Week 2 of the high school football season features a full slate of games, including a Top 10 showdown in the six-man ranks, along with a battle between two teams among the 13 covered by BrownwoodNews.com.
The following are glimpses at the this week’s local matchups:
#4 Sterling City (1-0) at #7 May (1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class A Division I No. 7 May Tigers are seeking a 2-0 start to the season as they open the home portion of their schedule against the No. 4 Sterling City Eagles.
May is coming off a 70-14 triumph at Bryson in Week 1, while Sterling City thrashed Garden City, 74-28, in its season debut.
In the Tigers’ win over Bryson, May finished with 295 yards of total offense, including 277 rushing.
Isidro Salinas rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns, Damian Salinas added 67 yards and two scores, Aaron McGinn chipped in 44 yards, Rory Bustamante rushed for 41 yards with a trip to the end zone, Korbin Bass contributed 21 yards and scored once and Kaden Halk ran for a 13-yard touchdown.
Halk also added a 55-yard kick return for a touchdown to start the contest.
Through the air, Bustamante connected with Isidro Salinas for an 18-yard completion.
Defensive standouts for the Tigers included Isidro Salinas with 9 tackles and a fumble caused; Aaron McGinn with 6 tackles; Hayden King with 5 tackles, 1 fumble caused, and 1 tackle for loss; Halk with 5 tackles; Chris Flenniken with 4 tackles, 1 fumble caused, 1 fumble recovered, and 3 tackles for loss; Brian Kunkel with 4 tackles, 1 fumble recovered, and 1 tackle for loss; Bustamante and Bass with 3 tackles each; Lane McGinn with 1 tackle and 1 fumble recovered; and Damian Salinas with 1 tackle.
For Sterling City, the Eagles tallied 377 yards – 216 rushing and 161 passing – and allowed 189 yards – 134 through the air and 55 on the ground – against Garden City.
Frankie Gonzales rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns while Jace Clark added 43 yards on the ground and three scores. Through the air, Kas Johnson completed both his pass attempts for 83 yards and two scores, Cross Knittel passed for 36 yards and one score and Hudson Cox added 21 yards through the air with one scoring toss. Chance Ferguson led all Sterling City receivers with five grabs for 132 yards and three touchdowns.
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point underdog.
Gustine (1-0) at #14 Blanket (0-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class A Division II No. 14 Blanket Tigers came up short in their season opener against the Gorman Panthers last week, but look to notch their first victory as the Gustine Tigers come calling in Friday’s home opener.
Blanket suffered a 30-22 loss at Gorman while Gustine upended Rising Star by a 64-42 count.
In Blanket’s game at Gorman, the Tigers produced 159 yards of total offense – 120 rushing and 39 passing – but committed seven turnovers. The Panthers tallied 203 yards – 124 through the air and 79 on the ground – and gave the ball away four times.
Hector Castaneda led Blanket with 67 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Brayden Day contributed 33 yards and two scores. Tyler Simpson added 18 yards on the ground.
Carlos Morales passed for 37 yards as Castaneda caught a 15-yard pass, Day hauled in a 14-yard reception and Simpson grabbed a 10-yard catch.
Hayden Rodgers led Blanket with 11 tackles followed by nine from Damon Carrillo and eight from Brady Furry.
Gustine is a member of District 11-A Division II along with Strawn, Gordon and Bluff Dale. The Tigers return three offensive and two defensive starters from last year’s 5-5 squad.
Players to watch include RB/DB Xander Ruedas, QB/LB Junior Lopez, RB/DB Sebastian Mejia, OL/DL Steve Garcia, and QB/LB Josue Buitron.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point favorite.
#5 Strawn (0-1) at #16 Brookesmith (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The season is starting a week later than expected for the Brookesmith Mustangs, whose Week 1 game with Veribest was called off by the UIL due to the Falcons not adhering to the proper COVID re-acclimaition guidelines.
Brookesmith is coming off a 9-2 campaign, its best since 1996, but is still seeking its first postseason victory since 1955. The Mustangs have advanced to the postseason just nine times, including the last four seasons.
The Mustangs return six of 13 lettermen from last year’s squad. Among them is linebacker Avery Williford, the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine preseason defensive player of the year for District 15-A Division II. Also back are Johnathan Willoughby and Randall Williams.
The Strawn Greyhounds opened their season with a 48-36 loss at the hands of White Deer.
