The 2021 Lockney Longhorns fifth and sixth grade Tiger League team was 7-0 going into the Top of Texas League Championship. (Courtesy Photo/Victoria Wright)
WHITE DEER, Texas — The Lockney Longhorns fifth and sixth grade team has been virtually unstoppable this season with a 7-0 record in the Top of Texas Tiger League in six man football. Lockney goes into the Championship tourney this Saturday and Sunday as the number one seed and the Valley Patriots as the number two seed.
The Longhorns have been winning this fall by an average margin of 44-5, and have shut out three of their opponents. This Lockney team is one that has been in the building process since they joined the Top of Texas league four years ago. The league is comprised of six man teams from Valley, Groom, McLean, Claude, White Deer, Miami and Lefors, all in the Texas Panhandle.
Justin Wright has been Lockney’s head coach and assisted by Gabe Rodriguez during this four year span, plus some prior years when the Longhorns were playing 11-man football in Tiger League out of Plainview.
Four sixth graders have been the heart of this team — quarterback Caycen Wright, running backs Evan Salazar and Logan Rodriguez, plus center Criss Jiminez. This foursome has played together since in third grade.
The Lockney Tiger League team has been most appreciative of the interest and support they have received from Longhorn head Coach Cory McCombs. McCombs has attended numerous practices and has expressed his excitement about these players moving up to junior high football and other sports in 2022. They also appreciate the support of their sponsors — Main Street Pizza, Wright’s Automotive, D&J Gin, Flatbill Sports, and Floyd County Record.
Top of Texas Championship Tourney
Saturday
Game 1 – 10 a.m. – Lefors vs. White Deer
Game 2 – noon – Groom vs. Claude
Game 3 – 3 p.m. Lockney vs. Game 1 winner
Game 4 – 5 p.m. – Valley vs. Game 2 winner
Sunday
Game 5 – 3 p.m. – Winners of Games 3 and 4 for Championship
Lockney Longhorns Roster
Sixth Graders
00 – Josiah Gallegos
2 – Caycen Wright
6 – Ayden Arroyos
11 – Andrew Ramero
12 – Sal Naranjo
15 – Evan Salazar
20 – Adrian Rosales
21 – Logan Rodriguez
22 – Criss Jimenez
44 – Seth Perez
Fifth Graders
1 – Devin Gallegos
8 – Carter McHam
16 – Ivanee Carrillo
17 – Joseph Sanchez
51 – Isai Chavira
55 – Carson Pritchard
56 – Jaime Guerrero
Victoria Wright contributed to this report.
