The following are brief glimpses of the Week 7 action:
#6 May (5-1, 0-0) at Gorman (3-3, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class A Division I No. 6 May Tigers are seeking a fifth straight district championship as they visit the Gorman Panthers in Friday’s 13-A Division I opener.
In pre-district action, May owns wins over Bryson (70-14), No. 10 Knox City (60-56), Nueces Canyon (48-0), Blum (74-28), and Newcastle (57-0). The only loss for the Tigers came at home to No. 2 Sterling City, 44-40, in Week 2.
Gorman has defeated Blanket (30-22), Gustine (62-14), and Perrin-Whitt (48-12) this season with losses to Sidney (30-28), Blum (70-23), and Strawn (45-0).
May is averaging 58 points and 385 yards per game – 238 rushing and 147 passing.
The ground game is led by Rory Bustamante (324 rushing yards, 4 TDs), Kaden Halk (322 rushing yards, 8 TDs), Isidro Salinas (304 rushing yards, 6 TDs) and Damian Salinas (201 rushing yards, 5 TDs).
Through the air, Bustamante has thrown for 454 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception while Blake Harrell has added 313 yards with four scoring tosses and one pick.
Leading receivers include Chris Flenniken (9-196, 4 TDs), Halk (8-213, 3 TDs), and Hayden King (6-190, 2 TDs).
Defensively, May is surrendering 24 points per game with 11 takeaways – five interceptions and six fumble recoveries, with two returned for touchdowns.
Standouts include King (62 tackles, 16.5 for loss, 1 FR), Isidro Salinas (43 tackles, 7 for loss), Flenniken (37 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2 FR, 1 INT), Halk (31 tackles, 1 for loss, 2 INTs), Brian Kunkel (26 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 1 FR), Bustamante (26 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 FR), Damian Salinas (23 tackles (2 for loss, 1 FR), Harrell (19 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 FR), and Aaron McGinn (16 tackles, 1 FR).
The Panthers generate 32 points and 222 yards – 145 rushing and 77 passing – per game, while giving up 32 points on average.
Joseph Rainey has passed for 401 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions while other top rushers include Demitri Bradenburg (262 yards, 7 TDs), Christian Campos (180 yards, 4 TDs), and Jonathon Rodriguez (112 yards, 1 TD). Leading receivers include Nash Guthery (6-134, 2 TDs), Christian Campos (6-62), and Gustavo Gutierrez (6-50, TD).
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point favorite.
Blanket (4-2, 0-0) at Rising Star (3-3, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Blanket Tigers’ hunt for a third consecutive district championship begins with a road trip to visit the Rising Star Wildcats as 15-A Division II action kicks off for both squads.
Blanket has defeated Gustine (53-8), Lingleville (51-6), Zephyr (59-14) and Gholson (45-0), and fallen to Gorman (30-22) and Evant (52-28).
Rising Star is coming off a 110-62 win over Waco Eagle Academy in a game that featured the most points ever scored by the Wildcats. Rising Star has also defeated Forestburg (58-31) and Three Way (55-46) with losses to Gustine (64-42), Santa Anna (68-22) and Mullin (62-24).
Blanket enters the contest averaging 43 points and 263 yards – 191 rushing and 72 passing – per game.
Leading rushers include Hector Castaneda (455 yards, 12 TDs), Brayden Day (329 yards, 10 TDs) and Damon Carrillo (183 yards, 6 TDs), while Carlos Morales has thrown for a team-high 236 yards with a touchdown. Top receivers include Tyler Simpson (13-261, 2 TDs), Brady Furry (3-88, TD), Hayden Rodgers (3-43) and Day (3-19).
The Tigers give up 18 points and 156 yards – 94 passing and 62 rushing – per outing.
Standouts include Simpson (47 tackles, 6 for loss, safety), Castaneda (44 tackles, 5 for loss, 3 INTs), Rodgers (41 tackles, 3 for loss), Day (36 tackles, 8 for loss, 1 sack), Carrillo (28 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 INTs) and Furry (19 tackles, 1 INT).
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point favorite.
#2 Richand Springs (4-0, 0-0) at Rochelle (2-4, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class A Division II No. 2 Richland Springs are pursing a 19th straight district championship, 74th straight district win, and 10th state championship overall as 16-A Division II action begins on the road against the Rochelle Hornets.
The Coyotes’ season thus far has featured wins over Austin Royals (55-8), Darrouzett (56-7), Fort Worth Covenant Classical (61-16) and San Antonio FEAST (68-16).
Rochelle has defeated the Westbrook JV (62-15) and Abilene Texas Leadership Charter Academy (67-0), with losses against Brookesmith (70-68), Medina (53-12), Lometa (76-26), and Gustine (52-37).
