Sunray visits Vega Friday at Longhorn Field to determine District 1-2A football champion
Heading into the year, it's unlikely a lot of people would've believe the regular season finale between Sunray and Vega would be for the district championship. Entering the district portion of the schedule, that still would've been true — but for different reasons.
Now, the de facto District 1-2A Division I championship game is here and it's truly anyone's game when Vega hosts Sunray at 7 p.m. Friday at Longhorn Field.
Both teams have locked up the top two spots in district and clinched home games for the playoffs. In that sense, maybe there's not that much on the line.
That is, if you don't consider the title of district champion to be much.
"Obviously everybody is excited," Vega coach Jason Porton said. "This is what you play for. It’s your first goal of the year to be in contention that last week for a district championship. Kids are fired up, the community’s fired up and we’re excited for Friday night."
Last year, Vega made the postseason for the 12th consecutive season and 13th time in 14 years. Sunray made the postseason as well, but went just 4-7. It hasn't had a winning season or district championship since 2015 and entered the year led mostly by underclassmen.
Entering district play, expectations flipped for both teams.
Sunray rolled over everyone aside from Stratford, still the only team to have beaten the Bobcats on the year. Vega, on the other hand, was just 2-4 after playing a schedule that included Farwell, Panhandle, Stratford and New Deal.
Now, both teams are undefeated in district with Vega at 5-4 overall and Sunray at 8-1. The teams are treating it like just another game, but everyone outside of the locker rooms is fully aware of what's at stake.
"I don’t know if the vibe is much different than it usually is," Sunray coach Wes Boatmun said. "We know what the stakes are, but the focus has just been on taking care of things one week at a time. I think there has to be a buzz around town, though. It’d be kind of strange if there wasn’t."
The Bobcats pose one of the top passing attacks in the state and even the country.
Based off MaxPreps, quarterback Armando Lujan is number one in the country for passing among sophomores and 2A quarterbacks. He's number three in the state regardless of classification and ranked 15th in the nation among all QBs.
When you have 3,213 yards in nine games, that makes sense. Add in 39 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, and you've got a 15-year old phenom.
It isn't just the Lujan show, however.
Damian Barragan is the top receiver in the Panhandle with 57 catches for 918 yards and 11 TDs, while Kagan Davis is sixth with 59 catches for 784 yards and eight TDs. On defense, Noel Orozco is tied for fifth in the Panhandle with seven sacks.
Vega takes an opposite offensive approach as they boast the number two rusher in the Panhandle. Joaquin Segovia has 1,472 yards and 12 touchdowns this season on 165 carries. On defense, Paxton Green has compiled 102 tackles on the season and is two tackles away from tying his season total from last year.
Porton knows what the Longhorns are up against.
"Sunray isn’t where they’re at by fluke, they’re a really good football team and we know that," he said. "We’re going to have to go out and play well."
Vega has faced a daunting schedule and are battle tested. Sunray isn't worried about who the Longhorns have played before, however. It's only worried about Friday night.
"More than anything it’s going to come down to taking care of the football," Boatmun said. "I think it’s going to be a very competitive game."
SUNRAY AT VEGA
District 1-2A Div. I Football
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Longhorn Field, Vega
Records: Sunray 8-1, 3-0; Vega 5-4, 3-0
Coverage: Follow @Hpisani91 on Twitter for live updates, plus post game video, stories and photos to appear on amarillo.com.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Sunray and Vega clash to determine District 1-2A champion
