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ENNIS – The U.S. Highway 287 road sign presented annually to the winning side in one of the area’s oldest rivalries will remain in Ennis for another year.
In the 99th edition of the Battle of 287, senior Payton Chapman spearheaded a stifling defensive effort to lead Ennis to a 38-0 victory over Waxahachie Friday night at Lion Memorial Stadium.
“We had a great week of practice and it all paid off,’’ the middle linebacker said. “Keeping the sign is pretty big, especially my senior year, but we have bigger goals than that.’’
Ennis (2-0), No. 1 in the 5A-Division II state poll and No. 2 in The Dallas Morning News SportsDay’s combined Class 5A area ranking, dominated play on both sides of the ball with a decisive 425-148 edge in total yardage.
Waxahachie (1-2) trailed 21-0 before making a first down and didn’t cross midfield until late in the third quarter.
The series dates to 1908 – long before 287 replaced a state highway that linked the communities. It has been fought on remarkably even terms. Ennis, which ended a four-year losing streak in 2019, leads 48-46 with five ties.
Ennis dominated from the outset. A 46-yard return of the opening kickoff by Karon Smith set up a 36-yard scoring drive capped by quarterback Collin Drake’s 5-yard run for a quick 7-0 lead.
Ennis faced third down only once in its second scoring drive of 80 yards, capped by a 14-yard sweep by De’Ivian Johnson.
Devion Beasley finished off a 49-yard scoring drive in the second quarter with a 1-yard run to make it 21-0.
The lead grew to 28-0 on a 70-yard screen pass from Drake to Skylan Simmons. Drake finished with 208 passing yards, with a second touchdown going to Smith on a 21-yard throw.
Preston Hodge supplied Waxahachie’s lone highlight with an end-zone interception in the final minute of the first half.
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