Eagle loss voids district title, but home playoff game still attainable

Stroud flexed its muscle last Friday and put an end to Hennessey’s win streak.

The fourth-ranked Tigers secured the District 2A-II-1 championship with a 52-3 home win over Hennessey.

Stroud racked up 663 yards of offense while improving to 6-0 in the district.

Hennessey dropped to 5-1 in district games and 6-3 overall in seeing its six-game win streak come to an end. While the Eagles lost out on a district championship, a home playoff game is still within reach.

The Eagles host Casady on Friday in the regular season finale.

A win gives the Eagles the district’s runner-up spot and that first-round playoff game.

However, a loss won’t eliminate Hennessey from being second. If Casady wins and if Kellyville knocks off Meeker (currently 0-6 in the district), that will offer a three-way tie for second place.

Kellyville has defeated Casady and Hennessey beat Kellyville. In this scenario, Casady will have a win over Hennessey, meaning neither team beat the other two, which brings district points into play.

Hennessey currently has 51, Casady 30 and Kellyville 10.

The Ponies can only gain 15 points with a win this week, meaning they can’t catch either Hennessey or Casady.

If Casady wins by 10 or fewer points, Hennessey will still earn second place.

A win of 11 points or more gives the Cyclones second and Hennessey third.

Stroud doesn’t have to worry about that scenario.

The Tigers scored the game’s first 27 points before Luis Macias-Montoya booted a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter.

But that was all the points the Eagles could muster.

Hennessey ran for 133 yards, led by Alex Gonzalez, who picked up 62 on 16 attempts.

Levi Ferrell added 56 rushing yards, but was limited to 51 yards on 7 of 16 passing.

Stroud wasn’t limited. The home team ran for 386 yards and averaged 18.4 yards per attempt.

The Tigers had 282 through the air.

Jeremiah Cropp completed 7 of 10 passes for 222 yards and three TDs.

Aiden Collins hauled in four catches for 159 yards and three scores.

Trystan Baker ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns while London Ward had 113 yards.

Jameson Ladwig and Macias-Montoya had five tackles apiece to lead the Eagles.