May (1-0) at Austin St. Stephen’s (0-1)
7 p.m. Friday
The sixmanfootball.com Class A Division I No. 6 May Tigers picked up a Week 1 game at 12:30 p.m. Friday, and proceeded to make the drive to Iredell and collect a 59-28 victory.
Next up for the Tigers is a trip to Austin St. Stephen’s, where the host Spartans will attempt to rebound from a 60-14 opening loss to Austin Veritas.
In May’s Week 1 win, the Tigers compiled 502 total yards behind a balance offensive attack of 286 rushing yards and 216 passing yards.
Braden Steele led the charge for the Tigers with 178 rushing yards and four touchdowns while completing 7 of 14 passes for 175 yards and three more scores.
Lane Goodson contributed 94 yards on the ground and caught three passes for 81 yards with a trip to the end zone, while Ben Harrell added two scoring receptions totaling 66 yards.
Other offensive contributors were Jackson Lusk with four catches for 89 yards, Cayson Dail completed 2 of 3 passes for 41 yards, and Mikey Scheriger rushed for 14 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive standouts for the Tigers included Harrell with 12 tackles and two for loss; Lusk with 12 tackles and a pass defended; Goodson with 10 tackles; Steele with eight tackles; Kaden Watkins with seven tackles and a fumble recovery; Scheriger with four tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception; Wyatt Hardy with three tackles; Hagan Hester with two tackles; and Cutter Newton with one takedown.
St. Stephen’s finished with 235 total yards – 142 rushing and 93 passing – against Veritas, while allowing 410 yards – 217 rushing and 193 passing.
Christopher Tapia completed 9 of 15 passes for 93 yards with a touchdown while Charlie Jones rushed for 100 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown, and caught two passes covering 53 yards.
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point favorite.
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Veribest (1-0) at Zephyr (1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Zephyr Bulldogs avenged one of only two losses from a season ago with a 42-18 opening triumph over Bronte, and will attempt to keep its flawless record intact in the home opener.
The Veribest Falcons come to town fresh off a 50-0 thrashing of Santa Anna in Week 1.
In Zephyr’s season debut, the Bulldogs were outgained 294 to 185 in total yards, but forced five turnovers including a pair that were returned for touchdowns – a 47-yard fumble recovery by Karsen Floyd and an 80-yard interception by Tripp Ballard.
Ballard also rushed for a team-high 67 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 15-yard pass.
Wyatt Stevens completed 7 of 11 passes for 64 yards with a 15-yard scoring toss to Trapper Schoenhals, while Jim Evetts was 3 of 4 for 53 yards through the air with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Floyd – who caught a team-high four passes for 57 yards.
Schoenhals led the Zephyr defense with 13 tackles followed by Ballard with 12, Floyd with 10 and Chayden Woodcock and C.J. Byers with eight apiece.
In Veribest’s win over Santa Anna, the Falcons generated 302 total yards with 244 coming on the ground. Hunter Hallmark led the ground game with 92 yards and a touchdown, Lane Howard rushed for 79 yards and a score and Bryce Martin reached the end zone three times and compiled 56 yards.
Through the air, Hallmark completed 4 of 5 passes for 38 yards with a 24-yard scoring toss to Martin, and Martin hurled a 20-yard touchdown pass to A.C. Natividad
Defensively, Hallmark registered eight tackles trailed by Brayden Clark and Hunter Tucker with seven each.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 45-point favorite.
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Bryson (0-1) at Blanket (0-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Blanket Tigers are looking to bounce back from a season opening loss while the Bryson Cowboys come calling with the same goal in mind.
The Tigers suffered a 52-6 loss on their home turf to Rising Star a week ago, and Bryson was edged by Azle Christian, 41-40.
In Blanket’s setback, Kannon Kensing accounted for the lone Tiger touchdown as he rushed for a team-high 70 yards with a trip to the end zone. A.C. French added 18 yards on the ground and Cameron Aultman rushed for 16.
