The #3 State-ranked Richland Springs Coyotes managed to rally and shake off a fierce #6 Gordon Longhorn team and keep their regular season winning streak alive, now at 64 straight wins! The final score was 60-50. The Coyotes move to 4-0, while the Longhorns drop to 3-1.

This game had plenty of fireworks throughout the entire game. The Longhorns struck on the first play from scrimmage. Daniel Vargas went 44 yards untouched to pay dirt, but the Coyotes were quick to answer. Haustin Burkhart dashed 63 yards and the Coyotes led, 8-6.

A Gordon drive was then stopped by a Abraham Ahumada interception. The Coyotes were back on the board when Haustin Burkhart found a wide open Nigel Bates for a 14-yard TD. Randy Couch added the PAT kick and extended the lead to 16-6.

It looked as if the Coyotes would now cruise on to an easy victory, but Gordon got hot and starting finding holes in the Coyote defense. Gordon reeled off 20 straight points and, before you could blink, they were in control by a score of 34-16. The Coyotes managed to cut the Longhorn lead to 12 before the half.

Andrew Fowler found Nigel Bates on a 35-yard TD pass. Andrew was given that extra second to release the pass because of a crushing block by Mitchell Jacobson. They used to call a block like this a "slobber knocker"! Wow - is all I can say! The recipient of the block managed to slowly get up and, to his credit, he returned to the game and played until the end.

After some halftime adjustments by our coaches, the Coyotes came out of the locker room with one thing on their mind - come back and win! The Coyotes ran off 32 straight unanswered points before Gordon could stop the bleeding, but it was too late. After a 2-for-1 swap on TDs, the Coyotes pulled closer and only trailed 42-36 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Haustin Burkhart scored on two great runs from 17 and 48 yards out. Randy Couch added one of the PAT kicks. With only six seconds into the 4th quarter, the "Burkhart/Bates" combo was at it again. Haustin connected with a wide open Nigel for a 15-yard TD. Randy Couch added the PAT kick and the Coyotes reclaimed the lead - 44-42 - and were back on top to stay.

Gordon fumbled away their next possession and the Coyotes made them pay. Haustin Burkhart found Mitchell Jacobson for a 7-yard TD. Randy Couch added the PAT kick and the Coyotes extended their lead to 52-42.

The Coyotes' final TD came at the 3:10 mark of the 4th quarter on a 6-yard TD run by Haustin Burkhart. Gordon managed one more score, but they could not overcome a GREAT second-half attack by the Coyote offense and defense!

Haustin Burkhart had a standout game by rushing for four touchdowns and passing for three. Andrew Fowler added one touchdown pass. Nigel Bates caught three touchdown passes while Mitchell Jacobson caught one of his own. Randy Couch was on target all night; he was 7 of 8 on his PAT kicks.

This was a game that showed that our kids can handle and overcome adversity. Gordon had all of the first-half momentum and your average team could have easily just laid down and played dead. But these Coyotes have too much winning tradition and pride not to fight till the end. I think it was a good test for our kids and I say they passed with flying colors!

The Coyotes will take this week off and then prepare for another long road trip. On October 3rd, the Coyotes will travel to Buckholts and tangle with the Badgers.

Have a good week off, Coyotes, and as always - GO COYOTES GO!