Richland Springs is averaging 60 points and 323 yards – 218 rushing and 105 passing – per game, with three turnovers.
The Coyotes’ ground game is led by Landon Burkhart (460 yards, 9 TDs), Jadeyn Bryant (265 yards, 9 TDs), Zane Capps (97 yards, 1 TD), Brandon Stewart (22 yards, TD), Jeremiah Usery (17 yards), and Kenny Triplett (13 yards, TD).
Through the air, Burkhart has passed for 334 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions, Bryant has thrown for 73 yards with a scoring toss and Triplett has tossed a 13-yard touchdown.
Leading receivers include Capps (8-79, 2 TDs), Bryant (4-87, 3 TDs), Chase Gossett (4-74, TD), T.J. Grant (3-149, 2 TDs), and Kelton Lusty (2-31, TD).
Defensively, the Coyotes yield 12 points and 99 yards – 93 passing and 6 rushing – per outing, with 12 takeaways.
Standouts include Bryant (19.5 tackles, 7 for loss, 3.5 sacks, 5 fumble recoveries), Grant (15.5 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 1 interception), Burkhart (13 tackles, 2 for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception), Lusty (8 tackles, 4 for loss, 1 interception), Usery (8 tackles, 2 for loss), Stewart (8 tackles, 2 interceptions), Nick Nilson (6 tackles, 1 fumble recovery), Cohen Tharp (5.5 tackles, 1 for loss), and Chase Gossett (4.5 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 fumble recovery).
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.
#4 San Saba (3-1, 0-0) vs. Goldthwaite (2-3, 0-0)
7 p.m. at Brownwood
The 103rd “Battle of the River” takes place Friday night at Gordon Wood Stadium as the San Saba Armadillos and Goldthwaite Eagles square off in the District 4-2A Division I opener for both teams.
The game was moved to Brownwood, a larger stadium, to allow more fans due to the 50 percent capacity rule created by the UIL’s COVID-19 restrictions.
San Saba hasn’t played since Sept. 18 when the Armadillos suffered their first regular season loss since 2017 – a 35-31 setback at Llano, which scored 14 points in the final two minutes. The Armadillos own pre-district victories over Eldorado (56-14), Rogers (24-21), and Mason (32-0).
Goldthwaite had its two-game win streak halted in its last outing at Christoval, 49-19. The Eagles were coming off wins over Olney (48-8) and Florence (34-3), which followed opening losses to Crawford (14-0) and Cross Plains (28-14).
For the season, San Saba averages 36 points and 411 yards – 322 rushing and 89 passing – per game, while giving up 18 points.
Quarterback Risien Shahan has thrown for 255 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while leading rushers include Stone Sears (683 yards, 11 TDs), Weston Lackey (327 yards, 3 TDs), and Shahan (201 yards, 3 TDs). Primary receiving threats include Logan Glover (6-90), Sears (4-95, TD), and Reagan Mejia (3-92).
Leading the way for the San Saba defense – which has tallied 18 sacks and 11 takeaways — are Landon Yarbrough (30 tackles, 5 for loss, 2 sacks), Sears (26 tackles, 9 for loss, 6 sacks), Bladen Cally (26 tackles, 5 for loss), Bryan Reza (24 tackles, 4 for loss), Shahan (23 tackles, 4 for loss, 3 sacks), Justin Yarbrough (22 tackles, 4 for loss, 2 FR), and Glover (22 tackles)
In Goldthwaite’s win against Olney, the Eagles produced 414 yards, with 389 coming on the ground, with two turnovers, while allowing 243 yards, all on the ground, with one takeaway.
Seth Gardner rushed for 105 yards and one touchdown, Jackson Patrick chipped in 77 yards and two scores, Dusty Partin finished with 75 yards and a touchdown, Carysn Campbell tallied 53 yards and scored once, and Cason Guthrie churned out 47 yards and a touchdown.
Through the air, Patrick hurled a 25-yard scoring toss to Guthrie.
Angel Morales led the Eagles with 16 tackles, Partin added 14 and Mitchel Hopper finished with 13.
In the Eagles’ triumph over Florence, Goldthwaite 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.
Patrick rushed for 169 yards and four Goldthwaite touchdowns, while competing 4 of 6 passes for 90 yards and another touchdown. Partin chipped in 76 yards on the ground and Gardner added 64. Gardner also hauled in a 39-yard scoring toss, 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 Hopper.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 41-point favorite.
#16 Comanche (5-0, 0-0) at Dublin (1-3, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class 3A Division II No. 16 Comanche Indians look to keep their unblemished record alive as they visit the Dublin Lions in the District 5-3A Division II opener for both teams Friday.
