The Richland Springs Coyotes played for the State Semi-Final trophy on Saturday, December 6 at Art Briles Stadium in Stephenville against the Strawn Greyhounds. The Coyotes move within one victory of a 10th state championship, advancing to the championship game for the first time since 2020, with a final score of 66 to 20 The Coyotes secured this win with a disciplined team effort, executing offensive and defen-sive plays efficiently and effectively, led by the three Coyote seniors, Billy Perry, Rush Norris, and Ethan Deeds. The Coyote Offense completed 292 total yards, which entailed 69 passing yards and 223 rushing yards on 20 carries. The Coyotes limited Strawn to 122 yards, including negative-40 rushing yards on 19 carries and 162 passing yards, completing 7 of 17 tosses. Cohen Ethridge battled offensively for the Coyotes, amassing 191 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 14 carries, returning a kick 60 yards for another touchdown, and completing 6 of 7 passes for 69 yards with a scoring toss.
“I swore a long time ago I was never going back to the state championship game unless a team took me, so we’re getting to go, and thank God for these young guys,” said Richland Springs head coach Harley Ethridge. “I tell them every week you have to be 10 percent better once the playoffs start and I thought we showed about 10 percent tonight, but we’re going to need about 25 percent to play with Jayton.”
The No. 3 Coyotes, who own the record for six-man state championships with nine won between 2004-19, will next face No. 1 Jayton at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.