Longhorns carrying 23-2 record, No. 1 ranking into playoffs

Once again, the Dover Longhorns showcased an excellent regular season They downed Canton 80-19 on Tuesday in the final game before the playoffs.

The victory gave Dover a 23-2 record. The Longhorns were 22-2 a season ago and eventually reached the state semifinals.

This year’s squad has been ranked No. 1 in Class B-II all season and took that ranking into Friday night’s district championship game (after press time) against Gracemont.

The Lions don’t figure to be much of a roadblock and neither were the Tigers last week.

Dover led Canton 34-5 after just one quarter.

That frame saw A.J. Avila go off for 14 points and Casen Buck 9 more.

Buck chipped in another 9 as the Longhorns outscored Canton 22-3 in the second quarter.

Buck led all scorers with 18 while Avila scored 16.

Marco Sotelo chipped in 14 as 10 different Longhorns scored.

Dover was again without Daxx Compton, who missed his second full game after injuring an ankle the previous week in the first quarter against Okeene.

Coach Jared Reese said it was unlikely Compton would play in the district championship game.

The Lady Longhorns dropped their regular season finale to Canton, 70-36.

Canton’s girls are ranked 15th in Class B-I.

The loss sends Dover to the playoffs with a 6-19 record. The Lady Longhorns also played Gracemont Friday at home in the district championship.