Week 5 of the local high school football schedule features a state-ranked squad against the reigning state champs; two more county squads seeking to extend win streaks; another team in the county targeting its first win; and two more programs fighting to keep their unblemished records intact.
The following are brief glimpses at the nine games involving teams covered by BrownwoodNews.com:
#6 May (3-1) at #12 Blum (2-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class A Division I No. 6 May Tigers look to extend their win streak to three games as they visit the reigning state champion Blum Bobcats Friday night.
May has opened its season with wins over Bryson (70-14), Knox City (60-56), and last week’s triumph over Nueces Canyon (48-0). The only loss for the Tigers came at home to No. 2 Sterling City (44-40) in Week 2.
Blum owns wins over Aquilla (56-6) and May’s district rival Gorman (70-23), but fell to No. 7 Jonesboro (53-18) last week. The Bobcats’ game against Gholson earlier this season was canceled.
In May’s Saturday win over Nueces Canyon at Eden, the Tigers led 16-0 after one quarter and tacked on 32 points in the second to end the game at halftime via the 45-point mercy rule.
May finished with 273 yards of total offense – 203 rushing and 70 passing.
On the ground, Kaden Halk led the way with 85 yards and a touchdown followed by Rory Bustamante with 48 yards and a score, Aaron McGinn with 24 yards, Blake Harrell with 17, Damian Salinas with 9, Isidro Salinas with a 7-yard score, Hayden King with 7 yards and Korbin Bass with 6 yards and a touchdown.
Through the air, Bustamante connected on all three of his pass attempts for 60 yards and two touchdowns, while Harrell was 3 of 4 for 10 yards.
Keith Cross caught a 33-yard touchdown, Chris Flenniken added two grabs for 29 yards and scored once, Harrell added a 9-yard catch and Ethan Self finished with a 5-yard reception.
Defensive standouts for May included King (9 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and a fumble caused), Isidro Salinas (5 tackles, a pass defended, and a tackle for loss), Flenniken (5 tackles, a fumble recovered, and 3 tackles for loss), Harrell (5 tackles), Brian Kunkel (2 tackles), Bustamante (1 tackle), Aaron McGinn (1 tackle), Bass (1 tackle), Lane McGinn (1 tackle), and Jayce Blankenship (1 tackle).
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 33-point favorite.
#13 Blackwell (2-2) at #14 Brookesmith (2-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
A clash between Class A Division II Top 15 squads will take place in Brookesmith Friday night where the Mustangs hosts the Blackwell Hornets.
Since a 64-37 loss to No. 6 Strawn in its opener, Brookesmith has rebounded with wins over Rochelle (70-68) and Santa Anna (54-8).
Blackwell’s season has featured a loss to Eden (62-60), a win over Meadow (62-14), a loss against Highland (42-22) and last week’s victory over Moran (64-16).
In Brookesmith’s win over Santa Anna last week, the Mustangs tallied the first 32 points as Clayton Adame returned the opening kick 71 yards, then Avery Williford ran off consecutive touchdown carries of 54, 54 and 2 yards. Johnathan Willoughby followed with a 9-yard scoring sprint.
Williford later tacked on touchdown runs of 1 and 46 yards before catching a 22-yard scoring toss from Adame.
Defensively, Brookesmith caused four turnovers and allowed just 65 yards of total offense.
According to sixmanfootball.com, this game is a toss up.
Gholson (0-2) at Blanket (3-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Blanket Tigers eye a fourth win in a row as they host the Gholson Wildcats, who have played just one varsity team this season.
Since a 30-22 loss to Gorman in the season opener, Blanket has rebounded with victories over Lingleville (51-6), Gustine (53-8) and Zephyr (59-14).
Gholson was blanked by Walnut Springs, 55-0, in Week 3 after suffering a 20-12 loss to the Blum JV in Week 2. Gholson had games against the Blum varsity and Waco Live Oak canceled.
In Blanket’s win over Zephyr last week, the Tigers amassed 314 yards – 238 rushing and 76 passing – with no turnovers, while allowing 193 yards – 122 on the ground and 71 through the air – with one takeaway.
Blanket’s Hector Castaneda picked up 110 rushing yards with five touchdowns, Brayden Day added 98 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, and Damon Carrillo rushed for 25 yards and scored once.
Through the air, Carlos Morales passed for 50 yards and Castaneda added a 26-yard completion. Tyler Simpson caught three passes for 62 yards while Hayden Rogers pulled down a 14-yard catch.
Simpson led the Blanket defense with 14 tackles followed by Castaneda with 13 and Day with 10.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 37-point favorite.
Zephyr (0-4) at Paint Rock (1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Zephyr Bulldogs look to put an end to their season-opening skid, which reached four games last week, as they visit the Paint Rock Indians, who have played just one varsity game this season.
