Gruver runs over Tahoka in Class 2A Division II regional semifinals

November 30, 2024

by Kale Steed, Press Pass Sports

Gruver Team Photo by Jesus Mariscal, Reporter Statesman Photographer

Gruver has been a on a season long roll and it doesn’t look like they are slowing down any time soon after running right over Tahoka 49-7 during a Class 2A Division II regional semifinal game at Happy State Bank Stadium on Friday night.

The Greyhounds remain perfect at 13-0 and are headed to the Region I-2A Division II championship game for the first time since 2018.

“Any time you are playing football in December is a great thing,” Gruver head football coach Kurt Haburther said. “It’s says a lot about your program and a lot about the community that invests into the school and the program. This is awesome and we’re having so much fun.”

Gruver is now set to face upstart Ropesville (12-1) at 7 p.m. next Friday back at Happy State Bank Stadium. The Eagles shocked Wink on Friday in a 21-14 victory.

The Greyhounds never let the Bulldogs (10-3) in the game going up 21-0 by halftime. Dominating on both sides of the ball, the Greyhounds stacked up 544 yard of total offense and did with balance.

Gruver tallied 323 yards rushing on top of 221 yards passing in a complete team effort.

Quarterback Briggs Satterfield hurt the Bulldogs with both his arm and his feet. Satterfield, a junior dual-threat signal caller, was very effective through the air going 12-of-15 for 221 yards passing and added 87 yards on the ground on 12 carries with a pair of scores.

Stephen Cowan was the main target making two catches for 101 yards.

Behind the effort of a strong defensive line, senior running back Walker Maupin had another lights out performance for the Greyhounds toting the rock 21 times for a team-high 190 yards with four touchdowns. Dax Conyers added nine carries for 46 yards with a TD.

The Greyhound defense backup up the offense limiting Tahoka to 275 yards and only 86 in the run game.

Cowan had a great performance with 15 tackles, one of those for a loss with two interceptions. Victor Flores chipped in 10 tackles, three of those for a loss and a fumble recovery and Emmanual Valverde racked up eight tackles.

“I really thought we won the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” Haburther said. “I thought the defense was solid the entire night and the offensive line played outstanding. We forced turnovers and took care of the ball. When you do that, good things happen.”