The Greyhounds – who are picked to win the District 11-A Division II championship – are led by RB/DE Luke Eli, RB/DL Lorenzo Garcia, OL/DL Max Hopkins, OL/DL Jade Barrett, RB/LB Jett Millsop, RB/C Trey Orsini, OL/DL Justice Baker, QB Evan Williams, QB Kyler Tunnell, RB Luis Aguilar, OL/DL Trenton Sizemore, OL/DL Payton Harris, RB/OL Drake Dickehut, RB/LB Leo Delatorre, OL/DL Justin Patton, RB/DL Jose Estrada, and OL/DL John Fragua.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Brookesmith is a 45-point underdog.
Zephyr (0-1) at Veribest (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Zephyr Bulldogs will attempt to rebound from a season-opening 48-0 loss to Sidney as they venture to Veribest to battle the Falcons, who are opening their campaign after their Week 1 game was canceled.
Players to watch for Zephyr include Kannon Eoff, Jayden Millican and Bryson Gibbs.
Veribest went into a COVID quarantine after six days of preseason practice and resumed workouts last week, therefore the Falcons had not adhered to the mandatory 10-day re-acclimation period and were forced to cancel their game against Brookesmith.
The Falcons are coming off a 3-7 season in 2019 with four starters returning on each side of the ball. Veribest is tabbed to place fourth in District 14-A Division I behind Eden, Irion County, and Water Valley, and ahead of Paint Rock.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 21-point favorite.
Austin Royals (1-0) at #3 Richland Springs (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The reigning Class A Division II state champion and third-ranked Richland Springs Coyotes kick off their regular season against Austin Royals Friday night.
The Coyotes – who are pursuing their 10th state championship overall, all since 2004 –are coming off a Week 1 bye while Austin Royals defeated Temple CenTex Home School, 71-26, to kick off its campaign.
Richland Springs brings back just 3 of 10 lettermen from last year’s 14-0 squad, as running back Landon Burkhart, quarterback Jadeyn Bryant and running back Zane Capps lead the way.
Others expected to contribute this season include linebacker Keston Lusty, quarterback Chase Gossett, receiver Nick Nilson, linemen Lane Garcia and Dawson Crysler, and defensive backs Jeremiah Usery and Brandon Stewart, among others.
Royals finished with 245 yards of total offense, including 188 rushing in last week’s win. Bo Pogue finished with a team-high 64 yards and one score on the ground, Tre Martin chipped in 53 yards with a touchdown and David Garcia-Gonzalez racked up 39 yards and scored twice.
J.D. Pemberton passed for 67 yards and four touchdowns with all receptions by Noah Cano.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.
Goldthwaite (0-1) at #19 Cross Plains (1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Goldthwaite Eagles will shoot for their first victory of the season as they visit the Class 2A Division II No. 19 Cross Plains Buffaloes, who rolled to a win in their season opener.
Cross Plains hammered Menard, 54-6, in Week 1, while Goldthwaite was downed by Crawford, 14-0.
In Cross Plains’ win, the Buffaloes compiled 367 total yards – 269 rushing and 108 rushing – while limiting Menard to 83 yards of total offense.
Cody McWilliams led the Buffaloes with 90 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, Asher Moses tacked on 63 yards and a score, Noah Moses chalked up 42 yards and one score, Cason Allen contributed 36 yards, Justin Gresham finished with 28 yards and Ryan Hopkins added 10 rushing yards.
Through the air, Allen completed 5 of 6 passes for 82 yards with two touchdowns while Gresham was 3 of 7 for 25 yards with two scoring tosses.
Leading receivers were Hopkins with four grabs for 62 yards and a touchdown, Spade Koenig caught two passes for 10 yards and scored once, Ryan Reed pulled down a 27-yard touchdown, and Noah Moses hauled in a 19-yard scoring reception.
In the Eagles’ loss, Goldthwaite surrendered touchdowns in the second and third periods – a 14-yard pass and a 3-yard carry. Crawford finished with 241 yards of total offense – 151 rushing and 90 passing – and committed three turnovers.
Goldthwaite recorded 101 yards of total offense – 90 rushing and 11 passing.
Seth Gardner rushed for 42 yards to lead the Eagles, Dusty Partin added 29 and Mitchel Hopper chipped in 15 yards. Through the air, Jackson Patrick completed an 11-yard pass to Partin.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 3-point favorite.
Anson (1-0) at Coleman (1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Coleman Bluecats pitched a Week 1 shutout and will attempt to remain unbeaten on the season when the Anson Tigers invade Hufford Field.
Coleman notched a 32-0 victory over Miles to kick off the season, while Anson upended the Winters Blizzards, 34-22.
In the Bluecats’ win, Coleman generated 280 yards of total offense – 162 rushing and 114 passing – while allowing just 62 yards, with 54 coming on the ground.