Zephyr suffered a 59-14 loss at Blanket last week which comes on the heels of setbacks against Sidney (48-0), Veribest (42-32) and Stephenville Faith (72-66).
Paint Rock’s lone game of record was a 62-12 triumph over Lohn in Week 1.
In Zephyr’s loss to Blanket last week, the Bulldogs scored on runs of 3 and 10 yards in the first and second periods, respectively.
The Bulldogs gave up 314 yards – 238 rushing and 76 passing – with no turnovers, while compiling 193 yards – 122 on the ground and 71 through the air – with one giveaway.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 27-point favorite.
Fort Worth Covenant (0-0) at #2 Richland Springs (2-0)
7 p.m. Friday
The Class A Division II No. 2 Richland Springs Coyotes are coming off just their second game of the season, a 56-7 rout of Darrouzett, and welcome Fort Worth Covenant Classical, which is kicking off its regular season.
In last week’s win, reigning state champion Richland Springs jumped out to a 36-0 led after one quarter and outscored its foe by a 20-7 count in the second period.
The Coyotes finished with 144 yards of total offense – 82 passing and 62 rushing – with no turnovers, while giving up just 31 yards on 29 snaps with six takeaways.
Jadeyn Bryant opened the scoring with an 11-yard fumble return for a Richland Springs touchdown just 68 seconds into the contest. Landon Burkhart followed with a 25-yard scoring toss to Bryant, then Burkhart rushed for a 10-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 24-0.
Another fumble was returned 3 yards for a second defensive touchdown by Bryant, then Brandon Stewart rushed for a 7-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 36-0 by quarter’s end.
In the second period, the Coyotes yielded a 72-yard touchdown run, but Bryant answered with a 44-yard scoring toss to T.J. Grant. Kenny Triplett followed with a 13-yard scoring sprint, then Triplett hurled a 13-yard touchdown pass to Keston Lusty to cap the scoring.
Bryant finished with 44 yards passing trailed by Burkhart with 25 and Triplett with 13. Stewart picked up 22 yards on the ground, Jeremiah Usery rushed for 17, Triplett added 13 and Burkhart finished with 10. Grant caught a 44-yard pass, Bryant added a 25-yard reception and Lusty yanked down a 13-yard catch.
Defensively, Cohen Tharp led Richland Springs with 5.5 tackles followed by 4.5 from Stewart, 3.5 from Lusty, two each from Grant and Nick Nilson, 1.5 from Lane Garcia and one each from Bryant, Usery, Zane Capps, and Chase Gossett. Stewart also tallied an interception.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.
#17 Cross Plains (3-1) at Miles (2-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class 2A Division II No. 17 Cross Plains Buffaloes look to conclude their pre-district slate with a fourth victory in five outings. Meanwhile, the Miles Bulldogs will attempt to climb over the .500 mark for the season.
Cross Plains owns victories over Menard (54-6), Goldthwaite (28-14) and De Leon (14-7) with its lone loss at Haskell (20-16).
Miles opened the season with losses to Coleman (32-0) and Coahoma (49-0) and has followed with wins over Roscoe (29-7) and Munday (20-6).
Against De Leon last week, Cross Plains trailed by a 7-0 count after one quarter due to a 48-yard touchdown pass. The Buffaloes drew even at 7 in the second quarter on a 4-yard touchdown run by Cody McWilliams. Cross Plains then broke the tie in the fourth quarter with a 14-yard scamper into the end zone by McWilliams.
Cross Plains finished with 261 yards of total offense, including 237 rushing, with no turnovers. Meanwhile, the Buffalo defense forced five turnovers – three interceptions and two fumble recoveries – while giving up 283 yards, with 205 coming on the ground.
McWilliams rushed for 164 yards to lead Cross Plains followed by 81 from Cason Allen. Justin Gresham completed 3 of 13 passes for 24 yards with catches of 9 yards by Allen, 8 yards by McWilliams and 7 yards by Noah Moses.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 34-point favorite.
Coleman (3-1) at Colorado City (0-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Coleman Bluecats will attempt to keep the Colorado City Wolves winless and notch their fourth pre-district victory in five outings Friday night.
Coleman is in the midst of a two-game win streak with wins over Brady (15-12) and Grape Creek (24-8) the last two weeks. The Bluecats opened the season with a 32-0 victory over Miles before suffering their only loss to Anson, 38-14.
Colorado City has been outscored 152-2 in its four games this season – losses to Albany (47-0), Crane (37-0), Ballinger (34-2), Coahoma (34-0).
