Ellis County football Friday roundup: Week 3 (Sept. 10)

By Travis M. Smith | KBEC Sports

Seven Ellis County football teams picked up wins during week three of the high school football season. Stats, standout players and recaps will be added throughout the weekend.

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.”

6A

5A No. 6 Ennis 22, Waxahachie 21

The state-ranked Ennis Lions needed a two-point conversion in overtime to defeat the Waxahachie Indians in the 100th meeting of The Battle of 287. And, in a rivalry that spans 100 games over 113 seasons, the two teams somehow found a way to make history! Click here for a full recap, photo gallery and reaction from both head coaches!

5A 

Midlothian 27, Witchita Falls Rider 33

The bus ride back from Wichita Falls for the Midlothian Panthers felt a bit longer Friday night than its regularly scheduled two-plus-hour trip. 

The Panthers fell to host (3-0) Wichita Falls Rider, 33-27, in a non-district tilt. The loss dropped Midlothian to 1-2 on the season, as the Panthers have dropped a pair of games by a combined nine points.

Even more concerning than the non-district loss for the Panthers is that running back De’ago Benson exited the game in the second quarter. According to the Dallas Morning News, Benson capped the Panthers’ opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown run but “went down awkwardly as he crossed the goal line.”

Benson entered Friday having gained 176 rushing yards on 35 carries (5.0YPC) to lead the Panther rushing attack through its first two games. Despite not playing for nearly three-and-a-half quarters, Benson finished second on the team in rushing against Rider. Michael Garber led the Panther rushing game with 15 carries for 94 yards. The flexbone offense of the Panthers ultimately finished the game with 357 rushing yards on 51 carries (7.0 YPC). 

Midlothian ultimately outgained Rider 472 total yards to 360. The Panthers also had four drives stall inside the Rider red zone.

Midlothian will take week four off and return to action to open District 4-5A play against Birdville on Friday, Sept. 24. Kickoff in North Richland Hills is slated for 7 p.m.

No. 10 Rockwall-Heath 62, Red Oak 21

The Red Oak Hawks dropped a second-consecutive non-district home game Friday, falling to No. 10 (2-1) Rockwall-Heath, 62-21.

Heath returned the opening kickoff 82 yards but did not get much going in the way of offense until the second quarter.

Red Oak found the end zone when Jaylon Robinson (16-29, 212yds, 3TD) connected with tight end La’Kelsey Johnsor Jr. (6-94, 2TD) for a 24-yard touchdown. The score came with 3:50 to play in the first quarter and cut the Heath lead to 7-6.

Heath went on to outscore Red Oak 28-8 over the next quarter-plus to take a commanding 35-14 halftime lead.

The story for the Hawks in this game, though, was field position. Heath needed to traverse 50 or fewer yards on seven of its eight scoring drives.

Because of that, Heath only outgained Red Oak 482 total yards to 409.

In addition to Red Oak’s 252 yards through the air, Moses Martindale (22-98), Robinson (13-32) and Camarion Coleman (5-20) led the Hawks’ ground attack to 178 yards.
Heath is now 2-1 on the season, with its lone loss coming in week two against 6A No. 3 Southlake Carroll (36-35).

Red Oak will take week four off and look to grab its first win of the season when the Hawks open District 4-5A play against Mansfield Legacy on Sept. 24. That game is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Billy Goodloe Stadium in Red Oak.

4A

Decatur 14, No. 8 Midlothian Heritage 48

The Midlothian Jaguars jumped on Decatur early and often to help head coach Lee Wiginton pick up a milestone victory. Click here for a full recap, photo gallery and reaction from Wiginton!

Ferris 43, Quinlan Ford 58

A sluggish first half for the Ferris offense did not help, but ultimately, a 650-yard rushing performance propelled Quinlan Ford to a 58-43 non-district win Friday against the host Yellowjackets.

The Ford Panthers rushed for a whopping 653 yards and eight touchdowns in the win. They did not complete a single pass in four attempts.

Kaiden Roden led the Ford attack with 19 carries for 257 yards and four touchdowns. Rowdy Rowan (20-183, 3TD) and Jadonavan Williams (19-168, TD) also fueled the Panthers’ high-powered rushing game.

