STATISTICS

OFFENSE

Total yards gained/

average per game

Killeen Shoemaker 3,737/467.1 (2,111 rushing/1,626 passing)

Lake Belton 3,924/436.0 (1,695 rushing, 2,229 passing)

Harker Heights 2,996/374.5 (1,984 rushing, 1,012 passing)

Belton 2,917/364.6 (1,270 rushing, 1,647 passing)

Temple 3,132/348.0 (1,309 rushing, 1,823 passing)

Killeen 2,669/333.6 (1,504 rushing, 1,165 passing)

Copperas Cove 2,413/301.6 (1,004 rushing, 1,409 passing)

Killeen Ellison 1,843/230.4 (486 rushing, 1,357 passing)

DEFENSE

Total yards allowed/

average per game

Killeen Shoemaker 1,578/197.3 (866 rushing, 712 passing)

Killeen Ellison 1,861/232.6 (617 rushing, 1,244 passing)

Harker Heights 2,041/255.1 (772 rushing, 1,269 passing)

Belton 2,485/310.6 (1,335 rushing, 1,150 passing)

Killeen 2,490/311.3 (1,366 rushing, 1,113 passing)

Temple 2,905/322.8 (1,521 rushing, 1,384 passing)

Lake Belton 3,043/338.1 (1,602 rushing, 1,441 passing)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

OFFENSE

RUSHING

(Minimum: 100 yards)

Carries, yards, touchdowns

Re’Shaun Sanford II, Harker Heights 205 1,519 9

Deshaun Brundage, Temple 143 896 2

Jakobe Deloach, Killeen 141 839 11

Shaun Snapp, Belton 109 720 9

Craig Brown, Copperas Cove 123 678 5

Jamarius Stewart, Killeen Shoemaker 87 644 9

Jerrod Hicks, Killeen Shoemaker 71 619 9

D’Arius Wilkerson, Lake Belton 70 467 7

Tristan Robin, Lake Belton 76 453 8

LJ Underwood, Belton 77 369 4

Malachi Jerome, Killeen Shoemaker 53 319 1

Connor Crews, Lake Belton 53 279 9

Aimeer Washington, Harker Heights 68 274 5

Floyd Bristol, Lake Belton 28 213 1

X’Zavion Smith, Killeen Shoemaker 30 202 3

Micah Hudson, Lake Belton 20 191 1

K’Mare Balfour, Killeen Shoemaker 22 163 2

Dylan Plake, Harker Heights 34 131 6

Jervonnie Williams, Temple 21 127 1

Markis Nash, Copperas Cove 27 113 3

Jay Burrola, Belton 23 111 0

PASSING

Completions-attempts-

interceptions,

yards, touchdowns

Connor Crews, Lake Belton 138-217-4 2,222 27

Reese Rumfield, Temple 101-203-5 1,803 15

Ty Brown, Belton 113-204-6 1,648 18

Malachi Jerome, Killeen Shoemaker 113-173-5 1,561 14

Dylan Plake, Harker Heights 67-129-7 996 8

Roderick Norman, Killeen 78-130-5 995 8

Sidney Holland Jr., Killeen Ellison 63-129-5 991 8

Micah Casson, Copperas Cove 47-101-1 590 7

Gabriel Rodriguez, Copperas Cove 41-89-1 505 7

Blaine Butler, Copperas Cove 25-50-1 314 1

Xavier Dormeus, Killeen Ellison 15-31-1 268 2

Amonte Allen, Killeen Ellison 3-5-0 69 1

RECEIVING

(Minimum: 100 yards)

Receptions, yards, touchdowns

Micah Hudson, Lake Belton 53 1,038 13

Mikal Harrison-Pilot, Temple 37 734 6

Garrett Oliveira, Belton 26 538 9

Tekoree Landours, Killeen 38 525 4

Christian Tutson, Temple 20 495 6

Demetrius Pearce, Copperas Cove 25 493 5

Trishstin Glass, Copperas Cove 34 434 6

Jaydon Leza, Lake Belton 31 431 5

Khamani Debrow, Killeen Ellison 22 386 7

Bobby Williams, Killeen Ellison 24 342 2

Johnathan Lahmann, Killeen Shoemaker 18 323 3

Tay’Veon Johnson, Killeen Ellison 15 295 2

Mason Ramm, Belton 20 288 3

Javante Carson, Killeen Shoemaker 23 279 0

Tyler Johnson, Harker Heights 21 275 4

Slade LeBlanc, Belton 22 271 2

Maurice Starr, Killeen Shoemaker 19 261 3

Jerrod Hicks, Killeen Shoemaker 20 256 3

Raymond Howard, Killeen 24 242 2

Jamarius Stewart, Killeen Shoemaker 10 219 3

Jeremiah Lennon, Temple 10 201 1

Isaac Abel, Belton 6 196 2

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 10 196 5

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 16 195 2

Kai McMillian, Harker Heights 4 163 1

Daniel Izquierdo, Copperas Cove 15 152 1

Jordyn Jews, Killeen Ellison 13 152 0

Craig Brown, Copperas Cove 16 129 1

Jaquon Butler, Temple 10 114 1

Cameron Hamilton, Lake Belton 6 113 1

Re’Shaun Sanford II, Harker Heights 9 109 0

Aimeer Washington, Harker Heights 13 106 1

K’Mare Balfour, Killeen Shoemaker 7 105 2

Rocky Crooks, Harker Heights 9 100 1

Robert Harding, Killeen Ellison 8 100 0

Haiden Bryant, Killeen Shoemaker 13 100 0

SCORING

Touchdowns/2-point conversions/

field goals/extra points

Micah Hudson, Lake Belton 90 points (15/0/0/0)

Jerrod Hicks, Killeen Shoemaker 76 points (12/2/0/0)

Jamarius Stewart, Killeen Shoemaker 72 points (12/0/0/0)

Jakobe Deloach, Killeen 66 points (11/0/0/0)

Mikal Harrison-Pilot, Temple 56 points (9/1/0/0)

Re’Shaun Sanford II, Harker Heights 56 points (9/1/0/0)

Garrett Oliveira, Belton 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Shaun Snapp, Belton 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Connor Crews, Lake Belton 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Christian Tutson, Temple 48 points (8/0/0/0)

Tristan Robin, Lake Belton 48 points (8/0/0/0)

Cole Jackson, Lake Belton 45 points (0/0/0/45)

Marcos Garcia, Temple 44 points (0/0/6/26)

D’Arius Wilkerson, Lake Belton 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Khamani Debrow, Killeen Ellison 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Craig Brown, Copperas Cove 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Trishstin Glass, Copperas Cove 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Dylan Plake, Harker Heights 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Aimeer Washington, Harker Heights 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Antonio Butler, Killeen Shoemaker 35 points (0/0/1/32)

Jaydon Leza, Lake Belton 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Demetrius Pearce, Copperas Cove 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Jai’den Fletcher, Harker Heights 30 points (0/0/2/24)

Cole Chrisman, Belton 28 points (0/0/1/25)

LJ Underwood, Belton 26 points (4/1/0/0)

Ruben Menchaca, Killeen 28 points (0/0/2/22)

K’Mare Balfour, Killeen Shoemaker 26 points (4/1/0/0)

Reese Rumfield, Temple 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Tyler Johnson, Harker Heights 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Zy’Aire King, Killeen Ellison 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Maurice Starr, Killeen Shoemaker 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Tommy Stephens, Lake Belton 21 points (0/0/5/6)

Taurean York, Temple 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Mason Ramm, Belton 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Markis Nash, Copperas Cove 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Gabriel Rodriguez, Copperas Cove 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Joseph Fowlkes IV, Killeen Ellison 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Bobby Williams, Killeen Ellison 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Johnathan Lahmann, Killeen Shoemaker 18 points (3/0/0/0)

X’Zavion Smith, Killeen Shoemaker 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Jovan Smith, Killeen Ellison 13 points (0/0/0/13)

Deshaun Brundage, Temple 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Steve Jackson, Temple 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Isaac Abel, Belton 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Slade LeBlanc, Belton 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Tre Phillips, Lake Belton 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Blaine Butler, Copperas Cove 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Daniel Izquierdo, Copperas Cove 12 points (1/3/0/0)

Isaiah Hagan, Killeen Ellison 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Tay’Veon Johnson, Killeen Ellison 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Isaiah Tanner-Butler, Killeen Shoemaker 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Damarion Willis, Temple 8 points (0/4/0/0)

Karson Dunn, Belton 8 points (1/1/0/0)

Keyshaun Robinson, Killeen Ellison 8 points (1/1/0/0)

Mateo Lopez, Temple 7 points (0/0/2/1)

