Positioning for playoff berths and district championships continues Friday as Week 9 of the high school football season arrives. The following are brief glimpses at the 10 weekend games involving teams covered by BrownwoodNews.com:
Baird (5-1, 1-0) at May (8-0, 2-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The undefeated Class A Division I No. 1 May Tigers, seeking a sixth consecutive district championship, face the next hurdle in their path as they welcome a one-loss Baird Bears squad Friday night.
The Tigers have defeated Borden County (51-6), Sterling City (104-80), Knox City (65-16), Evant (63-6), Blum (77-14), Newcastle (55-0), Gorman (54-0), and Santa Anna (58-0) to open the season.
The only loss for Baird came in last week’s non-district tilt with Fort Worth Covenant Classical (78-30). The Bears’ victories were against Crowell (34-7), Gordon (37-32), Chillicothe (53-0), Lueders-Avoca (52-6), and Santa Anna (72-24).
For the season, the Tigers are averaging 66 points and 272 yards – 165 rushing and 107 passing per game – while giving up 15 points per contest, with three consecutive shutouts.
Leading the way on the ground are Kaden Halk (440 yards, 10 TDs), Avery Williford (369 yards, 11 TDs), Blake Harrell (259 yards, 6 TDs), and Damian Salinas (113 yards, 5 TDs).
Through the air, Harrell has completed 27 of 43 passes for 615 yards with 12 touchdowns, while Luke McKenzie has connected 12 of 16 attempts for 207 yards with 6 scoring tosses.
Top receiving threats include Halk (13-247, 6 TDs), Kaysen King (8-215, 4 TDs), and Williford (5-149, 3 TDs).
Defensively – where the Tigers have forced 29 turnovers and produced 11 touchdowns thus far, including at least one in every game – top tacklers are Williford (54 tackles, 21.5 for loss, 4 FRs), Salinas (52 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 2 INTs, 3 FRs), Harrell (49 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 1 FR), Brian Kunkel (45 tackles, 8 for loss, 4 FRs), King (36 tackles, 6 for loss, 1 INT, 4 FRs), and Halk (31 tackles, 3 for loss, 3 INTs, 2 FRs).
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point favorite.
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Blanket (6-1, 1-0) at Sidney (3-4, 2-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
Coming off their District 15-A Division II bye week, the Blanket Tigers look to extend their win streak to five games and put themselves in the driver’s seat for the league title as they venture to Sidney Friday night,
Since suffering their only loss to Lingleville, Blanket has rebounded with wins over Zephyr (61-0), Gholson (68-0), Evant (42-30), and Rising Star (58-0).
Sidney has opened league play with wins over Panther Creek (52-6) and Rising Star (52-18). The Eagles also own a pre-district victory over Zephyr (21-18) with losses against Gorman (54-8), Bluff Dale (40-28), Gordon (78-12) and Three Way (48-46).
Blanket is averaging 50 points and 306 yards – 268 rushing and 38 passing – per game, while giving up 21 points per outing with shutouts in three of their last four contests. The Tigers have also forced 24 turnovers.
The Tigers’ ground attack features Brayden Day (952 rushing yards, 19 TDs), Levi Vazquez (448 yards, 10 TDs), and Carlos Morales (441 rushing yards, 9 TDs). Through the air, Brennam Varner has completed 15 of 30 passes for 252 yards with 3 scoring tosses. Morales (6-67), Ayden Wheeler (4-113, 3 TDs), Mark Yeats (4-55, TD) and Hayden Rodgers (3-29) are among the top receiving threats.
Defensively, leading tacklers are Day (65 tackles, 2 FR, 5 INTs), Morales (42 tackles, 2 FR, 1 INT), Vazquez (39 tackles, 3 INT, 4 FRs), Hayden Rogers (35 tackles, 1 FR), Wheeler (16 tackles, 4 FRs), and Yeats (16 tackles, 1 FR).
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 36-point favorite.
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Rising Star (3-4, 0-2) at Brookesmith (1-6, 0-1)
7:30 p.m. Thursday
The Brookesmith Mustangs will attempt to put a heartbreaking loss behind them and remain in the District 15-A Division II playoff hunt as they welcome the Rising Star Wildcats.
Brookesmith is coming off a 44-39 loss to Panther Creek in a game in which the Mustangs surrendered the final 12 points of the contest.
The Mustangs finished with 377 yards of total offense – 315 passing and 62 rushing – with three turnovers. Panther Creek mustered 287 yards – 214 on the ground and 73 through the air – and overcame six turnovers.
