The following are brief previews of Friday night’s seven local contests:
Evant (0-5, 0-0) at May (5-0 , 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The May Tigers are the No. 1-ranked team in Class A Division I this week, as they set their sights on a seventh straight district championship when they open 14-A Division I action at home against the winless Evant Elks.
May is coming off a 58-12 victory over Burnet Smoking for Jesus Christian in which the Tigers finished with 338 yards of total offense – 194 rushing and 144 passing.
Damian Salinas rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns, Braden Steele chipped in 45 yards on the ground, Luke McKenzie tacked on a 5-yard touchdown run, and Landon Cheatham carried once for 3 yards.
Through the air, Steele connected on 5 of 6 passes for 125 yards with three touchdowns, while McKenzie hurled a 19-yard scoring toss.
Bryson Guerrero led the receiving corps with two touchdown catches totaling 56 yards, Ben Harrell hauled in a 40-yard scoring reception, Salinas made a 20-yard catch, Alexis Mejia grabbed a 19-yard touchdown pass and McKenzie finished with one catch for 9 yards.
On the defensive end, standouts were Salinas (8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery), Steele (6 tackles and 1 tackle for loss), Guerrero (4 tackles and a pass defended), Harrell (3 tackles, a pass defended, and a fumble caused), Cheatham (3 tackles and a pass defended), Kross Kenyon (1 tackle and a tackle for loss), and Wyatt Hardy (1 tackle and a tackle for loss).
Evant’s schedule has featured losses to Blanket (68-22), Rochelle (66-19), Cherokee (60-6), Gorman (61-12) and Stephenville Faith (64-24).
The Elks’ most recent outing was their loss to Blanket in which the Tigers generated 378 yards of total offense – 306 on the ground and 72 through the air.
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point favorite.
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Zephyr (5-1, 0-0) at Gustine (0-6, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Zephyr Bulldogs, in the midst of a five-game win streak, are eyeing their first postseason berth since 2019 as they open District 15-A Division II action on the road against the winless Gustine Tigers.
Since a 44-37 loss to Bronte in the season opener, Zephyr has reeled off victories against Veribest (46-0), Waco Eagle Christian (54-6), Lohn (68-6), Olfen (58-0) and Brookesmith (45-0).
Gustine has started its campaign with losses at the hands of Iredell (55-8), Morgan (68-22), Cranfills Gap (68-22), Eden (66-44), Ranger (62-16) and Oglesby (64-14).
In Zephyr’s win over Brookesmith last week, the Bulldogs surrendered just 37 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers in posting their third shutout and second in as many weeks.
Offensively, Zephyr churned out 234 yards, with 210 coming on the ground.
Jayden Millican rushed for 141 yards and six touchdowns, while Eathan Gowin chipped in 48 yards and a score. Tripp Ballard and Karsen Floyd contributed 15 and 13 yards on the ground, respectively.
Through the air, Bransen Bumguardner was 1 of 2 for 24 yards with the lone completion to Floyd.
Defensively for the Bulldogs, Millican led the way with 10 tackles followed by seven from Ballard, six from Floyd and five each from Gowin and Waggoner Shelton. Floyd picked off a pass while Ballard and Johnny Paul Evans-Rollins recovered fumbles.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 45-point favorite.
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Millsap (3-2, 0-0) at Comanche (4-1, 0-0)
7 p.m. Friday
The Comanche Indians look to carry over the momentum from the pre-district slate as they kick off District 5-3A Division II action at home against the Millsap Bulldogs Friday night.
A year ago, Comanche’s lone win of the season came against Millsap, 49-34. Thus far this season, the Indians have chalked up victories over Brady (49-7), Bangs (42-18), Early (49-40), and Albany (31-20), with the lone loss to Class 2A Division I No. 9 Tolar (45-14).
The No. 21 Indians, according the Harris Ratings Weekly’s most recent Class 3A Division II poll, enter the contest averaging 37 points and 421 yards – 304 rushing and 117 passing – per game with five giveaways, while yielding 28 points with 10 sacks and 13 takeaways.
Sawyer Wilkerson anchors the rushing attack with 920 yards and 10 touchdowns followed by Caden Davis with 232 yards and two touchdowns, quarterback Layden Welch with 180 yards and two scores, and Easton Gonzalez with 119 yards and two trips to the end zone.
Welch has completed 35 of 70 passes for 582 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions. Leading receivers are Miguel Martinez (18-355, TD), Kyler Beaty (9-83, 2 TDs), Wilkerson (4-94, TD) and Diego Gutierrez (2-28, TD).