Gage Jones completed 1 of 4 passes for 4 yards to Mason Beck, as the Tigers finished with 108 yards of total offense and three turnovers.
Beck led the Blanket defense with six tackles, Adam McLaughlin, Aultman and French added four apiece and Kensing also finished with four and a fumble recovery as the Tigers yielded 318 yards of total offense – 251 rushing and 67 passing.
In Bryson’s near miss against Azle Christian, the Cowboys surrendered 314 yards of total offense – 180 running and 134 passing.
Players to watch for Bryson include Tyler Cotter, Chance Hand, Isaiah Garcia, Miguel Ramirez, Layton Perez, Jameson Pierce, Evan Ford, Pavlo Prenushi, and Gavin Guess.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 19-point underdog.
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Brookesmith (1-0) at Kopperl (1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Brookesmith Mustangs picked up a forfeit victory over the Mullin Bulldogs in Week 1, and will step on the field for the first Friday as they venture Kopperl to take on the Eagles.
Kopperl, meanwhile, cruised to a season-opening 68-18victory over Hillsboro Hill Country Christian School this past Friday.
Mustangs to keep an eye on in 2023 include senior center/defensive tackle Brendan Been, junior quarterback/safety Vegas Gilliam, junior running back/defensive end Adyn Ribble, and sophomore offensive lineman/defensive lineman Landon Slayton.
Players to watch for Kopperl are Anthony Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Aerian Patterson, Isaac Payen, Jaxon Smith, Christian Falk, Bearon Brinkley, and Cason Hamil.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Brookesmith is a 45-point underdog.
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Coleman (0-1) at Ballinger (0-1)
7 p.m. Friday
The Coleman Bluecats hung with state-ranked Mason throughout most of their season-opening match-up before falling short, while the Ballinger Bearcats were thumped by Sonora.
Coleman, in a 29-20 home loss last week, finished with 224 yards of total offense – 141 on the ground and 83 through the air – but turned over the ball three times, all fumbles. The Bluecat defense yielded 312 yards, including 285 rushing, and did recover a couple of fumbles.
Quarterback Jadin Jackson rushed for 88 yards and three touchdowns to pace the Coleman offense, while also completing 4 of 7 passes for 83 yards.
Brent Bouldin tacked on 67 yards rushing, while leading receivers were Blaze Hronek with two catches for 26 yards, Kelan Sikes with a 44-yard grab and Paul Silas pulled down a 16-yard reception.
In Ballinger’s 46-12 loss to Sonora, the Bearcats – led by former Brownwood assistant Ty Lang – produced 262 yards – 182 passing and 80 rushing – while giving up 556 total yards – 398 on the ground and 158 through the air.
Leading the way for Ballinger were Cade Strube, who was 8 of 10 for 93 yards through the air, and Kyson Weathers, who connected on 4 of 7 passes for 89 yards with a touchdown. Aiden Pena rushed for a team-best 50 yards while Zach Canada added 36 yards and a touchdown on the ground and caught three passes for 33 yards. Aden Zavala grabbed a 72-yard touchdown reception and Kyle Bullard led the team with four catches for 50 yards.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 28-point favorite.
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Santo (1-0) at Goldthwaite (0-1)
7 p.m. Friday
The Goldthwaite Eagles put a scare into state-ranked Crawford before eventually suffering a 28-14 defeat in Week 1, and will open its home slate against the Santo Wildcats who are fresh off a 27-14 victory over Electra.
In the loss to Crawford, Goldthwaite produced 259 yards of total offense – 202 rushing and 57 passing – in the first game of 2023, but coughed up the ball three times.
Quarterback Ethan Deeds rushed for a team-best 100 yards and a touchdown on nine carries while also completing 4 of 10 passes for 57 yards with two interceptions. Marcus Stevens chipped in 76 yards and a touchdown on the ground for the Eagles.
Luke Sanderson led Goldthwaite with three catches for 44 yards while Malachi Thomas pulled down a 13-yard reception.
