Texas High School Playoff Football!!! It started for the Spartans Saturday, 11/11, at Tully Stadium vs Westbury High School.

The game started with WHS kicking off, but they made an immediate mistake. They kicked it deep to Luke Rives, who returned it 89 yards for a touchdown.

The SHS defense set the tone early by forcing a quick punt. Johnny Crawford, Carson Davidson, and Tiergan Burl stuffed all three plays before the punt.

Just three SHS offensive plays lead to a 20-yard touchdown pass from Aaron DeLeon to Braxton Wakefield, making it 14-0.

Another impressive three and out by the SHS defense on WHS's  second offensive possession of the game.

Hunter Biehl put his mark on the next drive with a couple runs,  including a 15-yard touchdown run.

WHS’s offense picked up their first 1st down of the game on their next drive. Only one was allowed by the Spartan defense, and another punt followed.

Biehl was at it again with a nice run after catch for a 43-yard touchdown, making it 28-0 with 1:59 left in the first quarter.

Your SHS defense put WHS in a 4th and 25 on their next possession, led by a 3rd down sack by Burl.

Fourth and 10 on the 30 yard line was a challenge on SHS’s next possession. However, a 20-yard scramble by DeLeon got the first down and set up a first and goal from the 10 yard line. The next play was a score from Jack Stewart on a short slant route.

Another SHS defensive sack by Sean Madden helped force a short possession and a punt. However, a roughing the punter penalty allowed WHS to maintain possession. Blake Barry and Parker Johnson put an end to the drive as Barry forced an errant throw by the QB giving Johnson a ball to intercept.

WHS’s defense returned the favor with an interception on a tipped ball.

Barry was a huge obstacle for WHS on their possession as he either put a hit on or sacked the QB on every play.

Another short possession by SHS’s offense as Biehl took the ball for a 40-yard touchdown on a run play.

WHS wasn’t giving up as they returned the next kickoff 60 yards for a touchdown, making it 42-8 with 5:29 left in the half.

SHS’s offense then pushed the ball to the WHS 17 but a failed fourth and long turned the ball over on downs.

A strong Spartan team defense forced a quick (and short) punt.

The SHS offense was given a short field starting on the WHS 25 but turned the ball over on downs after four plays.

Nick Sen and Burl combined for another Spartan QB sack, setting up a punt. That put an end to the half with a score of 42-8 in favor of the Spartans.

Some flashes of success by the WHS offense to start the 2nd half got them to a 1st and goal. However, a fumble on the one yard line gave the Spartans the ball back. Nate Grant recovered the fumble and returned it to mid-field.

Several contributions put the SHS offense at the 10 yard line. DeLeon then found Biehl on an onside screen pass for a touchdown.

WHS continued to show life, as they scored from 40 yards out as the ball carrier pitched the ball to another player as he was being tackled. WHS closed the gap, 49-16.

Another balanced offensive drive set up a QB draw by DeLeon for another SHS touchdown.

The SHS defense was bending on the next drive, but Christian Bell intercepted the ball at the Stratford seven yard line.

This SHS offensive drive brought in some new players on the field with a focus on the run game. The drive stalled, but Jake Weinhardt punted the ball 66 yards to set up the SHS defense.

Jacob Katterhenry and Kenneth Neal put an end to the WHS offensive drive with a QB sack, setting up a 4th and long and a punt.

The SHS offense continued to focus on the run game to start the 4th quarter. Derrick McGee found the end zone from 18 yards out on a pitch play.

More success was found for WHS on their final offensive drive. They focused on the run to get within striking distance. They ended the drive with a touchdown on a fade route to the corner of the end zone. This brought the score to 62-22, Stratford.

Stratford closed the game, 62-22, and will advance to the second round of the playoffs. SHS will play George Ranch High School on Friday, 11/17, at Tully Stadium.