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The last time the words Broncos and District Champions were associated was almost thirty years ago in 1981.  This year’s team proved to everyone it could happen again.

The 2010 regular season has ended, and Bronco fever is everywhere as the school and community are anticipating a stellar play-off run that will begin sometime the week before Thanksgiving.

It has been a season for the record books as the Bronco team demolished team after team to go 9-1 on the year.  The Broncos’ only loss came in their season opener to New Deal, and the spread was a mere two points. The Panhandle Panthers were the most recent team to bow to the Broncos, which resulted in a huge 48-7 win.

The Broncos ran through the Panthers as they have done all season long and gained a massive 560 total yards.  Quarterback Johnny Gaines went nine for ten through the air for 172 yards, and they racked up 388 yards rushing on 48 carries.  Chris Crump opened the Bronco scoring frenzy with only eight minutes left in the opening quarter when he took it in from a yard out, and Gaines found the end zone from 45 yards out right before that quarter ended.

Wes Williams put six points up with a huge 88-yard score, and Mike Crump caught a 42-yard pass from Gaines to give the Broncos a 28-0 halftime lead.

“This was a big win for us,” head coach Gary Jack said. “Clarendon has not won an outright District title since 1981.  It is a big deal for us.”

Mike Crump and Gaines both had big scores in the third quarter to put the game away, and Williams added another in the final period. 

“Our offense rolled tonight,” Jack said.  “We did what we needed to do and we dominated.”
Defensively, the Broncos brought their A-game as they turned Panhandle away at every opportunity.  Jack noted that several Broncos had big games.

“Charleston Harris, Chris Crump, Wes Williams, Bradley Watson, Johnny Gaines, and Mike Crump had great games with several tackles and sacks,” Jack said.  “Also, our new player, Austen McNelly did a great job for us defensively.”

Jack is very proud of his players and knows this group is special.

“We played a complete game,” Jack said.  “And it was fun.  I am so proud of the kids and our coaching staff. This is a good group of guys, and the District Championship has been a long time coming.  I think the community is enjoying it, too.”
Because of their District championship and the number one seed, the Broncos will have a bye in the first round of the playoffs.  They will take on the winner of the New Deal and Seymour game that will be played Saturday night.

Clarendon’s ‘boys of fall’ are getting the job done in the District 2-1A race.

The 48-0 shutout of the Lockney Longhorns in Bronco Stadium Friday night set the scene for a goal not achieved in three decades. 

The win put the Broncos on top of their district race and in great contention to bring home a District championship outright next Friday night against Panhandle.  The 500 plus total yards racked up by the Broncos was impressive and overpowered the 67 yards that the Longhorns recorded.

All of the Bronco points were achieved in the first half of play with 34 points scored in the opening period.

“We came out and blew them away in the first quarter,” head coach Gary Jack said.

“Our defense played great.  We held them to three and out and turned around and scored touchdowns.” 

Quarterback Johnny Gaines and Bradley Watson teamed up for the first two Bronco scores early in the game that went 59 and 72 yards.  Mike Crump ran it in from 38 yards out for another touchdown, and brother Chris Crump got in on the action with a seven-yard run for six.

Charleston Harris, Wes Williams, and Gaines sealed the Bronco win with touchdowns before the break.

“We scored real quick on our first five possessions. Because of our lead, we were able to run the clock in the second half and all of our JV kids got in the game. Everyone played well.”
Jack noted that the defense did a great job holding Lockney under 100 yards on the night, and the offensive line was sharp once again. 

“We overwhelmed them,” Jack said.

“Chris Schultz had two sacks, Jacob Pigg had a fumble recovery, and Chris Crump had two sacks.  Johnny Gaines had an interception, and Bradley Watson made some great catches.” 
Jack also noted that R.J. Nino, Jayson Pigg, Jacob Pigg, Trent White, and David Roberts did a great job on the line and gave Gaines good pass protection throughout the night.
Jack is proud of the way the Broncos are playing and the success they have had this season. 

“We have a great group of seniors,” Jack said.  “They have great leadership – the best by far that I have seen in my time here.” 
Jack also credits the coaching staff for the great season. 

“Our coaching staff has been great. Clarendon has a lot of talent, but it takes great coaches, too.”

The Broncos will take on Panhandle Friday night and a out-right District title is on the line for the Broncos. 

“We haven’t won a District Championship since 1981,” Jack said. “We have been in the play offs for four years straight.  We want to win the Panhandle game and go in as the number one seed.  That will give us a bye in the first round of the play offs.” 

Jack knows the Panthers can be a tough opponent.

“They have struggled some this season, but they always play hard.”

The game will be played November 5 in Panhandle beginning at 7:30 pm and will be the last regular season game for the Broncos.

By Tangela Copelin

Amidst much excitement Friday night, the 2010 Hedley Owls made school play-off history by beating the Happy Cowboys 52 to 30.

The Owls still have one district game left to play on Friday at 7:30 in Groom against the Tigers, but regardless of the outcome the Owls are still headed to the play-offs for the first time since Hedley began playing six-man football.

The excitement began with Chris Blackburn recovering a fumble allowing Hedley senior Reid Copelin to run  the first TD of the game. Even though the PAT by Coltin Kingston was unsuccessful, the Owls were still pumped and continued with Blackburn once again pumping up the Owls with an on-side recovery.

From there, with some tough blocking by the big boys – Austin Adams and Seth Ruthardt – senior Brandon Benton ran the ball to within a few yards, allowing Copelin to once again score with Kingston’s PAT being successful. For a third time, Blackburn jump-started the Owls with an on-side recovery. Kingston then passed the ball to senior Jacob Widener for a TD, and his PAT was successful, putting the Owls up 22 to 0 at the end of the first quarter.

From that point, the Hedley boys kept control of the game that made Owl play-off History.
Defensive stats were: Benton with 8 solo tackles and 2 assists; Blackburn 5 solos; and 4 assists; Kinston 4 solo and 3 assists; Copelin 4 solos and 2 assists; Widener 3 solo and 2 assists; Nicco Bennett 2 solos, 3 assists, and one interception; and freshman Kyle Lindsey had one solo tackle.

Offensively the team had 259 rushing yards with Blackburn having 115; Copelin 84 yards and 2 TDs; Benton 54 yards; and Kingston 6 yards. Receiving the team had 230 yards with Widener having 71 yards and 2 TD’s; Benton having 62 yards and 2 TD’s; and Copelin having 66 yards for 1 TD.

Everyone needs to come out and support the Owls this Friday, November 5, as Owls once again try to make history by beating the Groom Tigers for the district championship.