Dreams of a trip to AT&T Stadium are at the forefront for high school football programs across the state as the 2023 campaign kicks off this weekend. In the BrownwoodNews.com coverage area, nine contests are on the opening slate with varsity games scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

Zephyr at Bronte

7:30 p.m. Thursday

The Zephyr Bulldogs, who went from a winless 2021 campaign to nine victories and a district championship a year ago, will attempt to avenge one of its two defeats from 2022 as they visit the Bronte Longhorns.

Among the players to watch this season for Zephyr – which posted a 9-2 record in 2022 – are seniors Karsen Floyd and Jim Evetts, along with junior Tripp Ballard.

Ballard rushed for 570 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago, caught two passes for 74 yards and amassed 104 tackles with two interceptions en route to being named Class A Division II Region IV Newcomer of the Year.

Floyd chipped in 336 yards and four scores on the ground, eight catches for 240 yards and three trips to the end zone, and 77 tackles with four interceptions as he was an honorable mention all-state choice.

For Bronte, a member of District 13-A Division II, the Longhorns bring back three starters on each side of the ball from a 4-6 team a year ago that missed the playoffs.

Players to watch include quarterback Karter Cummings, running back Jesse Gonzalez, and defensive lineman Kayson Cummings.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 15-point favorite.

***

Rising Star at Blanket

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Blanket Tigers kick off their second campaign under head coach Michael Cherry at home, where they will attempt to reverse the result of last year’s season opener against the Rising Star Wildcats.

Among the returnees for the Tigers – which posted an 8-3 record in a 2022 playoff campaign – are running back/defensive end Kannon Kensing, back/defensive end Mason Beck, back/safety Cameron Aultman, center/defensive end Isaac Smith, guard/kicker Adam McLaughlin, quarterback/safety Gage Jones, and nose guard Mason Tomme.

The Rising Star Wildcats are coming off a District 14-A Division II championship, a 9-2 overall record and carry a No. 19 preseason ranking in its division by sixmanfootball.com into the season.

Players to watch for the Wildcats include Dakota Higgins, Dathon Morris, Blake Wilson, Kobey Morris, Brayden Cook, Emerson Helmuth, Colt Lawrence and Dustin McGinn.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 17-point underdog.

***

Mullin at Brookesmith

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Brookesmith Mustangs, in their second season under head coach Jack Graves, look to better their one victory from a year ago but open with a tough task at home against the Mullin Bulldogs.

Key returnees for the Mustangs – coming off a 1-9 year – include senior center/defensive tackle Brendan Been, junior quarterback/safety Vegas Gilliam, junior running back/defensive end Adyn Ribble, and sophomore offensive lineman/defensive lineman Landon Slayton.

The Mullin Bulldogs posted a 4-6 record last season en route to a fourth-place district finish, but three starters on each side of the ball return in 2023.

Players to watch for Mullin include quarterback Vash Langford, spreadback Wyatt Stevens, defensive back Dameon Gonzalez, and utility player Brayden Caine.

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

***

May vs. Ira (CANCELED)

7:30 p.m. Saturday at Jayton

***

Comanche at Brady

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Comanche Indians won’t be flying under the radar in 2023 as, after a 10-2 district championship campaign a year ago, head coach Jake Escobar’s squad begins its season on the road against the Brady Bulldogs.

Among the greatest strength for the Indians is a core of skill players that includes running back Sawyer Wilkerson, who rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 yards last year; quarterback Layden Welch, who threw for 1,751 yards and 22 scores; and receiver Kyler Beaty, who yanked down 27 receptions for 450 yards with eight trips to the end zone.

Leading the charge defensively for the Indians will be Pierson Sorrells, who tallied 79 tackles with 10 behind the line of scrimmage a year ago.

Brady, a member of District 2-3A Division II, brings back four offensive and five defensive starters from a 5-6 playoff team last season.

Players to watch include receiver/defensive back Ashton Ramsey, running back/defensive back Zeke Jones, lineman Manny Ozuna, running back/linebacker Daryl Adair, quarterback/linebacker Johnny Menefied, running back/linebacker Ashton Taylor, and running back/linebacker Ethan Burnal.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 21-point favorite.

***

Mason at Coleman

7 p.m. Friday

The Harris Ratings Weekly Class 2A Division I No. 18 Coleman Bluecats are eyeing their fourth straight season-opening victory, and second in a row over the Mason Punchers, who invade Hufford Field Friday night.

A senior class of six is among the greatest strengths for Coleman – coming off a 9-3 area playoff campaign – led by the likes of quarterback Jadin Jackson (1,540 passing yards, 16 TDs; 850 rushing yards, 10 TDs); tight end/linebacker Hunter Lackey; receiver/defensive back Hagen Cavanaugh; running back/linebacker Brent Bouldin; and offensive/defensive linemen Jorge Salas and Oscar Camacho.

