Two Brown County squads will attempt to continue their winning ways on their home turf Friday night, while three more local teams begin district competition – including two against each other. The following are brief previews of the eight games in the BrownwoodNews.com coverage area this weekend:
Moran (0-4) at Blanket (3-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Blanket Tigers are riding a three-game win streak into Friday night’s homecoming encounter with the Moran Bulldogs.
Since a 53-18 opening loss to Rising Star, Blanket has reeled off victories over Bryson (40-12), Eden (50-0) and Santa Anna (52-16) under first-year head coach Michael Cherry.
In the victory over Santa Anna last week, Blanket manufactured 297 yards of total offense, with 283 coming on the ground.
The Tigers’ rushing attack was sparked by Levi Vazquez with 170 yards and five touchdowns on 14 carries, while Brayden Day rushed 16 times for 111 yards and reached the end zone twice.
Aydan Wheeler caught the lone completion from Gage Jones, who was 1 of 3 passing.
Defensively, Blanket forced four fumbles and two were returned for touchdowns by Kannon Kensing and Mason Beck. Wheeler and Day also scooped up loose balls. Kensing led the charge with 15 tackles followed by Day with seven, Beck with six, Vazquez and Brandon Larance with four apiece and Wheeler with three.
Moran has started its season with losses to Benjamin (78-6), Baird (50-0), Aspermont (56-8), and Mullin (58-44), a District 15-A Division II rival of the Tigers.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point favorite.
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Olfen (0-3) at Zephyr (3-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Zephyr Bulldogs, who won a total of one game over the previous two seasons, will attempt to match 2019’s win total as they vie for their fourth victory – and third in a row – Friday night against the Olfen Mustangs.
After a narrow opening night 44-37 loss to Bronte, Zephyr has rebounded with victories over Veribest (46-0), Waco Eagle Academy (54-6) and Lohn (68-6).
Olfen is coming off a 13-0 loss to Panther Creek last week in which the game was called off in the first half due to an influx of injuries. The Mustangs have also fallen to Dawson (32-13) and Lueders-Avoca (49-0).
In the Bulldogs’ win over Lohn last week, Zephyr amassed 387 total yards – 328 rushing and 59 passing – and surrendered just three 3 yards – 14 through the air and negative-11 on the ground – while forcing a pair of turnovers.
Eathan Gowin rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns, Jayden Millican chipped in 84 yards and four scores, and Johnny Paul Evans-Rollins tacked on 49 yards with a trip to the end zone. Also rushing for the Bulldogs were Tripp Ballard with 34 yards and Kaden Floyd with 19 yards.
Through the air, Karsen Floyd hurled a 16-yard touchdown pass to Waggoner Shelton, who caught two balls for 27 yards. Ballard grabbed a 32-yard reception, as Bransen Bumguarder was 2 of 4 for 43 yards passing.
Defensively, Kaden Floyd led Zephyr with seven tackles trailed by Millican with six, and Ballard with five. Evans-Rollins contributed an interception to go along with two tackles.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 45-point favorite.
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Brookesmith (0-4) at Blackwell (1-3)
7:30 p.m. Saturday
The Brookesmith Mustangs’ quest for their first victory of the season and the Jack Graves coaching era takes them to Blackwell Saturday night, where they visit the one-win Hornets.
The Mustangs are coming off last week’s 46-0 loss to Priddy, which comes on the heels of losses to Mount Calm (46-0), Kopperl (24-8) and Mullin (38-6).
Blackwell’s lone win this season came at the hands of Eden (48-0), with losses against Aspermont (34-28), Highland (52-32) and Robert Lee (46-38).
According to sixmanfootball.com, Brookesmith is a 45-point underdog.
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Comanche (3-1) at Albany (3-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Comanche Indians will attempt to bounce back from their first loss of the season against a foe that always suffered its first setback – the Class 2A Division II No. 2 Albany Lions.
After opening the season with wins over Brady (49-7), Bangs (42-18) and Early (49-40), Comanche dropped a 45-14 decision to Tolar last week.
