This game may not have the historic value of “Washington Crossing The Delaware” or Colonel Travis’ brave mens’ stand at the Alamo, but in the micro-world of Six-Man football, Saturdays’ game in Hico was monumental. The Coyotes of Richland Springs altered the history books last Saturday with a convincing Semi-Final win over the Strawn Greyhounds in Hico. The win puts the Coyotes in the State Final game next week in Abilene, their 7th appearance in the last 11 years. No other six-man team in the state has ever played in 7 State Finals !! The Coyotes at 5-1 in State Final appearances are currently tied with the great Fort Hancock teams of the 80’s and early 90’s for the most State Titles ever. The Coyotes are poised and ready to re-write history again with a victory over the Follett Panthers next week in Abilene. The Matchup The #1 ranked Richland Springs Coyotes VS the Strawn Greyhounds. The Greyhounds are a very well-coached team of outstanding athletes and a long-standing tradition in the Six-Man game. Once beaten in 2012 by arch-rival, Division I Gordon, Strawn has two State Championships (03 and 08) under its belt and many, many years of play-off appearances. The Coyotes enter the game unbeaten sporting a 43 game winning streak, winners of the last two Titles and 5 in the last 8 years. The Game The Strawn coaches obviously thought the Coyotes were a one-man offense, stop Chance Bush and you can stop the Coyotes, but like the well-trained reining horse Santa was riding in the pre-game show, the Coyotes are not just a one-trick pony. With the Greyhounds fixated on Bushs’ every move, Freshman Brian Salinas went dashing through the Greyhound defense on his way to 5 touchdowns. Both teams scored early and often and the game was tied at 22 early in the second quarter. The Coyotes proceeded to score 44 unanswered points and the runaway victory was a foregone conclusion from that point. Two fumbles, an interception, and numerous drive stopping penalties, combined with relentless pressure from the Coyote ends, proved too much to overcome for the out-Manned Greyhounds. Individual Stats Chance Bush proved harder to stop than the Greyhounds could imagine. Chance scored 4 rushing touchdowns and threw for two more scores. Bush had 8 tackles on defense including 4 solo and 1 tackle for a loss. Freshman Brian Salinas gave the Coyote faithful a bright perspective on the future with his breakout game of the year scoring 5 touchdowns and adding 2 sacks on defense. Thomas Fowler, the sure-handed quarterback led the defense with 9.5 tackles(8 solo) with a sack and a drive-stopping interception. Patrick Phillips was a beast on defense with 5 solo tackles and 5 assists including a sack. Patrick also caught one of Bushs’ throws for 45 yards and a touchdown. Gunner Mann was in the Greyhound backfield most of the day contributing 7.5 tackles (4 solo) and 2 tackles for losses. Gunner also had a catch for 17 yards. Chris Munoz had 5.5 tackles including two tackles for losses and 2 sacks. Chris also had two catches for 23 yards. Stanley Buttler kicked 4 of 4 PAT attempts for 8 points and added a tackle on defense. Trevor Tinney kicked 4 of 7 PAT kicks for 8 points. Ty Mann contributed with a tackle on defense. Abilene Bound And Fixed on Six So once again Head Coach Jerry Burkhart will invade Abilene with his steely pack of Coyotes. This time to face the 9-3 Panthers of Follett. The Panthers are coached by Harley Ethridge former assistant coach of the Coyotes and father of the legendary Coyote spreadback Tyler Ethridge. Daytime drama writers couldn’t write a more perfect script. The Panthers have won one State Title but that was almost 40 years ago. The Coyotes are trying to make more history with their 6th State Championship. The Coyotes go for the Three-Peat !!! Go Coyotes Go !!!! Go Win State !!!