Jaquon Butler, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Landon Halvorson, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Rymond Johnson, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jeremiah Lennon, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Naeten Mitchell, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Julian White, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jervonnie Williams, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Ty Brown, Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Diego Coleman, Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Alton McCallum, Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jake Stout, Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Selman Bridges, Lake Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Floyd Bristol, Lake Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Cameron Hamilton, Lake Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Brady Johnson, Lake Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Cash Robin, Lake Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Micah Casson, Copperas Cove 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Trey Fossett, Copperas Cove 6 points (1/0/0/0)

NaKeem Freeman, Copperas Cove 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Ezekiel Kaleopa-Lynn, Copperas Cove 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Alexander Bailey, Harker Heights 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Rocky Crooks, Harker Heights 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Deaubry Hood, Harker Heights 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Kai McMillian, Harker Heights 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Marcus Moultrie, Harker Heights 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Brendan Bett, Killeen Ellison 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Daryl Cannie Jr., Killeen Ellison 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Amir Cavello, Killeen Ellison 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jevon Custis, Killeen Ellison 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Kesean Meeks, Killeen Ellison 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Eule Ford, Killeen Shoemaker 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Justice Janda, Killeen Shoemaker 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Malachi Jerome, Killeen Shoemaker 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jan Erdel, Copperas Cove 5 points (0/0/0/5)

James Sterverdink, Copperas Cove 3 points (0/0/1/0)

Jaylon Jackson, Temple 2 points (safety)

Manuel Herrera, Lake Belton 2 points (safety)

Evan Roland, Lake Belton 2 points (safety)

Malik Cuthbert, Copperas Cove 2 points (0/1/0/0)

Steve Albert, Killeen Ellison 2 points (0/1/0/0)

Jasiyah Riley, Killeen Shoemaker 2 points (safety)

DEFENSE

TACKLES

(Minimum: 20)

Taurean York, Temple 105

Matthew Moore, Killeen Ellison 105

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 100

Kesean Meeks, Killeen Ellison 95

Jeremy Jennings, Harker Heights 93

Marcus Moultrie, Harker Heights 73

Wyatt Butler, Belton 72

Connor Brennan, Lake Belton 70

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 66

Kabriel Anderson-Dale, Harker Heights 64

Teryon Williams-Echols, Temple 62

Kevin Pontius, Copperas Cove 59

Christopher Robinson, Harker Heights 58

Steve Albert, Killeen Ellison 53

Bruce Onchweri, Lake Belton 51

Deaubry Hood, Harker Heights 50

Kaden Butler, Harker Heights 49

Sam Babcock, Belton 47

Valentino Greene, Killeen Shoemaker 47

Naeten Mitchell, Temple 46

Brendan Bett, Killeen Ellison 45

Giani Zecca, Belton 44

Sam Shepard, Belton 43

Donovan Thompson, Belton 43

Kyle Dalton, Lake Belton 42

Jamorion Stanford, Harker Heights 40

King White, Harker Heights 40

Zavion Tibbs, Killeen Shoemaker 40

Malik Esquerra, Killeen Shoemaker 39

Steve Jackson, Temple 38

Selman Bridges, Lake Belton 38

Evan Collazo, Harker Heights 38

Anthony Massey, Harker Heights 38

Isaiah Hagan, Killeen Ellison 37

Tyrone Osberry, Killeen Ellison 37

Jequarrius McClendon, Killeen Shoemaker 37

Kevin Stockton, Temple 36

Manuel Herrera, Lake Belton 34

D’Anthony Jackson, Belton 33

Lamarian Hatcher, Harker Heights 33

Ronnie Collins, Killeen Shoemaker 33

Ayden Brown, Temple 32

Evan Roland, Lake Belton 32

Ka’Morion Carter, Temple 30

Ethan Arendall, Belton 30

Hayden Hourany, Belton 30

Jaylon Jackson, Temple 27

Rashad Jackson, Killeen Ellison 27

Adam Walden, Lake Belton 26

Jevon Custis, Killeen Ellison 25

Sebastian Magana, Belton 24

John Cole, Lake Belton 24

Joshua Mallard, Lake Belton 24

Rocky Parker, Lake Belton 24

Terrel Prust, Killeen Ellison 24

Julian White, Temple 23

Jamel Custis, Killeen Ellison 23

Noah Moaga, Belton 22

Keuntaye Williams, Lake Belton 22

Matthew Knox, Killeen Ellison 22

DeAndre Reed, Killeen Ellison 22

Keyshaun Robinson, Killeen Ellison 22

Darrion Burleson, Killeen Shoemaker 22

Dominick McCarty, Killeen Shoemaker 22

Justice Janda, Killeen Shoemaker 21

Josh Donoso, Temple 20

Trey Phillips, Lake Belton 20

INTERCEPTIONS

Naeten Mitchell, Temple 4

Isaiah Hagan, Killeen Ellison 4

Tyrone Osberry, Killeen Ellison 4

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 3

Jaeshaun Peyton, Killeen 3

Malik Esquerra, Killeen Shoemaker 3

Selman Bridges, Lake Belton 2

Anthony Jackson, Copperas Cove 2

Deaubry Hood, Harker Heights 2

Lamarrion Cotton, Killeen 2

DeAndre Reed, Killeen Ellison 2

Josh Donoso, Temple 1

Jaylon Jackson, Temple 1

Julian White, Temple 1

Sam Babcock, Belton 1

Manuel Herrera, Lake Belton 1

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 1

Torre Mallard, Lake Belton 1

Bruce Onchweri, Lake Belton 1

Malik Cuthbert, Copperas Cove 1

Malik Davis, Copperas Cove 1

Jeremy Jennings, Harker Heights 1

Christopher Robinson, Harker Heights 1

King White, Harker Heights 1

Brendan Bett, Killeen Ellison 1

Zy’Aire King, Killeen Ellison 1

Emanuel Morales, Killeen Ellison 1

Marquis Cross, Killeen Shoemaker 1

Eule Ford, Killeen Shoemaker 1

CLASS 4A/3A/2A/PRIVATE

TEAM STATISTICS

OFFENSE

Total yards gained/

average per game

Rosebud-Lott 3,132/391.5 (2,116 rushing, 1,016 passing)

Cameron Yoe 3,087/385.9 (1,385 rushing, 1,702 passing)

Academy 3,080/385.0 (1,340 rushing, 1,740 passing)

Lampasas 3,068/383.5 (1,108 rushing, 1,960 passing)

Salado 3,366/374.0 (1,203 rushing, 2,163 passing)

Jarrell 2,896/362.0 (910 rushing, 1,986 passing)

Rockdale 2,888/361.0 (1,377 rushing, 1,511 passing)

Granger 2,834/354.3 (2,166 rushing, 668 passing)

Gatesville 3,110/345.6 (1,187 rushing, 1,923 passing)

Rogers 2,605/325.6 (2,083 rushing, 522 passing)

Central Texas Christian 2,468/308.5 (1,738 rushing, 730 passing)

Troy 2,027/253.4 (1,160 rushing, 867 passing)

Moody 1,729/216.1 (881 rushing, 848 passing)

Bruceville-Eddy 1,040/148.6 (626 rushing, 414 passing)

DEFENSE

Total yards allowed/

average per game

Rogers 1,947/243.4 (1,008 rushing, 939 passing)

Academy 2,565/320.6 (1,572 rushing, 993 passing)

Gatesville 3,449/383.2 (1,786 rushing, 1,663 passing)

Salado 3,492/388.0 (1,598 rushing, 1,894 passing)

Rockdale 3,400/425.0 (2,136 rushing, 1,264 passing)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING

(Minimum: 100 yards)