Ferris junior quarterback Nathan Greek accounted for six total touchdowns. He completed 17-of-his-42 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. He also added seven carries for 46 yards and three scores.

Tommy Dixson (5-118, 2TD) and Devin Vine (1-29, TD) caught the three Greek touchdown passes.

Ferris — now 2-1 on the season — returns to non-district action on the road at 7 p.m. Friday against (2-1) Farmersville).

North Dallas 0, Life Waxahachie 35

The Life Waxahachie Mustangs celebrated homecoming in dominant fashion by shutting out North Dallas on Friday.

The Mustang offense outpaced the Bulldogs 356 total yards to 134 and 19 first downs to six.

Life Waxahachie quarterback Colby Grmela was almost perfect through the air. He completed 44-of-47 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns — while also adding seven carries for 44 yards and one score.

Kordell Berry pulled in a game-high 18 passes for 86 yards and three touchdowns. Jeremy Brantly (12-61), Cason Rogers (3-59, TD) and Zion Smith (6-57) also aided the Mustang passing attack.

Life Waxahachie improved to 1-2 on the season with the victory. The Mustangs return to action at 7:30 p.m. Friday on the road against (3-0) Caddo Mills.

The Foxes have defeated Gainesville (55-22), Bullard (44-20) and Canton (63-41) so far this season.

3A

Bosqueville 37, Palmer 48

Following two weeks in health and safety protocols, the Palmer Bulldogs took the field for the first time Friday night.

The Bulldogs ultimately turned a 21-14 halftime lead into a 48-37 non-district home victory.

Palmer led 34-23 at the end of the third quarter and then took a 48-30 lead with 3:41 to play in the fourth quarter to cruise into the win.

The Bulldogs return to action at 7:30 p.m. Friday on the road against (2-1) Groesbeck.

Maypearl 21, Clifton 0

The Maypearl Panthers returned to the gridiron following a one-week hiatus to defeat Clifton Cubs, 21-0.

Maypearl running back Homer Arizpe bruised his way into the end zone to open the Panther scoring with 7:08 to play in the first quarter. Quarterback Heath Graf and receiver Heath Roesler helped lead the way to the three-touchdown win.

Maypearl fell to cross-county foe Ferris, 58-14, in its week-one season opener. The Panthers were then forced to cancel a week-two game against Venus due to both programs entering the health-and-safety protocols.

Maypearl returns to non-district action at 7:30 p.m. Friday at home against (0-2) Grand Saline.

2A

Italy 45, Rice 14

The Italy Gladiators improved to 2-1 on the season after a 45-14 drubbing of Rice.

Italy fell in week two to Chilton, 28-27. The Gladiators scored with eight seconds left on an 8-yard run by Jaiden Barr but failed to cross the goal line on the ensuing two-point attempt.

Italy returns to non-district action at 7:30 p.m. Friday on the road against (2-1) Mildred.

1A

Avalon 62, Penelope 12 (Thurs)

After two weeks on the wrong end of blowouts, the Avalon Eagles returned the favor in a big way Friday against Penelope.

The Eagles carried a 41-12 lead into the half and flew by the Wolverines in the second half for a 62-12 non-district road win Friday.

Avalon quarterback Erick Padron led the Eagle offense with 390 total yards of offense.

The sophomore completed 12-of-his-15 passes for 296 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed 13 times for 94 yards and one score.

Gabriel Pacheco (5-186, 3TD), Jesus Aguilar (4-99, 2TD), Colby Ornelas (3-47, 2TD) and Jessy Morones (5-27, TD) caught touchdown passes from Padron.

Jake Ozymy (13 total tackles, 2 TFL) and Noe Hernandez (10 total tackles) led the Eagle defense.

Avalon dropped its first two non-district games to Abbott (52-6) and Hermleigh (71-26).
The Eagles return to action at 7:30 p.m. Friday against (2-0) Walnut Springs in Avalon.

Milford 20, Plano CHANT 40

The Milford Bulldogs have stumbled out of the gates under first-year head coach Isaac Wells. Following back-to-back losses to non-UIL opponents, the Bulldogs will carry an 0-3 record into a week four matchup against (1-1) Penelope, who was just defeated by neighboring Avalon, 62-12, in week two.

The game is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Penelope.

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Travis M. Smith, @Travis5mith

tsmith@kbec.com