West Texas High keeps the dream alive, rolls past Cisco

For the first time in three decades, West Texas High football is headed to the state semifinals. Yet if you ask anyone around the Comanches program, history isn’t what’s guiding them. Their compass has stayed the same all season: focus on the week in front of them, stay undefeated in the moment, and let everything else take care of itself. That approach once again paid off Friday night at Pirate Stadium, where WT High powered past Cisco 48–22 in the Class 2A Division I state quarterfinals.

The win pushed the Comanches to 14–0, tying a school record for victories in a single season, originally set in 1989. More importantly, it booked the program’s first trip to the state semifinals since 1995. They’ll take on Hamilton next Thursday in Iowa Park, looking to extend what has already become one of the most memorable seasons in school history.

WT High advanced by leaning heavily on the formula that has defined its season: a punishing ground attack behind a massive offensive line, smart decision-making, and relentless physicality. Senior quarterback Cayde Winters once again embodied that identity, piling up 216 rushing yards and four touchdowns while adding 149 yards and two more scores through the air. His vision and size made him a handful all night, but he made it clear afterward that the credit belongs just as much to the linemen opening lanes and to the backs and receivers executing around him.

Sophomore Zach Bryant served as the main threat in the passing game, finishing with 149 receiving yards on just three catches—two of which went for long touchdowns. Like Winters, Bryant stayed focused on the team’s week-to-week mindset, noting that the Comanches haven’t allowed themselves to look any further than the next practice.

The game didn’t start as comfortably as it ended. Cisco struck first behind senior running back Noaa Hernandez, jumping out to a 7–0 lead and briefly turning the matchup into the back-and-forth battle many expected. But WT High shook off the slow opening and began to dictate the rhythm. Winters found Bryant for a 68-yard strike early in the second quarter to turn momentum, then repeatedly punished Cisco with both his legs and timely throws.

By halftime, the Comanches had surged ahead 24–14, sparked by key defensive stands and efficient scoring drives. Their fourth-and-one stop of Hernandez late in the second quarter proved pivotal, setting up another Winters touchdown that gave WT High a two-score cushion it would not relinquish.

The third quarter belonged entirely to the Comanches. Cisco, forced to throw while playing from behind, struggled as WT High shifted into coverages designed to keep the ball in front of them. An interception by senior defensive back TJ Riggs halted another Lobo drive and set up yet another Winters touchdown, stretching the lead to 40–14 early in the fourth.

Cisco managed one more score, but WT High answered immediately with a play-action strike from Winters to Bryant that effectively sealed the outcome. From there, the Comanches closed the night with physical running and steady composure, grinding down the clock to preserve their undefeated season.

With 394 total yards and near-perfect efficiency on key downs, the Comanches once again showed why they’ve been one of the state’s most disciplined and dangerous teams. Their offensive line dominated the trenches, their defense delivered timely stops, and their leadership stayed poised throughout.

Now, they’re one win away from playing for a state championship. And fittingly, they’ll approach it the same way they have every week so far—by trying to go 1–0.