<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1e0qLm_1Gq9dVBG00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1e0qLm_1Gq9dVBG00" width="1200" height="673" ></figure>In 2024, the Randall Raiders and the West Plains Wolves met on the varsity football field at Happy State Bank Stadium for the first time. Randall fell short, 21-43. And again in 2025, Randall lost 13-62. This year, West Plains strove for a “threepeat” to win the Duke once again.This time, the Raiders won 39-21 over the Wolves.“It is always great to get a win over a really good opponent,” head football coach Dan Sherwood said. “I am happy that the kids stepped up to the challenge and fought through adversity.”On Oct. 30, sophomore quarterback Hendrix Funk started the game off with a throw to senior wide receiver Phoenix Sherwood, who ran it in for a 60-yard touchdown — the first touchdown of the game.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2KCdeY_1Gq9dVBG00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2KCdeY_1Gq9dVBG00" width="2001" height="1334" ><figcaption>Phoenix Sherwood rushing to the end zone in varsity football game vs. West Plains on Oct. 30, 2026 ( Adam Trevino )</figcaption></figure>“My first touchdown was important because it let West Plains know we were going to be here all night,” Phoenix said.Senior running back Drayden Ray said Phoenix’s touchdown was significant and the receiver started the game strong.“I think the play that was a shift in momentum was the very first score,” Ray said. “Phoenix housed it 50-plus yards; that moment right there, the energy was bumping, and our guys were excited.”This game wasn’t just an offensive battle. The defense came out and backed up the offense after every score.“Getting on the field after an offensive score raised our motivation going into a drive,” senior linebacker Ace Bledsoe said. “It made the defensive unit push a little more to assist our offense and put them in a better spot.”Ray also gives credit to the whole team, calling the offensive line “unspoken heroes.”“Offensively, nothing happens without the offensive line,” Ray said. “They make everything possible. In this game, they were able to neutralize their very fast defensive line.”Both teams were strong competitors aiming to beat a district rival. At halftime, West Plains was leading 14-11, but Randall came back with 14 points in the 3rd quarter and 14 points in the 4th quarter, only letting the Wolves get 7 points on the board in the second half.“Our biggest challenge was when we turned the ball over, which led to them taking the lead,” Ray said. “We overcame that challenge by having a quick memory and moving on, realizing there was a lot of football left to play.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2XDtew_1Gq9dVBG00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2XDtew_1Gq9dVBG00" width="2001" height="1674" ><figcaption>Drayden Ray running the ball in varsity football game vs. West Plains on Oct. 30, 2026. ( Adam Trevino )</figcaption></figure>Going into one of the biggest games of their district season, the team had to prepare for the pressure surrounding the game and rivalry. West Plains had a record of 5-3 before playing Randall, and during the 2025 season made it all the way to the regional final, where they lost to Stephenville.“Practice was set up the same as any other week, but the players had to amp up the intensity,” Bledsoe said. “We needed to be at our best for a tough upcoming opponent.”The atmosphere is much stronger and more energetic at the district rivalry games. Competing for a silver cowboy hat called the “Duke” amped up the competition. The student section showed their Raider pride, dressed up in bright neon colors with signs saying things like “Welcome to the Raid”, “Bad night to be a wolf,” “Raiders shine, wolves whine,” etc.“The atmosphere was the best I have ever been a part of,” Sherwood said. “Our student section was phenomenal.”The players fed off the energy from the student section and fans. But it wasn’t just about the hype.“The tension was high between the teams on the field, and along with the student sections and the bands,” Bledsoe said. “It made for a super tense atmosphere that was a lot of fun to play in.”The Raiders plan to use the momentum from their win over the Wolves to push through as they prepare for playoffs next week. They will play one final district game against Hereford on Friday, and the Raiders head into the game with an 8-1 season record.“Hopefully this win just continues to boost players’ confidence in themselves and in each other,” Sherwood said.</div></body>

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In 2024, the Randall Raiders and the West Plains Wolves met on the varsity football field at Happy State Bank Stadium for the first time. Randall fell short, 21-43. And again in 2025, Randall lost 13-62. This year, West Plains strove for a “threepeat” to win the Duke once again.

Raiders Bring Home the Duke

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In 2024, the Randall Raiders and the West Plains Wolves met on the varsity football field at Happy State Bank Stadium for the first time. Randall fell shor

Raiders Bring Home the Duke

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