Fumbles and a tough Winnsboro front seven limited Farmersville to a 7-6 lead at halftime, but the Farmers' high-octane offense ignited for 21 points in the third period to roll past the Red Raiders, 35-6 in a Region II-2A Division I contest played in Greenville.
And, as well as the Farmersville offense played, the feisty Farmer defense turned in a matching stellar performance. Winnsboro was held to 75 yards on the ground by the quick, gang-tackling Farmersville defense.
In a scoreless first quarter, Winnsboro looked every bit like a team that came into this contest sporting a 10-1 season record and the smaller Farmers had trouble winning the battle in the trenches.
But in the second period a sustained Farmersville drive hit pay dirt when the guys up front opened a nice hole on the right side and Tahj Redwine followed lead blocker Nick Taylor into the end zone. A soaring PAT by James Wise gave the Farmers a 7-0 lead.
Winnsboro's Blake Bennett made a one-handed grab on a 40-yard pass from Sean Ditto to give the Red Raiders good field position and Tommy Evans scored on a one-yard dive. The PAT was short, leaving Farmersville in front, 7-6, at halftime.
The second half was a very different ball game. Winnsboro's onsides kick was downed at the Farmersville 40-yard line and Redwine turned the corner on the left side and streaked 60 yards down the sideline in front of a large Farmersville crowd to stretch the Farmer's lead to 14-6.
Farmersville began distancing Winnsboro when Nick Taylor scored from 17 yards out and the crowd began celebrating when Austin Brooks hit Quincy Roberts in the corner of the end zone to give the Farmers a 28-6 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Brooks scored the game's final TD on a short run in the finale and once more the PAT by Wise was on the money.
Redwine led all rushers with 177 yards on 16 carries, Nick Taylor totaled 94 yards on 13 carries, and Austin Brooks rushed six times for 45 yards.
Winnsboro's best runner on this night was Josh Thacker, with 30 yards on 10 carries against the tenacious Farmersville defense.
Farmersville (10-2) will face off with Caddo Mills next week in a contest that will most likely be played at Greenville.
(additional photos pending)