Brief previews of the games in the BrownwoodNews.com coverage area are as follows:
May (6-0, 1-0) at Lometa (2-5, 0-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The sixmanfootball.com Class A Division I No. 1 May Tigers continue their pursuit of a seventh straight district championship Friday as they hit the road to tangle with the Lometa Hornets.
May is a coming off a 60-0 win over Evant in its league opener, while Lometa dropped a 57-8 decision to No. 8 Jonesboro.
In the win last week, the Tiger offense finished with 181 yards of total offense – 135 rushing and 46 passing – while the defense forced three turnovers and scored once.
Damian Salinas rushed for 90 yards and three touchdowns, Braden Steele chipped in 30 yards and two scores, and Landon Cheatham added a 15-yard touchdown carry.
Through the air, Luke McKenzie completed both of his pass attempts for touchdowns – 31 yards to Alexis Mejia and 15 yards to Ben Harrell.
Defensive standouts for the Tigers were Salinas (7 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss), Steele (6 tackles, an interception, and 3.5 tackles for loss), Kross Kenyon (4 tackles, a fumble caused, 1.5 tackles for loss), Mejia (4 tackles, 1 pass defended, and 1.5 tackles for loss), Harrell (4 tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumbles caused, 2 tackles for loss, and a 17-yard fumble return for a touchdown), Adam Blankenship (3 tackles and a tackle for loss), Cheatham (3 tackles and a pass defended), Jackson Easterling (1 tackle), and McKenzie (1 tackle).
Lometa players to watch include RB Tim Juarez and WR Leonel Caso.
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point favorite.
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Mullin (3-4, 0-1) at Zephyr (6-1, 1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Zephyr Bulldogs are targeting a seventh straight victory and 2-0 start to District 15-A Division II competition as they welcome the Mullin Bulldogs.
Zephyr blasted winless Gustine, 64-14, last week, while Mullin dropped a 56-8 district decision to Sidney.
In the Bulldogs’ win last week, Zephyr produced 370 yards of total offense, with 349 coming on the ground. The Bulldogs allowed 157 yards, with all but 1 yard coming through the air, and committed three turnovers.
Jayden Millican led the rushing attack with 246 yards and four touchdowns while Tripp Ballard chipped in 103 yards and three scores on the ground for the Bulldogs.
Through the air, Bransen Bumguardner was 1 of 2 for 21 yards with a touchdown to Karsen Floyd.
Defensively, Ballard led the charge with 12 tackles and a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown, followed by Floyd with eight tackles, Millican with seven, Waggoner Shelton with four, Kaden Floyd with three, and Johnny Paul Evans-Rollins and Trapper Schoenhals with two tackles apiece.
Players to watch for Mullin include senior Abel Martinez, sophomore Wyatt Stevens, sophomore Dameon Gonzalez, and freshman Vash Langford
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 45-point favorite.
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Gustine (0-7, 0-1) at Blanket (5-1, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Blanket Tigers begin District 15-A Division II action at home, seeking a sixth victory in a row, as they host the winless Gustine Tigers.
Blanket’s district bye fell last week, while Gustine was hammered by Zephyr, 64-14.
Blanket’s last outing was a 68-22 road win over Evant in which the Tigers generated 378 yards of total offense – 306 on the ground and 72 through the air.
Levi Vazquez rushed for 179 yards and four touchdowns, Brayden Day chipped in 78 yards and a score, Kannon Kensing tacked on 28 yards and a touchdown and Brandon Larance finished with 21 yards with a trip to the end zone.
Through the air, Mason Beck connected on 4 of 6 passes for 72 yards and a pair of touchdown strikes to Isaac Smith, which covered 50 and 11 yards. Aydan Wheeler added a 12-yard reception.
Defensively, Kensing recorded eight tackles with a pair of fumble recoveries followed by Vazquez with seven tackles and a fumble recovery, Smith with six tackles and two safeties, Day with five tackles and a fumble recovery, Wheeler with five tackles, and Larance and Beck with two tackles apiece.
