Mineral Wells Rams move to a 2-0 start to the 2021 season with a fun win over Western Hills Cougars on homecoming night.
The Rams came out hot, scoring early and often as they capitalized on multiple fumbles by the Cougars, ending the first quarter 19-0. Western Hills finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter, but the Rams wasted no time finding the end-zone again as well as Mineral Wells went into halftime on top 25-6. The Rams had a scoreless 3rd quarter, and Western Hills closed the gap just a little by scoring another TD just before the end of the quarter. The Cougars scored again at the top of the 4th, with a successful 2-point conversion to follow, but it was not enough to catch up to the Rams as they scored one more time by the final buzzer, closing out the game 32-20.
Offensive standouts were Tristan Gray with 16 rushes and 3 catches for 125 total yards and 4 TD’s, QB Mason Facteau completed 7 of 9 passes for 152 yards, 3 TD’s and 0 interceptions, Evan Guzman with 15 rushes for 114 yards, Landon Russell with 2 catches and 36 yards, Jace Freeman with a 40-yard catch, Jose Garcia with 4 carries and 19 yards and Jovan Ramirez with a 15-yard catch.
A strong defensive outing by the Rams was key in this win. Defensive standouts were Bryce Fellows with 9 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, and 3 fumble recoveries, Braden Ethridge with 12 tackles, Uriel Bueno with 6 tackles, Landon Russell with 5 tackles and a QB hurry, Jose Garcia, Fabian Martinez, and Blake Blue all with 4 tackles, as well as Martinez tallying a sack and a fumble recovery. Other Rams that contributed with multiple tackles were Daniel Gonzales, Dorian White, Nick Rios, Evan Silva, Jovan Ramirez, Jonathan Hammer, and DJ Simpson.
Even with a win, it would not be a successful homecoming without the crowing of a King and Queen and recognizing the homecoming court.
Freshman court- Riley Vigil & Kylee Cates
Sophomore Court- Kaden Speers & McKayla Ramsay
Junior Court- Mason Facteau & Aylin Tristan
King and Queen Candidates- Preston Waldrum & Karleigh Jones, Tristan Gray & Emma Samples, Evan Silva & Angela Infante-Hernandez
2021 Homecoming King and Queen- Tristan Gray and Emma Samples
Tristan and Emma were crowned midfield during the halftime ceremony by 2020 King and Queen, Braden Fryer and Nadiya Weiss and escorted by their families.
Congratulations Rams and congrats to King Tristan and Queen Emma! The Rams play at home again Friday night at 7 pm against the Benbrook Bobcats.
Full Gallery
Sports Journalist | Mineral Wells native and community-driven. An MWHS graduate with years of experience having served on the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Committee, Tourism Committee, Historic Downtown Association, and more. Kellci is heavily involved in Highridge Church of Mineral Wells and volunteers within the First Impressions and Students Ministries. Her love for sports comes from being a student-athlete (volleyball, basketball, track, and field) as a child growing up in Mineral Wells.
