By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@gmail.com

The Forestburg High School football team finds itself in uncharted territory as the Longhorns play their first-ever area round game this week.
“They are a very good team with good players and a good scheme,” Forestburg head coach Wayne Tuckwell said regarding Thursday’s opponent: Motley County.
Forestburg will play Motley County at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Moffett-Dodson Stadium in Chillicothe in the Conference 1A Division II area round.
Motley County runs mostly out of tight-T formations and uses a 3-2 alignment on defense.
“They are big, strong and fast,” Tuckwell said. The coach said it’s going to be a challenge to corral Motley County’s speed.
The Matadors also have tradition on their side. Motley County won the state championship in 2007 and played in the semifinals four years ago.
Motley County is coached by Throckmorton native Mike Bigham, who is currently in his 10th season at the helm of the Matadors. Bigham played middle linebacker at both Ranger Junior College and McMurry University in Abilene.
The Matadors have been in the postseason in nine of Bigham’s 10 years.
The coach was complimentary of what he saw on film from Forestburg.
“I think they have a spread back (J.D. Moore) that does good things for them,” Bigham said. “They run their formations well, and they have an aggressive defense. I am looking forward to a good ball game.”

Forestburg defender Wyatt (21) prepares to tackle a Benjamin player during a Nov. 12 game at Vernon. The Longhorns won their first-ever playoff game here. Click on the image itself for the complete photo. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)