Grant Featherston caught seven passes for 143 yards with a touchdown for the Mustangs, Tristen Slayton added seven grabs for 83 yards and two scores, and Conner Heard finished with two receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Rising Star has started district with losses to Sidney (52-18) and Blanket (58-0). In pre-district action, the Wildcats defeated Gustine (57-50), Trent (64-13) and Lohn (54-7), with losses against Santa Anna (60-8) and Three Way (49-18).
According to sixmanfootball.com, Brookesmith is a 45-point underdog.
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Zephyr (0-8, 0-1) at Jonesboro (7-0, 1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Zephyr Bulldogs continue their quest for their first victory of the season as they visit the undefeated Class A Division I No. 4 Jonesboro Eagles in District 15-A Division I action Friday night.
Zephyr has fallen to Sidney (21-18), Veribest (31-12), Stephenville Faith (65-19), Blanket (61-0), Paint Rock (35-14), Cherokee (54-6), Ranger (52-16), and Lometa (60-15).
Jonesboro has defeated Coolidge (67-26), Perrin-Whitt (47-0), Johnson County Sports Association (58-8), Blum (45-0), Saint Jo (64-50), Valley (70-26), Greenville Christian (56-6) and Evant (70-8).
Season stats for Zephyr were not available.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 45-point underdog.
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Mullin (5-1, 0-1) at Richland Springs (5-1, 2-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class A Division II No. 5 Richland Springs Coyotes inched closer to a 20th straight district championship and will attempt to take another step on that journey as they welcome the Mullin Bulldogs in District 16 action Friday.
Richland Springs erased a 16-point second-quarter deficit to defeat Cherokee, 92-70, last week for its 79th straight district win, while Mullin’s district bye fell last week. The Bulldogs dropped their league opener to Cherokee (92-42) after rolling past Olfen (50-0), Three Way (52-6), the Jonesboro JV (58-14), and Kopperl (60-0) in pre-district action.
Last week, the Coyotes finished with 584 yards of total offense – 463 rushing and 121 passing – with a pair of turnovers. Defensively, Richland Springs yielded 481 yards, including 463 through the air, but created four takeaways.
Zane Capps sparked the Richland Springs offense with 285 rushing yards and six touchdowns while Jadeyn Bryant rushed for 95 yards and two scores and completed 9 of 11 passes for 121 yards and three additional touchdowns. Cohen Tharp caught four passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns and Nick Nilson finished with two grabs for 18 yards with a trip to the end zone.
Capps also led the Coyotes with 7.5 tackles and an interception, Bryant added seven tackles with three for loss, Nilson tallied 6.5 tackles, Brandon Stewart finished with five, and Jayden Sutherland collected five tackles and picked off a pass.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.
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Cisco (6-1, 2-0) at Coleman (6-0, 2-0)
7 p.m. Friday
In a game that will likely determine the District 4-2A Division I championship, the undefeated No. 8 Coleman Bluecats host the reigning league champion and 4th-ranked Cisco Loboes.
Coleman is coming off a 42-6 win over Goldthwaite as the Bluecats finished with 356 yards – 225 rushing and 131 passing – with just one turnover. Defensively, Coleman allowed just 202 yards – 170 on the ground and 32 through the air.
Bluecat quarterback Jadin Jackson rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 131 yards and another touchdown. Braxton Smith caught two passes for 90 yards, including an 84-yard touchdown, while Ryland Gentry chipped in 63 yards and a score on the ground. Cort McFadden also tacked on a 4-yard touchdown run.
Cisco, fresh off a 69-0 thrashing of De Leon, averages 37 points and 350 yards – 290 rushing and 68 passing – per game, led by quarterback Hunter Long’s 1,219 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns and 367 passing yards and six scores, running back Trent Huston’s 667 yards and four scores, and receiver Kason Contring’s four catches for 77 yards and two scores.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 6-point underdog.
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Goldthwaite (3-4, 1-1) at Winters (1-5, 0-2)
7 p.m. Friday
The Goldthwaite Eagles will attempt to rebound from their first District 4-2A Division I loss and remain in the postseason hunt as they visit the Winters Blizzards.
Goldthwaite is coming off a 42-6 loss to Coleman while Winters was hammered by San Saba, 44-12.
Last week, Goldthwaite finished with 202 yards – 170 on the ground and 32 through the air – with no turnovers, while allowing 356 yards – 225 rushing and 131 passing – with one takeaway.
