Class 2A DI No. 3 Tolar (2-1) at Class 3A DII No. 5 Comanche (3-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
One of the marquee matchups across the state of Texas Friday features of rematch of last year’s 45-14 victory by the Tolar Rattlers – the only blemish on Comanche’s 2022 regular-season schedule – as the Indians look to remain undefeated in 2023.
Comanche has outscored its three foes this season 164-8, collecting wins over Brady (37-8), Bangs (70-0) and Early (57-0). Tolar opened the year with victories over Peaster (49-9) and Early (48-14) before hitting a stumbling block last week against Dallas Christian (37-6).
The Indians average 55 points and 516 yards – 316 passing and 200 rushing – per outing. Quarterback Layden Welch has completed 26 of 40 passes for 601 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception, while rushing for 106 yards and four more scores. The ground game is led by Sawyer Wilkerson (451 yards, 6 TDs) and Colt Schwertner (323 yards, 1 TD), while leading receivers include Kyler Beaty (13-286, 4 TDs), Raymond Crossland (3-113, 3 TDs) and Cayden Davis (3-83, TD).
Defensive standouts for the Indians include Diego Gutierrez (21 tackles, 2 interceptions), Chance Boswell (19 tackles, 4 for loss, 3 sacks), Ezequiel Medrano (15 tackles, 2 for loss, 2 fumble recoveries), Isaac Morales (14 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 fumble recovery) and Manuel Ortiz (14 tackles).
Tolar heads into the game averaging 34 points and 246 yards – 157 rushing and 69 passing – per contest, while giving up 20 points on average. Quarterback Isaac Blessing has completed 16 of 36 passes for 202 yards with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions, while rushing for a team-high 188 yards and three scores. Peyton Brown, injured early in the season, has generated 121 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. The leading receiver for the Rattlers is Matthew Behrens with nine grabs for 127 yards.
Defensively for the Rattlers, standouts include Jaxon Riddle (29 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 interception), Garrison Nation (23 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 interception), Drake Owens (20 tackles, 1 for loss), and Cash Clark (19 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 3-point underdog.
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Class A DI No. 7 May (2-1) at Garden City (1-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class A Division I No. 7 May Tigers look to bounce back from their first loss of the season as they hit the road for the third time in four outings to battle the Garden City Bearkats.
In last week’s 64-14 home loss to No. 2 Knox City, the Tigers were limited to 209 yards of total offense – 157 rushing and 52 passing.
Braden Steele finished with 112 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for the Tigers while Lane Goodson chipped in 45 yards rushing.
Through the air, Steele was 5 of 8 for 39 yards, Cayson Dail completed a 9-yard and pass and Goodson added a 4-yard completion. Goodson hauled down three catches for 35 yards, Jackson Lusk caught two passes for 16 yards and Steele added a 4-yard reception.
Defensive standouts for the Tigers were Lusk (6 tackles), Goodson (5 tackles), Kaden Watkins (4 tackles), Steele (3 tackles and a fumble recovery), Hagan Hester (3 tackles), Mikey Scheriger (2 tackles and a fumble caused), and Ben Harrell (1 tackle).
Garden City has opened its season with losses to Jayton (68-20) and Gordon (58-12), followed by a victory over Midland Trinity (51-23).
The only stats available for the Bearkats are from the season opener against Jayton, as Blain Walts rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown as Garden City finished with just 142 total yards.
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 32-point favorite.
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Lohn (0-3) at Zephyr (2-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Zephyr Bulldogs returned to the win column last week, notching a 38-34 road victory over Rising Star, and target their first win streak of the season as the winless Lohn Eagles visit for homecoming.
In Zephyr’s win last week, the Bulldogs overcame four turnovers by producing 305 yards – 172 on the ground and 133 through the air. Zephyr also created four turnovers while surrendering 276 total yards – 210 rushing and 66 passing.
Karsen Floyd caught seven passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 55 yards and another score to spark the Zephyr offense. Tripp Ballard chipped in 61 yards and a touchdown on the ground, Jim Evetts rushed for 53 yards, and Chayden Woodcock contributed a 3-yard touchdown carry.
Evetts also completed all six of his pass attempts for 101 yards and a touchdown and Wyatt Stevens finished 6 of 11 for 32 yards with a scoring strike and a pick. Other Bulldogs catching passes were Rhett Williams (19 yards), Woodcock (12 yards), Stevens (5 yards), Trapper Schoenhals (5 yards) and Ballard (3 yards).
Defensively for the Bulldogs, Ballard registered 14 tackles followed by Floyd with 13, Woodcock with nine and Schoenhals with six.
Lohn, which returns five starters on each side of the ball, has started its season with losses to Moran (40-0), Trent (58-20) and Paint Creek (43-13). Eagles to watch include Kavaan Flores, Zac Barrington, Fermin DeLaRosa, and Alex Pitcox.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 45-point favorite.
