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Week 8 of the high school football season arrives early this week as three Brown County teams – Blanket, Brookesmith and Zephyr – are all in action, along with five additional local games on the docket Friday night.

Brookesmith (3-3, 0-0) at Lohn (0-7, 0-1)

7 p.m. Thursday

The Brookesmith Mustangs kick off their District 16-A Division II schedule against the Lohn Eagles, who are seeking their first victory of the season.

The Mustangs are in the midst of a two-game skid, having fallen to Zephyr, 60-0, on Sept. 29 and to the Austin Royals JV, 48-38, this past Thursday. The last win for Brookesmith was a 38-18 homecoming triumph over Gustine on Sept. 22.

Against Gustine, Brookesmith’s Adyn Ribble rushed for 156 yards and four touchdowns on 10 carries to spark the Mustang offense, while Kevin Keith added a 38-yard touchdown run. Defensive standouts included Ribble, Vegas Gillam and Devon Keith.

Lohn has lost games this season to Moran (40-0), Trent (58-20), Paint Creek (43-13), Zephyr (48-2), Paint Rock (58-12) and Rochelle (66-6).

Players to watch for the Eagles include Kavaan Flores, Zac Barrington, Fermin DeLaRosa. and Alex Pitcox.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Brookesmith is a 45-point favorite.

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Blanket (3-3, 0-0) at Gustine (0-7, 0-1)

7:30 p.m. Thursday

Coming off their bye week, the Blanket Tigers begin District 15-A Division II action at winless Gustine.

Blanket’s most recent outing was a 74-24 victory over winless Evant on Sept. 29 as the Tigers generated 437 yards of total offense, including 395 rushing yards.

On the ground, Kannon Kensing churned out 210 yards and five touchdowns on just eight carries while Cameron Aultman contributed 177 yards and two scores on 10 rushes. Adam McLaughlin chipped in a touchdown and 8 yards on two carries, as well.

Through the air, Gage Jones completed 3 of 4 passes for 23 yards with two touchdowns, while Aultman tossed a 19-yard touchdown to Mason Beck. Brennen Varner caught two passes for 20 yards, both touchdowns, and Aultman added a 3-yard reception.

Defensively for the Tigers, Aultman tallied 14 tackles with a fumble recovery and an interception; Kensing recorded 10 tackles and recovered a pair of fumbles; Beck notched seven tackles and a fumble recovery; and McLaughlin finished with four tackles and a fumble recovery.

Gustine suffered a 60-6 loss to Zephyr in its district opener last week as the Tigers were limited to 63 yards – 82 passing and -19 rushing – with three turnovers. Gustine allowed 221 yards of total offense – 114 on the ground and 107 through the air.

Players to watch for Gustine include Josue Buitron, Rodrigo Ramirez, Yahir Briones, and Todd Buckmaster.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point favorite.

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Zephyr (5-2, 1-0) at Mullin (0-7, 0-1)

7:30 p.m. Thursday

The reigning District 15-A Division II champion Zephyr Bulldogs knocked off one winless squad for its first league victory, and will attempt to do the same against Mullin while seeking a 2-0 league start.

In Zephyr’s 60-6 thumping of Gustine last week, the Bulldogs finished with 221 yards of total offense – 114 on the ground and 107 through the air – while surrendering only 63 yards – 82 passing and -19 rushing – with three takeaways.

Chayden Woodcock scored on a 20-yard interception return for the Bulldogs and also added a 55-yard rushing touchdown on his lone carry.

Wyatt Stevens completed 3 of 3 passes for 74 yards and a pair of touchdowns – 60 yards to Karsen Floyd and 7 yards to Tripp Ballard.

Ballard also rushed twice for 53 yards and two touchdowns and returned a kick 48 yards for six points. Floyd finished with two catches for 67 yards.

Also, Jim Evetts hurled a 33-yard touchdown pass to Trapper Schoenhals.

Defensively for the Bulldogs, Floyd recorded nine tackles with three behind the line of scrimmage trailed by Woodcock with eight, Johnny Paul Evans-Rollins with five, and Ballard and CJ Byers with four tackles apiece.

