Greyhounds ready to test Panthers

Throckmorton coach Mike Reed doesn't want to shortchange his kids' expectations.

That means the Greyhounds' ultimate goal all along this year has been to play for a state championship.

Reed is adamant his team has kept a short-term focus along the way, and Throckmorton has played like it by winning its first 12 games.

One more victory — over Abbott (11-2) in the Division I state semifinals at 7:30 p.m. today in Springtown — and the Greyhounds will be making a repeat appearance in the state title game.

But first, Throckmorton must face a Panthers' squad that is well-coached and coming off a wild 118-100 win last week against Lometa in the state quarterfinals.

"There's immediate nervousness because of their coaching staff," Reed said when asked for his initial thoughts on Abbott. "Terry Crawford and Kyle Dawson are two of the most premier Six-Man coaches in teaching fundamentals. Nothing you throw at them is going to trick them."

The Panthers' offense is built around Tyler Russell, who rushed for 573 yards last week, but Reed said their role players have developed during the season, making them a dangerous opponent. Abbott lines up in four different tight sets and likes to pound the football.

"They're not going to wow you, but they're one of the best executing offenses out there right now," Reed said. "They're all about getting first downs and killing the clock. You can't get them for losses."

Considering the Greyhounds boast one of the top Six-Man offenses in the state — and Abbott did just surrender 100 points — Throckmorton's Tucker Brown, C.J. Hantz, Gary Farquhar should be able to find the end zone plenty in a game that could be a shootout.

Throckmorton fell short last year in the school's bid for a second state football title. Now it's only one more win from getting another opportunity.

"I'm immensely proud of these kids," Reed said. "It's exciting to be near the end, and it's been a fun ride so far."

Tonight's winner will face Borden County (13-1) at 2 p.m. next Saturday at Abilene's Shotwell Stadium for the Division I championship game. Borden County edged Valley on Friday, 61-56.

Sixmanfootball.com says: Throckmorton by 28.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

THROCKMORTON (12-0)

D. Valley, 65-62

D. Chillicothe, 50-0

D. Mullin, 64-14

D. Irving Universal, 86-6

D. Dallas Covenant, 90-70

D. Fort Davis, 104-82

D. Paint Creek, 52-0

D. Knox City, 72-50

D. Gordon, 72-26

D. May, 66-36

D. Avalon, 70-22

D. Knox City, 78-43

ABBOTT (11-2)

D. Kopperl, 51-26

D. Milford, 76-64

D. Blum, 60-42

D. Walnut Springs, 40-28

D. Trinidad, 32-13

D. Avalon, 61-12

Lost to Austin Hill Country, 52-6

D. Penelope, 74-49

Lost to Aquilla, 31-24

D. Bynum, 56-34

D. Leverett's Chapel, 78-30

D. Rochelle, 61-16

D. Lometa, 118-100