Week 4 of the high school football season features nine games among the 13 teams covered by BrownwoodNews.com, including a battle of Brown County six-man rivals and a showdown between two undefeated squads.
The following are glimpses at the this week’s local matchups:
Zephyr (0-3) at Blanket (2-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Blanket Tigers target a third straight victory while the Zephyr Bulldogs are seeking their first win of the season as the two Brown County programs clash Friday night.
Since a 30-22 opening loss to Gorman, Blanket has rebounded with wins of 53-8 over Gustine and 51-6 over Lingleville last week.
Zephyr’s season began with a 48-0 loss to Sidney, a 42-32 setback against Veribest and last week’s 72-66 defeat at the hands of Stephenville Faith.
In Blanket’s win over Lingleville last week, the Tigers generated 287 yards – 223 rushing and 64 passing – with no turnovers, while giving up just 60 yards – 37 through the air and 23 on the ground – with two takeaways.
Damon Carrillo rushed for 113 yards and three touchdowns, Hector Castaneda chipped in 46 yards and a score, Brayden Day added a 21-yard scoring sprint and Emmanuel McLaughlin contributed 24 yards on the ground.
Carlos Morales completed 2 of 3 passes for 64 yards and a touchdown as Tyler Simpson caught both passes.
Stats for Zephyr this season are unavailable. Players to watch for Zephyr include Kannon Eoff, Jayden Millican and Bryson Gibbs.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point favorite.
#11 Brookesmith (1-1) at Santa Anna (3-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class A Division II No. 11 Brookesmith Mustangs are seeking a second straight win against the undefeated Santa Anna Mountaineers Friday night.
The Mustangs recorded a 70-68 triumph over Rochelle last week after starting their season with a 64-37 loss to No. 6 Strawn.
Santa Anna has defeated Trent, 46-0, Moran, 74-35, and Rising Star, 68-22.
In the Mustangs’ win over Rochelle, Brookesmith compiled 324 total yards – 189 rushing and 135 passing – while allowing 416 yards – 266 through the air and 150 on the ground. Both teams turned the ball over twice.
Avery Williford rushed for 103 yards and two scores for Brookesmith while Johnathan Willoughby chipped in 91 yards and three touchdowns.
Through the air, Clayton Adame was 2 of 3 for 71 yards and two touchdowns, while Willoughby was 3 of 4 for 64 yards with a scoring toss.
Randall Williams tallied a team-high three catches for 97 yards and two scores, while Williford hauled in a 39-yard scoring reception. Williford also scored on a 47-yard kick return.
Tristen Slayton led Brookesmith with 17 tackles and Williford added 11.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Brookesmith is a 45-point favorite.
#7 May (2-1) vs. Nueces Canyon (1-1)
6 p.m. Saturday at Eden
In a late change to the schedule, the Class A Division I No. 7 May Tigers added Nueces Canyon to replace Evant, which cannot play this week due to a COVID-19 situation.
Nueces Canyon ended May’s season in the second round of the playoffs a year ago, 66-62.
This season, Nueces Canyon has knocked off San Antonio FEAST, 30-25, and fallen to Balmorhea, 46-0.
May is coming off a 60-56 win over Knox City after suffering a 44-40 loss to Sterling City.
In the win over Knox City last week, The Tigers amassed 611 yards of total offense – 323 passing and 288 passing.
Blake Harrell completed all four of his pass attempts for 116 yards and two scores while Rory Bustamante connected on 7 of 14 passes for 207 yards and two scores.
Hayden King caught four passes for 113 yards and three touchdowns, Kaden Halk added four catches for 114 yards, Chris Flenniken finished with two grabs for 47 yards and a touchdown, Bustamante caught a 31-yard pass and Isidro Salinas made a 9-yard catch.
On the ground, Halk rushed for 102 yards and two scores, Bustamante finished with 83 yards and a score, Damian Salinas chipped in 48 yards and a touchdown, Isidro Salinas tacked on 39 yards and Aaron McGinn rushed for 16 yards.
Defensive standouts included Flenniken with 12 tackles and an interception, King with 11 tackles, Isidro Salinas with 8 tackles, Halk with 8 tackles, an interception, and a fumble caused, Harrell with 6 tackles and a fumble recovery, Bustamante with 4 tackles and an interception, Brian Kunkel with 4 tackles, Korbin Bass with 3 tackle, Damian Salinas with 3 tackles, and Aaron McGinn with 2 tackles.
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point favorite.
#3 Richland Springs (1-0) vs. Darrouzett (0-3)
7 p.m. Thursday at Guthrie
For just the second time this season, the reigning Class A Division II state champion Richland Springs Coyotes take the field, facing the first-year Darrouzett Longhorns in neutral site action.
Richland Springs’ lone outing thus far was a 55-8 home triumph over Austin Royals in Week 2.
In the win over Austin Royals, Richland Springs amassed 316 yards of total offense – 197 rushing and 119 passing – with no turnovers while giving up just 59 yards – 30 on the ground and 29 through the air – with one takeaway.
Landon Burkhart rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns while passing for 108 yards with three more scores. Jadeyn Bryant chipped in 36 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while also completing an 11-yard pass. Zane Capps finished with six receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns, along with 24 yards rushing. Chase Gossett added three catches for 63 yards with a trip to the end zone.
Defensively, Bryant led the way with 9 tackles followed by T.J Grant with 5 tackles and an interception and Jeremiah Usery with 3.5 takedowns.
Darrouzett has fallen to Wildorado, 67-0, Chillicothe, 52-6, and McLean, 59-14.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.
