Richland Springs Coyotes prevail over the Cherokee Indians

The Richland Springs Coyotes (11-0) came out victorious over the Cherokee Indians (10-2) 78-54 in the Region 4 Finals last Friday night. Rogan Field was the site of “The Battle of San Saba County,” and the standing room only crowd was treated to a high-scoring, action-packed game. Disclaimer: This is my first write-up for a six-man football game and diffidently the first time I have reported on teams that did not have any Armadillos involved. Back to the game. It was said it was standing room only, and that might be an understatement. Both sides of the stadium were filled to the brim, with even more spectators hugging the fence line and standing all the way around the end zone. There is no doubt that it is a common result in six-man football, but I am certain not many games at the Graveyard have ended with 19 touchdowns and 132 points scored. Congratulations to the Cherokee Indians on another great season, and congratulations to the Richland Springs Coyotes as they now are the Region 4 Champions and will face the Oglesby Tigers in the State Semi-Finals this Saturday in Dublin.

Leaders: Richland Springs – Billy Perry accounted for eight touchdowns on the night for the Coyotes. Perry scored four times rushing, passed for three scores, and ran back a kickoff. Cohen Ethridge contributed three rushing touchdowns while Conner Womack added two receiving TD’S and Jayden Sutherland chipped in one catch for a score.

Cherokee – The speedy Gunner Baugh took four touchdowns across the goal line from the ground, while Jole Valdez rushed for three scores and threw one touchdown to Brady Johnson.

Game Recap

1st Quarter

3:59 – The Coyotes strike first when Perry hits Womack on a 44-yard pass. PAT is good.

8-0 R.S.

1:55 – Perry breaks loose on

a 49-yard scamper for a touchdown. PAT is good. 16-0 R.S.

1:03 – The Indians get on the board when Valdez takes off on

a 46-yard run into the endzone. PAT is no good. 16-6 R.S.

At the end of 1 quarter of play: Richland Springs 16, Cherokee 6 2nd Quarter

4:11 – Valdez picks up his second touchdown on the night when he scores from 44-yards out. PAT is no good. 16-12 R.S.

3:53 – Perry gets his second rushing score from the 37-yard line. PAT is no good. 22-12 R.S.

3:04 – Baugh streaks to the end zone on a 43-yard rushing touchdown. PAT is no good.

22-18 R.S.

1:51 – Perry connects with Sutherland on a 16-yard passing TD. PAT no good. 28-18 R.S.

1:34 – Baugh gets to the sideline and scores from 67 yards out. PAT is blocked. 28-24 R.S.

:12 – The Coyotes move the ball to the nine yard line; from there Perry weaves his way into the end zone. PAT is no good.

34-24 R.S.

Halftime score: Richland Springs 34, Cherokee 24 3rd Quarter

5:38 – Valdez finds Johnson down the middle on a 32-yard pass for the touchdown. PAT is good. 34-32 R.S.

4:17 – Ethridge gets his first touchdown of the contest when he scores from the 12 yard line. PAT is good. 42-32 R.S.

3:45 – Baugh breaks through the defensive line and flies 60 yards for the touchdown. PAT is blocked. 42-38 R.S.

1:40 – Ethridge once again finds the endzone from two yards out. PAT is good. 50-38 R.S.

After 3 quarters of play: Richland Springs 50, Cherokee 38

4th Quarter

9:54 – Once again Perry finds Womack through the air from the 44 yard line. PAT is good.

58-38 R.S.

8:13 – The Coyotes start to pull away when Ethridge scores his third rushing TD from the

18 yard line. PAT is no good.

64-38 R.S.

5:53 – Valdez picks up his third rushing touchdown as he hits his stride for a 43-yard score. PAT is good. 64-46 R.S.

5:49 – The Indians onside kick backfires when Perry runs the kickoff back for the TD. PAT is no good. 70-46 R.S.

1:09 – Perry caps off the Coyote scoring when he bobs his way into the end zone from the 10-yard line. PAT is good.

78-46 R.S.

:49 – Baugh’s 4th and final touchdown comes way of a 52yard rushing score. PAT is good.

78-54 R.S.

Final score: Richland Springs 78 – Cherokee 54