Midland Teleg. Preview Sweetwater v. Littlefield - Tonight@ Grande

[Bubba-Joe]

Class 3A Division II Area Playoff

Sweetwater vs. Littlefield

When/where: 7:30 p.m. today, Grande Communications Stadium

Records: Sweetwater 10-1; Littlefield 8-3

Last game: Sweetwater 44, Greenwood 21; Littlefield 42, Borger 14

Players to watch: Sweetwater, RB/LB Joseph Banyard (5-10, 180, Jr.), S Kendal Carrillo (5-10, 175, Sr.), Skye Green RB/CB (5-7, 150, Jr.), CB/WR Brittan Pittman (5-10, 161, Sr.); Littlefield, WR J.B. Allcorn (5-11, 170, Sr.), LB/RB Gabriel Reyes (5-10, 185, Sr.), OG Richard Rodriguez (5-11, 200, Sr.), RB Steven Viljoen (5-9, 165, Sr.),

Notables: Sweetwater dominated last week against Greenwood, taking a 41-0 lead at halftime. The Mustangs gained 439 yards on the ground led by Green who had 197 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries. ... The Mustangs advanced to the 3A Division II state quarterfinals last year, losing to rival Snyder. ... Littlefield rebounded from a winless season in District 2-3A to qualify for the playoffs this season. The Wildcats defeated Brownfield and Muleshoe in district play. ... Sweetwater's only defeat this season came against Abilene Wylie.

Next game: Winner vs. Iowa Park-Little Elm winner, Class 3A Division II regional semifinals

[Bubba-Joe]

the Lubbock paper.

CLASS 3A PLAYOFF Division II Littlefield vs. No. 8 Sweetwater

Camacho
7:30 p.m., Grande Communications Stadium, Midland

Radio: KXOX-AM 1240 (Sweetwater); KZZN-AM 1490 (Littlefield)

Records: Littlefield 8-3; Sweetwater 10-1

How they got here: Littlefield earned the top Division II seed from District 2-3A, beat Borger 42-14 in bi-district; Sweetwater earned the top Division II seed from District 4-3A, beat Midland Greenwood 44-21 in bi-district

Keep an eye on: Littlefield, RB Jonas Camacho (517 rushing yards, 3 TDs despite missing time with injury); Sweetwater, RB Joseph Banyard (785 rushing yards, 17 TDs during regular season).

Key stats: Sweetwater averaged 343 yards per game during the regular season, while Littlefield's defense allowed just 268 per night.

Keys to the game: Both teams possess game breakers in the running game, but Littlefield's defense will have to contend with a more speedy Mustang squad. Sweetwater needs to force the Wildcats into a passing game where they're not quite as strong.

Our pick: Sweetwater

[sww-bull52]

If they gave up an average of 268 yards a game in the regular season then we should get over 400.

[Bubba-Joe]

Abilene Reporter News Comments

More Crystal Ballin'

Sure Bets: Southlake Carroll (11-0) over Allen (9-2); Stephenville (11-0) over Azle (7-4); Sweetwater (10-1) over Littlefield (8-3); and Eastland (9-2) over Troy (7-4).

Best Duel: Rule (11-0) vs. Richland Springs (11-0) at Brownwood Saturday.

Upset Special: The mighty Big Spring Steers (4-7) over El Paso Chapin (10-1) ... even in another time zone.

What, Am I Crazy?: Those Coleman Bluecats have me believin' ... Coleman (6-5) over Sonora (10-1) by a TD.