Ellis County Football Friday Roundup: Week 10 (Oct. 29)

By Travis M. Smith | KBEC Sports

Previews, score predictions, stats, standout players and recaps will be added throughout the weekend. All computer projections are compiled by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.

As always, fans can catch a full recap of all things Ellis County athletics every Monday night from 6-7 p.m. on KBEC 1390AM/99.1FM and online at elliscosports.com during “The Press Box.”

CLASS 6A

(6-3, 4-2) WAXAHACHIE 41, (0-9, 0-6) Waco 12 — FINAL

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computer projections listed Waxahachie as a 30-point favorite.

Last time out: Waxahachie defeated (4-4, 2-3) Mansfield, 43-25, to unofficially secure a 6A Division II playoff spot behind a career-day by running back Jayden Becks. Read the full recap and check out the photos here!

CLASS 5A 

No. 4 (9-0, 6-0) ENNIS 48, (8-1, 5-1) Royse City 20 — FINAL

Ennis scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to carry a 20-6 lead into the halftime locker room.

The Lions outgained the Bulldogs 238 total yards to 152 in the opening half.

Ennis quarterback Jackson Gilkey completed 9-of-his-14 passes for 128 yards. But it was running backs Dee Johnson (10-75) and Devion Beasley (4-31, 2 TDs) that fueled the Lion offense.

Gracen Harris and Skylan Simmons each had four catches for 47 and 29 yards, respectively.

The Lions led 35-13 with 3:20 to play in the third quarter.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computer projections listed Ennis as a 15-point favorite. 

Last time out: Ennis officially clinched a playoff berth with a 31-7 road victory against (5-3, 4-1) Forney.

(4-5, 4-2) MIDLOTHIAN 21, (6-3) Mansfield Summit 42 — FINAL

The Panthers and Jaguars were in a true catfight at halftime, knotted at 14-all.
After a scoreless first quarter, Summit found the end zone twice to take a 14-0 lead with 5:28 to play in the second quarter.

The Panthers responded with a 53-yard De’ago Benson touchdown run on the ensuing Panther snap. Chad Ragle then connected with Xavionte Jackson for a 58-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds to play in the first half following a stalled Summit drive.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computer projections listed Summit as a 19-point favorite.

Last time out: Midlothian scored three times in the second quarter to build a 28-14 halftime lead against (1-7, 0-5) Mansfield Legacy. The Panthers went on to an easy 42-20 district victory.

(2-7, 2-4) Red Oak 42, (3-6) North Richland Hills Birdville 27 — FINAL 

Red Oak scored twice in the first quarter and again in the second for a 21-14 halftime lead.

Kendall Brown got the scoring started when he connected with former-quarterback Warren Roberson for a 6-yard touchdown pass. The scoring play came with 9:09 to play in the first quarter.

Brown completed touchdown passes to Kentrell Anderson (5 yards) and Jace Wyatt (20 yards) to build a 20-7 Hawk lead with 8:10 to play in the first half.
Birdville added a 7-yard Aiden Dollar rushing score with 2:50 showing on the first-half clock to tighten the game to 21-14 at the half.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computer projections listed Red Oak as a 14-point favorite.

Last time out: Red Oak moved the ball well against (5-3) Mansfield Summit but couldn’t find the end zone in a 35-2 loss. 

CLASS 4A

(8-0) No. 2 Stephenville 38, (6-2) MIDLOTHIAN HERITAGE 27 — FINAL

Midlothian Heritage led 14-7 at the half. The Yellow Jackets returned two Jaguar fumbles for touchdowns in the second half.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computer projections listed Stephenville as an 11-point favorite.

Last time out: Midlothian Heritage and (5-3) Waco La Vega were tied at 21 at the half. The Jaguars then trailed the Pirates 34-28 as the game entered the fourth quarter and ultimately fell on the road, 40-28. Heritage entered the game ranked 7th in Class 4A.

(1-8) LIFE WAXAHACHIE 13, (4-5) Brownwood 49 — FINAL

Brownwood led 28-0 at the half.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computer projections listed Brownwood as a 24-point favorite.

Last time out: No. 2 Stephenville led 21-0 at the half and ran away with a 49-6 district win. 

(5-4) FERRIS 48, (0-7) Venus 6 —FINAL

Ferris led 28-0 at the half.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computer projections listed Ferris as a 28-point favorite. 

Last Time out: Hillsboro (5-4) led 29-7 at the half. The game was tied at 29-all with 2:00 to play in the fourth quarter, but the Eagles squeaked out a 36-29 win.

Starting quarterback Nathan Greek will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, per Matt Stepp with Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. 

CLASS 3A 

(4-5) Whitney 37, (5-3, 3-2) MAYPEARL 34 — FINAL

Whitney led Maypreal 17-6 at the half.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computer projections listed Whitney as a 6-point favorite. 

Last time out: The Maypearl Panthers led 33-0 at the half and cruised to a 53-6 win against (1-6) A+ Academy (Dallas). Maypearl officially locked into the 3A playoffs with the victory — the first back-to-back appearance for the Panthers since 2013-14. 

(6-1) PALMER — BYE

Last time out: Palmer led 15-9 at the half and held on for a 29-22 win against (4-3) Blooming Grove to lock into a 3A playoff berth. 

CLASS 2A

(2-7) Cayuga 0, (7-2) ITALY 56 — FINAL

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computer projections listed Italy as a 35-point favorite.

Last time out: Italy led 47-0 at the half and left no doubt in a 61-6 victory against (2-6) Axtel. 

CLASS 1A

(5-3) AVALON — BYE

Last time out: Avalon led 34-24 late in the second quarter but exploded offensively for a 70-24 rivalry win. To read the full recap or check out the stellar photo gallery, click here!

(2-4) MILFORD

(4-5) Blum 76, (2-5) MILFORD 30 — Final (Thurs)

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computer projections listed Blum as a 14-point favorite.

Last time out: Avalon led 34-24 late in the second quarter but exploded offensively for a 70-24 rivalry win. To read the full recap or check out the stellar photo gallery, click here!

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Travis M. Smith, @Travis5mith

tsmith@kbec.com