The Gustine Tigers looked to spoil the Coyotes homecoming and Coach Jerry Burkhart’s bid for his 100th career victory last Friday night at Richland Springs.

The inspired Tiger team had knotted the score at 22-22 in the middle of the second period, when the Coyote offense revved it’s high octane engine and the hard hitting defense put a clamp on the Tiger attack. Richland Springs dominated the remainder of the game to win 76-30, stopped in the third period due to the mercy rule.

The Gustine Tigers showed heart, but the bone-crushing blocks and tackles, the Coyotes are known for, took their toll. The NASCAR like running game engineered by Coach Shawn Rogers was led by Denim Reeves, 12 rushes for 208 yards, 6 touchdowns and Brian Torres 5-60, 2 tds. John Greenwood added 3 carries for 41 yards to keep the motor running. Reeves was 6-7-1(int) in the passing attack with Chance Bush catching 2 for 65 yards and a score, Stephen Fowler snared 2 for 60 yds and 6 pts, with Ben Vancleave, Brian Torres and Tommy Hollon each with catches.

The alpha-male pack defense took exception to the early Tiger scoring and responded with fangs bared, Stephen Fowler was credited with 11 tackles, Ben Vancleave and Chance Bush had 8, John Greenwood with 3.5 and Denim Reeves added two and Tommy Hollon was credited with 2.5, Neil McMillan and Brennan McGinty each had a tackle to complete the Coyotes defensive attack. The kicking chores were shared this week with Brian Torres going 5-7 for 10 pts, Franky Soto, 2-2 and 4 pts and Trevor Tinney splitting his two attempts for 2 pts.

The #2 state ranked Coyotes ran their record to 6-0, while Coach Jerry Burkhart recorded his 100th career victory against 11 losses. The Richland Springs community honored Coach Burkhart after the game with a trophy commemorating his elite achievement. Coach Burkhart’s record puts him among the leaders of the all-time winningest active 6-man football coaches.