Defensive standouts for the Indians include Israel Medrano (46 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack), Dom Rios (45 tackles, 2 for loss), Ezequiel Medrano (44 tackles, 1 interception), Ayden Fishback (40 tackles, 4 for loss, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery), Gutierrez (38 tackles, 1 interception), and Pierson Sorrells (31 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks). Martinez has added four interceptions and Beaty has picked off two passes.
Millsap has alternated wins and losses to start the season, defeating Hamilton (40-0), Archer City (39-21) and Clifton (30-22), with losses against Henrietta (42-7) and Paradise (56-14).
The Bulldogs average 26 points and 386 yards – 293 rushing and 93 passing – per game, while allowing 28 points with 13 sacks and four takeaways.
Ryder Douglas-Oliver leads Millsap with 790 rushing yards and nine touchdowns followed by Reid Green (339 yards, 4 TDs), Kole Weaver (113 yards, 2 TDs) and Mason Burns (103 yards).
C.R. Tippie has completed 38 of 73 passes for 458 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions. Leading receivers include Carter Nairn (16-201, TD) and Burns (11-121).
Defensive standouts include Morgan Birdwell (31 tackles, 3 for loss), Nixon Delaune (27 tackles, 5 for loss, 2 sacks), Malaqi Cook (24 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 sack), Green (18 tackles, 2 for loss), Burns (18 tackles, 2 for loss), Dalton Golden (18 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack), and Weaver (18 tackles, 6 for loss, 3 sacks).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 15-point favorite.
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Tolar (5-0, 1-0) at Coleman (5-1, 2-0)
7 p.m. Friday
In a Top 10 battle that could determine the District 5-2A Division I champion, the Harris Ratings Class 2A Division I No. 6 Coleman Bluecats play host to the undefeated, ninth-ranked Tolar Rattlers.
Coleman is coming off its second straight district victory, 49-0 over San Saba, as the Bluecats have not allowed a point through two league contests.
Tolar, which played its first district game last week, cruised past Hamilton by a 56-7 count.
In last week’s win over San Saba, Coleman manufactured 356 yards of total offense – 240 rushing and 116 passing – with no turnovers, while yielding just 70 yards, with 69 of those coming on the ground, with one takeaway.
Ryland Gentry rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns to spark Coleman’s ground game followed by Brent Bouldin with 67 yards and a score, Jadin Jackson with 42 yards, Blaine Bouldin with 30 yards, and Dayden Hunter with 13 yards.
Through the air, Jackson was 6 of 9 for 116 yards with four scoring tosses. Braxton Smith finished with two scoring receptions of 38 and 39 yards, Hunter Lackey hauled in a 13-yard touchdown reception and Keaton Beets pulled down a 12-yard touchdown catch. Hagen Cavanaugh also finished with two grabs for 14 yards.
Tolar enters the contest averaging 47 points and 415 yards – 285 rushing and 130 passing – per game, while giving up 11 points with 11 sacks and 14 takeaways.
Peyton Brown sparks the ground game with 1,038 yards and 16 touchdowns trailed by quarterback Jackson LeCluyse with 153 yards and two scores.
Through the air, LeCluyse has completed 36 of 65 passes for 548 yards with seven scoring tosses and a pair of interceptions. Leading receivers are Wyatt Jones (17-327, 5 TDs), Matthew Behrens (11-160, TD), and Drake Owens (4-56, 2 TDs).
Defensive standouts for the Rattlers include Brock Owens (47 tackles, 1 for loss), Isaac Blessing (39 tackles, 3 for loss), Mason Berry (27 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 interception), Keaton Morrison (26 tackles, 5 for loss, 2 fumble recoveries), and Luke Willmon (23 tackles, 12 for loss, 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 1-point favorite.
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San Saba (4-2, 0-2) at De Leon (4-2, 1-1)
7 p.m. Friday
The San Saba Armadillos are looking to regain their early season form and keep their postseason hopes alive as they hit the road to face the De Leon Bearcats, looking for their first District 5-2A Division I victory of the season.
San Saba has started district action with losses to Hamilton (40-28) and Coleman (49-0), while De Leon rebounded from its loss to Bangs (49-21) with a victory over Goldthwaite (44-19).
The Armadillos head into the game averaging 24 points and 265 yards – 176 rushing and 89 passing – per game, while giving up 19 points with 20 sacks and seven takeaways.
