Area Round Marks Season Finale for our Central Coverage Teams
Like a shooting star across the midnight sky, it is with great sadness that the 2025 high school football season has ended for our Central coverage area. Seems like only yesterday that we were all anticipating the start of the season. For most of our teams, it was a great year. For others, step one of rebuilding has been completed, so it’s on to a better season in 2026.
The Franklin Lions were the last team still in the football playoffs from District 11-3A DI, Region III. The Lions faced the Orangefield Bobcats in the Area round this past Thursday, and came out with the W, 56-34. Next up for the 9-2 Lions will be the Columbus Cardinals (102), winners over the Palestine Westwood Panthers, 48-26. The Lions and Cardinals clash this Friday night at 7 p.m. at Tomball’s Tomball ISD Stadium, in the Regional Semifinals. Winner goes on to face the winner of the Yoakum (10-2)-Hardin (12-0) game in the Regional Finals.
In District 13-2A DI, Region IV, the Crawford Pirates, and the Rosebud-Lott Cougars were still in the hunt last Friday night. The two teams didn’t fare too well as Crawford lost to Kenedy, 197, and the Cougars fell to Refugio, 42-21. R-L stayed close in the first half, as the game was tied at 7-7 after the first quarter of play, and the Cougars were only down a touchdown at the half. The Bobcats began to pull away in the second half, adding two TDs to the Cougars one in the third, and led 35-21, then added one more in the fourth quarter to take the 21-point Area round win. The Cougars defense had been steady all season long, but had a tough time holding down the Bobcats running back duo, Ray Lewis (9-110-2), and Zander Wills (11-204-3). Lewis was near perfect passing, completing 13 of 16 passes for 205 yards and a TD.
The Cougars couldn’t seem to get their run game going, and were held to only 50 yards rushing on 23 carries. QB Pryce Rabroker led the R-L offense with 19 completions for 211 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Rabroker was the top ground gainer for R-L, carrying 10 times for 35 yards. Receiver Daniel Rincon caught seven passes for 116 yards and two TDs for the Cougars. C.J. Alexis one catch for 18 yards led to the Cougars other passing touchdown.
Rosebud-Lott ends their season with an overall record of 9-3, and as an area finalist. Crawford ends their year with a 10-2 record and also as an area finalist.
In District 14-2A DI, Region IV, Mason Punchers and Thorndale Bulldogs were the last two teams in the playoffs from the district. Mason will advance to the Regional Semifinals after defeating the Schulenburg Shorthorns, 55-14.
Thorndale did their best to stay in their Area round game with the Ganado Indians, but could only manage two touchdowns, while Ganado scored five to take the 35-14 win and advance to the Regional Semifinals this weekend.
The Bulldogs scored once in the first quarter, and again in the fourth. Thorndale had a tough time getting their offense moving forward, as they managed just 165 total yards in the game, to the Indians 434. QB Case McDaniel did his best to lead the offensive charge, along with RBs Ethan Schramm and Hudson Thigpen, and receiver Will Cloud. The Bulldogs end their year with an overall record of 8-4, and as an Area finalist.
Mason (9-3) will take on Kenedy (10-2) this Friday night at 7 p.m., in Memorial Stadium at Hutto.
In District 10-2A DII, Region III, the Chilton Pirates season came to an end as they fell to the Mount Enterprise Wildcats, 58-30. The Pirates tried to mount a comeback late in the game, adding two fourth quarter touchdowns to close the deficit to 28, but time ran out. The Wildcats kept Chilton’s passing game in check, giving up just 14 yards. The Pirates main offensive source came from their running game. X’Zavion Taylor led the Pirates with 16 carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns. QB Nathan Wuebker had 12 carries for 93 yards and two TDs, and junior Dha’Corian Evans chipped in with 16 carries for 55 yards and a TD. WR Jamarion Clark caught both of Wuebker’s passes for 14 yards.
Two teams remain in the state championship hunt from the district. Those are the Bremond Tigers, and the Mart Panthers. The two teams face each other for a second time this season. Bremond won a close game in Week Four, 28-20. Their Regional Semifinal game will be played this Friday at 6 p.m. at Mexia’s Black Cat Field.
The only other playoff game from the district was between the Goldthwaite Eagles, and the Overton Mustangs. The Mustangs advance with the 47-13 win over the Eagles.