Richland Springs (6-0, 0-0) at Cherokee (5-0, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The battle for the championship in the most competitive Class A Division II league in the state begins Friday night as the No. 6 Richland Springs Coyotes visit the reigning champion and No. 4 Cherokee Indians in the District 16 opener for both squads.
Richland Springs has knocked off High Island (50-0), Olfen (52-6), Lometa (73-26), Chester (52-6), Coolidge (42-38) and Burkeville (70-20).
Cherokee, which is coming off a bye, has opened its season with victories over Burnet Smoking for Jesus (59-6), Menard (79-34), Evant (56-0), Bluff Dale (56-6), and Bulverde Bracken Christian (61-16).
In last week’s 50-point road win at Burkeville, the Coyotes finished with 360 yards of total offense, including 325 rushing.
Gage Behrens led the way with 137 yards and three touchdowns on the ground while Billy Perry tacked on 101 yards and a score and Kenny Triplett finished with 78 yards and three trips to the end zone.
Through the air, Hudson Tharp completed 3 of 4 passes for 23 yards with a touchdown to Jayden Sutherland, who grabbed two catches for 10 yards. Perry also completed his lone pass attempt for 15 yards and a touchdown to Tharp.
Defensively, Triplett, Tharp and Behrens led the way with four tackles apiece trailed by Rush Norris with 3.5 tackles, including three behind the line of scrimmage, with one safety. Sutherland intercepted two passes and Jim Eckermann recovered a fumble for Richland Springs.
Players to watch for Cherokee include Rode Ligon, Joey Bond, Joel Valdez, Gunner Baugh, Caden Houston, and Caleob Houston.
Cherokee and Richland Springs are two of three teams in the district to appear in this week’s Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Class A Division II Top 10, as undefeated Rochelle (6-0) comes in at No. 10.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 7-point underdog.
***
May (4-2, 0-0) at Evant (0-6, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The injury-riddled May Tigers look to put an up-and-down early portion of the season behind them as they kick off District 14-A Division I action at the winless Evant Elks.
For just the second time this season, May experienced defeat last week as the Tigers dropped a 54-8 decision at undefeated Class A Division II No. 2 Oglesby.
In last week’s setback, May was held to 208 yards of total offense – 128 rushing and 80 passing.
Braden Steele completed 5 of 11 passes for 44 yards and threw May’s lone touchdown to Kaden Watkins on an 11-yard reception.
Steele also rushed for a team-high 70 yards followed by Jackson Lusk with 33 yards, Mikey Scheriger with 20 and Wyatt Hardy with 5 yards on the ground.
Cayson Dail completed 5 of 7 passes for 36 yards while Lusk hauled in five receptions for 58 yards, Scheriger added two catches for 9 yards, and Hardy pulled down a 2-yard reception.
Defensively for the Tigers, Steele finished with eight tackles followed by Scheriger and Hagan Hester with six apiece, Lusk and Levi McInnis with four each, Hardy with two, and Watkins and Ryland Billadeau with one each.
Evant suffered a 74-24 loss to Blanket last week as the Elks surrendered 437 yards of total offense, including 395 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Along with the loss to Blanket, Evant has been defeated by Stephenville Faith (71-26), Gorman (72-26), Cherokee (56-0), Kopperl (49-18), and Rochelle (53-6).
Players to watch for the Elks include Cason Ingram, Luis Arellano, Hunter White, Daniel Honea, and Canyon Smith.
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point favorite.
***
Gustine (3-3, 0-0) at Zephyr (4-2, 0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Zephyr Bulldogs’ quest for back-to-back District 15-A Division II championships starts at home Friday night as the Gustine Tigers visit in the league opener for both squads.
Zephyr is coming off a 60-0 home win over Brookesmith as the Bulldogs needed just 167 yards of total offense – 84 passing and 83 rushing – to get the job done as they allowed just 124 yards – 105 on the ground and 19 through the air – with three takeaways.
Karsen Floyd scored two defensive touchdowns for the Bulldogs on an interception return of 70 yards and a fumble return of 21 yards. Floyd also scored on a 38-yard pass from Wyatt Stevens.
Tripp Ballard chipped in 58 rushing yards and three touchdowns of 22, 1, and 35 yards for Zephyr, and caught a 41-yard pass.
Stevens connected on all three of his pass attempts for 84 yards and also added a 5-yard scoring strike to Rhett Williams.
Chayden Woodcock tacked on a 7-yard rushing touchdown for the Bulldogs.
