Wolves stay perfect, overpowering Estacado

Since their first meeting in 2022, the West Plains Wolves and Estacado Matadors have delivered fireworks. In just three matchups, the teams had already combined for 179 points. On Friday night at Lowery Field in PlainsCapital Park, that trend continued. The scoreboard lit up again, but once more it was West Plains that had the upper hand, rolling to a 63-34 victory.

The Wolves, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A-Division I, extended their unbeaten start to 3-0—the best opening stretch in their young program’s history. Senior quarterback Reid Macon and junior running back Slade Russell spearheaded an offense that showed balance, efficiency, and plenty of explosiveness.

Macon was nearly flawless through the air, completing 19-of-24 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. But it was his legs that did the most damage, as he added 43 rushing yards and four scores. Russell was a workhorse, pounding out 191 rushing yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, keeping the Wolves offense on schedule all night.

For Estacado, the loss wasn’t for lack of effort. Senior standout Cedric Ross, a Colorado State commit, was sensational. He put the Mats on his back with 170 rushing yards and three touchdowns, plus 150 receiving yards and a score. By himself, Ross accounted for four of Estacado’s five touchdowns, showing why he’s one of the area’s most electrifying athletes.

The game began with fireworks. On the first play from scrimmage, Ross sprinted 80 yards to the end zone, giving Estacado an early 7-0 edge. But West Plains immediately answered with a steady drive capped by Macon’s two-yard run. From there, the Wolves found their rhythm, forcing stops and cashing in with touchdowns.

By the end of the first quarter, Macon had already connected with wideout Lawson Betancourt for a 32-yard strike, and he later added another rushing score. In the blink of an eye, West Plains led 21-7. Estacado’s Ross kept things interesting with a 70-yard dash midway through the second, but the Wolves responded with back-to-back scores, including a momentum-shifting 90-yard pick-six by Kaden Hooker. At halftime, West Plains was comfortably ahead, 35-20.

Estacado briefly threatened after the break, when Ross ripped off a 90-yard touchdown run to trim the deficit to nine. But that was as close as the Matadors would get. Russell punched in a short score late in the third, and Macon added two more rushing touchdowns in the fourth. Hooker sealed the game with a 19-yard run to cap off a balanced team effort.

Alongside Macon and Russell, Kane White-Tinsley (six catches, 89 yards, one TD) provided reliable production. Hooker not only had the interception return but also contributed offensively, catching five passes for 43 yards. Defensively, linebacker Brycen Williams set the tone with a pair of sacks.

The Wolves now return to Canyon to host Bushland (1-2), who are coming off a tough overtime loss to Midland Christian. Meanwhile, Estacado (1-2) will try to regroup on the road against Sweetwater (1-2), who themselves are reeling after a 58-7 defeat to Seminole.

For now, West Plains looks every bit the contender their ranking suggests. With Macon’s command, Russell’s power, and a defense that knows how to deliver big plays, the Wolves are proving they’re not just a young program on the rise—they’re already built to win big.