Farmersville senior running back RaJun Wilkes finished with three rushing touchdowns in Friday’s 59-20 home win over Quinlan Ford on Friday. Photo by Tina Lopez / C&S Media

By David Wolman

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Facing a Quinlan Ford offense that averaged 308 rushing yards per game, Farmersville head football coach Zac Quinlan knew the importance of playing with a lead.

The Farmers did more than that.

Despite injuries to their top two running backs, Farmersville dominated on the ground and scored on all nine of its possessions in a 59-20 victory over Quinlan Ford at Farmers Stadium.

The win secured a playoff berth and second place in District 7-4A Division II for the Farmers, who have won three consecutive games after opening the season 2-4.

Farmersville’s offensive performance was particularly impressive considering the absence of junior Brandt Martinez and freshman Sam Navaja, the team’s top two running backs.

With both sidelined by injuries, seniors Daniel Mathews and RaJun Wilkes stepped into larger roles and helped ensure the Farmers’ offense never missed a beat.

Mathews and Wilkes each scored three rushing touchdowns, while senior quarterback Levi McAbee added another touchdown on the ground and one through the air.

The trio combined for seven rushing scores behind the offensive line of Matthew Lannon, Brandon Ballew, Braden Naude, Justin Queneau, Christopher Ferretiz and Damien Ainsworth.

Farmersville’s defense held Quinlan Ford to just six points over the game’s final three quarters after the Panthers scored on their first two possessions.

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