Carries, yards, touchdowns

DJ McClelland, Granger 142 1,254 18

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 176 1,031 11

Rayshon Smith, Gatesville 146 870 10

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 84 851 9

Kase Maedgen, Salado 146 780 8

Kardarius Bradley, Cameron Yoe 93 673 11

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 59 611 5

Blaydn Barcak, Rockdale 121 581 9

Ryder Hohhertz, Moody 99 558 6

Lane Ward, Academy 82 541 6

Ethan Allerkamp, Central Texas Christian 91 533 6

Garrett Wolfe, Rogers 95 486 9

Cooper Sisneroz, Rogers 90 482 7

Aden Rascoe, Lampasas 81 469 4

Kasey Mraz, Academy 85 424 4

JaMarion Nibblett, Jarrell 78 395 6

Bryce Watson, Rogers 40 349 3

Nathan Tucker, Granger 73 339 5

Tim Grice, Rockdale 57 330 3

Cooper Valle, Troy 54 314 2

Luke Law, Salado 96 311 10

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 60 290 9

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 22 278 3

Kemar Spencer, Rockdale 53 268 3

David Flores, Lampasas 48 258 4

Jimmy Hall, Gatesville 62 250 2

Tyrrell Horne, Bruceville-Eddy 29 237 1

Karsen Gomez, Rogers 23 218 3

Jett Walker, Lampasas 38 213 3

Korey Gibson, Troy 39 194 2

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 11 189 4

Braylan Drake, Cameron Yoe 24 188 2

Zach Davis, Rogers 29 188 2

Tavares Crittendon, Cameron Yoe 34 165 5

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 37 164 0

Gage Richardson, Troy 27 157 0

Chad Pate, Bruceville-Eddy 39 150 2

Zeke Castro, Rockdale 26 147 2

Andrew Mitchell, Troy 27 141 1

Clayton Lawson, Academy 39 132 4

Cooper Staton, Moody 26 129 2

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 6 106 2

Jalani Price, Jarrell 8 102 1

Jacob Carruth, Jarrell 24 100 1

Keith Dailey, Moody 23 100 1

PASSING

Completions-attempts-

interceptions,

yards, touchdowns

Luke Law, Salado 155-289-12 2,156 19

Andrew Knebel, Jarrell 114-227-7 1,986 22

Jacob Newkirk, Gatesville 147-251-12 1,925 21

David Flores, Lampasas 139-221-9 1,890 23

Kasey Mraz, Academy 140-211-7 1,744 17

Braylan Drake, Cameron Yoe 122-176-1 1,619 19

Blaydn Barcak, Rockdale 99-185-9 1,468 13

Ethan Sorensen, Troy 71-150-8 841 11

Ryder Hohhertz, Moody 73-139-5 838 6

Cooper Smith, Central Texas Christian 74-124-5 715 2

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 51-103-5 682 7

Nathan Tucker, Granger 59-116-4 646 5

Cooper Sisneroz, Rogers 21-44-1 496 5

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 12-18-2 302 3

Kadyn Rape, Bruceville-Eddy 25-51-5 238 1

Ashton Rosas, Bruceville-Eddy 11-35-2 176 2

Landen Greene, Cameron Yoe 1-1-0 46 1

Robert Owens, Rockdale 1-1-0 43 1

Connor Jeter, Cameron Yoe 1-1-0 37 0

Demarcus Hicks, Rosebud-Lott 3-4-0 32 0

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 2-5-1 29 1

Karsen Gomez, Rogers 1-1-0 26 0

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 1-1-0 25 0

RECEIVING

(Minimum: 100 yards)

Receptions, yards, touchdowns

Ethan Moreno, Lampasas 64 878 5

Seth Reavis, Salado 50 839 9

Robert Owens, Rockdale 44 708 7

Trevor Smith, Gatesville 55 670 6

Scout Brazeal, Academy 52 655 8

Jacques Spradley, Jarrell 30 562 7

Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe 38 547 4

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 33 542 7

Mason Dotson, Jarrell 22 521 6

Alex Lawton, Academy 36 445 2

Zane Clark, Academy 27 434 5

Owen Stubbs, Lampasas 20 378 7

Tyler Shea, Gatesville 20 361 5

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 23 348 2

Dakarai Barnes, Jarrell 21 346 4

Carter Johnson, Lampasas 23 335 5

Dathan Walker, Jarrell 17 327 5

Kyle Shafer, Gatesville 25 324 6

Reed Ketcham, Troy 22 323 2

Morgan Adams, Salado 19 311 3

Zach Davis, Rogers 12 307 4

Cooper Staton, Moody 25 306 1

Roman Law, Salado 20 291 1

Charlie Mayer, Cameron Yoe 21 280 7

Kase Maedgen, Salado 29 263 3

Aden Rascoe, Lampasas 23 261 4

Tristan Eanes, Central Texas Christian 21 252 0

Caden Strickland, Salado 25 243 2

Tim Grice, Rockdale 12 224 1

Christopher Bailey, Bruceville-Eddy 14 222 3

DJ McClelland, Granger 13 220 3

Deandre Stephens, Rockdale 9 211 2

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 14 205 3

Ben Matias, Moody 13 204 3

Tucker Staton, Moody 17 204 2

Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe 8 191 1

Adrian Smith, Gatesville 20 186 1

Brendan Wilson, Salado 11 182 1

Sean Aguilar, Gatesville 11 180 0

Connor Jeter, Cameron Yoe 10 174 0

Jayden Thomas, Rosebud-Lott 10 166 3

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 12 163 4

Riley Spears, Rockdale 15 152 1

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 7 149 3

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 19 146 0

Lucas Matta, Granger 11 140 2

Korey Gibson, Troy 5 136 2

Luke Tomasek, Academy 13 117 1

Jacob Good, Central Texas Christian 10 103 1

Cooper Valle, Troy 13 103 5

SCORING

Touchdowns/2-point conversions/

field goals/extra points

DJ McClelland, Granger 126 points (21/0/0/0)

Blaydn Barcak, Rockdale 90 points (15/0/0/0)

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 81 points (13/1/0/1)

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 80 points (13/1/0/0)

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 68 points (11/1/0/0)

Kardarius Bradley, Cameron Yoe 66 points (11/0/0/0)

Rayshon Smith, Gatesville 66 points (10/3/0/0)

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 64 points (10/2/0/0)

Luke Law, Salado 62 points (10/1/0/0)

Kase Maedgen, Salado 62 points (10/1/0/0)

Garrett Wolfe, Rogers 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Seth Reavis, Salado 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Cooper Sisneroz, Rogers 52 points (7/5/0/0)

Scout Brazeal, Academy 50 points (8/1/0/0)

Aden Rascoe, Lampasas 48 points (8/0/0/0)

Robert Owens, Rockdale 48 points (8/0/0/0)

Charlie Mayer, Cameron Yoe 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Jacques Spradley, Jarrell 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Landon Richardson, Lampasas 42 points (1/0/4/24)

Owen Stubbs, Lampasas 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Ryder Hohhertz, Moody 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Cooper Valle, Troy 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe 40 points (5/5/0/0)

Kyle Shafer, Gatesville 40 points (6/2/0/0)

Landen Greene, Cameron Yoe 38 points (0/0/1/35)

Zane Clark, Academy 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Lucas Sanderson, Academy 36 points (0/0/5/21)

Lane Ward, Academy 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Ethan Allerkamp, Central Texas Christian 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Trevor Smith, Gatesville 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Mason Dotson, Jarrell 36 points (6/0/0/0)

JaMarion Nibblett, Jarrell 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Carter Johnson, Lampasas 36 points (5/0/0/6)

Zach Davis, Rogers 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Daniel Chtay, Salado 36 points (0/0/3/27)

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 39 points (2/0/3/18)

Daniel Romero, Rockdale 33 points (0/0/2/27)

Tyler Shea, Gatesville 32 points (5/1/0/0)

Clayton Lawson, Academy 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Tavares Crittendon, Cameron Yoe 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Nathan Tucker, Granger 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Jose Valverde, Granger 30 points (0/0/2/24)

Dathan Walker, Jarrell 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Ethan Moreno, Lampasas 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Jacob Newkirk, Gatesville 28 points (4/2/0/0)

Javier Bonilla, Gatesville 26 points (0/0/3/17)

Dakarai Barnes, Jarrell 26 points (4/1/0/0)

Cooper Staton, Moody 26 points (4/1/0/0)

Baldemar Arzola, Rogers 25 points (0/0/2/19)

Kasey Mraz, Academy 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Andrew Knebel, Jarrell 24 points (4/0/0/0)

David Flores, Lampasas 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Tim Grice, Rockdale 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Tyler McKissick, Troy 23 points (0/0/3/14)

Bryce Watson, Rogers 22 points (3/2/0/0)

Morgan Adams, Salado 20 points (3/1/0/0)

Christopher Bailey, Bruceville-Eddy 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Jett Walker, Lampasas 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Ben Matias, Moody 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Kemar Spencer, Rockdale 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Karsen Gomez, Rogers 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Jayden Thomas, Rosebud-Lott 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Korey Gibson, Troy 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Reed Ketcham, Troy 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Dalton Cox, Moody 17 points (0/0/2/11)

Nicolas Rodriguez, Jarrell 14 points (0/0/1/11)

Abraham Hernandez, Rogers 14 points (2/1/0/0)

Alex Lawton, Academy 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Chad Pate, Bruceville-Eddy 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Braylan Drake, Cameron Yoe 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Jimmy Hall, Gatesville 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Lucas Matta, Granger 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Jalani Price, Jarrell 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Dailin Fagan, Lampasas 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Preston Isom, Lampasas 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Brock Langford, Lampasas 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Tucker Staton, Moody 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Zeke Castro, Rockdale 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Deandre Stephens, Rockdale 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Clayton Doskocil, Rosebud-Lott 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Caden Strickland, Salado 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Hunter Fowler, Troy 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Willie Wilson, Bruceville-Eddy 8 points (1/1/0/0)

