By Neil Robertson
MaxPreps.com
ÿ
Amarillo Tascosa at Canyon Randall
ÿ
Week three of Texas Panhandle football got underway Thursday night at West Texas A&M's Kimbrough Stadium, as the 3-4A Raiders of Canyon Randall hosted the 2-5A Rebels of Amarillo Tascosa.
ÿ
Anthony Scott, the Rebel's senior running back, scored early and often as he rolled up 261 total yards rushing with five touchdowns - a pair from 72 and 63 yards on consecutive offensive plays in the second quarter alone.
ÿ
Scott now has 626 yards rushing in four games this season. If Division I recruiters did not have Scott on their radar screens, they do now.
ÿ
Despite Tascosa's dominant offensive attack, Randall did represent in running back Blake Bonner (24 for 175) and receiver Tanner Garcia (4 for 121). Rebel quarterback Joe Ledoux passed for 166 yards to compliment Scott's ground game. Ledoux suffered a probable season-ending broken arm - the third Tascosa quarterback to go down this season.
ÿ
One week out from district play with an impressive 3-1 record, Rebel coach Heath Parker must now find a quarterback to helm Tascosa's prolific running game. Perhaps Scott should just take the snaps directly cutting out the middle man - ala Vince Young.
ÿ
Amarillo High at Odessa Permian
ÿ
Deep in the heart of Mojo-Land - the intimidating confines of Odessa's Ratliff Stadium, Friday Night Lights under a Permian homecoming. The undefeated 2-5A Amarillo Sandies have their work cut out as they visit 3-5A Odessa Permian in the 21st-consecutive match-up of these perennial West Texas powers.
ÿ
The Panthers, despite a reality check, 40-14, road loss to No. 3 Euless Trinity last week, should haveÿ their Mojo in hand as Texas Tech commit wide out Bront Bird connects with quarterback Taylor Byrd. The Byrd-to-Bird air assault that flew over Sandie district rival 2-5A Amarillo Tascosa two weeks ago.
ÿ
Amarillo's defensive secondary, led by defensive back J.D. Saucedo, has stepped up their pass defense the last two weeks to match the rush stop smash mouth play of their front seven, anchored by third-year letterman linebacker Dustin Bohannon.
ÿ
If the Sandie defensive secondary can limit Mojo's Byrd-to-Bird air show, and if the offensive duo of running back Jacob Reinbold and quarterback Kyler Hill's shows up in Mojo-Land, a shoot-out could ensue - the victor emerging as the early contender for the West Texas area crown.