Gustine gave up 370 yards of total offense against Zephyr last week, and passed for 156 of its 157 total yards. Players to watch include QB/DB Josue Buitron, OL/DL Rodrigo Ramirez, OL/DL Yahir Briones, and WR/DB Todd Buckmaster.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point favorite.
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Lohn (0-6, 0-1) at Brookesmith (0-6, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Brookesmith Mustangs begin their District 16-A Division II slate against the Lohn Eagles, as both teams are seeking their first victory of the season.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Brookesmith is a 9-point favorite.
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Comanche (5-1, 1-0) at Jacksboro (4-2, 1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The biggest challenge to the Comanche Indians’ quest for the District 5-3A Division II title could be standing in their way Friday night with a visit to the Jacksboro Tigers.
Comanche disposed of Millsap, 45-28, a week ago, while Jacksboro pummeled Eastland, 53-6, as both teams captured their league openers.
The Indians enter the contest averaging 38 points and 412 yards – 293 rushing and 119 passing – per game with 12 turnovers, while yielding 28 points with 12 sacks and 15 takeaways.
Sawyer Wilkerson anchors the rushing attack with 1,054 yards and 13 touchdowns followed by Caden Davis with 232 yards and two touchdowns, quarterback Layden Welch with 205 yards and two scores, and Easton Gonzalez with 183 yards and three trips to the end zone.
Welch has completed 40 of 709 passes for 710 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Leading receivers are Miguel Martinez (22-474, 3 TDs), Kyler Beaty (9-83, 2 TDs), Wilkerson (5-103, TD) and Diego Gutierrez (2-28, TD).
Defensive standouts for the Indians include Israel Medrano (60 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack), Dom Rios (53 tackles, 4 for loss), Gutierrez (51 tackles, 1 interception), Ezequiel Medrano (48 tackles, 1 for loss, 2 interceptions), Pierson Sorrells (42 tackles, 5 for loss, 3 sacks), and Ayden Fishback (40 tackles, 4 for loss, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery), and Martinez has added four interceptions and Beaty has picked off two passes.
Jacksboro is producing 35 points and 378 yards – 172 rushing and 206 passing – per game, with seven turnovers, while allowing 24 points with six sacks and 17 takeaways.
The offense is sparked by quarterback Lando Belcher, who has thrown for 1,234 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions, with a team-high 412 rushing yards and five more scores.
Leading receivers include Kaleem Howard (29-467, 8 TDs), Cannon Valenzuela (27-386, 5 TDs), Tyler Mitchell (11-174, 3 TDs). Luke Sams (384 yards, 3 TDs) and Baylor Laake (221 yards, 4 TDs) have contributed in the rushing attack.
Leading the charge on defense are Jackson McComis (66 tackles, 4 for loss, 1 fumble recovery), Ryder Jackson (50 tackles, 1 for loss), Valenzuela (42 tackles, 2 for loss), and Paul Shackelford (38 tackles, 2 for loss).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 3-point underdog.
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Coleman (5-2, 2-1) at Hamilton (3-3, 1-1)
7 p.m. Friday
The Class 2A Division I No. 9 Coleman Bluecats will attempt to rebound from their first District 5-2A Division I defeat as they journey east to tangle with the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Coleman dropped a 16-6 home decision to undefeated, fifth-ranked Tolar last week as the Bluecats allowed just 152 total yards – all rushing – but mustered only 197 yards – 112 passing and 85 rushing – and committed a pair of turnovers.
Jadin Jackson rushed for 36 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown for Coleman, while Ryland Gentry finished with a team-best 38 yards on the ground and Dayden Hunter contributed 16 yards.
Through the air, Jackson was 9 of 20 for 112 yards, with Braxton Smith hauling in six grabs for 46 yards. Hagen Cavanaugh added two catches for 21 yards and Keaton Beets pulled down a 45-yard reception.