Cody Avant, Rosebud-Lott 8 points (0/0/0/8)

Brayden Bartlett, Academy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Cavalli Nealy, Academy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Luke Tomasek, Academy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Nicholas Boaz, Bruceville-Eddy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Tylor Eddins, Bruceville-Eddy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Tyrrell Horne, Bruceville-Eddy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Ja’Qualyn Fields, Cameron Yoe 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jacob Good, Central Texas Christian 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Loyal Morris, Central Texas Christian 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Cayden Stringfellow, Central Texas Christian 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Kason Herbelin, Gatesville 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Lawson Mooney, Gatesville 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Adrian Smith, Gatesville 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Theron Stone, Gatesville 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jayven Diaz, Granger 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Chase Edwards, Granger 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Thomas Hall, Granger 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Christian Beltran, Jarrell 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jacob Carruth, Jarrell 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Tyler Johnson, Jarrell 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Keith Dailey, Moody 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Isaiah Sauls, Rockdale 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Riley Spears, Rockdale 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Gavin Bennett, Rogers 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jackson Landeros, Rogers 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Sergio Reyna, Rogers 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Kole Stephens, Rogers 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Bryan Thuy, Rogers 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Dalan Willberg, Rosebud-Lott 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Roman Law, Salado 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Brendan Wilson, Salado 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Darius Wilson, Salado 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Chase Fricke, Troy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Hayden Stinson, Moody 5 points (0/0/1/2)

Alejandro Rodriguez, Rosebud-Lott 5 points (0/0/0/5)

Juan Diaz Esquivel, Bruceville-Eddy 4 points (0/0/0/4)

Angel Almendariz, Gatesville 2 points (0/0/0/2)

Thomas Youngblood, Granger 2 points (0/1/0/0)

Jaden Anzaldua, Moody 2 points (0/1/0/0)

Garrett Combs, Salado 2 points (0/1/0/0)

DEFENSE

TACKLES

(Minimum: 20)

Lawson Mooney, Gatesville 136

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 103

Mason Mooney, Gatesville 100

Ashtyn Culley, Gatesville 99

Ryder Casqueira, Moody 98

Thiele Alvarado, Gatesville 91

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 89

Brice Lisenbe, Rogers 88

Sean Aguilar, Gatesville 87

Daniel Rodriguez, Rosebud-Lott 85

Cade Pantaleon, Rockdale 79

Ayden Necessary, Gatesville 75

Adam Benavides, Salado 73

Chase Edwards, Granger 72

Preston Hering, Rosebud-Lott 72

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 71

Carlos Salomon, Cameron Yoe 66

Dusty Rhiddlehoover, Salado 65

Tyler Burnett, Academy 61

Javares Crittendon, Cameron Yoe 60

Easton Fulton, Rosebud-Lott 58

Garrett Combs, Salado 58

Lucas Garcia, Gatesville 57

Gabriel Logsdon, Central Texas Christian 56

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 54

Johnny Martinez, Rosebud-Lott 54

Nolan Miller, Salado 54

Daniel Munoz-Garcia, Academy 53

Tristan Eanes, Central Texas Christian 51

Cooper Staton, Moody 51

Ben Ford, Rosebud-Lott 51

Henry Pitman, Central Texas Christian 50

Malik Davis, Jarrell 50

Drew Bird, Salado 49

Hayden Delafuente, Cameron Yoe 48

Landen Greene, Cameron Yoe 48

Clayton Doskocil, Rosebud-Lott 48

DJ McClelland, Granger 46

Corey Burns, Gatesville 45

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 45

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 45

Davis Graham, Salado 45

Karsen Gomez, Rogers 43

Korey Gibson, Troy 43

Lincoln Hossfeld, Salado 42

Connor Woods, Rogers 41

LaBron Washington, Rosebud-Lott 40

Evan Hutka, Granger 39

Elijah Sunderman, Troy 39

Zane Clark, Academy 37

Kason Herbelin, Gatesville 37

James Mabe, Jarrell 37

Jaden Anzaldua, Moody 37

Gavin Bennett, Rogers 37

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 37

Isaiah Sauls, Rockdale 36

Jackson Landeros, Rogers 36

Keshon Johnson, Cameron Yoe 35

Adrian Smith, Gatesville 35

Dylan Pursley, Jarrell 35

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 35

Cruz San Migel, Rockdale 35

Jacob McCormick, Rogers 35

Brayden Bolyard, Jarrell 34

Cooper Schiller, Rogers 34

Ethan Martone, Jarrell 33

Jalani Price, Jarrell 33

Cavahn Wilson, Salado 33

Andrew Mitchell, Troy 33

Cannon Negron, Troy 33

Alek Castro, Jarrell 32

Bryce Watson, Rogers 32

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 32

Anthony Bradley, Bruceville-Eddy 31

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 31

Sammy Guerrero, Jarrell 31

Ethan Hohhertz, Moody 31

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 30

Yahir Mendoza, Rosebud-Lott 30

Colton Taylor, Gatesville 29

Tripp Wilkie, Granger 29

Garrett Wolfe, Rogers 29

Cooper Emmons, Rosebud-Lott 29

Payton Wilson, Academy 28

Matt Rose, Central Texas Christian 28

Thomas Hall, Granger 28

Nicolas Rodriguez, Jarrell 28

Michael Jenkins, Rogers 28

Scout Brazeal, Academy 27

Tavares Crittendon, Cameron Yoe 27

Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe 27

Taylor Tatum, Gatesville 27

Michael Selucky, Granger 27

Carlos Saucedo, Rosebud-Lott 27

Peyten Crawford, Troy 27

Nicholaus Squyres, Bruceville-Eddy 26

Rodrigo Cobian, Central Texas Christian 26

AJ Fach, Salado 25

Lane Ward, Academy 24

Tylor Eddins, Bruceville-Eddy 24

Evan Allerkamp, Central Texas Christian 24

Loyal Morris, Central Texas Christian 24

Devonte Anderson, Moody 24

Keith Dailey, Moody 24

Cayden Stringfellow, Central Texas Christian 23

Matthew Craft, Jarrell 23

Kamari Fisher, Jarrell 23

Josh Kohring, Rogers 23

Rowling Barton, Rosebud-Lott 23

Carson Eoff, Rockdale 22

Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe 21

Tommy Aaron, Gatesville 21

Nathan Tucker, Granger 21

Ricky Aguilar, Moody 21

Tristan Galvan, Rockdale 21

Tim Grice, Rockdale 21

Braden Bass, Academy 20

Clayton Lawson, Academy 20

Trey Vargas, Academy 20

Carson Carter, Bruceville-Eddy 20

Tucker Staton, Moody 20

Demarcus Hicks, Rosebud-Lott 20

Jayden Thomas, Rosebud-Lott 20

Grady Falcon, Troy 20

Cooper Valle, Troy 20

INTERCEPTIONS

Nicolas Rodriguez, Jarrell 5

Sean Aguilar, Gatesville 4

Kason Herbelin, Gatesville 4

Alex Lawton, Academy 3

Cayden Stringfellow, Central Texas Christian 3

Jalani Price, Jarrell 3

Reed Jerome, Lampasas 3

Brock Langford, Lampasas 3

Cannon Negron, Troy 3

Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe 2

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 2

Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe 2

Lawson Mooney, Gatesville 2

Ayden Necessary, Gatesville 2

Trae Herrera, Granger 2

Ethan Martone, Jarrell 2

Cooper Schiller, Rogers 2

Clayton Doskocil, Rosebud-Lott 2

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 2

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 2

Drew Bird, Salado 2

Reed Ketcham, Troy 2

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 2

Braden Bass, Academy 1

Scout Brazeal, Academy 1

Tylor Eddins, Bruceville-Eddy 1

Ja’Qualyn Fields, Cameron Yoe 1

Landen Greene, Cameron Yoe 1

De’Vontae Jackson, Cameron Yoe 1

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 1

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 1

Rhett Humphrey, Central Texas Christian 1

Mason Mooney, Gatesville 1

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 1

DJ McClelland, Granger 1

Jose Valverde, Granger 1

Brayden Bolyard, Jarrell 1

Kamari Fisher, Jarrell 1

Tyler Johnson, Jarrell 1

Antavas Rogers, Jarrell 1

Ricky Aguilar, Moody 1

Tucker Staton, Moody 1

Tim Grice, Rockdale 1

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 1

Cade Pantaleon, Rockdale 1

Gavin Bennett, Rogers 1

Brice Lisenbe, Rogers 1

Jaime Reyna, Rogers 1

Cooper Sisneroz, Rogers 1

Bryce Watson, Rogers 1

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 1

Carlos Saucedo, Rosebud-Lott 1

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 1

Jayden Thomas, Rosebud-Lott 1

AJ Fach, Salado 1

Lincoln Hossfeld, Salado 1

Darius Wilson, Salado 1

Andrew Mitchell, Troy 1

#Temple #TempleWildcats #TempleFootball #TempleHighSchool #Belton #BeltonTigers #BeltonFootball #BeltonHighSchool #LakeBelton #LakeBeltonBroncos #LakeBeltonFootball #LakeBeltonHighSchool #Academy #BrucevilleEddy #CameronYoe #CentralTexasChristian #CopperasCove #Gatesville #Granger #HarkerHeights #Jarrell #Killeen #KilleenEllison #KilleenShoemaker #Lampasas #Moody #Rockdale #Rogers #RosebudLott #Salado #Troy #TXHSFB #Football2022 #TempleBeltonSports

