Canyon Randall’s offensive line proves to be too much for Fort Worth Southwest

In a contest that was won at the line of scrimmage, Canyon Randall upended Southwest, 38-7, in a Class 5A, Div. II bi-district round matchup at Clark Stadium Friday night.

Southwest finished its season at 7-4.

Quarterback Landon Nix and running back Jasean Barrow led the way for Randall. Barrow rushed for 265 yards in 21 carries and a touchdown before leaving late in the third quarter. Nix ran for 127 yards in 12 attempts for two touchdowns. Nix also threw for the other pair of touchdowns scored by Randall.

Randall is only 5-6, but Nix was out most of the season due to injury.

The two players did not appear any faster than the skill players for Southwest, but the visitors from the Panhandle boasted a big line that blocked and opened holes for Nix and Barrow.

Southwest scored a touchdown on the game’s opening drive after Bryan Allen returned the kickoff to the Canyon 24. Five plays later, C’ing Blanton scored from a yard out.

However, Canyon scored on four of its next five possessions to take a 28-7 halftime lead. Nix faked often to the running back up the middle, then kept himself for big gains.

Southwest quarterback Caleb Ollison threw laterals and short swing passes that were effective at first but with less success as the game progressed and the Canyon defenders began figuring it out and penetrated.

Allen and Ja’quaviion Mason had big returns on kickoff returns starting drives at the Canyon 42 and the Southwest 38, but they were wasted as the Southwest offense stagnated.

Southwest was held to only 141 yards of offense and eight first downs. The team was stopped twice on fourth down.

The Southwest defense did better in the second half keying in on Nix and Barrow, forcing the Amarillo visitors to pass more often, but could not get its own offense in gear.

Game was over when: Canyon scored its fifth touchdown with 5:12 left in the third quarter. Nix threw eight yards to Zayne Breitling in the back corner of the end zone for the score. It gave Randall a 35-7 lead.

Play of the game: Barrow ran 69 yards to the Southwest 12 yard line on Randall’s second possession. It led to the team’s second touchdown with 2:32 left in the first quarter and gave Randall the lead for good, 14-7.

Offensive player of the game: Jasean Barrow for Randall.

Defensive player of the game: Justin Jackson intercepted twice for Southwest in a losing cause.

Unsung hero of the game: Southwest quarterback Caleb Ollison was forced to pass often and never had much of an opportunity to set up as he was pursued constantly. He was 8-25-2 for 83 yards.