Sudan clips eagles, 43-12, to claim bi-district title

The Sudan Hornets’ varsity football team defeated the Ropes Eagles in Slaton on Friday, 43-12, to claim the Class 2A Bi-district Championship and advance to the 2A Area Round of the play-offs.

The hornets totaled 383 yards of total offense, including 203 rushing yards and 180 passing yards.

Sudan got the ball to open the contest, but had nothing going on their opening drive, as sophomore, Marcello King was forced to punt the ball away with 10:48 to play in the opening quarter.

Ropes took over at their own 28-yard line, as Benjamin Saldivar carried the ball on back-to-back downs for the Eagles to move the chains, making it first and 10 from their own 39-yard line. Hayden Torres took a run to the right for three yards on first down and Kade Franklin completed a swing pass out to the left, but the Eagles were flagged for an illegal shift, backing them up to second and 12.

The Eagles were flagged again on second and long for a holding penalty, but Sudan declined the penalty to make it third and long. On third down, Franklin hit Branson Beck on a swing pass out to the right, but he was stopped well short of the sticks, as Torres came on to punt the ball away with 8:03 remaining in the first quarter.

Sudan got the ball back deep in their own territory, but on second and six, a bobbled snap was recovered by Hunter Mayhall for a turnover with 7:12 to play in the first.

The Eagles took advantage of the good field position, as Saldivar took a sweep to the right for four yards. Franklin kept it on the RPO on second down, heaving a pass over the middle to Colton Mortensesn to set up first and goal from the one-yard line. On the next play, Beck came in motion going under center to take the snap for the sneak into the end zone for the one-yard score with 5:47 remaining in the quarter. The PAT by Reese Williams was blocked by junior, Jaden Conley, leaving the score, 6-0.

Sudan’s next drive ended in a punt with 2:48 to play in the quarter, however the ball was muffed on the return by the Eagles, but they were able to get on top of it, taking over at their own 26-yard line.

On the very next play, though, Mason Marmolejo took a sweep to the right, but the ball was stripped and Jaden Conley was there to pick it up and return it for the touchdown with 2:30 to play in the quarter. A low snap resulted in a scramble from holder, Josue Cervera, but he was able to connect with sophomore, Joel Williams for the two-point conversion to put the Hornets up, 8-6.

Marmolejo took the ensuing kick-off return down the Eagles sideline to give them great field position, but on second down, junior, Trent Wilson, stripped and recovered the ball for a turnover with 1:28 remaining in the first quarter.

The Hornets next drive would extend into the second quarter, but on fourth and long Sudan lined up to punt, however a bad snap forced King to take off and run with it, but he was stopped short of the sticks for a turnover on downs, with 11:49 to play in the first half.

Ropes went three-and-out on their next drive, giving Sudan the ball back at their own 29-yard line with 10:19 to play in the half.

Sudan took over, as Cervera ran up the middle for four yards on first down. Wilson kept it on second down taking it to the left side for a one-yard gain, but on the next play, Wilson connected with junior, Thys Danzeisen, for a 66-yard touchdown with 9:09 remaining in the half. The PAT by freshman, Caleb Groetken, stretching the lead to, 15-6.

After another punt from the Eagles, the Hornets took over at their own 11-yard line with just under five minutes to play in the half.

King picked up nine yards on a run up the middle on first down and a quarterback keeper on the next play set the Hornets up with first and 10 from their 26-yard line. Wilson picked up nine yards on a first down run and back-to-back carries had the Hornets sitting at second and eight from their own 47-yard line. Wilson kept it himself on second down, but picked up just two yards, however, on the next play, Cervera took a counter around the right side for a 51-yard touchdown run that was capped off with the PAT from Groetken to make the score, 22-6, with 2:10 remaining in the half.

Sudan’s defense bowed their necks on the goal line to force a turnover on downs, as Franklin’s pass was broken up on fourth and goal with 16 seconds to play in the half. The Hornets ended up taking a knee and taking the lead into the locker room at halftime.

Ropes got the ball to open the second half, but they had nothing going, as they went three-and-out, punting the ball away with 11:03 to play in the third quarter. Sal Juarez fielded the punt and took a return to the right up to the Sudan 48-yard line.

Williams carried the ball to the left on first down, but it was called back for a block in the back penalty on Sudan. Cervera picked up nine yards on the next play, taking it across midfield to the Ropes 44yard line and Williams moved the chains on the next play, taking it down to the 40-yard line to set up first and 10.

Wilson pulled it and kept it himself on the read-option, taking it to the left side for a big gain and on the next play, Williams powered his way into the end zone for the eight-yard touchdown run with 9:23 remaining in the quarter. The PAT from Groetken was good, making the score, 28-6.

Ropes took over at their own 25-yard line after the kick-off and on first down, Franklin connected with Beck, who took a shot as soon as he caught the ball, but was able to get the lateral off to Saldivar on the hook-and-ladder play who took it down the Eagles sideline for a huge play.

With a first and 10 at midfield, though, the Eagles’ drive stalled out and Torres was forced to punt the ball away with 6:11 to play in the third quarter. Juarez fielded the returned and brought it up the Sudan 40-yard line where the offense would take over.

Back-to-back runs by Wilson and Cervera had the Hornets just inside Ropes territory, but on the following play, Wilson’s pass fell incomplete, looking for Danzeisen on second down and the Hornets were flagged for a false start on third down, backing them up into their own territory. On third and long, Wilson dropped back and found Juarez sprinting down the left Ropes sideline for a 53-yard touchdown pass with 4:37 to play in the quarter. The PAT was good from Groetken, making the score, 36-6.

With 6:50 to play in the fourth quarter, Franklin hit Josh Sexton over the middle for a 64-yard touchdown pass, but the twopoint conversion pass from Franklin fell incomplete looking for Beck, making the score, 36-12.

Reese Williams recovered the onside kick for Ropes, but on fourth and 15, Franklin’s pass fell incomplete looking for Reese Williams in the end zone for a turnover on downs with 5:05 to play in the game.

Sudan took over on downs at their own 39-yard line and marched down the field, capping off the sixplay drive with a one-yard touchdown run from Joel Williams up the middle with just over two minutes remaining in the game. The PAT was good, making the score, 43-12.

Ropes went four and out for a turnover on downs on their final possession and a pair of kneel downs from Wilson closed out the game, as Sudan defeated Ropes, 43-12.

Wilson finished the game fiveof- 10 passing for 180 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 14 carries for 62 yards.

In the rushing attack, Cervera led all rushers with 13 carries for 92 yards and one score, while Williams added six carries for 34 yards and two touchdowns.

Danzeisen led the receiving attack for the Hornets with one catch for 66 yards and one touchdown, while Juarez contributed one catch for 53 yards and one touchdown. Alan Flores chipped in one catch for 33 yards and Cervera added two catches for 28 yards.

Defensively, Jaden Conley had a blocked extra point, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and 11 total tackles, while Flores chipped in 10 tackles and Lopez contributed eight tackles, three for loss and two sacks.

The Hornets will take on the Wellington Skyrockets on Friday at Dick Bivins Stadium in Amarillo.

Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.