SCRIPT FLIPPED: Sanford, Heights overtake Temple in second half, defeat Wildcats 13-9 for 12-6A lead

PHYSICAL MATCHUP: Senior linebacker Taurean York (5) and another Temple defender combine to tackle Harker Heights senior running back Re'Shaun Sanford II as Naeten Mitchell (4) and Teryon Williams-Echols close in during the Wildcats' 13-9 loss to the Knights on Friday night at Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen. Temple kept Sanford out of the end zone, but the reigning District 12-6A MVP rushed for 148 of his 194 yards in the second half to help Heights (7-1, 4-0) snap the 19-game district winning streak of defending champion Temple (6-3, 4-1) and clinch the Knights' fourth straight playoff berth. (Photo by Matt Corley, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

By GREG WILLE

TempleBeltonSports.com

gwille2@hot.rr.com

KILLEEN – In District 12-6A football’s highly anticipated de facto championship game Friday night, Temple didn’t allow a point in the first 31 minutes and never let Harker Heights star senior running back Re’Shaun Sanford II reach the end zone.

Those two things could have been – maybe should have been – vital ingredients in a winning recipe to produce the Wildcats’ 20th consecutive district victory and clinch at least a share of their fourth straight 12-6A title.

However, the Knights were an extremely determined team on a clear, breezy evening at packed Leo Buckley Stadium, where the Wildcats had won their last 19 games.

Determined to beat nemesis Temple after watching three-touchdown first-half leads evaporate in shootout losses to the resilient Wildcats in the rivals’ 2020 and 2021 showdowns.

Determined to show that its experienced, stingy defense could shut down Temple’s big-play, high-scoring offense.

And undoubtedly determined not only to clinch a playoff berth but also to prove that the gold ball award for the 2022 district championship belongs in the Harker Heights trophy case.

Even the fact that the Knights trailed 9-0 after 2½ quarters didn’t dampen their determination. Heights took advantage of a pivotal third-quarter interception by getting Dylan Plake’s 36-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Johnson, then Aimeer Washington rushed for the go-ahead 10-yard TD early in the fourth.

Temple’s offense sputtered as it didn’t record a first down in the final 1½ periods, and the Sanford-led Knights drained the clock to 0:00 with a physical, ball-hogging 16-play drive to earn a 13-9 victory and most likely end the Wildcats’ long reign atop the district.

“Most teams we play are going to be bigger and obviously Harker Heights was a little bit faster than we were, but hat’s off to Coach (Jerry) Edwards’ crew. They wanted it more. The best team always wins and they were the best team tonight,” said Temple seventh-year head coach Scott Stewart, whose program hadn’t lost a district game since Nov. 1, 2019 at Waco Midway.

“We’ve still got our best football in front of us,” he added. “I thought after 24 minutes that might have been the best football we’ve played, even though we didn’t score a whole lot of points and missed some opportunities. But again, Harker Heights is a big reason for that.”

For prolific three-year standout Sanford and Harker Heights (7-1 overall, 4-0 in district) teammates, the high-stakes win against defending champion Temple (6-3, 4-1) was a long time coming, as evidenced by their hearty on-field celebration.

“It’s an amazing feeling to finally beat them. The past two years we were up and they came back and beat us, so for us to come back and flip the script, it feels good. It feels like destiny,” said reigning 12-6A Most Valuable Player Sanford, the Houston-committed workhorse who racked up 148 yards on 16 second-half carries to finish with 194 yards on 25 rushes as Heights secured its fourth straight postseason trip.

Tenth-year head coach Edwards entered 0-7 against Temple, with five mostly lopsided losses before Heights' pair of close, crushing defeats the last two seasons. His Knights had to go through the Wildcats to get what they wanted, and they made enough key plays in crunch time to finally overtake Temple.

“We stressed all week that we’ve accomplished a lot at Harker Heights and checked a lot of boxes, and that was one we hadn’t been able to check, beating Temple and hopefully get in the driver’s seat for a district championship,” Edwards said after his Knights improved to 14-1 in their last 15 district games. “We still have to finish out the regular season, but it puts us in a good spot. I’m just super excited for our kids and their resiliency to come out in the second half and beat a good football team.”

POWER PLAY: Temple senior running back Deshaun Brundage plows through a Harker Heights defender to score a 6-yard touchdown 2 minutes into the game Friday night at Killeen's Leo Buckley Stadium. That was the Wildcats' only TD as the Knights outscored them 13-0 in the second half to win 13-9 and hand Temple its first District 12-6A defeat since 2019. The Wildcats' offense was limited to 13 plays and 42 yards after halftime. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

Temple clinched its 10th consecutive playoff berth last Friday as Taurean York’s 2-yard touchdown catch from Reese Rumfield with 42 seconds remaining gave the Wildcats a 31-27 comeback win over Hutto on homecoming. But against the fast, sure-tackling, experienced defense of Harker Heights, Temple never scored a touchdown after Deshaun Brundage’s 6-yard TD run 2 minutes into the game.

In fact, the Wildcats had only 13 offensive snaps and 42 yards after halftime and ran just three plays in the final quarter as the Knights used their sturdy running attack – featuring Sanford and complemented by Washington – to play an effective game of keepaway.

“I thought we played well in the third quarter. That fourth quarter, I mean, I think we were on the field 89, 90, 92 plays. I don’t know how much it was, but I’ve got bigger concerns on the other side of the ball,” said Stewart, whose defense was missing four starters because of injuries. “Now, we can’t let a 20-play drive or whatever that was happen, but those kids (on defense) played their guts out. They’re exhausted.

“We’ve got to figure out what we’re trying to do on offense, because that’s unacceptable. We couldn’t pee a drop in the second half, and hat’s off to Heights for that. But gosh dang, I don’t know how you move the ball up and down the field in the first half and stall in the red zone and then in the second half we looked like we had never played offense in our life. We’ve got to go back to the drawing board and take a look at what we’re doing.”

All-state middle linebacker and four-year starter York said the Wildcats were unable to maintain their sharpness and focus after building a 9-0 lead on Mateo Lopez’s 46-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.

“I don’t think Harker Heights did anything different. They came out with the same gameplan they had in the first half. I just think we lost our focus and guys got complacent,” said York, the two-time 12-6A Defensive MVP. “I gathered the whole team together and told them, ‘Don’t get complacent. This game’s not over. That gold ball is the standard.’ But we lost focus as a team and we didn’t put up any points (in the second half).

“It’s little things that we’ve got to work on. We talk about the little things, and some people might not be taking those seriously. You’ve got to take that stuff seriously, and we’ve seen that firsthand with this game and the College Station game. When we lose, it’s because of us, not anything that (the opponent) did.”

Temple still could gain a share of the 12-6A championship if it follows its open date next week with a home win over last-place Copperas Cove (2-6, 0-4) in the Nov. 4 regular-season finale and Harker Heights loses either of its final two games – at Cove next week and home against third-place Bryan (5-3, 2-2) on Nov. 4.

“It’s amazing right now. We’re the top dogs now, so we’ve got to stay on it and we’ve got to keep pushing and stay level-headed. We can’t get complacent,” said Sanford, whose squad is on track to host a Division II bi-district playoff game at Buckley.

Depending on which two teams join Temple and Heights as 12-6A’s four playoff qualifiers, the Wildcats likely will venture into the postseason as the district’s second seed in the Division II bracket or as the league’s top seed in Division I.

HOLDING ON: Temple senior wide receiver Mikal Harrison-Pilot (7) gets grabbed by a Harker Heights defender during the Wildcats' 13-9 loss to the Knights on Friday night at Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen. Harrison-Pilot's 48-yard catch-and-run from Reese Rumfield set up Deshaun Brundage's 6-yard touchdown rush 2 minutes into the game. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

Although it didn’t turn out to be a sign of things to come, Temple got off to a great start in the much-hyped duel at Heights.

On the second offensive play, senior Mikal Harrison-Pilot caught Rumfield’s pass on the right side and sprinted to the Knights’ 25-yard line for a 48-yard outburst.