Santo managed just 179 total yards in its 13-point win, with 174 coming on the ground. Leading the charge were Kaider Halbrook with 49 yards and Hunter Branham with 36.
The Wildcats’ leading tackler, with eight, was Rodolfo Vega.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is an 8-point favorite.
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Junction (0-1) at San Saba (1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The San Saba Armadillos rolled to a 40-3 season-opening victory and look to remain unbeaten as they open their home schedule against the Junction Eagles, who dropped their opener to De Leon, 40-19.
San Saba churned out 403 yards of total offense last week, with 365 yards and five touchdowns coming on the ground.
Ethan Gonzales compiled 133 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns and caught two passes for 39 yards with another trip to the end zone. Quarterback Lane Miller added 122 yards rushing and one score and completed 3 of 11 passes for 56 yards with a touchdown. Alex Estrada chipped in 63 yards rushing and also reached the end zone once.
Defensive standouts for San Saba were Winton Lackey with 15 tackles and a fumble recovery, Sterling Proffitt with eight tackles and a sack, and Levi Glover with seven tackles and a fumble recovery.
In Junction loss’s to De Leon, the Eagles finished with 349 yards – 163 passing and 186 rushing.
Chasen Doyal completed 10 of 22 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown, Korren Hoing rushed for 92 yards and a score, and Caden Roberts caught six passes for 121 yards with a 72-yard touchdown and rushed for 40 yards and another trip to the end zone.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 28-point favorite.
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Cross Plains (1-0) at De Leon (1-0)
7 p.m. Friday
The Cross Plains Buffaloes handled Winters with ease in their season opener and look to hand the De Leon Bearcats, fresh off a season-opening triumph over Junction, their first setback of 2023.
In Cross Plains’ 51-28 win over Winters, the Buffaloes manufactured 473 yards of total offense – 306 rushing and 167 passing – with one turnover, while allowing 188 total yards – 183 on the ground and 5 through the air – with three takeaways.
Dusty Wyatt rushed for 182 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Buffaloes while Theron Albrecht tacked on 92 yards and two scores and quarterback Kade Purvis contributed 32 yards on the ground and scored twice.
Through the air, Purvis was 10 of 16 for 167 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Tyler Mackey led all receivers with four catches for 93 yards with a trip to the end zone while Gray Albrecht caught two passes for 24 yards and Coltyn Barron hauled in two receptions totaling 16 yards.
Defensive standouts for Cross Plains included Caleb Blue with eight tackles and one for loss; Mackey with seven tackles and a forced fumble; Colt Sanderson with four tackles, three for loss and a fumble recovery; Alex Parker with four tackles and a fumble recovery; and Barron intercepted a pass.
In De Leon’s 40-19 win over Junction, Heston Jobe threw for 146 yards and a pair of scores and rushed for 83 yards and two more touchdowns. Jake Cooper contributed 190 yards on the ground with two trips to the end zone, while Max Jones finished with three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown and Andrew Coan pulled down two receptions for 56 yards and scored once.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 9-point favorite.
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Olfen (0-0) at Richland Springs (1-0)
7 p.m. Friday
The Richland Springs Coyotes kicked off their 2023 campaign with a 50-0 home victory over High Island and will look for an encore performance as the Olfen Mustangs visit in their first game of the season.
Last week, Richland Springs generated 307 yards of total offense, with 285 of those yards coming on the ground.
Billy Perry led the way with 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns while Rush Norris chipped in 51 yards and a touchdown and Clayton Meador contributed 47 yards with a trip to the end zone. Troy Shelton added a 36-yard touchdown scamper and Gage Behrens rushed for a 7-yard score.
Shelton also completed 2 of 3 passes for 22 yards – 17 yards to Kenny Triplett and 5 yards to Hutton Rogers.
Defensively, Norris led the way with four tackles and a fumble recovery followed by Triplett and Perry with three tackles apiece. Behrens also recovered a fumble and Rogers picked off a pass.
Olfen finished with an 0-6 record with a limited schedule in 2022.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.