With the postseason heat on, the Stephenville Yellow Jackets (12-0) are gearing up for a pivotal matchup against the Canyon Randall Raiders in the next round of the Class 4A Division I playoffs. The Yellow Jackets are riding a wave of momentum and a dominant win last week. Here’s how things shape up heading into the matchup.
Stephenville’s Momentum & Key Stats
Stephenville enters the clash with a perfect 12-0 record. Their recent victory came in commanding fashion, a 55-7 win over the Dumas Demons.
- In that Dumas game, quarterback Trot Jordan completed 12 of 16 passes for 284 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- Running back Zyler McClendon rushed 10 times for 101 yards and 3 scores.
- Wideout Caden Monk hauled in 5 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown.
- Defensively, Stephenville held Dumas, who had been averaging roughly 43 points per game, to just 17 yards in the second half and no first downs after halftime.
- Over the course of the season, the Jackets have shown dominance on both sides of the ball. Their stated points-against average is around 7.8 per game.
- Team statistical leaders:
- McClendon averages 111.3 rushing yards per game.
- Brighton DeVivo averages 69.7 receiving yards per game.
- On defense, Hudson Butchee leads with 10.8 tackles per game; C.J. Spellmeier has 8.0 sacks.
In short, the Yellow Jackets are firing on all cylinders. Their balanced offense and stingy defense combine to make them a formidable playoff force.
What Canyon Randall Brings
The Raiders (9-2) are no slouch either. Their schedule shows solid wins (including a 49-0 bi-district victory over El Paso Austin), and they have built momentum entering this matchup.
Match-up to Watch & Keys to Victory
Offensive match-up: Stephenville’s dual threat attack (Jordan’s passing + McClendon’s rushing) will challenge Canyon Randall’s defense. If Randall can disrupt Stephenville’s rhythm, the game could tighten.
Defensive match-up: The Jackets’ defense, having held opponents to under 10 points on average, will test Canyon Randall’s offense. The Raiders will have a better chance if they avoid turnovers and slow down drives.
Keys for Stephenville to win:
- Establish the run early to control the clock and keep Randall’s offense off the field.
- Getting into a rhythm passing, and avoiding early mistakes will allow the Jackets to set the tone before Randall adjusts.
- Maintain defensive pressure, especially in early downs, and limit explosive plays from Randall.
Keys for Canyon Randall to upset:
- Strike early and often, forcing Stephenville into a catch-up mode.
- Win the turnover battle. If the Raiders get a takeaway, they could shift momentum on Stephenville.
- Sustain drives and convert third downs to keep the Jackets’ offense pinned.
Outcome
Given Stephenville’s perfect record, statistical dominance, and recent blowout win, they enter as clear favorites. However, playoff football often comes down to execution, composure, and a few big plays. Canyon Randall has the capability to make it interesting, but they’ll need to bring their best game.
For the Yellow Jackets, this is an opportunity to affirm their status as one of the elite teams in Class 4A Division I.
Photos of Stephenville vs Dumas by CHERYL HATTON with Dirty Cleats Photography
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