Hamilton, which is coming off its bye, opened league play with a 40-28 win over San Saba before falling to Tolar, 56-7.
Players to watch for Hamilton include OL/DL Wesley Griffin, RB/LB CJ DeLeon, WR/DB Cooper LeGrande, QB/DB Jaxon Edwards, TE/DL Kazdon Thedford, QB/DL Bryson Tarpley, OL/DL Carson Marquess, RB/DB Reese Hungerford, RB/LB Izaac Wood, OL Nik Adams, and WR/DB Ryan Worbington.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 37-point favorite.
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Cross Plains (5-1, 0-1) at Albany (4-2, 1-0)
7 p.m. Friday
The Cross Plains Buffaloes’ five-game win streak was snapped in their District 6-2A Division II opener at Roscoe last week, and now the No. 6 Albany Lions await.
In Cross Plains’ 28-6 loss to Roscoe, the Buffaloes finished with 167 yards of total offense – 130 passing and 37 rushing – with one interception, while giving up 317 yards – 194 through the air and 130 on the ground – with two turnovers.
Noah Moses rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown for the Buffaloes while Riley Conlee chipped in 33 yards and Dusty Wyatt tacked on 12.
Kade Purvis completed 12 of 23 passes for 130 yards with a pick, while leading receivers were Ryan Reed with five for 77 yards, Wyatt with four for 31, and Asher Moses with three grabs for 22.
Defensive standouts for Cross Plains were Noah Moses (16 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery), Conlee (9 tackles 1 ,for loss, 1 sack), Asher Moses (7 tackles), Wyatt (6 tackles, 1 fumble recovery), Kadin Galvan (6 tackles), Tye McWalters (5 tackles), and Reed (1 tackle, 1 interception).
Albany is producing 32 points and 411 yards – 300 rushing and 111 passing – per game, while giving up 20 points per outing with 17 takeaways.
Adam Hill has rushed for 862 yards and 11 touchdowns, Coy Lefevre has chipped in 368 yards and six touchdowns and Samuel Rosas has contributed 185 yards and two scores on the ground.
Through the air, Cole Chapman has completed 27 of 44 passes for 274 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while London Fuentes is 17 of 29 for 238 yards with three scores and three picks, and Lute Wheeler has connected on 7 of 17 tosses for 121 yards and a score with and three interceptions.
Receiving threats are Cason Fairchild (15-191, TD), Fuentes (11-129, TD), Branson Beal (6-85) and Hill (5-99, 2 TDs).
Leading the charge defensively are Coy Cauble (58 tackles, 2 for loss), Jayden Lucas (52 tackles, 5 for loss, 2 fumble recoveries), and Hill (51 tackles, 9 for loss)
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 17-point underdog.
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Richland Springs (4-1, 0-1) at Rochelle (6-1, 1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class A Division II No. 9 Richland Springs Coyotes saw their 81-game district win streak come to an end last week, and any hopes of securing at least a share of a 21st district championship will rest in Friday night’s road trip to No. 13 Rochelle.
In last week’s 78-47 loss to Cherokee, Richland Springs finished with 369 yards of total offense – 217 rushing and 152 passing – with a pair of turnovers and 10 penalties for 110 yards. The Coyotes allowed 420 yards – 243 on the ground and 177 through the air with one turnover.
Richland Springs received 178 rushing yards and five touchdowns from Braxton Ethridge, who also completed 14 of 24 passes for 152 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Billy Perry added 35 yards on the the ground while leading receivers were Jayden Sutherland (6-83), Kenny Triplett (4-48), Keston Lusty (2-13), and Cohen Tharp (1-13).
Defensively for the Coyotes, Lusty tallied seven tackles followed by Sutherland with six, Tharp with 35 and Triplett with three.
Rochelle is coming off a 64-0 victory over Lohn in which Hornet receiver Sean Estes set three new six-man football records with 23 catches for 334 yards and nine touchdowns.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 30-point favorite.