Small Ball of Texas Six-Man: Kingdom Prep v. Abilene Christian

Tagged under: Beyond The Keystone, Game Photos, Gameday Hub

Sykotyk | September 18, 2022

In a situation not unique to Texas, sometimes schools are just small. Be it public or private. Sometimes, you just won’t find enough students to adequately play a football game. And that’s where six-man football comes in.

Six-man has been around since 1938. Conceived in Nebraska, it took roots in rural Texas. Where schools spread out geographically had no hope of consolidations or co-ops to play eleven-man football. Instead, they adapted to the rules of six-man.

First and foremost, is the field. It’s 80 by 40 yards, rather than the traditional 100 by 53 and a 1/3. Fifteen yards for a first down. Only ten minute quarters. Everyone is eligible to catch a pass. And the quarterback, or whichever player takes the snap, is unable to cross the line of scrimmage. In addition, for extra points, the pass or run is worth one, and the much harder to accomplish kicks were scored as two.

You rarely see a punt and even rarer is the four point field goal. Instead, you see a lot of back and forth scoring. And the ever present 45. In Texas, as adopted, is the 45 rule for six-man. Lead by 45 after halftime and the game is over. There are no ‘backups’ to play if a game gets out of hand. In this one, Kingdom Prep had 11 men, while Abilene Christian had 10. What is there to do if a game goes cattywampus?

Saturday night’s game started at a confluence of accomodations. Kingdom Prep’s home game was at the home of Trinity Christian. A beautiful venue built well south of Lubbock proper. Situated among a network of laid out grid roads for future expansion of the city’s residential area. A home built in 2019 but also hosting another school as a landlord. Kingdom Prepatory (or simply Kingdom Prep, shortened), also now play their 6-man games on the lined 11-man field.

To adjust to this, lines of heavy tape are placed forty yards apart, essentially creating an additional bit of sideline on each side. The ten yard line becomes the goal line. The old goal line the endline. And the painted, colorful endzone sits out of bounds. For the extra points, the ball is simply lined up at the traditional, 11-man spot. In the event of a turnover, the far 20 would be used as the goal line in abstentia.

The game started well enough for the host Warriors of Kingdom Prep. After a quick Abilene Christian score on the first play from scrimmage, the hosts surged ahead with two touchdowns and two kicks for two. A 69 yard pass being the highlight to Ben Lashaway. Caleb Poe getting the first score.

The second quarter, though, was a clinic by Abilene Christian. David Patterson (8 yards), Brooks Armstrong (29 yards), Bryce McGlothlin (27 yard catch), and Ty Armstrong (13 yards and 5 yards) got in on the scoring plays. Ty’s second score of the quarter and third of the game came with just 9 ticks left on the clock. Giving Abilene Christian a commanding 46-22 lead at the break.

In the third, Ben Lashaway opened with his third score of the game, 29 yards on a run, to go with his other score of 58 yards in the second. But every good momentum swing by the host KPA Warriors, saw Abilene Christian answer back. Ty Armstrong would score on a two yard run to reextend their lead. Ben Lashaway would take a pass 59 yards for a score. The kick good. To trail just 54-36 with 45 seconds left in the third.

But, David Paterson and Nate Garza would add touchdowns from 2 and 8 yards respectively to open the fourth and nearly double the hosts, at 70-36. Daniel Sell and Chandler Freeman would make it interesting, thanks to a 60 yard pass play for a TD by Sell, and a 4 yard TD run by Freeman. But again, Abilene Christian’s workhorse, Ty Armstrong would close out their scoring on a 13 yard scamper with 1:44 left. Sam Crews, new to the scoresheet, would close out the game’s competitive portion, basket catching a 9 yard pass for six. The kick was no good, and Abilene Christian would win, 76-54.

After the game, the two squads lined up for a brief handshake line, and then huddled together as squads to recount the evening. Workers gathered the yard markers and began pulling up the tape in long, loud rips from the turf. The fans made their way to the field or their cars. Another game of football, yes, football, was in the books.