Harrison-Pilot then gained 8 yards on a sweep and rugged senior Brundage rushed for 4 and 7 yards to reach the 6 before Brundage grabbed the high direct snap and crashed through defenders at the goal line to score a touchdown 1:59 into the game. Temple went for the 2-point conversion out of a swinging gate formation, but the shotgun snap to York was low and he was swarmed by Heights, keeping the Wildcats’ lead at 6-0.

Despite the productive start, Temple didn’t get into the end zone in the final 46 minutes after the Wildcats scored a combined 82 points in their last two meetings with the Knights.

Seven minutes into the opening period, Alexander Bailey appeared to make a key play for Heights as he caught Plake’s slant pass for a would-be first down near midfield. But Temple senior cornerback Steve Jackson aggressively stripped the ball away from Bailey, giving the Wildcats possession at the Heights 48.

Temple’s offense then tried to take Heights by surprise on the next play, with most of the Wildcats in a huddle near their sideline. Normally an offensive tackle, Jeremiah Mungia snapped the ball out wide left to Harrison-Pilot, who had a convoy of blockers and might have scored on a trick play the Knights' defense wasn't ready for. However, an official darted in and whistled the play dead because the play clock had not started, a call that disgusted Stewart.

After York sacked Plake for a 7-yard loss on third down, Temple took over at its 18 3 minutes into the second quarter and embarked on its second scoring drive. Brundage delivered productive runs and Rumfield completed passes to juniors Tavion Flowers and Jaquon Butler and sophomore Christian Tutson as the Wildcats marched to the Knights 18.

The drive bogged down with a penalty and a Rumfield third-down fumble that guard Seth Martinez recovered at the 29. That gave Lopez a scoring opportunity with the wind at his back, and the burly, strong-legged senior kicked a 46-yard field goal that caromed off the left upright and in to extend Temple’s advantage to 9-0 with 5:11 remaining in the first half.

Temple’s active defense then continued to perform well by delivering a three-and-out series, and Tutson beat double coverage near the left sideline to make a sliding catch of Rumfield’s pass for a 39-yard gain to the Heights 27. The Wildcats advanced as far as the 17, but the Knights invaded the backfield to stop Rumfield for losses of 6 and 9 yards, leaving Temple at the 28 with 14 seconds left.

Lopez came out to attempt another 46-yard field goal, but the snap was too high for new holder Ethan Magana, who replaced junior Damarion Willis in that role after starting safety Willis suffered a broken collarbone against Hutto. Lopez recovered the bouncing ball and tried to run with it, but he fumbled it and Kaden Butler made the recovery for Heights at Temple’s 39.

The Wildcats had to settle for a 9-0 halftime lead after limiting the fast, shifty Sanford – who came in with 1,326 rushing yards this season and 5,100 in his career – to nine carries for 46 yards, none longer than 11 yards.

“Coach always tells me to just keep grinding. I know I can get 5 yards, 5 yards. I’m satisfied with that. That’s OK,” said Sanford, who rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns at Temple last year. “It’s not going to pop every time, but I know if I stay consistent and break them down from what I’ve seen on film, then we can keep pounding it and eventually it’ll pop like it did in the second half.”

FORCE UP THE MIDDLE: Temple senior defensive lineman Jaylon Jackson (0) penetrates the middle and partially blocks a 38-yard field goal attempt by Harker Heights kicker Jai'den Fletcher during the third quarter of the Wildcats' 13-9 loss to the Knights on Friday night at Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen. Jackson has blocked three field goals in the last two games and four overall during District 12-6A play. (Photo by Matt Corley, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

On the third quarter’s second snap, it finally popped for Sanford as he cut back across the field for a 50-yard dash before senior safety Jaylon Hall corralled him at the 23. But the next three runs – none by Sanford – netted only 2 yards, and a 38-yard field goal attempt into the wind by Jai’den Fletcher sailed wide right after being partially blocked by Jaylon Jackson. It was the senior lineman’s third blocked field goal in two weeks and fourth in district play.

Temple still had the momentum at that point, but not for much longer.

On third-and-8 from the Wildcats 43, Rumfield’s crossing pass into traffic was intercepted by senior linebacker Jeremy Jennings, the Knights’ top tackler, at the Heights 44 midway through the third.

Sanford rushed for 8 and 15 yards to help the Knights advance to the 30, but Temple’s defense then put Heights in a third-and-16 predicament at the 36. The Wildcats dropped eight players into pass coverage, but the Knights still found a way to break through.

Sophomore receiver Johnson beat one defensive back to catch Plake’s well-thrown pass at the 10 and crashed through another defender to score at the right pylon for a 36-yard touchdown before Fletcher’s extra point cut Temple’s lead to 9-7 with 4½ minutes remaining in the third.

“They’re good on defense and Reese made a bad throw (on the interception), but the busted coverage on the touchdown is what killed us,” Stewart said. “You could see the different looks in their eyes. Again, these kids don’t quit and they’re going to fight until the very end, but I think that’s where it started sliding right there.”

Said York, whose 76-yard touchdown return of Plake’s fumble sealed Temple’s 44-34 home win over Heights a year ago: “We were dropping eight people and that’s a three-man front right there, so the fact that anything got behind us, it’s ridiculous. It’s little things like that, and little things will get you beat."

York said he sensed the momentum changing after the Knights finally dented the Wildcats’ defense to get on the scoreboard.

“We were still winning at that point. (But) you could just feel a nasty aura on our sideline, and I didn’t understand that,” the Baylor-committed York said. “I told them, ‘We’re still winning 9-7. Calm down. Nothing has changed.’ But when it flipped, the experience showed. Those (Heights) guys know what it’s like to be up and then blow the lead. We were up and we blew the lead too, so experience comes in whenever you have four starters out on defense and you’re playing with guys who haven’t gotten a lot of burn. The experience shows in games like this.”

The Harker Heights defense came in allowing only 17 points and 259 yards per game, and the increasingly feisty Knights didn’t permit Temple to record a first down in the game’s final 1½ quarters.

“This is the best defense I’ve seen at Harker Heights,” Sanford said. “They’ve worked so hard. They fly around and they hit. They’re not afraid to go hit anybody in the mouth. They’re fast, they’re big, they’re strong. I’m very proud of those guys. They’re amazing.”

GOING LOW: Temple sophomore wide receiver Christian Tutson beats two Harker Heights defenders to make a sliding catch of Reese Rumfield's deep pass for a 39-yard gain during the second quarter of the Wildcats' 13-9 loss to the Knights in Friday night's District 12-6A showdown at Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen. (Photo by Matt Corley, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

One minute into the fourth, Temple’s defense had a prime opportunity to force Heights off the field and give the Wildcat offense a shot to extend its slim lead. But on third-and-10 from the Knights’ 46, Sanford caught Plake’s pass across the middle, broke a tackle and raced for a crucial 44-yard gain before Teryon Williams-Echols stopped him at the 10.

On the next play, the powerful Washington (39 yards on 14 carries) – who as a sophomore rushed for three touchdowns in Temple’s 38-36 comeback win at Buckley – ran straight ahead and broke multiple tackles for a 10-yard touchdown that gave Heights its first lead at 13-9 with 10:33 remaining. York stopped Sanford on the ensuing 2-point run up the middle.

After Jervonnie Williams gained 3 yards to the Temple 34 on third-and-4, Stewart decided to punt with 8:38 left and trust his defense to give the Wildcats another opportunity to produce the go-ahead score after doing exactly that to overcome Hutto a week earlier.

But it never came.

Taking over at its 21, Harker Heights employed a physical ground game to chew up yards and clock and keep Temple’s frustrated offense watching from the sideline. Operating against a game but tiring defense, Sanford rushed eight times and Washington four times as the unrelenting Knights picked up six first downs and marched deep into Wildcats territory.

Sanford raced off left tackle for a 16-yard gain to the 2 with a minute remaining, and with only two timeouts left Temple couldn’t prevent Plake from retreating and kneeling three times to complete the Knights' satisfying breakthrough win against the Wildcats.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our line. Amazing,” Sanford said. “They work so hard and they really won the game for us. We couldn’t do what we do without them.”

Said York: “We had them bottled up. But fatigue was a factor, experience was a factor and a loss of focus was definitely a factor.”

Stewart dismissed the notion that limiting Heights to 13 points on the road should have been sufficient for Temple to prevail and clinch another 12-6A championship.

“It wasn’t, so I don’t worry about what should be good enough to win,” Stewart said. “We started two kids tonight (on defense who before this season) haven’t played football since middle school. That’s what we got and that’s the best we got, so no excuses there. We’ve got to play better up front, and again, we’ve got to move the dadgum football on offense.

“I’m listening on the headset and we screwed up too many plays – a half-dozen or more – where we didn’t even block some of their defensive linemen. I mean, what do you think is going to happen? We’ve got to go back to work and go back to basics. We’ve got to take a look at what we’re doing and make sure the package is what it needs to be and try to figure it out.”