In Coleman’s win over Grape Creek last week, the Bluecats finished with 205 yards of total offense behind a balanced attack of 105 passing yards and 101 rushing yards. Coleman gave up just 120 yards, with 92 coming through the air, and forced the game’s only turnover.
Corbin Rosales completed 5 of 15 passes for 104 yards with scoring strikes of 53 yards to Braxton Smith, who finished with two catches for 64 yards, and 14 yards to Ryland Gentry, who grabbed two receptions totaling 17 yards. Denver Hunter also caught a 6-yard pass.
On the ground, R.J. Wright rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown while Gentry led all Bluecats with 55 yards rushing.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 16-point favorite.
Goldthwaite (2-2) at #15 Christoval (3-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Goldthwaite Eagles are vying for a three-game win streak as they visit the Class 2A Division II No. 15 Christoval Cougars Friday night.
Since falling to Crawford (14-0) and Cross Plains (28-14), the Eagles have regrouped to knock off Olney (48-8) and Florence (34-3).
Christoval started its campaign with a loss to Wink (36-21) and then defeated Grape Creek (23-18), Sonora (22-14), and Roscoe (64-6) in consecutive weeks.
In Goldthwaite’s win at Florence last week, the Eagles churned out 423 yards of total offense – 315 rushing and 108 passing – while overcoming a pair of turnovers. Goldthwaite yielded just 117 yards – 81 on the ground and 36 through the air – and took away the ball once.
Quarterback Jackson Patrick rushed for 169 yards and four Goldthwaite touchdowns, while competing 4 of 6 passes for 90 yards and another touchdown. Dusty Partin chipped in 76 yards on the ground and Seth Gardner added 64. Gardner also hauled in a 39-yard scoring toss, Cason Guthrie caught two passes covering 34 yards and Partin grabbed a 17-yard catch.
Guthrie led the defense with seven tackles followed by six each from Gardner and Mitchel Hopper.
Christoval averages 311 yards – 187 rushing and 124 passing. Quarterback Brayden Wilcox has thrown for 501 passing yards, with three touchdowns and three interceptions, while rushing for a team-high 486 yards with seven scores.
Josh Fava has chipped in 231 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, while leading receivers include Beau Jolly (14-268, 2 TDs) and Cayden Carpenter (7-124).
Christoval’s defense is anchored by Jacob Boness (55 tackles), Tristan Bratton (37 tackles) and Ketcher Joiner (31 tackles). Wilcox has picked off five passes as the Cougars have recorded eight takeaways and three sacks
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is a 14-point underdog.
#8 Cisco (2-2) at #16 Comanche (4-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class 3A Division II No. 16 Comanche Indians look to keep a perfect record as they host the Class 2A Division I No. 8 Cisco Loboes in the pre-district finale for both teams.
Comanche has started its campaign with wins over Mason (14-0), Brady (28-7), Early (35-7), and Tolar (36-6).
Cisco defeated Clyde (39-14), fell to Wall (35-14), knocked off Breckenridge (14-0), and stumbled last week against Jim Ned (39-20).
In Comanche’s win over Tolar last week, the Indians led just 9-0 at halftime, but tacked on two touchdowns apiece in the third and fourth quarters. The Indians produced 440 yards of total offense – 317 rushing and 123 passing, while the defense recorded five sacks and finished with 11 tackles for loss and blocked a field goal attempt.
Hudson Welch completed 8 of 17 passes for 123 yards with touchdown passes to Bryce Hermesmeyer, who caught three passes for 72 yards, and Taelon Sorrells from 7 yards out. Also catching passes were Harrison Kolb (14 yards), Logan Wilkerson (5 yards) and Luke Wilson (2 yards).
Wilkerson led the way on the ground with 106 yards and a touchdown, Wilson added 67 yards and Jorge Rios rushed for 63 yards and scored once. Oscar Rios chipped in 45 yards while Hermesmeyer and Kolb each rushed for 13.
Defensively, Cash Cook, Christian Holmes and Wilkerson all finished with 10 tackles while Matthew Gonzales added nine. Holmes also netted two sacks and Wilkerson finished with two tackles for loss.
Cisco is averaging 341 yards per game — 264 rushing 77 passing.
Quarterback Hunter Long has thrown for 310 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions, along with rushing for 554 yards and three scores. Other weapons include running backs Jerrod Fisher (208 yards, 2 TDs) and Andrew Acosta (137 yards, TD) and receiver Dawson Hearne (5-85, 3 TDs).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 1-point favorite.
Dublin (1-3) at #4 San Saba (3-1) – canceled
7:30 p.m. Friday
Friday’s game was canceled due to COVID-19 issues in Dublin.
The San Saba Armadillos are slated to return to action Oct. 9 in the District 4-2A Division I opener at archrival Goldthwaite.