Quarterback Jackson Patrick rushed for a team-high 47 yards and passed for 32 yards and a touchdown, caught by Aaron Anzua from 12 yards out. Cason Guthrie added a 20-yard reception while Seth Gardner rushed for 44 yards, Cutter Campbell chipped in 33 yards on the ground, and Carsyn Campbell tacked on 21 yards.
Winters’ lone win this season is a 48-7 triumph over Hico in the Blizzards’ pre-district finale. Along with San Saba, losses have come at the hands of Anson (24-6), Crane (27-13), Hawley (49-0), and Cisco (54-6).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is a 17-point favorite.
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San Saba (1-6, 1-1) at De Leon (0-7, 0-2)
7 p.m. Friday
Fresh off their first win of the season, the San Saba Armadillos look to make a push for a playoff berth from District 4-2A Division I as they visit the winless De Leon Bearcats.
San Saba toppled Winters, 44-12, last week, while De Leon was annihilated by Cisco, 69-0.
For the season, the Armadillos generate 25 points and 348 yards – 249 passing and 99 rushing – per game, while allowing 35 points on average.
Quarterback Lance Taylor has thrown for 1,730 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, as leading receivers include Reagan Mejia (34-393, 3 TDs), Weston Lackey (32-531, 3 TDs), Tyler Johnson (31-314, 4 TDs), Drake Bryant (21-232,1 TD), and Franco Franco (15-136). The ground game is led by Lackey (272 yards, 2 TDs). Tegan Saiz (142 yards, 4 TDs), and Franco (103 yards, 1 TD).
Zuri Herrera leads San Saba with 104 tackles with two for loss, trailed by Saiz with 50 and one for loss; Mejia with 48 and an interception; Lackey with 44, four for loss, two interceptions, and a sack; Franco with 37 and two interceptions, and Dylan Ware with 37 and three for loss.
Along with Cisco, De Leon has dropped contests to Dublin (43-7), Windthorst (49-0), Millsap (45-20), Cross Plains (21-13), Seymour (55-7), and Coleman (47-0).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 22-point favorite.
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Meridian (1-6, 0-1) at Cross Plains (4-3, 0-2)
7 p.m. Friday
The Cross Plains Buffaloes find themselves in a must-win situation in terms of playoff chances following two straight District 8-2A Division II losses as the Meridian Yellow Jackets come calling.
In a 42-7 loss to undefeated Santo last week, Cross Plains was limited to 163 total yards – 101 passing and 62 rushing.
Kade Purvis completed 16 of 30 passes for 101 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Asher Moses caught the scoring toss and finished with three receptions for 48 yards. Ryan Reed (4-16), Ryan Hopkins (4-15), Dusty Wyatt (4-15) and Spade Koenig (1-7) also caught passes.
On the ground, Dusty Wyatt picked up 57 yards to lead the way for the Buffaloes.
Meridian’s lone win this season came against Waco Texas Wind (47-19) with losses to Kerens (26-7), Frost (50-42), Bartlett (37-8), Moody (52-6), Axtell (70-7), and Albany (84-7).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 31-point favorite.
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Millsap (3-4, 1-1) at Comanche (0-7, 0-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday
Winless thus far in their first season under head coach Jake Escobar, the Comanche Indians are still in playoff contention in District 5-3A Division II but must defeat the Millsap Bulldogs Friday night to keep their hopes alive.
Comanche has dropped its two league games by a total of seven points – 26-21 to Dublin and 21-20 to Eastland. Millsap, meanwhile, is coming off a 25-21 win over Merkel after falling in the league opener to Eastland, 48-27.
Coming into Friday’s game, Comanche produces 18 points and 312 yards – 159 passing and 153 rushing – per game, while allowing 38 points on average.
Hudson Welch has thrown for 1,036 yards and seven touchdowns, while adding 199 yards rushing and a score. Top receivers are Kyler Beaty (23-426), Miguel Martinez (18-296), and Layden Welch (9-163). On the ground, Luke Wilson leads the way with 655 yards and six touchdowns, while Martinez has contributed 120 yards with a trip to the end zone.
The Indians are coming off their best defensive outing, allowing just 21 points to Eastland. Standouts for the Comanche defense include Layden Welch with 42 tackles on the season trailed by Beaty with 38, Wilson with 34, Martinez with 33, and Dom Rios and Ayden Fishback with 30 apiece.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 13-point favorite.