The Whiteface Antelopes are the runners up in UIL Class 1A-1 High School Six-Man Football after a 70-24 loss to the Gordon Longhorns in the state title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Wednesday.
The game was called early in the third quarter due to the 45--point rule. The rule, used in sixman football, states that a game is called whenever either team is ahead by 45 points or more at or after halftime.
Whiteface Head Football Coach Clint Linman gave his team credit for what was a school record 14-1 season, “Love these guys. Proud of these guys,” he said. “They have grown tremendously the last three years as young men and as football players. This team was a joy to coach. I am thankful that I was blessed to be in the position to coach them. Hardworking, humble, never made excuses, and tough, is how would describe them.”
Linman also gave credit to his coaching staff, “I’m also thankful for getting to do it beside two other great young men. (Assistant Coaches) Brandon Flores and Josh Watson, thanks for all your time, effort, and hard work and pouring into our kids!”
Gordon was in control for most of the game. The first two series saw the Longhorns force the Antelopes to turnover on downs, then score on their possession.
Whiteface scored on a pass from Isaak Soliz to Ethan Kauffman early in the first quarter to cut the Gordon lead to 16-8, but the Longhorns answered with a kick return for touchdown.
Whiteface was able to block several two-point kicks and scored again on a 17-yard Jeremiah Rendon run to cut the lead to 2816 midway through the first quarter.
The final Antelope score came with 9:55 left in the second quarter when Kauffman found Rendon open for a five-yard touchdown. The Antelopes trailed 36-24 at that point. After that, it was mostly Gordon. The final score came from Gordon’s Stryker Reed on a 45-yard run with 9:45 left in the third quarter.
The Antelopes finish the season at 14-1.