Albany’s season began with wins over Lubbock Trinity (19-15), Dublin (55-14), and Seymour (27-13) before being derailed by Class 2A Division I No. 2 Hawley (26-14) last week.
The Indians enter the contest averaging 39 points and 450 yards – 308 rushing and 142 passing – per game with five giveaways, while giving up 28 points with 10 sacks and nine takeaways.
Sawyer Wilkerson anchors the rushing attack with 739 yards and eight touchdowns followed by quarterback Layden Welch with 178 yards and two scores, Caden Davis with 125 yards and a touchdown, and Easton Gonzalez with 118 yards and two trips to the end zone.
Welch has completed 32 of 65 passes for 566 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions. Leading receivers are Miguel Martinez (18-355, TD) and Kyler Beaty (9-83, 2 TDs).
Defensive standouts for the Indians include Israel Medrano (39 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack), Ezequiel Medrano (37 tackles, 1 interception), Dom Rios (35 tackles, 2 for loss), Diego Gutierrez (29 tackles, 1 interception), Ayden Fishback (28 tackles, 4 for loss, 3 sacks), Pierson Sorrells (27 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks), and Welch (20 tackles, 1 fumble recovery).
Through four games, Albany is producing 29 points and 338 yards – 236 rushing and 102 passing – per game, while giving up 17 points per outing with nine takeaways.
Adam Hill has rushed for 489 yards and six touchdowns, Coy Lefevre has chipped in 201 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback Cole Chapman has contributed 112 yards on the ground.
Through the air, Chapman has completed 27 of 44 passes for 274 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while Lute Wheeler has connected on 5 of 10 tosses for 105 yards and a score with an interception.
Receiving threats are London Fuentes (11-129, TD), Branson Beal (6-85) and Hill (4-98, 2 TDs).
Leading the charge defensively are Coy Cauble (31 tackles, 1 for loss), Jayden Lucas (25 tackles, 1 for loss), and Hill (24 tackles, 5 for loss).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 9-underdog.
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Goldthwaite (0-4, 0-0) at Coleman (3-1, 0-0)
7 p.m. Friday
The Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Class 2A Division I No. 6 Coleman Bluecats and Goldthwaite Eagles open their District 5-2A Division I slates as both teams are coming off losses in their pre-district finales.
Coleman suffered its first setback of the season at undefeated Class 3A Division I Llano, 31-6, while Goldthwaite is still searching for its first victory of the season and Andy Howard coaching era after a 42-26 defeat at the hands of DCTF Class 2A Division II No. 10 Granger.
In Coleman’s loss at Llano last week, the Bluecats were limited to 195 total yards – 104 passing and 91 rushing – with two turnovers, while allowing 422 yards – 257 through the air and 165 on the ground – with a pair of takeaways.
Ryland Gentry scored the lone Bluecat touchdown on an 8-yard run in the second quarter and finished with a team-high 70 yards rushing. He also caught an 11-yard pass.
Quarterback Jadin Jackson completed 7 of 17 passes for 69 yards and rushed for 4 yards, while Braxton Smith connected on a 35-yard pass to Hogan Johnson and also hauled in a team-high four receptions for 51 yards.
In Goldthwaite’s loss to Granger, the Eagles finished with 236 yards of total offense – 151 rushing and 85 passing – with four turnovers. Defensively, Goldthwaite created three takeaways, but yielded 425 yards – 241 on the ground and 184 through the air.
Carsyn Campbell sparked the Goldthwaite offense with 106 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Cutter Campbell chipped in 53 yards on the ground.
Bryce Brookings connected on 2 of 6 passes for 54 yards with a touchdown and an interception, as Collin Gardner hauled in two receptions for 67 yards and a score.
Defensively, Cutter Campbell picked off a pass and recovered a fumble, and Rylan Wiedebusch also pounced on a loose ball.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 34-point favorite.
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San Saba (4-0, 0-0) at Hamilton (2-2, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The San Saba Armadillos put their undefeated record on the line as they visit the Hamilton Bulldogs in the District 5-2A Division I opener for both squads.