Mullin’s season has featured losses to Panther Creek (59-12), Iredell (71-12), Moran (68-67), Morgan (65-18), Kopperl (50-0), and Sidney (70-18) and a forfeit to Brookesmith in the opener due to a lack of healthy players.

Players to watch for Mullin include Cyrus Jackson, Abel Martinez, Esteban Hernandez, and Hayden Thomas.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 45-point favorite.

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Lometa (3-4, 0-1) at May (5-2, 1-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

The May Tigers started their District 14-A Division I schedule on the right foot with a 55-0 thrashing of Evant, and are targeting a second straight league victory against the Lometa Hornets.

In May’s triumph last week, the Tigers finished with 251 yards of total offense – 199 rushing and 52 passing.

Mikey Scheriger led the charge on the ground with 69 yards and two touchdowns followed by Jackson Lusk with 57 yards and two scores, Ryland Billadeau with 33 yards and a touchdown, Cutter Dearick with 23 yards and a trip to the end zone, Ben Harrell with 11 yards and a score, and Hagan Hester added a 6-yard carry.

Through the air, Cayson Dail completed 2 of 3 passes for 52 yards – a 33-yarder to Lusk and a 19-yarder to Kaden Watkins.

Defensively for the Tigers, Harrell recorded a team-high eight tackles followed by Scheriger with seven, Lusk with six tackles and a 6-yard fumble return for a touchdown, Dail with four tackles and a fumble recovery, Hester with three tackles, Watkins with two, and Levi McInnis and Wyatt Hardy with one tackle apiece.

Lometa dropped its district opener to Jonesboro, 74-28. The Hornets had lost four games in a row after a 2-0 start until snapping the skid on Sept. 29 against Eden, 42-36.

Players to watch for Lometa include Tim Juarez and Leonel Caso.

According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 31-point favorite.

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Jacksboro (6-0, 1-0) at Comanche (3-3, 0-1)

7 p.m. Friday

The reigning District 5-3A Division II champion Comanche Indians dropped their league opener to Millsap last week, and already find themselves in a must-win situation against the undefeated Jacksboro Tigers if they intend to repeat.

In last week’s 35-22 loss to Millsap, Comanche was limited to 251 yards of total offense – 162 passing and only 89 rushing.

Indian quarterback Layden Welch completed 12 of 21 passes for 162 yards with three touchdowns – all to Baylor commit Kyler Beaty, who hauled in seven receptions for 86 yards. Cayden Davis added three grabs for 53 yards and Raymond Crossland (12 yards) and Ayden Fishback (11 yards) hauled in receptions.

On the ground, Welch rushed for 76 yards while Sawyer Wilkerson managed just 13 yards on eight carries.

Jacksboro, coming off a 49-24 triumph over Eastland in its district opener, enters the contest averaging 46 points and 530 yards – 310 passing and 220 rushing – per game, while allowing 25 points with 15 takeaways.

Quarterback Lando Belcher has completed 108 of 161 passes for 1,860 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions; Luke Sams has rushed for 733 yards and 12 touchdowns; and receiving threats include Cannon Valenzuela (41-633, 6 TDs), Kaleem Howard (27-440, 8 TDs) and Tyler Mitchell (17-246, TD).

The defense is led by Sams (64 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 sack), Hunter Moffit (57 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 fumble recovery), Jackson McComis (54 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery), and Valenzuela (46 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery).

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 28-point underdog.

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Hamilton (3-3, 0-2) at Coleman (5-2, 2-1)

7 p.m. Friday

Coleman had its five-game win streak snapped at No. 3 Tolar last week, but the Bluecats look to bounce back and keep the Hamilton Bulldogs winless in District 5-2A Division I competition when the two teams clash Friday.

In last week’s 43-0 loss at Tolar, Coleman mustered just 173 yards of total offense – 96 rushing and 77 passing – with three turnovers. The Bluecat defense surrendered 292 yards – 150 on the ground and 142 through the air – and did not force a turnover.