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Blanket (1-2) at Santa Anna (1-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Blanket Tigers secured their first victory of the season in resounding fashion at Eden last week, and look to even their overall mark when they visit the Santa Anna Mountaineers Friday night.
Blanket posted a 72-39 victory at Eden last week as the Tigers finished with 539 yards of total offense, including 512 rushing. Kannon Kensing amassed 277 yards and six touchdowns on 26 carries, Cameron Aultman contributed 180 yards and four scores on 22 rushes, and A.C. French added 55 yards on the ground.
Defensively, Aultman led Blanket with 12 tackles followed by 10 from Kensing, seven and a fumble recovery from French, Mason Beck with six tackles, four and a fumble recovery by Abel McLaughlin, and Cory Beauchamp recovered a fumble.
Santa Anna had a bye last week after picking up its first win against Priddy, 50-26, in Week 2. The Mountaineers opened the 2023 campaign with a 50-0 loss to Veribest.
The Mountaineers bring back three offensive and two defensive starters from last year’s 6-4 squad, as players to watch include Tatum Cantu, Bruce Brown, Levi Daniel, Jacob Jimenez, William Perry, Lealand Bernal, Dakota Donham, and James Denson.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point favorite.
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Llano (2-1) at Coleman (2-1)
7 p.m. Friday
The Coleman Bluecats will attempt to stretch their win streak to three games, but face a tall task in the visiting Class 3A Division I Llano Yellowjackets.
Coleman followed its 40-0 triumph over Ballinger in Week 2 with a 30-14 victory at Brady last week, as the Bluecats manufactured 286 yards of total offense, with 244 coming on the ground, without the services of starting quarterback Jadin Jackson.
Brent Bouldin rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries to spark the Coleman offense, while Brayden Torres chipped in 73 yards and a score on the ground and completed 4 of 9 passes for 44 yards with one pick.
Hunter Lackey caught a 34-yard pass, Blaze Hronek added a 10-yard reception and Anthony Espitia rushed for 18 yards to aid the Bluecat offense.
Defensively, the Bluecats allowed Brady (0-3) to gain 214 yards – 209 through the air and just 5 on the ground – with five takeaways, including a pair of interceptions.
Llano enters the contest with wins over Jarrell (28-13) and Austin Crockett (20-17), coupled with a loss to Burnet (47-12).
The Yellowjackets average 306 yards per game – 186 rushing and 120 passing – as quarterback Colton Bailey has completed 37 of 53 passes for 360 yards with two touchdowns and five picks, while rushing for 123 yards. Fitz Kennedy is the top ground gainer with 201 yards and three touchdowns while Brayton Shaw has chipped in 112 yards and one touchdown and Trey Mote has contributed 102 yards and two trips to the end zone. Leading receivers are Alex Kachura (14-173, 2 TDs) and RJ Coplin (11-107).
Defensively for Llano, Tate Morgan leads way with 24 tackles, including 3 for loss, along with Charlie White (17 tackles,1 for loss), Buddy Machuga (14 tackles, 3 for loss), Miller (13 tackles, 1 for loss), and Kennedy (12 tackles, 1 for loss).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 9-point underdog.
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Goldthwaite (2-1) at Granger (2-1)
7 p.m. Friday
After chalking up a pair of home victories, the Goldthwaite Eagles hit the road to challenge the Granger Lions, who are looking to rebound from their first setback of the season.
Goldthwaite followed up a 28-19 win over Santo, which snapped a 12-game skid, with a 40-27 triumph over Rosebud-Lott last week as the Eagles amassed 478 yards of total offense – 360 rushing and 118 passing.
Max Storm rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown, Erick Lozoya contributed 97 yards and a score, Marcus Stevens chipped in 46 yards, and quarterback Ethan Deeds added 30 yards with two trips to the end zone.
Through the air, Deeds completed 4 of 8 passes for 118 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Stevens caught a 52-yard touchdown, Luke Sanderson grabbed two catches for 48 yards, and Cayden Koho hauled down an 18-yard reception.
Defensively for the Eagles, standouts were Sanderson with 10 tackles and an interception; Malachi Thomas and Stevens with eight tackles each; Storm with six tackles; Stetson Butler with five tackles; and Gary Weidebusch with four tackles.
Granger opened its season with wins over Hubbard (57-8) and Thorndale (38-7), followed by last week’s 24-21 defeat at the hands of Holland.
The Lions average 329 yards – 203 rushing and 126 passing – per outing.
Caleb Hobratsch has rushed for a team-best 236 yards and six touchdowns followed by Chase Edwards with 152 yards and three scores and Jayven Diaz with 144 yards and three trips to the end zone. Edwards has also completed 18 of 35 passes for 376 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Receiving leaders include Thomas Youngblood (5-125, TD), Isaac Lizardo (4-71, TD), Diaz (4-53, TD), and Lucas Matta (3-61).
Leading the way defensively for Granger are Edwards (24 tackles, 4 for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery), Hobratsch (20 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 interception), Stephen Rogers (17 tackles, 2 for loss), and Michael Selucky (13 tackles, 3 for loss).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is a 16-point underdog.