The Mason Punchers enter the season ranked No. 12 in Class 2A Division I by Harris Ratings Weekly following a 9-3 season of their own. The Punchers bring back five offensive and three defensive starters from that squad and are projected to repeat as District 14-2A Division I champions.

Players to watch for Mason include running back/defensive back Ryne Todd, running back/linebacker Sutton Silerio, receiver/linebacker Frankie Bolley, running back/linebacker Matthew King, tight end/defensive lineman Wyatt Rose, and quarterback/defensive back Carlton Schmidt.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 7-point underdog.

***

Goldthwaite at Crawford

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Goldthwaite Eagles, fresh off an 0-10 campaign, start their second season under the tutelage of head coach Andy Howard on the road against the Harris Ratings Weekly Class 2A Division I No. 5 Crawford Pirates.

Players to keep an eye on for Goldthwaite include Daniel Barrera along the offensive line, Ethan Deeds at quarterback, and Luke Sanderson and Malachi Thomas in the secondary.

Crawford posted a 14-1 record a year ago en route to the state semifinals and is favored to capture another District 8 championship. However, just three offensive and four defensive starters return from the 2022 squad for the Pirates.

Players to watch for Crawford include running back/defensive back Brady Ward, receiver/defensive Cash Bolgiano, lineman Jake Stanford, fullback Colt Cunningham, receiver/defensive back Huston Powers, quarterback/linebacker Kade Smith, running back/defensive Jordan Archer, and tight end/linebacker Easton Vannatta.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, there is no line for the game. Crawford is ranked 56 points higher than Goldthwaite.

***

San Saba at Florence

7:30 p.m. Friday

The San Saba Armadillos look to return to the postseason after their string of five consecutive appearances ended in 2022, and the first step on that journey comes Friday night against the Florence Buffaloes.

San Saba returns 12 lettermen and six starters on each side of the ball in 2023 after posting a 6-4 overall mark last fall.

Players to keep an eye on for the ’Dillos include quarterback Lane Miller, running back Ethan Gonzales, offensive lineman Jesus Gonzalez, linebacker Winton Lackey, and receiver/safety Levi Glover.

The Florence Buffaloes, who make their home in District 13-3A Division II, posted a 1-8 record in 2022 and return just three offensive and four defensive players from the squad.

Players to watch for Florence include linemen Enrique Palacios, Hayden Reiger, and Juan Ortiz, along with linebacker Caidyn Wood.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 25-point favorite.

***

Winters at Cross Plains

7 p.m. Friday

Presented with the best combination of size and speed during his 13-year run at Cross Plans, head coach Daniel Purvis and the Buffaloes look to parlay their talents into unprecedented success as the Winters Blizzards come call in the season opener.

Among the key returnees for Cross Plains is first-team all-district offensive lineman Alex Parker, who will be moving into the backfield, along with Dusty Wyatt (261 rushing yards, 8 TDs; 31-267, 2 TDs receiving), who is taking over as the feature skill player.

Cross Plains also returns the bulk of its offensive line, including Colt Sanderson (6-2, 230 lbs.), Bentley Hall (6-0, 275 lbs.), Jaeden Box (6-4, 240 lbs.), JR Sanchez (6-5, 275 lbs.) and Gage Fortune (5-9, 160 lbs.).

The Winters Blizzards went 1-9 in 2022 but eight offensive and nine defensive starters return.

Players to watch for the Blizzards include quarterback/defensive back Chris Martinez, running back/linebacker Alejandro Garcia, lineman Will Dunham, running back/defensive lineman Moises Gomez, receiver/defensive back Nick Cruz, receiver/linebacker Aidan Bryant, lineman C.J. Gardner, quarterback/linebacker Diego Rodriguez, and lineman Mason Meyer.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 30-point favorite.

***

High Island at Richland Springs

7 p.m. Friday

The Shawn Rogers coaching era in Richland Springs officially kids off as the sixmanfootball.com Class A Division II No. 11 Coyotes look to return to previous form in Friday’s season opener against the High Island Cardinals.

Last year, strings of 81 consecutive district victories and 20 straight district championships came to an end in an 8-2 campaign as the roster was ravaged by injuries and former head coach Jerry Burkhart received a three-year suspension from the UIL due to allegations of recruiting.

Among the players to watch for the Coyotes are the senior class of Jayden Sutherland, Kenny Tripplett, and Troy Shelton, along with underclassmen Billy Perry, Hutton Rogers, and Gage Behrens.

The High Island Cardinals, members of District 15-A Division, completed a 2-8 season in 2022 and return three offensive and five defensive starters from that squad.

Players to watch include running back/linebacker Hunter Pavlu, center/linebacker James Guidrey, spreadback Drake Albanese, center Drake Barrow, receiver/defensive back Mason Peck, and receiver/defensive back Tyler Luman.

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