Brookesmith (1-1) at Veribest JV
7:30 p.m. Thursday
The Brookesmith Mustangs are coming off a 28-27 road loss in Week 2 at Kopperl after picking up a Week 1 win via forfeit against Mullin.
The Mustangs were originally slated to face Weatherford Grace Christian on this date, but that game was cancelled and the empty spot on the schedule was filled with the Veribest JV.
Brookesmith had no statistical date available on last week’s game against Kopperl.
There is no spread for the varsity vs. junior varsity contest.
Knox City (2-0) at May (2-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
In a clash of Class A Division I Top 10 teams, the No. 6 May Tigers open the home portion of their schedule against the No. 3 Knox City Greyhounds, who already have a win over two-time defending state champion Westbrook to their credit.
After posting a 59-28 victory at Iredell in Week 1, the Tigers knocked off Austin St. Stephens by a 50-20 count in Week 2. Knox City’s slate includes a 52-6 triumph over Borden County last week to go along with its 34-24 upset of Westbrook in Jayton.
In the Tigers’ victory over St. Stephens last week, May finished with 422 yards of total offense – 317 rushing and 105 passing.
Braden Steele again set the pace with 203 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries, while Mikey Scheriger chipped in 102 yards and a score on nine rushes. Lane Goodson tacked on 12 yards on four carries.
Steele also completed 7 of 9 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, while Goodson’s lone pass attempt was good for a 39-yard completion.
Leading receivers were Jackson Lusk with a pair of catches for 52 yards and a touchdown; Hagan Hester with two catches for 19 yards and a score; Wyatt Hardy with two grabs for 17 yards; Scheriger with one for 10; and Goodson with a 9-yard reception.
Defensive standouts for the Tigers included Kaden Watkins with seven tackles, including two for loss, and a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown; Scheriger with six tackles; Goodson with six tackles and a pick; Steele with five tackles, including two for loss; Lusk with four tackles; Hardy, Hester, Ryland Billadeau, and Cutter Newton with two tackles apiece; and Leevi Stephens with one takedown.
Knox City is led by Cameron Hernandez (181 rushing yards, 3 TDs), Bryson Callaway (182 passing yards, 2 TDs), Devin Guillory (4-112, 3 TDs receiving), Tristin Baxter (77 rushing yards, 2 TDs), Caleb Arrieta (60 rushing yards, 2 TDs); and J.C. Utley (3-42 receiving).
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is an 8-point underdog.
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Zephyr (1-1) at Rising Star (1-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Zephyr Bulldogs will attempt to rebound from a surprising 42-22 home loss to Veribest in Week 2 with a trip to Rising Star, which is coming off a 45-34 defeat at the hands of Sidney. The Wildcats are replacing Waco Eagle Christian on Zephyr’s original 2023 schedule.
In last week’s loss to Veribest, the Bulldogs finished with 274 yards of total offense – 184 rushing and 90 passing – but coughed up the ball seven times, including six on fumbles. Zephyr’s defense gave up 219 yards – 117 on the ground and 102 through the air.
Tripp Ballard rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown for Zephyr followed by Karsen Floyd with 56 yards, and James Evetts with 43 yards and a score.
Through the air, Wyatt Stephens completed 3 of 8 passes for 64 yards and Evetts added a 26-yard completion.
Floyd finished with two catches for 40 yards, Ballard hauled in a 40-yard reception, and Reese Hamm caught a 10-yard pass.
Defensively, Ballard logged 15 tackles with one for loss; Floyd tallied 11 with two for loss; Stevens notched six with two for loss; and Tanner Schoenhals finished with five tackles and one behind the line of scrimmage.
In Rising Star’s loss to Sidney last week, Blake Wilson rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns, Dathon Morris completed 5 of 10 passes for 65 yards and a score, Kobey Morris was 3 of 7 for 13 yards through the air and a touchdown, and Dakota Higgins hauled in three catches for 45 yards and both scoring tosses.
Pacey McGinn led the Wildcat defense with 10 tackles followed nine from Anthony Pollard and seven from Kobey Morris.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 28-point underdog.
