The Pampa Harvesters (0-6, 0-1) fell to Randall (6-0, 1-0) 61-17 on Friday night to open up 4A district action.
Junior Jeryn Owens and Senior Kiaro Flores each scored in the game. Owens had two long kick returns, one of them for a touchdown, as the Harvesters special teams sparked the team to open the third quarter.
“Special teams, that’s one of those things that, in district games, can break the game open,” Head Coach Floyd White said. “That’s one of those things that we emphasize a lot. That’s one of those things that we count on as part of what’s going to help us get points. We’ve just got to continue to chip away. We’ve talked today about playing hard for six seconds (at a time). That’s all we can do: play hard for six seconds (at a time). Stop worrying about the score board. If we do that, we’re going to start seeing a lot of good things happen.”
The Harvesters’ defense started the game forcing a series of punts on the Randall Raiders. The Harvesters’ special teams and offense had a couple miscues in the form of a muffed punt and a snap over the head of the quarterback, each that gave Randall favorable field position. The Harvesters were able to limit the damage to one score from the turnovers and Randall took a 7-0 lead early in the contest.
Senior quarterback Gage Gamblin found Sophomore Cruise Godino on a pair of passes to move the ball down the field for the Harvesters. The Harvesters’ drive sputtered, forcing the punt. On the ensuing drive, Randall scored on a long touchdown catch-and-run to extend their lead. On the following Pampa drive, Gamblin found Owens to move the chains to the opposing side of the field. The drive stalled in Raider territory, forcing the turnover on downs.
In the second quarter, the Harvester offense had another sustained drive, with carries from sophomore Colton Rose for 10 and 19 yards to move the chains. Unfortunately, this drive stalled as well and the Harvesters were forced to punt.
In the waning moments of the half, Owens took a kick return 96 yards to the two-yard line setting up a first and goal for the Harvesters. The Harvesters were forced to settle for a field goal on the drive, but it was a missed field goal and the teams went into the locker room with Randall leading 41-0.
At the start of the third quarter, Owens would not be denied on the return this time and returned the opening kickoff 82 yards for the touchdown. After the extra point by Junior kicker Brayan Montelongo, it was 41-7 Randall.
“Jeryn (Owens) is a catalyst. He’s one of those guys that people call a thermostat or the coffee bean,” White said. “They change the environment around them, they don’t change with the environment. He loves sports. He loves football, he loves basketball, and he’s just one of those guys that’s going to go out there and give his heart out. He threw us on his back and got those kick returns and gave us a chance to score.”
The Raiders answered with another touchdown on a 63-yard catch-and-run to make it 47-7 Randall after their missed extra point. On the following kick-off, Owens gained another 25 yards and the Harvesters drove down the field, eventually punching it in on a touchdown run from Senior Kiaro Flores to make it 47-14 Randall after the extra point from Montelongo.
The Harvesters were able to muster one more scoring drive that was capped off with a 22-yard field goal from Montelongo.
Throughout the game, Rose rushed for 155 yards. The game at times got a little heated, with both sides eventually being flagged for personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct. But, the Harvesters kept their composure, in moments when things could have got out of control.
“Our kids are really starting to show a lot of resolve in everything they do,” White said. “Every kid is going to push back and do things like that. Those guys are going to do what they do. But our guys are starting to learn that’s not what Harvesters do.
“Harvesters are going to sit there, show class and work their tails off, even when times look bleak. That’s the only way we are going to get better. I’m really proud of our kids and how hard they work at keeping their composure. It’s not easy to do especially when everybody is trying to make you look weak for not fighting back. We learn to fight back between the whistles and when it’s done, it’s done.”
The Harvesters return to action next week as District play continues when the Harvesters host Hereford. Game time is at 7 p.m. at Harvester Field at Zach Thomas Stadium.
“It’s an opportunity,” White said. “Every time you step up, it’s an opportunity. Our guys looked and said we can play with anybody. That’s as good a team as any in the district. There’s not going to be many you can find that play as well as those guys. In the thick of it, you beat you. You’re going to look at the film and we’re going to find out we beat ourselves on a multitude of plays that we screwed up.
“It’s us not doing our stuff right as opposed to them just beating and bullying us around. We’re going to go back to the drawing board and get ready for Hereford. I’m not sure what they did against Canyon tonight, but I’m sure they were in a tussle. Now we’re going to get ourselves ready and give Hereford everything we can give them.”
Area Scores
Canyon 52, Hereford 7
West Plains 24, Dumas 21
Liberty 64, Borger 6
Gunter 74, Plainview 15
Estacado 64, Perryton 28
Bushland 70, Denver City 14
Claude 48, Booker 0
Panhandle 69, Sunray 6
Wheeler 37, Clarendon 0
West Texas High 44, Bovina 28
Gruver 28, Stratford 26
Canadian 49, Friona 7
Childress 35, Dimmitt 7
Stat Roundup
Sophomore Colton Rose rushed for 155 yards on 24 carries; Senior Kiaro Flores rushed for 18 yards on five carries and a touchdown; Junior Jeryn Owens rushed for five yards on five carries; Sophomore Cruise Godino had 10 yards on two receptions; Flores had three yards on one reception; Owens had 44 yards on four receptions; Rose had -1 yard on one reception; sENIOR Gunter Thomas had 21 yards on one reception.
Senior Gage Gamblin went 9-of-13 for 77 yards and an interception; Junior Jeryn Owens went 0-of-1 passing for no yards.
Team Statistics: Pampa totaled 219 yards, with 142 rushing and 77 passing. Randall recorded 16 first downs compared to Pampa’s 13. The Harvesters finished 3-of-10 on third down and 0-of-2 on fourth down.
Pampa Defense: Godino recorded three solo tackles, while Senior Ira Smith and Senior Kiaro Flores each finished with two total tackles, including one solo and one assisted tackle apiece. Junior Aiden Hammond and Sophomore Mason Mitchell each added one solo tackle.
Pampa Special Teams: Owens returned five kickoffs for 254 yards, averaging 50.8 yards per return, including a touchdown return and a long of 95 yards. Thomas added one return for 26 yards, while Godino returned one kickoff for eight yards. Montelongo connected on a 23-yard field goal and converted both extra-point attempts. Montelongo also punted three times for 62 yards, averaging 20.7 yards per punt, with a long of 39 yards.
