In Week Four of the 2013 high school football season, the South Plains had two football players that really stood out with their performances.  These players were Shallowater running back Jarek Black and Crosbyton running back/linebacker Michael Gutierrez. Both players were named Built Ford Tough Players of the Week.

For Black, he kicked off last Friday’s 38-14 win over Idalou with a bang.  Jarek took the first hand-off from scrimmage and raced through the defense for a 57-yard touchdown. That set the tone for the evening as the 5-10, 210-pound running back rushed for a season-high 333 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries.  He has led the Mustangs to a 5-0 record heading into their bye week. His rushing effort accounted for 90% of Shallowater’s offense as they had 380 yards total for the game. At this point in the season he has racked up 1,156 yards with 16 touchdowns to show for it.

Gutierrez also had a stellar performance as he led the Chiefs to a 49-38 win over the class 2A Floydada Whirlwinds.  He ran for a career-high 277 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries as he averaged 11 yards per rush.  Crosbyton is now 4-1 on the year with the 5-8, 195-pound Michael Gutierrez leading the way.  For the season, he has rushed for 767 yards with nine touchdowns which is only 63 yards short of his 2012 total of 830 yards.

Both Jarek Black and Michael Gutierrez were the key piece to their teams success this past week and for much of the season.  South Plains football fans should remember these young men's names as I think we will hear them a lot more as the season progresses.

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