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Blanket (0-2) at Eden (0-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday
Both the Blanket Tigers and Eden Bulldogs will be seeking their first victory of the season when the teams square off Friday night.
Blanket has fallen twice at home to Rising Star, 52-6, and Bryson, 63-28, while Eden has dropped its games to Blackwell, 46-25, and Leakey. 62-18.
In the Tigers’ loss to Bryson last week, Blanket scored on the ground, through the air, via kick return and on the defensive end and finished with 144 yards of total offense – 92 rushing and 52 passing.
Cameron Aultman rushed for 39 yards, Kannon Kensing added 35 yards and a touchdown, and A.C. French finished with 18 yards on the ground.
Aultman also completed 2 of 3 passes for 27 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown to Mason Beck. Gage Jones was 3 of 6 through the air for 25 yards as Aultman caught all three of Jones’ attempts, while Adam McLaughlin pulled down a 10-yard reception from Aultman.
Aultman also reached the end zone on a 52-yard kick return for Blanket, while French scooped up a fumble and returned it 18 yards for six points.
French and Beck led Blanket with seven tackles apiece followed by Kensing with six, Abel McLaughlin with four, and Beck, Kade Russell, Ethan Tomme and Adam McLaughlin with two apiece.
Players to watch for Eden include Jesus Morales, Calvin Malone, Diego Sorola, Devon Cortez, Zach Avants, and Damien Stewart.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point favorite.
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Coleman (1-1) at Brady (0-2)
7 p.m. Friday
The Coleman Bluecats chalked up their first victory of the season in shutout fashion over Ballinger last week, and are eyeing their first win streak of the year as they venture to face the winless Brady Bulldogs.
After a 29-20 defeat at the hands of Mason, Coleman bounced back with a 40-0 triumph last week. Meanwhile, Brady’s season has featured losses of 37-8 to Comanche and 41-7 to Mason this past Friday.
In Coleman’s win over Ballinger, the Bluecats produced 415 yards of total offense – 339 rushing and 76 passing – with one turnover, while allowing just 130 yards – 86 through the air and 44 on the ground – with four takeaways.
Brent Bouldin rushed for 159 yards and three touchdowns to lead the charge for the Bluecats followed by 89 yards from Anthony Espitia, 43 yards and a touchdown from Brayden Torres, 27 yards and a score from Paul Salas, and 24 yards from quarterback Jadin Jackson.
Jackson completed 2 of 4 passes for 76 yards with a 72-yard scoring strike to Blaze Hronek. Hunter Lackey added a 4-yard reception.
Brady is led by running back Zeke Jones (129 rushing yards, TD; 3-27 receiving), quarterback Sean Jacoby (9 of 28 for 83 yards, 0 TDs, 6 INTs), running back Daryl Adair (86 yards) and receivers Ashton Ramsey (4-26) and Johnny Menefield (2-30).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 24-point favorite.
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Rosebud-Lott (0-2) at Goldthwaite (1-1)
7 p.m. Friday
The Goldthwaite Eagles halted a 12-game skid and earned their first win under head coach Andy Howard in his second season, and now the program eyes a win streak as the winless Rosebud-Lott Cougars come to town for homecoming.
In Goldthwaite’s 28-19 triumph over Santo last week, the Eagles manufactured 339 yards of total offense – 223 on the ground and 126 through the air.
Marcus Stevens rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles and Max Storm chipped in 108 yards and a trip to the end zone. Quarterback Ethan Deeds also contributed a 5-yard touchdown carry.
Through the air, Deeds completed 9 of 13 passes for 126 yards with an interception. Luke Sanderson recorded a team-high seven grabs for 85 yards and Malachi Thomas caught two passes for 41 yards.
Defensive standouts for Goldthwaite were Sanderson (17 tackles), Cayden Koho (9 tackles, 1 fumble recovery), Stevens (8 tackles), Thomas (8 tackles), Deeds (7 tackles), and Jacob Ross (5 tackles, 2 for loss).
Rosebud-Lott has started its season with losses to Wortham, 34-14, and Jewett Leon, 27-21.
