Childress Bobcats take on Coahoma Bulldogs in Bi-District round

CHILDRESS – The Childress Bobcats are headed to the playoffs after beating the Friona Chieftains 45-9 on Senior Night Friday, Nov. 4 at Fair Park Stadium.

“I am very proud of our kids for the way they finished the regular season and battling through a tough district,” Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Bo Helm said. “They have continued to work hard and get better each and every week.”

The Cats ended district 4-1 and claimed the No. 2 seed. Canadian (5-0), Friona (3-2) and Spearman (2-3) also made the playoffs.

“Getting second and earning a place in the playoffs is always rewarding, and even more so when you get to do it with a group of guys you care about,” Offensive Coordinator Reid Ware said. “We have improved a ton since the beginning of the year, and I’m super proud of the guys for the work that they have put in.”

That hard work is not going unnoticed.

Lamont Nickleberry, Drake Rabe and Seth Taylor made the Amarillo Globe-News’ Top football performers from the last week of the regular season in the Texas Panhandle. Reporter Hart Pisani wrote this:

“Seth Taylor, Lamont Nickleberry, and Drake Rabe, Childress

What a turnaround for the Bobcats on the season. They close out the regular season with a win. Rabe passed for four touchdowns and 338 yards. Taylor had 112 yards and two touchdowns on two catches, ran for another score and had 12 tackles with an interception on defense. Nickleberry hauled in seven catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns on offense and one interception on defense.”

Press Pass Sports also included Rabe in its Top 10 Texas Panhandle football performers from Week 11:

“Drake Rabe, Childress, QB, Soph.

The sophomore quarterback has made a huge difference for Childress since taking over for injured Scout Smith over the past few weeks. Rabe continues to grow and, in a hurry, heling the Bobcats to a No. 2-seed out of District 3-3A Division II during a 45-9 win over Friona going 14-of-30 for 338 yards with four touchdown tosses.”

“We are playing with a lot of confidence and momentum right now, which is exciting,” Helm said. “They believe in themselves, and that’s a huge piece of the battle right there.”

The Bobcat defense held the Chieftains to 74 passing yards and 81 rushing yards. In addition to Taylor and Nickleberry, Billy Moore also intercepted it.

“I am proud of the fight in the Bobcats this year,” Defensive Coordinator Matthew Olson said. “The kids have come to work every day to make themselves and the team better.”

While Olson is preparing for the playoffs by being technical and physical on the defensive side of the ball, Ware said the offense has to remain focused and continue to find ways to make plays.

“We will continue to prepare one game at a time with a focus on us getting better each and every rep,” Helm said.

The 6-4 Bobcats will take on the 7-3 Coahoma Bulldogs in the Bi-District game at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 at Charles Tyler Stadium in Floydada.