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Eldorado (2-1) at San Saba (1-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The San Saba Armadillos will attempt to halt a two-game slide as they welcome the Eldorado Eagles for homecoming.
Since starting the season with a 40-3 victory over Florence, the Armadillos have fallen to Junction by a 34-22 count, and Johnson City last week, 56-34.
Against Johnson City, the Armadillos amassed 445 yards of total offense – 313 rushing and 132 passing – but coughed up the ball twice.
Ethan Gonzales rushed for 218 yards and three touchdowns for the Armadillos and caught four passes for 53 yards. Lane Miller ran for 78 yards and a touchdown and completed 5 of 8 passes for 56 yards with an interception. Alex Estrada connected on 3 of 8 passes for 76 yards – including a 68-yard touchdown to Skyler Romero – with one interception.
Defensively for San Saba, Levi Glover registered 21 tackles with a fumble recovery trailed by Estrada and Sterling Proffit with eight tackles each, and Alex Aguirre with seven. Julius Salinas also recovered a fumble and recorded three tackles.
Eldorado owns wins over Christoval, 26-12, and Winters, 40-12, but dropped a 39-13 contest to Sonora last week.
The Eagles average 264 yards – 151 rushing and 113 passing – per outing, as Eleazar Hernandez anchors the ground game with 229 yards and six touchdowns, while Omar Barajas has connected on 22 of 46 passes for 338 yards with three scoring tosses and three picks. Ethan Elias leads all receivers with 14 grabs for 243 yards with three trips to the end zone.
Defensively for Eldorado, standouts include Tony Kmiec (28 tackles, 6 for loss, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery), Marcos Morin (24 tackles, 1 interception), Aizik Soto (22 tackles, 1 for loss), and Zane White (18 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 7-point underdog.
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Cross Plains (1-2) at Junction (2-1)
7 p.m. Friday
The Cross Plains Buffaloes are seeking an end to their two-game losing streak as they venture to face a Junction Eagles in the midst of a two-game win streak.
Since knocking off Winters, 51-28, in the season opener, Cross Plains has fallen to De Leon, 42-7 and Hico, 31-7.
In last week’s loss to Hico, Cross Plains mustered just 242 yards – 157 rushing and 85 passing – with three turnovers, while giving up 398 yards – 248 on the ground and 150 through the air – without a takeaway.
Dusty Wyatt rushed for 101 yards and a 14-yard touchdown for Cross Plains, while Theron Albrecht chipped in 63 yards on the ground. Kade Purvis connected on 9 of 23 passes for 51 yards with an interception and Alex Parker completed a 34-yard toss to Coltyn Barron. Gray Albrecht caught four passes for 29 yards and Wyatt grabbed two passes for 21 yards.
Defensively for the Buffaloes, Wyatt and Ryder Reed led the way with nine tackles apiece followed by Colt Sanderson with eight, Caleb Blue with seven, and Barron and Tyler Mackey with five apiece.
Junction dropped its season opener to De Leon, 40-19, but has rebounded with wins over San Saba, 34-22, and D’Hanis, 32-7.
Quarterback Chasen Doyal (15 of 32 for 252 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) is the top passer for the Eagles, Korren Hoing (206 yards, 2 TD) leads the charge on the ground, and Caden Roberts (9-142, TD) is the primary receiving threat.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 17-point underdog.
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Class A DII No. 7 Richland Springs (3-0) vs. Chester (1-2)
5 p.m. Saturday at College Station
In a change to the schedule, Richland Springs’ Saturday home game with Bell County Homeschool has been replaced with a neutral site contest against the Chester Yellowjackets, as the Coyotes target a fourth straight victory.
Richland Springs is coming off its most impressive victory of the season, a 73-26 triumph over previously unbeaten Lometa as the Coyotes compiled 262 yards of total offense – 152 rushing and 110 passing.
Billy Perry rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns for the Coyotes, while Gage Behrens tacked on 50 yards and two more scores. Jayden Sutherland caught four passes for 83 yards with two trips to the end zone as Troy Shelton was 3 of 5 through the air for 75 yards and Kenny Triplett went 2 of 3 for 33 yards. Hutton Rogers also pulled down a 27-yard reception for Richland Springs.
Clayton Meador scored on a 52-yard kick return as well for Richland Springs.
Defensively for the Coyotes, Triplett led the way with five tackles and a sack; Perry added 4.5 tackles; Sutherland intercepted two passes; and Behrens and Connor Womack each recovered a fumble while also teaming up for a safety.
Chester (1-2) has defeated Galveston O’Connell (70-12) with losses coming against Katy Faith West Academy (38-6), and Houston Mount Carmel Academy (63-8) the past two weeks.
Five offensive and three defensive starters return from a 3-6 team a year ago, as players to watch include Keighen Green, Rick Carlton, Kessler Romo, Jaxson Hilliard, Jaxon Gay, Jesse Bittick, and Cutter Lowe.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.