Floydada's mascot, Windy the Whirlwind (Ryan Crowe/Floyd County Record)
NEW DEAL — What happens in the trenches in football is usually where the outcome is decided. There is little doubt the two best offensive and defensive lines in District 2-2A-I will decide the District Championship when the New Deal Lions (8-1, 4-0) and Sundown Roughnecks (7-2, 4-0) collide on Friday at Slaughter Field in Sundown.
Floydada’s game plan at Noland Stadium in New Deal was to go over the top of New Deal’s skyscraper line that averaged 6’3″ in height. Whirlwinds senior quarterback Trace Glasscock passed for a respectable 206 yards including an 85-yard scoring strike to junior receiver Saul Reyes in the second quarter.
The majority of Floydada’s games this season, the Whirlwinds moved the ball for first downs on their opening drive. The Whirlwinds executed a seven play drive to New Deal’s 37 before the Lions defense put the brakes on. New Deal then immediately scored on their first play when senior Leric Eaton raced down the home sideline on a 63-yard touchdown jaunt. Eaton, who has been New Deal’s starting tailback since a freshman, ended up with 239 yards rushing and a gaudy 18.4 yards-per-carry average. The 6-foot-3 180-pound speedster with a beautiful style of running would also haul in a 37-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Harley Patterson.
New Deal scored three touchdowns in each the first and second quarters to build up a 42-7 lead by halftime. The Lions rolled up 486 yards total offense in the first half, while the Whirlwinds scratched and clawed for 186-yards all through the air at intermission. Patterson led New Deal’s scoring with two touchdown runs (11, 1 yards) and pair of scoring passes (37, 13 yards)
Floydada scored their second touchdown on a three yard run by Izaiah Alvarado, capping off a 13-play, 75-yard drive in the fourth quarter. Alvarado would also get in the end zone on an extra point run. The junior running back ended up with 44 yards rushing on 18 carries.
Floydada will conclude the regular season at home on Friday when the Hale Center Owls come to Charles Tyer Stadium. Both the Whirlwinds and Owls have 1-3 records in district. The game will be a “win-and-in” situation for the number four seed out of 2-2A-I for the playoffs. The winner will more than likely play the Panhandle Panthers (4-5, 4-0), who claimed a share of the 1-2A-I championship on Friday by edging the Farwell Steers (7-2) 36-35. Panhandle has made a 180-degree turnaround in district play after starting the season at 0-5. Panhandle is facing Sanford-Fritch (4-5, 3-1) for the outright title this Friday.
Scoring Summary
Floydada – 0 7 0 8 – 15
New Deal – 21 21 6 0 – 48
Records: New Deal (8-1, 4-0), Floydada (2-7, 1-3)
First Quarter
ND – Leric Eaton 63-yd run (Luke Joy kick)
ND – Harley Patterson 11-yd run (Joy kick)
ND – Kendrick Nelson 53-yd run (Joy kick)
Second Quarter
ND – Slade Martin 3-yd run (Joy kick)
ND – Patterson 1-yd run (Joy kick)
F – Trace Glassock 85-yd pass to Saul Reyes (Leo Mendoza kick)
ND – Patterson 37-yd pass to Eaton (Joy kick)
Third Quarter
ND – Patterson 13-yd pass to Jordan Aubrey (kick fails)
Fourth Quarter
F – Izaiah Alvrado 3-yd run (Alvarado run)
Team Stats
Floydada
Total Yards – 260
Rushing – 54
Passing – 206
First Downs – 10
Penalties – 2-20
Turnovers – 0
New Deal
Total Yards – 575
Rushing – 393
Passing – 182
First Downs – 22
Penalties – 6-60
Turnovers – 3
District 2-2A-I Results – Oct. 29
New Deal 48, Floydada 15
Post 48, Hale Center 30
Sundown 45, Tahoka 0
District 2-2A-I Standings
New Deal – 4-0, 8-1
Sundown – 4-0, 7-2
Post – 2-2, 3-6
Hale Center – 1-3, 3-6
Floydada – 1-3, 2-7
Tahoka – 0-4, 0-9
District 2-2A-I Schedule – Nov. 5
Hale Center @ Floydada
New Deal @ Sundown
Tahoka @ Post
District 1-2A-I Standings
Panhandle – 4-0, 4-5
Farwell – 3-1, 7-2
Sanford-Fritch – 3-1, 4-5
Olton – 2-2, 5-3
Boys Ranch – 0-4, 1-8
West Texas – 0-4, 0-9
District 1-2A-I Schedule – Nov. 5
Panhandle @ Sanford-Fritch
Olton @ Farwell
Boys Ranch @ West Texas