In the aftermath of Temple’s first loss at Buckley since a first-round overtime defeat against Pflugerville in 2007, a disappointed York still savored the competition with Sanford and the talented Knights.

“Iron sharpens iron, and we got better tonight and they got better tonight. It’s always good going against a dynamic duo at running back or any good running back in general, because you’re going to see where you’re at,” York said. “We’ll be playing each other in the Big 12, so that’ll be a fun matchup to watch. You live for games like this and these are the type of games you want to play, so I can’t complain."

#Temple #TempleWildcats #TempleFootball #TempleHighSchool #TaureanYork #MikalHarrisonPilot #DeshaunBrundage #ChristianTutson #JaylonJackson #SteveJackson #ScottStewart #HarkerHeights #ReShaunSanfordII #AimeerWashington #DylanPlake #TylerJohnson #JeremyJennings #JerryEdwards #TXHSFB #Football2022 #TempleBeltonSports

BATTLE AT BUCKLEY: Champ Temple expects another challenge from Sanford, Harker Heights in 12-6A bout

GETTING PHYSICAL: Temple cornerback Kaiden Anderson (19) tackles a Hutto player as fellow senior defenders Naeten Mitchell (4) and Taurean York close in during the Wildcats' 31-27 comeback win over the Hippos last Friday night at Wildcat Stadium. Defending District 12-6A champion Temple (6-2, 4-0) battles Harker Heights (6-1, 3-0) at 7:30 Friday night at Killeen's Leo Buckley Stadium, where the Wildcats have won 19 straight games. Heights built three-touchdown first-half leads against Temple in 2020 and 2021, but the Wildcats charged back to win 38-36 and 44-34, respectively. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

By GREG WILLE

TempleBeltonSports.com

gwille2@hot.rr.com

KILLEEN – Temple’s football program has a 19-game winning streak in District 12-6A dating to 2019. The Wildcats have won 19 consecutive games at Leo Buckley Stadium going back to 2008. And Temple has defeated Harker Heights seven straight times – by an average score of 43-17 – since the Knights’ last victory in the series, in 2012.

Those are the facts.

History aside, however, there are plenty of reasons why Harker Heights is capable of ending all those streaks when the Wildcats (6-2 overall, 4-0 in district) and the Knights (6-1, 3-0) clash in a highly anticipated showdown at 7:30 Friday night in what should be a charged-up atmosphere at The Buck.

With its 10th consecutive playoff berth already secured after a 31-27 comeback victory over Hutto last Friday at Wildcat Stadium, Temple can clinch at least a share of its fourth straight 12-6A championship with a win at Harker Heights.

But the teams’ classic matchups in 2020 and 2021 demonstrated that the Knights of 10th-year head coach Jerry Edwards have the talent and competitiveness to pose major problems for the Wildcats of seventh-year head coach Scott Stewart.

Two years ago at Buckley, Heights jumped out to a 20-0 lead before Temple got off the mat and charged back to earn a 38-36 victory. Last Oct. 1 at Wildcat Stadium, the fast-starting Knights seized a 21-0 first-half advantage before the resilient Wildcats woke up and rallied to prevail 44-34.

However, a new year brings different circumstances. If Heights – 13-1 in district play since its 2020 loss to the Wildcats – beats Temple, the Knights will clinch their fourth straight playoff berth and gain the inside track toward winning their first district championship since 2003.

Heights has one of the best running backs in recent Central Texas history in speedy senior star Re’Shaun Sanford II, the Houston-committed playmaker and reigning 12-6A MVP who’s rushed for 5,100 yards and 43 touchdowns in three years.

The Knights possess a fast, physical, experienced defense that has allowed only 17 points and 259.3 yards per game this season.

And Heights should be a refreshed squad after getting its open date on the schedule last week, while Temple will be playing for the ninth straight week – the Wildcats are off next week – as it tries to overcome key injuries on defense.

With all those factors in play, Temple isn’t expecting anything other than another stern challenge from a hungry, motivated Heights squad in the de facto 12-6A championship game in front of a large, raucous crowd at Buckley.

“I’m sure it’ll be hopping. We’re going to get their best shot. Jerry Edwards does a great job,” said Stewart, whose Wildcats got a go-ahead 2-yard touchdown pass from junior Reese Rumfield to senior Taurean York with 42 seconds remaining and a game-ending interception from senior defensive back Naeten Mitchell to stave off upset-minded Hutto for the dramatic win on homecoming.

Stewart said Harker Heights probably turned its attention toward beating Temple as soon as the Knights ended their last game, a 42-24 win at Hutto two weeks ago.

“I don’t know what they’ve been (saying) leading up to this point, but as soon as that clock hit 0:00 against Hutto I’m sure they were on the bus ride talking about being ready to do something in two weeks,” Stewart said Tuesday afternoon. “That’s up to them. We’re going to get everybody’s best effort. When you’re the defending district champion, you’re going to get a little more oomph.

“I’m not suggesting that they are doing that, but (the reason) we don’t do that is because that doesn’t last. You may start out of the gates fast, but if you play the way you play simply because of who’s on the other sideline, you can’t sustain that. I want to play because of who we are, not because of who’s on the other sideline.”

From the Heights perspective, Edwards said Thursday morning that the long-awaited showdown with Temple is more about striving to earn one high-stakes win than it is about gaining revenge for the Knights’ close-call losses to the Wildcats the past two years.

“I just think it’s two Central Texas heavyweights who are undefeated in district and playing in a meaningful game,” said Edwards, whose team has beaten Pflugerville Weiss (21-14), Waco Midway (24-13) and Hutto in district. “That’s the reason the players play, the coaches coach and the fans love to watch the game.

“Obviously the concern about Temple is they’ve already clinched a playoff spot and they’re the two-time defending (outright) district champion,” he added. “They know how to win, and that’s a testament to Coach Stewart and his program. We’ve got to make sure we don’t let the moment get too big, and to seize the opportunity.”

Then-junior Mitchell made 12 tackles a year ago to help Temple overcome Harker Heights for the hard-earned comeback victory that propelled the Wildcats to their second straight perfect district season. With the Knights surging since their 28-27 loss at Odessa Permian (a game Heights led 27-7 at halftime) five weeks ago, Mitchell said Temple is eagerly embracing another important battle against skilled, athletic Heights.

“I’m very excited. We know they have a lot of good, fast players and it’s always a competition when we play against them,” said Mitchell, the New Mexico State commitment who leads Temple with four interceptions and ranks third with 36 tackles. “We’ve seen a lot of good teams, but I don’t think there’s going to be a team as fast as them. We have a great scheme going into it, so I believe in our guys.

“We’re going into this week very confident. I know that they’re very confident, so it’s two confident teams going against each other. It’s going to be a great game.”

It wouldn’t be accurate to say that Temple’s defense must stop Sanford to beat Harker Heights. It wouldn’t be realistic, either, because the fleet-footed, hard-to-tackle back has averaged 175.9 rushing yards per game in his career and 189.4 yards this season.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Sanford rushed for 219 yards against Temple a year ago, highlighted by a 76-yard touchdown sprint that gave Heights a 21-0 lead 8½ minutes before halftime and a 24-yard scoring scamper that pushed the Knights back into the lead at 34-29 with 8½ minutes left in the fourth before the Wildcats scored 15 unanswered points to win it.

When discussing what makes Sanford special, Stewart showed a recent video highlight in which two Hutto defenders are in position to stop Sanford about 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, only for Sanford to break their tackles and shed three more would-be tacklers en route to a long-range touchdown run.

“He’s just very elusive and dismissive. That clip I showed you, nobody hits him clean. He just does that little move and he goes through it like a turnstile,” said Stewart, whose defense limited Sanford to six carries for 8 yards as a sophomore. “Normally I would say get on his tracks and get in his gears early. Usually when people are successful against him, they get someone in front of him and they have somebody wrap him up. You can’t just knock him (down), because he’s too strong and he’s got too much balance.”

Two years ago Sanford rushed for 333 yards at Belton as Harker Heights clinched a 12-6A playoff berth in the regular-season finale. Last year he followed the Temple game with consecutive outbursts of 257 yards against Belton, 366 against Killeen Shoemaker and 330 against Killeen, totaling 11 touchdowns in those three games.

Including 2,330 yards and 27 touchdowns from his monstrous 2021 season, he’s accumulated 5,100 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns in 29 career games.

Edwards praised Sanford for what he means to Heights as a player and as a person.

“Re’Shaun’s a great kid, a great teammate and a coach’s dream. He’s a 3.8 GPA kid and equally talented on the field and off,” Edwards said. “He’s an electrifying player with what he can do with the ball in his hands. It never ceases to amaze me how fast he is. And he has a great will to win.”