Corbin Rosales led the Bluecats with 75 yards rushing while Ryland Gentry chipped in 57 yards including a 41-yard touchdown. R.J. Wright added 16 yards and Devinar Roberson tacked on 14 yards and scored once from 3 yards out.
Rosales also completed 3 of 7 passes for 39 yards with a touchdown while Denver Hunter threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Braxton Smith, who finished with two grabs for 101 yards. Gentry also caught two passes for 13 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown from Rosales.
Defensively, Dylan Diaz scooped up a fumble and returned it 20 yards for a Coleman touchdown, one of five turnovers committed by Miles.
In Anson’s win over Winters, the Tigers finished with 232 yards of total offense – 138 through the air and 94 yards on the ground.
Isaac Brann completed 10 of 16 passes for 138 yards with three touchdowns – all to Dylyn Pyle who finished with four receptions for 97 yards. Julian Garcia added two catches for 22 yards while Blake Vinson, Jacob Jenkins and Mason Hagler also caught passes.
On the ground, Jacob Garza rushed for a team-best 74 yards.
Defensively, Garza led the way with 15 tackles followed by Garcia with 11 and Hagler with 10. Joe Galvan recorded three sacks, while Wyatt Whitaker contributed two and recovered a fumble.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 14-point underdog.
Rogers (0-1) at #6 San Saba (1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class 2A Division I No. 6 San Saba Armadillos put forth an opening night performance reminiscent of the last two seasons, pummeling the Eldorado Eagles, 56-14. Next up is a visit from the Class 3A Division II Rogers Eagles, who are seeking their first win of the year.
In San Saba’s rout of Eldorado, the Armadillos racked up 525 yards of total offense – 360 on the ground and 165 through the air.
Stone Sears rushed for 185 yards and four touchdowns, Weston Lackey tacked on 85 yards and a score, Risien Shahan finished with 58 yards and scored once and Justin Yarbrough tallied 30 yards with a trip to the end zone.
Through the air, Shahan connected on 11 of 14 passes for 165 yards. Sears grabbed three receptions for 67 yards and scored once, Yarbrough finished with three catches for 16 yards, Logan Glover pulled down two receptions for 48 yards, Franco Franco logged two catches for 15 yards and Lackey recorded a 19-yard catch.
Defensively, San Saba gave up just 60 total yards, recorded six sacks and forced a pair of turnovers.
In Rogers’ 20-15 loss to Little River-Academy, the Eagles finished with 238 yards of total offense – 168 rushing and 70 passing – but committed three turnovers. Defensively, Rogers yielded 341 yards – 232 through the air and 109 on the ground – and recorded two takeaways.
R.J. Cook rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown, Riley Dolgener completed 5 of 10 passes for 70 yards, Christian Riley hauled in a 35-yard reception and Jacob Glasgow caught two passes covering 15 yards.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 13-point favorite.
Brady (1-0) at #18 Comanche (1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Comanche Indians pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the state in Week 1, blanking state-ranked Mason at the Puncher Dome, 14-0. Now, the Brady Bulldogs come calling following their 81-8 thrashing of San Angelo TLCA in their season opener.
In Comanche’s win over Mason, the Indians finished with 156 total yards – 85 passing and 71 rushing – and grabbed a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, while tacking on eight more points in the third period.
Hudson Welch completed 5 of 11 passes for 85 yards with a touchdown to Bryce Hermesmeyer, who hauled in two receptions for 55 yards.
Logan Wilkerson led the way on the ground with 29 yards, Hermesmeyer added 21 and Luke Wilson rushed for 10 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, the Indians yielded 239 yards of total offense and forced two turnovers – one interception and one fumble recovery. Cash Cook led the charge with 16 tackles followed by 10 from Christian Holmes. Jorge Rios and Wilkerson each recorded a sack. Rios also recovered a fumble and Hermesmeyer intercepted a pass.
In Brady’s win over TLCA, J.D. Ibarra rushed for 99 yards and four touchdowns, and Cutter Johnson threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for a pair of scores. Parker Linnard hauled in three receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown, while Kaden Bernal grabbed two passes covering 90 yards and scored once, and Jacob Wernecke also caught a touchdown toss.
Daniel Hernandez amassed 14 tackles, including four for loss, recovered three fumbles including one that was returned for a touchdown, and registered one sack. Cesar Reza chipped in 13 tackles, Wernecke added 12 and Ibarra finished with 10 takedowns.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 14-point favorite.
* All 11-man rankings courtesy of Harris Ratings Weekly, all 6-man ranking via sixmanfootball.com.