Defensively for Zephyr, Floyd led the way with 10 tackles followed by CJ Byers with eight, Ballard with seven, Jim Evetts with six, Woodcock and Johnny Paul Evans-Rollins with five apiece, and Corben Gosnell with four tackles.
Gustine’s season has featured victories over Buckholts (48-0), Priddy (46-32) and the Oglesby JV (56-7) with losses against Paint Rock (58-12) and Brookesmith (38-18). The Tigers also forfeited their season opener to Iredell due to a lack of players.
Tigers to keep an eye on include Josue Buitron, Rodrigo Ramirez, Yahir Briones, and Todd Buckmaster.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 45-point favorite.
***
Austin Royals JV at Brookesmith (3-3)
7 p.m. Thursday
In a late addition to the schedule, the Brookesmith Mustangs have picked up a Thursday night game against the Austin Royals JV in their final action prior to the start of District 16-A Division II competition.
Brookesmith is coming off a 60-0 loss at Zephyr last week in which the Mustangs finished with 124 yards of total offense – 105 rushing and 19 passing – with three turnovers, including two that were returned for touchdowns. Brookesmith gave up 167 yards – 84 through the air and 83 on the ground – with no takeaways.
The week prior in a 38-18 homecoming win over 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.
Sixmanfootball.com does not have a prediction for this game since it is a varsity vs. junior varsity encounter.
***
Comanche (3-2, 0-0) at Millsap (2-2, 0-0)
7 p.m. Friday
The reigning District 5-3A Division II champion Comanche Indians begin defense of their crown as they venture to Millsap looking to snap a two-game skid.
Comanche enters district averaging 39 points and 445 yards – 270 rushing and 175 passing – per contest, while giving up 16 points per game with nine takeaways.
Leading the charge for the Comanche offense are quarterback Layden Welch (36 of 60 for 699 yards, 10 TDs, 1 INT; 153 rushing yards, 5 TDs), running backs Sawyer Wilkerson (451 yards, 6 TDs) and Colt Schwertner (406 yards, 1 TD), and receivers Kyler Beaty (16-297, 4 TDs), Cayden Davis (9-153, 2 TDs), and Raymond Crossland (4-124, 3 TDs).
The defense for the Indians is anchored by Diego Gutierrez (30 tackles,2 interceptions), Chance Boswell (26 tackles, 4 for loss, 3 sacks), Ezequiel Medrano (21 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 interception, 2 fumble recoveries), and Isaac Morales (20 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 fumble recovery).
Millsap has split its first four games with wins over Hamilton (20-7) and Clifton (14-10) and losses to Henrietta (45-39) and Paradise (49-7).
The Bulldog offense features quarterback CR Tippie (38 of 66 for 685 yards, 2 TDs, 8 INTs; 99 rushing yards, 1 TD); running backs Reid Green (437 yards, 2 TDs) and Kai Hanog (151 yards, 5 TDs); and receivers Tripp Moore (8-114, TD) and Conner Penry (6-118).
On the defensive side, Morgan Birdwell (31 tackles, 6 for loss, 2 sacks), Green (27 tackles), Dalton Golden (26 tackles, 12 for loss, 1 fumble recovery), Hanog (26 tackles, 8 for loss, 2 sacks) and Nixon Delaune (25 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack) and Walter Bagley (20 tackles, 6 for loss) lead the way.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 25-point favorite.
***
Coleman (5-1, 2-0) at Tolar (4-1, 1-0)
7 p.m. Friday
The Coleman Bluecats put their five-game win streak on the line against the defending Class 5A Division I champion and third-ranked Tolar Rattlers Friday night.
Coleman’s latest victory was a 40-26 home decision over San Saba, while Tolar blanked Hamilton, 38-0, in its first district encounter of the season.
In the Bluecats’ win last week, Coleman finished with 483 yards of total offense – 281 rushing and 202 passing – and overcame three turnovers, while allowing 277 yards – 177 on the ground and 100 through the air – with one takeaway.
Brayden Torres completed 10 of 14 passes for 202 yards and three Coleman touchdowns – all to Hunter Lacke, who finished three grabs for 91 yards. Torres also rushed for 33 yards.
Jadin Jackson rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns for the Bluecats, while also catching a team-high four passes for 85 yards.
Anthony Espitia chipped in 61 yards rushing while Brent Bouldin finished with 37 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Kelan Sikes (12 yards), Bouldin (8 yards) and Braylon Stewart (6 yards) also caught passes for the Bluecats.