KEY MATCHUP: Temple nose tackle Ayden Brown grabs ahold of Harker Heights running back Re'Shaun Sanford II during the Wildcats' 44-34 comeback win over the Knights last Oct. 1 at Wildcat Stadium in a showdown between District 12-6A's best two teams. Sanford rushed for 200-plus yards and two touchdowns, but Heights lost three fumbles during the game's final 6 minutes and Temple linebacker Taurean York returned one 76 yards for the clinching TD with 1:11 remaining. Sanford, the reigning district MVP, is verbally committed to Houston. (File photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

Sanford benefits from the blocking of a sturdy offensive line, paced by two hulking seniors in four-star national recruit Jaydon Chatman (6-4, 300) and Etueni Ropati (6-5, 295), Chatman is verbally committed to Texas and Ropati is a Texas-San Antonio pledge.

Three-year stalwart running back/fullback Aimeer Washington is a key blocker for Sanford and also can do damage on his own. He rushed for 100-plus yards and three touchdowns against Temple as a sophomore, and this year he’s rushed for 236 yards and four touchdowns and caught 12 passes for 101 yards and a score.

Last year, quarterback Dylan Plake had an outstanding sophomore season for Heights. The 12-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 1,923 yards and 30 touchdowns against eight interceptions while throwing to two talented senior targets in tall, burly Terrance Carter – whose two TD grabs put Temple in a 21-0 hole – and small-but-speedy Marcus Maple.

Plake hasn’t been nearly as productive or efficient as a junior, competing 51.3 percent of his throws for 845 yards and seven TDs against seven INTs. His leading receiver is sophomore Tyler Johnson with 20 catches for 239 yards and three TDs.

“I promise you, Plake can throw it as well as anybody in this district. I think he’s very accurate,” Stewart said. “(The Heights passing game) is there; it’s just a matter of whether they need to use it or not.”

Said Temple defensive coordinator Dexter Knox about the Knights’ offense: “Last year they had Carter and Maple and I think they tried to spread it around more than they do this year. We’re going to try to piece a defense together and keep Sanford bottled up. I’m sure he’s going to get some. The dude is a stud. You can draw up the best fit and you can fit it all correctly, and then Sanford just breaks tackles and squirms out of there. You just have to limit him as much as possible. We’re going to have to be great tacklers.”

Added Mitchell about defending Sanford: “I mean, you just have to beat him to the spot he’s going to. We have a great defensive front and multiple great linebackers, so I’m excited.”

Temple’s injury-depleted defense will be without two starting safeties against Harker Heights. Stewart said sophomore O’Ryan Peoples will miss his third straight game because of a separated shoulder. Temple has its open date next week and hopes Peoples can return for the Nov. 4 regular-season finale at home against Copperas Cove.

Junior Damarion Willis suffered a broken right collarbone in the first half against Hutto and won’t return this season unless Temple makes an extended run in the playoffs. Willis has scored four 2-point conversions on runs out of the swinging gate formation and he’s also the Wildcats’ holder on kicks.

Senior Jaylon Hall and sophomore Deavonte Carr are getting the most playing time with Peoples and Willis sidelined, and senior standout wide receiver Mikal Harrison-Pilot figures also to play a large amount of defensive snaps at safety against Heights. Temple first-team all-district safety/outside linebacker Zion Moore has missed the entire season because of a broken ankle.

“It’s definitely a concern if you lose top players, but we have a player lined up any time someone gets hurt,” Mitchell said. “It’s going to be a little bit of a different scene, but we still have a great scheme and great players behind them.”

Speaking of great players, the skilled and experienced Harker Heights defense has them in droves. As such, Temple likely will need to be much more secure with the ball against the fast, sure-tackling Knights after two interceptions and two lost fumbles hindered the Wildcats against Hutto.

Senior linebacker Jeremy Jennings leads Heights with 81 tackles, speedy senior cornerback Deaubry Hood (42 tackles) returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown against Midway and 6-foot, 315-pound senior nose tackle Lamarian Hatcher has racked up 5½ sacks. Senior end Christopher Robinson has 16 tackles for loss among his 51 stops.

Temple offensive coordinator Robby Case said Hatcher is “a Casey Hampton type who eats up double-teams" but added that he feels confident in the middle of the Wildcats' offensive line.

The Knights’ other leading defenders include senior strong safety Marcus Moultrie (60 tackles), senior cornerback King White (34 tackles, one interception) and junior outside linebacker Kabriel Anderson-Dale (58 tackles, three sacks).

“Their defensive speed is scary,” Stewart said. “They don’t give up much.”

Case said the Wildcats must devise and execute an effective plan against an athletic, disciplined Heights group that has allowed 14 points or fewer in four games this season.

“They’re really fast, and the strength of their defense is they get to the ball quickly and they tackle well. The overall speed is their strength,” said Case, whose offense got 175 rushing yards from senior workhorse Deshaun Brundage against Hutto. “They’re very simple and they’ve been doing the same thing for four years. They run a simplistic defense and just try to keep everything in front of them and not give up the big play and keep the score manageable. We have to have a good plan for them.”

Trailing Heights 21-0 last year, Temple moved Harrison-Pilot from receiver to quarterback and the four-star recruit sparked the Wildcats with a touchdown pass and two TD runs before Rumfield came back in and threw a fourth-quarter TD pass to Devan Williams.

Edwards said the key to a successful season for the Heights defense has been its active, all-senior group of linemen: Hatcher, Robinson, Evan Collazo, Evan Kime and Jamorion Stanford.

“I think on defense it all starts with the experience of our defensive line and all of those guys being back as seniors,” Edwards said. “We emphasize track really hard and they’re playing like veterans and buying into the physicality.”

Stewart gave full credit to Harker Heights for how well it played while putting Temple in three-touchdown deficits in the first half of each of the past two meetings.

“I give credit to Heights. I don’t know how to duplicate those angles and that speed,” Stewart said. “I don’t have anybody who’s trying to do what 72 (Chatman) will try to do to our defensive ends. So there’s learning curve that goes with that.”

Said Mitchell about Temple’s comeback win over Heights last year: “We really locked in (after falling behind 21-0), because at first we weren’t used to that speed. We hadn’t seen that much speed in a game yet. One of the plays that flipped it was in the third quarter when I forced a fumble on the quarterback and it ended up with us getting a touchdown. That was a really big moment, and we locked in. Hopefully it won’t be that close this week.”

Temple’s big comeback last year was aided by Heights mishandling the football. After lineman Tommy Torres blocked a field goal starting the fourth quarter to keep the Wildcats within one score, Temple took the lead for good at 37-34 on then-senior Samari Howard’s 55-yard touchdown sprint and 2-point run with 7½ minutes remaining.

The Knights proceeded to lose three fumbles in the final 6 minutes, with two-time 12-6A Defensive MVP York recovering the ball on a botched handoff and returning it 76 yards for the win-sealing touchdown with 1:11 left as the home side of Wildcat Stadium erupted in celebration.

“Any time you play a good team, you can’t make mistakes like losing three fumbles in the fourth quarter and getting a field goal blocked. That was the difference in that game. Good teams find a way to win, and you have to take care of your own business,” said Edwards, who added that he believes last week’s open date last week provided a much-needed physical and mental respite for the Knights after they played seven straight games.

York played a huge role in Temple’s comeback win against Hutto a week ago. Along with making 17 tackles and forcing a fumble on a Hippos punt return, the Baylor-committed four-year starter rushed for two 2-yard touchdowns and caught the winning 2-yard TD pass from Rumfield in the final minute.

And just to illustrate his well-rounded profile, York also was announced as Temple’s homecoming king at halftime. Knox said he sought out York’s father, former Wildcats player Robert York, after the game to tell him, “It’s been truly awesome to coach that kid.”

The Wildcats know they are going to the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season, matching the postseason streak of Temple’s Bob McQueen-coached 1976-85 teams. However, Temple doesn’t yet know whether it will be competing in Division I or Division II, or whether it will host a bi-district game for the third straight season – the Wildcats beat Waxahachie in Division II first-round duels in 2020 and 2021 – or have to hit the road.

Temple has the fourth-largest enrollment in seven-member 12-6A, making it a so-called “swing school” for the postseason picture. If any two teams out of Midway, Hutto and Bryan qualify for the playoffs, the Wildcats will compete in Division II – most likely with Harker Heights, which has the league’s smallest enrollment.

But if both Heights and Weiss earn playoff spots, Temple will be forced into the Division I bracket. If the Wildcats lose their showdown with the Knights and enter the D-II bracket, Temple could face a first-round road game against No. 11-ranked DeSoto (6-1), which shares the 11-6A lead with No. 3-ranked and D-I-bound Duncanville (7-0).

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