De Leon (0-3) at #18 Cross Plains (2-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class 2A Division II Cross Plains Buffaloes are looking to rebound from their first loss of the season as they return home to tangle with the winless De Leon Bearcats.
Cross Plains is coming off a 20-16 loss to previously-winless Haskell.
The Buffaloes finished with 249 yards – 137 passing and 112 rushing – with three interceptions, while allowing 200 yards – 135 on the ground and 65 through the air – with one takeaway last week.
Cody McWilliams rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown, while Cason Allen added 35 yards while passing for 137 yards and a score to Ryan Hopkins, who caught three passes for 73 yards. Wade Byrd added three grabs for 62 yards.
De Leon’s season has featured losses to Dublin, 33-7, Windthorst, 55-7, and Millsap, 27-20.
The Bearcats rush for 302 of their 329 yards per game. Trey Lopez leads the way with 429 yards and two touchdowns while Emery Amrick has rushed for 213 yards and two scores.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains and De Leon is a coin toss.
Coleman (2-1) at Grape Creek (1-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Coleman Bluecats rallied in the second half to notch their second win of the season last week, and now set their sights on their first win streak as they visit the Grape Creek Eagles.
Coleman is coming off a 15-12 home win over Brady.
The Bluecats’ first points came when Dylan Mickler returned a fumble conversion attempt for two points after yielding their second touchdown of the game.
The Bluecats crept within 12-9 on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Corbin Rosales with 2:51 left in the first half.
Coleman scored the go-ahead points with 4:57 to go on a 39-yard scoring sprint by Devinar Robinson.
The Bluecats rushed for 181 yards s a team and Ryland Gentry led the way with 85 yards. Roberson finished with 59 yards.
Defensively, Coleman allowed 187 yards of total offense.
Grape Creek netted its first win last week, 41-12 over San Angelo TLCA. The Eagles started the year with losses to Stanton, 8-0, and Christoval, 23-18.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 20-point favorite.
Goldthwaite (1-2) at Florence (0-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Goldthwaite Eagles are looking to even their overall record as they shoot for a second straight win against the Florence Buffaloes.
Goldthwaite hammered Olney, 48-8, last week to snap a two-game skid.
The Eagles produced 414 yards, with 389 coming in the ground, and overcame 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, Carsyn Campbell tallied 53 yards and scored once, Cason Guthrie churned out 47 yards and a touchdown and Aaron Anzua tacked on 32 yards.
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.
Florence has started its season with losses to Johnson City, 34-20, Bangs, 55-0, and Bruceville-Eddy, 35-21.
The Buffaloes average 272 yards per game, with 165 coming on the ground. Victor Bonilla has thrown for 323 yards and a touchdown, Brendan Woljevach has rushed for 278 yards and one touchdown, and Jared Jiminez leads all receivers with six grabs for 59 yards with a trip to the end zone.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is a 17-point favorite.
#4 San Saba (3-0) at #14 Llano (3-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class 2A Division I No. 4 San Saba Armadillos will face perhaps their greatest regular season challenge since 2017 as they visit the undefeated Llano Yellow Jackets, ranked No. 14 in Class 3A Division I.
Llano has started its season with wins over Gatesville, 45-16, Sonora, 41-8, and Bandera, 52-0.
San Saba is coming off a 34-0 victory over winless Mason in which the Armadillos rushed for 406 of their 414 yards of total offense.
Stone Sears led the way with 178 yards and one touchdown, Wesley Lackey chipped in 112 yards and two scores and quarterback Risien Shahan tallied 90 yards with a trip to the end zone.
Defensively, Bryan Reza led the Armadillos with 10 tackles, Logan Glover, Bladen Calley and Brendon Morris recovered fumbles and Reagan Mejia intercepted a pass.
Llano averages 443 yards of total offense per game – 244 passing and 199 rushing.
Case Kuykendall has thrown for 461 yards and six touchdowns while Maddox Green has added 270 yards through the air and five scores. Kuykendall is also the leading rusher with 293 yards and one touchdown. Top receivers include Jared Beasley (10-244, 3 TDs), Kuykendall (10-155, 2 TDs), and Quincy Prince (8-166, TD).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 4-point favorite.
#16 Comanche (3-0) at Tolar (0-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Class 3A Division II No. 16 Comanche Indians will attempt to keep their flawless record intact as they visit the winless Tolar Rattlers Friday.
Comanche is coming off a 35-7 home win over Early, which knocked off Tolar, 41-25, the week prior.
In the Indians’ win over Early, Comanche racked up 365 yards of total offense – 277 rushing and 88 passing.
Luke Wilson rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns, Logan Wilkerson added 72 yards and two scores, and Bryce Hermesmeyer rushed for a 12-yard touchdown.
Through the air, Hudson Welch was 3 of 6 for 77 yards while Miguel Martinez completed an 11-yard pass. Hermesmeyer hauled in a 37-yard reception, Matthew Gonzales caught a 31-yard pass, Wilkerson made an 11-yard catch and Taelon Sorrells added a 6-yard catch.
Defensively, the Indians allowed 195 yards of total offense – 116 passing and 79 rushing – and forced three turnovers. Cash Cook led Comanche with 14 tackles trailed by Christian Holmes with 10.
Tolar dropped a 41-0 decision to Boyd last week and opened the season with a 70-14 loss to Post.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, there is no line for the Comanche-Tolar game.
* All 11-man rankings courtesy of Harris Ratings Weekly, all 6-man ranking via sixmanfootball.com unless otherwise stated.