Comanche has defeated Mason (14-0), Brady (28-7), Early (35-7), Tolar (36-6), and Cisco (14-7) to open the season.
Dublin knocked off De Leon (33-7) in the season opener and has since followed with losses to Albany (64-27), Anson (44-28), and Brady (38-24)
The Lions haven’t played since Sept. 18 as their most recent game against San Saba was canceled due to COVID-19 issues.
The Indians average 25 points and 286 yards – 210 rushing and 76 passing – per game, while allowing 5 points on average as no team has scored more than 7 points against Comanche this year.
Quarterback Hudson Welch has thrown for 441 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions, while top rushers include Logan Wilkerson (350 yards, 6 TDs), Luke Wilson (322 yards, 3 TDs), Oscar Rios (142 yards), and Jorge Rios (100 yards, 1 TD). Top receiving threats include Bryce Hermesmeyer (8-179, 2 TDs) and Taelon Sorrells (7-99, TD).
Comanche’s defense is spearheaded by Cash Cook (59 tackles, 1 for loss), Harrison Kolb (39 tackles), Christian Holmes (38 tackles, 4 for loss, 2 sacks), Wilkerson (35 tackles, 3 for loss), and Matthew Gonzales (33 tackles, 6 for loss, 2 sacks). The Indians have also recorded 10 takeaways and 13 sacks.
Dublin is producing 28 points and 362 yards—265 passing and 97 rushing – per game, but is giving up 38 points on average.
Quarterback Chris Teten has thrown for 1,061 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. Leading receivers include Christian Ramirez (20-412, 5 TDs), Jacob Shubert (15-188), Dalan Raspberry (6-156, TD), and Landon Burch (3-107, TD). Kyler Magruda (260 yards, 4 TDs) is the leading rusher.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 35-point favorite.
De Leon (1-4, 0-0) at Coleman (4-1, 0-0)
7 p.m. Friday
The Coleman Bluecats are targeting a fourth win in a row as they host the De Leon Bearcats in the District 4-2A Division I opener for both squads.
Since a 38-14 loss to Anson in Week 2, Coleman has bounced back with wins over Brady (15-12), Grape Creek (24-8) and Colorado City (47-13). The Bluecats also downed Miles (32-0) in the season opener.
De Leon lost to Dublin (33-7), Windthorst (55-7), Millsap (27-20), and Cross Plains (14-7) to start the season, then defeated Seymour (20-19) in its most recent outing.
In Coleman’s last outing at Colorado City, the Bluecats amassed 327 yards – 185 rushing and 142 passing.
Corbin Rosales passed for 126 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 37 yards. Denver Hunter caught touchdown passes of 8 and 14 yards while Braxton Smith hauled in a 24-yard scoring reception.
R.J. Wright rushed for a 3-yard touchdown, Cort McFadden chipped in a 2-yard score and the Bluecats returned a punt for a touchdown as well.
The Bearcats average 12 points and 338 yards – 294 rushing and 44 passing – per game, while yielding 30 points per outing.
Quarterback Lane Powledge has passed for 219 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions, while leading rushers include Trey Lopez (669 yards, 4 TDs), Emery Amick (371 yards, 3 TDs), and L.J. Herron (205 yards). Dawson Mathews (4-192, TD) is the leading receiver.
Defensive standouts include Ethan Salinas (39 tackles, 9 for loss), Kallen McIlvan (38 tackles, 4 for loss), and Victor Amaya (29 tackles, 6 for loss). De Leon has recorded seven sacks and nine takeaways.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 14-point favorite.
Santo (4-2, 1-0) at #20 Cross Plains (5-1, 1-0)
7 p.m. Friday
Both the Class 2A Division II No. 20 Cross Plains Buffaloes and Santo Wildcats notched wins to start their District 8-2A Division II slates last week, and will attempt to remain atop the league standings Friday night.
Cross Plains cruised to a 33-12 road victory over the Hico Tigers last week, the third straight win in a row for the Buffaloes.
Meanwhile, Santo hammered Ranger, 60-0, last week. In fact, the last three games for Santo have all been shutouts – two wins over Ranger and Era (62-0), with a loss to Millsap (52-0).
In last week’s win over Hico, Cross Plains produced 455 yards of total offense – 300 rushing and 155 passing.
Cody McWilliams rushed for 190 yards and four touchdowns, Cason Allen chipped in 92 yards on the ground and Jeremy Gresham completed 6 of 12 passes for 155 yards with a scoring toss. Ryan Hopkins caught two passes for 49 yards while Ryan Reed added two grabs for 45 yards with a trip to the end zone.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 14-point favorite
* All rankings from sixmanfootball.com or Harris Ratings Weekly unless otherwise stated.