Tolar averages 36 points and 321 yards – 235 rushing and 86 passing – per game, while allowing 16 points on average.
Offensive standouts include quarterback Isaac Blessing (35 of 64 for 427 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs; 504 rushing yards, 6 TDs), running back Garrison Nation (336 yards, 5 TDs; 4-93, 2 TDs receiving), and receivers Matthew Behrens (13-200, TD) and Clayton Stembridge (10-68).
Leading the charge on defense are Jaxon Riddle (50 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 interception), Drake Owens (41 tackles, 1 for loss), Nation (35 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 interception), Cash Clark (34 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 tackles), Hunter Michels (33 tackles, 4 for loss, 1 sack) and Stembridge (30 tackles, 1 for loss, 4 interceptions).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 28-point underdog.
***
De Leon (5-1, 2-0) at San Saba (2-4, 1-1)
7 p.m. Friday
The San Saba Armadillos will attempt to derail the De Leon Bearcats and improve their standing in the District 5-2A Division I playoff chase when the two teams clash at Rogan Field Friday night.
De Leon has knocked off Bangs (40-21) and Goldthwaite (56-14) in consecutive weeks, while San Saba upset Hamilton (32-28) at home in its league opener and fell at Coleman (40-26) last week.
The Armadillos average 28 points and 333 yards – 247 rushing and 86 passing – per game, while allowing 30 points on average.
The offense is sparked by running back Ethan Gonzales (973 rushing yards, 12 TDs; 19-196, 2 TDs receiving), quarterback Lane Miller (30 of 60 for 317 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INTs; 385 rushing yards, 6 TDs), utility player Winton Lackey (11 of 22 for 197 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; 70 rushing yards), and receiver Levi Glover (12-66 receiving).
Defensive standouts include Glover (38 tackles,1 for loss, 1 interception, 2 fumble recoveries), Lackey (34 tackles, 1 for loss), Alex Estrada (25 tackles, 1 for loss), and Julius Salinas (18 tackles, 2 for loss).
In De Leon’s win over Goldthwaite last week, Heston Jobe threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns and added 122 yards and another score on the ground. Jake Cooper chipped in 96 rushing yards and three touchdowns and Max Jones caught six passes for 108 yards with a trip to the end zone for the Bearcats.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 9-point underdog.
***
Roscoe (4-1, 0-0) at Cross Plains (2-3, 0-0)
7 p.m. Friday
The Cross Plains Buffaloes will attempt to improve upon last year’s fourth-place performance in District 6-2A Division II as they host one of the teams that finished above them in the final league standings – the Roscoe Plowboys.
In their most recent outing on Sept. 22, the Buffaloes snapped a three-game losing streak with a 32-0 neutral site victory over Smyer.
Roscoe played last week and edged Junction – a team that defeated Cross Plains 41-6 on Sept. 15 – by a 20-14 count. The only loss for the Plowboys came on Sept. 22 by a 22-15 count to New Home. Roscoe also owns wins over Colorado City (42-0), Clarendon (32-16), Sterling City (27-14).
In Cross Plains’ victory over Smyer, the Buffaloes yielded 4 yards of total offense – 68 yards through the air and -64 rushing yards on 19 carries.
Meanwhile, the Cross Plains offense churned out 450 yards – 256 rushing and 194 passing – and overcame three turnovers.
Dusty Wyatt rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Buffaloes while Theron Albrecht added 89 yards with a trip to the end zone. Kade Purvis completed 11 of 18 passes for 194 yards with one scoring toss and one interception. Leading receivers were Tyler Mackey with three for 45 yards, Alex Parker with three for 43 yards, Colytn Barron with two for 67 yards and a touchdown, Caleb Blue with two for 29, and Gray Albrecht with one catch for 10 yards.
Defensively for Cross Plains, Colt Sanderson led the way with nine tackles followed by Theron Albrecht with six, and four tackles each from Barron and Blue.
Roscoe is led by quarterback Jace Arnwine (63 of 105 passing, 811 yards, 9 TDs, 1 INT), running back Ivan McCann (550 rushing yards, 3 TDs) and receivers Parker Gleaton (22- 344, 4 TDs) and Seth Wilcox (22-332, 5 TDs receiving; 245 rushing yards, 4 TDs).
Defensive standouts for the Plowboys are Gaven Martinez (26 tackles), Gleaton (25 tackles, 5 for loss, 3 sacks) Jacob Kiser (21 tackles, 6 for loss, 1 interception) and Michael Fulton (21 tackles, 3 for loss).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 21-point underdog.