The ground game is anchored by Ethan Gonzales with 520 yards and two touchdowns followed quarterback Lance Taylor with 240 yards and two trips to the end zone, and by Tyler Johnson with 223 yards and seven scores.
Taylor has connected on 41 of 71 passes for 532 yards with nine scoring tosses and one interception. Leading receivers are Johnson (26-307, 8 TDs), Lane Miller (5-120, TD) and Gonzales (5-40).
Leading the charge defensively for San Saba are Zuri Herrera (63 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack), Dylan Ware (51 tackles, 17 for loss, 12 sacks), Winton Lackey (49 tackles, 6 for loss, 1 sack), and Jesus Betancourt (33 tackles, 7 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery).
In De Leon’s win over Goldthwaite last week, the Bearcats generated 437 yards – 343 rushing and 104 passing. Heston Jobe rushed for 160 yards and five touchdowns and threw for 94 yards. Kallen McIlvain tacked on 178 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 5-point favorite.
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Cross Plains (5-0, 0-0) at Roscoe (3-2, 0-0)
5:30 p.m. Friday
Following an undefeated pre-district run, the No. 19 Cross Plains Buffaloes are looking to build off that as they visit the Roscoe Plowboys in the District 6-2A Division II opener for both squads.
Cross Plains’ most recent action was a 45-20 victory over Smyer in Snyder.
The Buffaloes overcame a three-interception performance offensively as the defense recorded four picks of its own.
Noah Moses rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns to spark the offense, while Asher Moses chipped in 59 yards and two rushing scores. Riley Conlee added 45 rushing yards, while Dusty Wyatt tacked on 42 yards.
Through the air, Kade Purvis connected on 8 of 15 passes for 160 yards with a pair of scoring tosses. Wyatt caught four passes for 84 yards and a score, Ryan Reed grabbed two passes for 46 yards and scored once, Ryder Reed hauled in a 17-yard reception and Asher Moses pulled down a 13-yard catch.
Defensively, Noah Moses picked off two passes while Coltyn Barron and Ryan Reed added interceptions as well as the Buffaloes gave up just 166 yards of total offense – 132 passing and 34 rushing on 18 carries.
Roscoe has dropped its last two games to Sunray (47-17) and New Home (60-32) after a 3-0 start.
In the loss to New Home, the Plowboys gave up 528 yards of total offense.
Jax Watts sparked the Roscoe offense with 359 yards through the air and four scoring tosses. Seth Wilcox led the Plowboys with 10 receptions for 238 yards with three trips to the end zone.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 17-point favorite.
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Cherokee (5-0, 0-0) at Richland Springs (4-0, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class A Division II No. 4 Richland Springs Coyotes put their undefeated record, 81-game district win streak and string of 20 consecutive district championships on the line in the 16-A Division II opener as the No. 5 Cherokee Indians come to town.
The Coyotes have played just once since Sept. 9, that being a 74-40 victory over Coolidge on Sept. 30. Richland Springs has also defeated High Island (50-0), Austin Royals (56-0) and Lometa (68-22) this season.
Meanwhile, Cherokee is also coming off a bye week as the Indians own wins over Burnet Smoking for Jesus Christian (59-14), Gold-Burg (65-19), Evant (60-6), Bluff Dale (84-44) and Sidney (50-0).
Richland Springs enters the contest averaging 64 points and 327 yards – 218 rushing and 109 passing – per game, with three turnovers, while giving up 17 points and 164 yards – 96 on the ground and 68 through the air – with eight takeaways.
Over the course of their last three games, Braxton Ethridge has led the Coyotes’ ground game with 373 yards and nine touchdowns trailed by Brandon Stewart with with 113 yards and two scores, and Keston Lusty with 98 yards and three trips to the end zone.
Through the air, Ethridge has completed 14 of 20 passes for 325 yards with seven scoring tosses. Leading receivers are Jayden Sutherland (4-96, 3 TDs), Jeremiah Beam (3-84, TD), Cohen Tharp (2-83, TD), Lusty (2-31, TD) and Kenny Triplett (1-19, TD).
Defensive standouts the last three games for the Coyotes include Lusty (19 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks), Stewart (15 tackles, 4 fumble recoveries), Tharp (12.5 tackles, 1.5 for loss), Triplett (12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries), Billy Perry (10.5 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery).
Players to watch for Cherokee include WR/DL Rode Ligon, TE/LB Joey Bond, SB Joel Valdez, WR/RB Gunner Baugh, RB Caden Houston, and WR Caleob Houston.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 7-point favorite.
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Blanket (5-1), bye
Brookesmith (0-6), bye