San Saba has opened the season with wins over Florence (46-14), Junction (18-6), Johnson City (28-3) and Eldorado (26-0).
Hamilton has split its first four games, defeating Bosqueville (35-33) and Leon (34-14) and falling to Millsap (40-0) and Santo (27-0),
The Armadillos enter the contest averaging 30 points and 301 yards – 230 rushing and 71 passing – per game, while giving up 6 points with 20 sacks and six takeaways.
Ethan Gonzales sparks the ground game with 436 yards and two touchdowns followed by Tyler Johnson with 221 yards and seven scores and quarterback Lance Taylor with 206 yards and a trip to the end zone.
Taylor has completed 23 of 41 passes for 286 yards with six scoring tosses. Leading receivers are Johnson (15-193, 6 TDs), Lane Miller (3-28) and Gonzales (2-9).
Defensive standouts for the Armadillos include Ware (43 tackles, 16 for loss, 12 sacks), Zuri Herrera (39 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack), Winton Lackey (30 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 sack), and Jesus Betancourt (26 tackles, 6 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 24-point favorite.
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Cross Plains (4-0) vs. Smyer (1-3)
7 p.m. Friday at Snyder
The Cross Plains Buffaloes target a fifth consecutive victory to kick off the 2022 campaign as they venture to Snyder for a neutral site, non-district tilt with the Smyer Bobcats.
Cross Plains owns victories over Winters (40-14), De Leon (27-6), Hico (33-7), and Junction (35-20).
Smyer defeated Crosbyton (47-26) in its season opener and has since lost to Ralls (24-18), Floydada (42-18) and Clarendon (55-8).
In the Buffaloes’ latest win over Junction, Cross Plains owned just a 286 to 285 edge in total yards, but forced three takeaways – including a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dusty Wyatt – and did not a commit a turnover.
The Buffaloes finished with 216 yards on the ground, led by Noah Moses’ 190 yards and three touchdowns. Wyatt tacked on 40 yards and a score.
Through the air, Kade Purvis connected on 11 of 19 passes for 70 yards, with Moses serving as the leading receiver as well with four grabs for 53 yards.
Defensively for the Buffaloes, Riley Conlee notched a team-high 13 tackles with a pair of sacks; Tye McWalters finished with 11 tackles, five for loss, and two sacks; Noah Moses added 11 tackles as well; Kadin Galvan logged seven tackles with two sacks; and Asher Moses recorded four tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 28-point favorite.
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Richland Springs (3-0) vs. Coolidge (1-3)
7 p.m. Friday at Jonesboro
The Class A Division II No. 2 Richland Springs will play their first game since the three-year suspension of head coach Jerry Burkhart by the UIL as they square off with the Coolidge Yellow Jackets in neutral site, non-district action.
The Coyotes have started their season with victories over High Island (56-0), Austin Royals (50-0) and Lometa (68-22).
In Richland Springs’ last action against Lometa on Sept. 9, the Coyotes finished with 391 yards – 224 rushing and 167 passing – with one turnover, while giving up 211 yards, including 181 on the ground, and forcing four Lometa turnovers.
Braxton Ethridge completed 8 of 12 passes for 167 yards and four touchdowns for the Coyotes, while also rushing for 126 yards and two more scores.
Brandon Stewart contributed 53 yards on the ground and caught an 8-yard pass, while Keston Lusty rushed for 45 yards with two trips to the end zone and added two catches for 31 yards and another touchdown. Jayden Sutherland finished with two grabs for 63 yards, both touchdowns, and Jeremiah Beam hauled in two receptions for 61 yards and scored once.
Lusty led the Coyote defense with nine tackles followed by Beam with five, Stewart with 3.5 tackles and an interception, and Ethridge and Cohen Tharp with three tackles apiece.
Coolidge’s campaign thus far has featured a 48-41 win over Avalon with losses to Jonesboro (68-20), Fort Worth THESA (49-0), and Oakwood (68-22).
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.