Standouts for the Cougars include freshman quarterback Pryce Rabroker (21 of 39 for 243 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs), and skill players Jamarquis Johnson (13-112, TD receiving; 80 rushing yards, TD) and Carson Kahlig (3-91, TD receiving; 31 rushing yards, TD).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is a 21-point favorite.
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Johnson City (1-1) at San Saba (1-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The San Saba Armadillos stumbled in their home opener against Junction last week after notching a Week 1 road win over Florence, but will attempt to bounce back against the visiting Johnson City Eagles.
In last week’s 34-22 loss to Junction, San Saba finished with 347 yards – 186 passing and 161 rushing – but threw a pair of interceptions.
Lane Miller completed 9 of 17 passes for 94 yards with a pair of interceptions while Winton Lackey was 6 of 10 for 82 yards through the air with two scoring tosses, and 39 yards rushing.
Ethan Gonzales rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 54 yards and another score. Haiden Van Bebber added six grabs for 59 yards and another touchdown, while Levi Glover finished with three receptions for 27 yards and Skyler Romero caught two passes covering 46 yards.
Defensively for San Saba, Gonzales led the way with eight tackles trailed by six and a fumble recovery from Glover and six from Adrian Martinez. Romero picked off a pass to account for the second takeaway.
Johnson City’s season thus far has featured a 56-42 loss to Thrall last week after opening with a 58-20 triumph over Comfort.
Players to watch include quarterback McCray Jacobs. receivers Johnny Slawinski, Walker Jackson , and Marshall Jackson, and running backs Reid Weirich, Colton Bonnett and Hagen Birck.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 6-point underdog.
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Hico (2-0) at Cross Plains (1-1)
7 p.m. Friday
The Cross Plains Buffaloes will attempt to regroup from a 42-7 defeat at the hands of De Leon last week as they welcome the undefeated Hico Tigers for homecoming.
After a 51-28 thrashing of Winters, the Buffaloes were limited to 132 yards of total offense – 78 passing and 54 rushing – with three turnovers, while giving up 357 yards – 207 on the ground and 150 through the air – in Week 2.
Theron Albrecht finished with 49 yards rushing for the Buffaloes followed by Dusty Wyatt with 21 yards and a touchdown and 8 yards from Gray Albrecht.
Kade Purvis completed 9 of 15 passes for 78 yards while leading receivers were Travis Mackey with six catches for 54 yards, Gray Albrecht with two for 23 yards, and Caleb Blue with a 1-yard grab.
Defensive standouts for Cross Plains were Colt Sanderson with 10 tackles, Bryson Barron and Theron Albrecht with eight apiece, Blue and Ryder Reed with seven each, and Colton Barron, Gray Albrecht and Alex Parker with five tackles apiece.
Hico has started its campaign with with wins of 33-0 over Moody and 37-8 against Bruceville-Eddy.
Players to watch include quarterback Carson Keller, tight end Preston Roach, running backs Buck Powell and Price Mullin and receiver Tyler Jackson.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 2-point underdog.
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Lometa (2-0) at Richland Springs (2-0)
7:30 p.m. Thursday
The Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Class A Division II No. 8 Richland Springs Coyotes are off to an undefeated start, but will face their toughest challenge to date in their third straight home game as the unbeaten Lometa Hornets visit.
Lometa’s resume heading into the third game of the season includes a 72-65 win at Blum last week and a 34-12 triumph over Gorman in the opener.
Richland Springs knocked off High Island, 50-0, in Week 1 and defeated Olfen, 51-6, in Week 2.
In the Coyotes’ 45-point victory last week, Richland Springs finished with 236 yards – rushing for 186 yards and passing for 50. Jayden Sutherland and Hutton Rogers caught touchdown passes of 37 and 13 yards, respectively. Rush Norris finished with 77 yards and a score on the ground, Clayton Meador chipped in 68 yards with a trip to the end zone and Billy Perry added 24 yards and scored once. Perry also threw the scoring toss to Rogers and Troy Shelton connected on the touchdown pass to Sutherland.
Defensively, Norris and Meador returned fumbles for touchdowns while Perry led the team with 2.5 tackles and a safety while Gage Behrens and Hudson Tharp followed with two tackles apiece.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is an 18-point underdog to Lometa.