For Coleman, Brayden Torres completed 7 of 16 passes for 77 yards with two interceptions, while Jadin Jackson rushed for 51 yards and Brent Bouldin added 38 yards on the ground. Hunter Lackey caught three passes for 50 yards and Blaze Hronek finished with three grabs for 27 yards.

The fourth playoff seed from District 5 a year ago, Hamilton has started district play with losses of 32-28 to San Saba and 38-0 to Tolar. The Bulldogs have had two weeks to prepare for Coleman as their district bye fell this past Friday.

Players to watch for Hamilton include OL/DL Carson Marquess, WR/LB Jacob Eanes, RB/DB Reese Hungerford, OL/DL Evan Norwood, WR/DB Ryan Worbington, and WR/DB Garrett Guinn.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is an 11-point favorite.

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Albany (6-0, 1-0) at Cross Plains (2-4, 0-1)

7 p.m. Friday

Coming off a 57-21 loss to Roscoe in their District 6-2A Division II opener a week ago, the Cross Plains Buffaloes now must tangle with the defending Class 2A Division II state champion Albany Lions.

In the Buffaloes’ loss last week, Cross Plains fell behind 17-0 in the first quarter and allowed 480 yards of total offense – 244 passing and 236 rushing – with one takeover. The Buffaloes offense mustered 243 yards – 152 through the air and 91 on the ground – but lost three turnovers.

Cross Plains quarterback Kade Purvis rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown and completed 11 of 21 passes for 119 yards with another score and two interceptions. Dusty Wyatt added a 33-yard touchdown pass and rushed for 31 yards as well. Coltyn Barron caught two passes for 37 yards and a touchdown and Tyler Mackey added 12 yards receiving on two catches, including a touchdown. Caleb Blue pulled down a 44-yard reception.

Defensively for the Buffaloes, Blue tallied nine tackles followed by Barron with six tackles and an interception, and Theron Albrecht with six tackles and a sack.

The Lions average 36 points and 423 yards – 247 rushing and 176 passing – per game. Adam Hill has churned out 1,059 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground, Chip Chambers has thrown for 1,056 yards and 12 touchdowns with eight interceptions, and Cason Fairchild leads the way with 19 catches for 489 yards and five touchdowns, with Branson Beal adding 14 grabs for 208 yards and four end zone appearances.

Jaxson Hoel leads Albany’s defense with 61 tackles, including 6 for loss and 2 sacks, followed by Hill with 52 tackles, 15 for loss and 8.5 sacks, and Tyler Chapman with 48 tackles and 1 for loss.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, there is no line is this game. Albany is ranked 61 points higher than Cross Plains this week.

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Rochelle (7-0, 1-0) at Richland Springs (7-0, 1-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

For the second week in a row, the Class 4A Division II No. 4 Richland Springs Coyotes face a Top 10 challenger in District 16 action.

A week ago, Richland Springs knocked off No. 6 Cherokee, 40-32, as the two teams flip-flopped in this week’s Dave Campbell’s Texas Football rankings. Meanwhile, No. 10 Rochelle cruised to a 66-6 win over Lohn.

In Richland Springs’ victory last week, the Coyotes received 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Billy Perry, who also completed 5 of 11 passes for 100 yards. Kenny Triplett completed 3 of 4 passes with two touchdowns to Hutton Rogers, who grabbed three catches for 48 yards. Rogers also chipped in 22 rushing yards and Triplett added 21 yards on the ground.

Defensively, Perry logged 6 tackles including 5 sacks with a safety. Triplett chipped in 5.5 tackles and Rogers was credited with 2.5 tackles.

Rochelle has started its season with victories over Medina (82-42), Nueces Canyon (72-23), Lometa (70-59), Evant (53-6), Moran (52-0) and Lohn.

Players to watch for the Hornets include Sean Estes, Dylan Rimer, Kelton Williams, Merek Howell, Justin Lopez, Tamos Palacio, Bobby Williams, and Bobby Cole Estes.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is 2-point favorite.