Swifts win Bi-District, Area playoffs

The Nazareth Swifts advanced into the Area playoffs against Springlake Earth after a win over the Follett Panthers, 40-24. Nazareth won the Area game against Springlake, 6228, and will advance to the State Quarterfinals.

In the Bi-District game, Nazareth came in with 15 first downs, 38 rushes for 366 yards and 34 tackles.

The Swifts gained the lead in the first quarter and consistently made gains while the defense held their own on the field.

Swifts Sterl Welps got the first quarter going with a 1yard touchdown rush, with extra points from Brett Heitschmidt, to take the lead 8-0. Welps came in with a second touchdown on a 3-yard rush for another touchdown, and again, extra points from Heitschmidt, giving Nazareth a 16-0 lead.

Follett finally put a touchdown on the scoreboard on a 34-yard pass and extra points, to end the first quarter 16-8.

The second quarter, Luke Schulte came through with a 1-yard rush for a touchdown and extra points from Heitschmidt, to widen the Swifts lead to 24-8. Follett answered with a 7-yard touchdown pass and extra points, to close out the first half with Naz leading 24-16.

As the third quarter progressed, Luke Schulte scored on a 43-yard rush, with extra points from Heitschmidt, to widen the gap over Follett, 3216. Follett came through a touchdown on a 2-yard rush and extra points, to end that quarter 32-24.

In the final quarter, Welps scored on a 4-yard rush, with extra points from Heitschmidt, to secure the victory, 40-24.

Swifts rushing leaders were Luke Schulte with 27 rushes for 340 yards and two touchdowns; Sterl Welps, five rushes for 17 yards and three touchdowns; and Will Young with six rushes for 9 yards.

Defensive leaders were Tell Bagley with seven tackles; Kayle Rogers, six tackles; Brett Heitschmidt, 5.5 tackles; Sterl Welps, 4.5 tackles; Luke Schulte, four tackles; Tanner Birkenfeld, four tackles; and Will Young, three tackles.

Area Game - Nov. 18

The Swifts won their game against Springlake Earth 62-28 in the Area contest on Friday night in Petersburg. Stats not made available.

The Swifts (10-2) will advance to the State Quarterfinals to play the Happy Cowboys (11-1) on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. in Tulia.

The winner of Region 1-1A Quarterfinals will play either Rankin or Westbrook from Region 2 in the semifinals.

Advancing from Regions 3 and 4 to the quarterfinals are Gordon v Abbott and Irion County v Jonesboro.