Two Killeen ISD football teams officially are playoff bound after important victories Friday night.
Harker Heights locked in its postseason berth out of District 12-6A by withstanding KISD foe Shoemaker, 28-10 at Leo Buckley Stadium. Ellison, meanwhile, went on the road and routed Byran Rudder, 59-13, to clinch its spot out of District 10-5A-II.
By knocking off the Grey Wolves, the Knights (7-2, 5-0) also clinched at least a share of the district title and can wrap up a second consecutive unbeaten 12-6A championship –– fourth straight title overall –– with a win over Temple on Thursday, Nov. 6, at Leo Buckley Stadium.
“Super proud of our kids, securing the playoffs. But like I told them, and they agree with me on this, we’re stingy at Harker Heights. We don’t want to share, so we have a huge game coming up,” HHHS head coach Mark Humble said after the Knights’ triumph over the Grey Wolves.
The outcome between HHHS and SHS in their Halloween clash remained a bit of a mystery through the first half. The Knights held a slim 14-10 advantage at halftime, however, Heights used touchdowns from Ryan Taylor and Jaylen Mason plus a stout defensive effort to pull away for the win.
“Credit to Coach Foreman and his staff and those kids,” Humble said. “That’s what KISD football is all about. Two really good football teams playing really good football. Great game all the way through.”
Taylor caught a pair of TD tosses from quarterback Hudson Humble, and Mason scored two rushing TDs.
Quarterback De’Mani Dail-Addison scored a rushing touchdown and Joshua Narvaez Torres kicked a field goal for Shoemaker, which led 10-7 late in the first half before Hudson Humble and Taylor connected for their first TD.
The contest was the season finale for the Grey Wolves (7-3, 3-3), who will need favorable results around the district this week to advance to the playoffs for the fourth straight season and sixth time in the last seven years.
Marlyn Smith completed 17 of 36 passes for 513 yards and seven touchdowns for the Eagles (4-5, 2-2) in their runaway win over the Rangers.
Kae’Andre Sayles finished with 212 yards and three TDs receiving, while Prince Hall (one TD) and Juan Ramirez (two TDs) also had more than 100 yards receiving. Tyler Reed added a receiving score and Evan Dowling and Smith each rushed for a TD.
Ellison can improve its league standing when they host first-place Waco University on Nov. 7 at Leo Buckley Stadium in the regular-season finale.
Also on Friday, Oct. 31, Leander Glenn topped Chaparral, 42-20.
The Bobcats close out the season Nov. 6, at home against Lake Belton.
Killeen, which was idle Friday, finishes its season Nov. 6 at Bryan.