Blanket (5-0, 0-0) at Gustine (5-0, 0-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Two teams yet to experience defeat clash in the District 13-A Division II opener for both as the Blanket Tigers visit the Gustine Tigers.

Blanket, which has outscored its foes, 308-46 thus far, is coming off a 60-24 road victory over Woodson in its pre-district finale.

The Tigers generated 451 yards of total offense – 343 rushing and 108 passing – as Kannon Kensing rushed for 241 yards and four touchdowns and also hauled in a pair of receptions for 34 yards, while Cameron Aultman ran for 103 yards and two scores and completed a 29-yard pass. Dallas Shumaker completed 5 of 10 passes for 79 yards with a touchdown to Mason Beck, who grabbed a team-high four receptions for 74 yards.

Defensively, Brian Shannon recorded 12 tackles and recovered a fumble for the Tigers while Kensing tallied 11 tackles and returned a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown. Aultman notched 10 tackles, while Beck finished with nine tackles and a fumble recovery.

Gustine is one of the biggest surprises around the area with an unblemished mark that includes victories over Paint Creek (58-30), Buckholts (70-20), Priddy (59-14), Brookesmith (76-66) and Morgan (58-0).

Players to watch for Gustine include Allen Lopez, Gabriel Patino, Anthony Patino, Michael Garcia, and Juan Munoz.

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

***

Zephyr (5-1, 0-0) at Rising Star (3-3, 0-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Zephyr Bulldogs’ quest for a third consecutive district championship begins Friday against a Rising Star Wildcats squad with the same goal in mind as 13-A Division II action commences for both teams.

Zephyr rebounded from its only loss of the season to Class A Division II No. 8 Strawn with a 58-20 triumph over Santa Anna last week as the Bulldogs produced 526 yards of total offense – 327 rushing and 199 passing.

Wyatt Stevens threw for 191 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 132 yard with two more trips to the end zone. Reese Hamm tacked on 117 rushing yards and a touchdown and CJ Byers notched 49 yards on the ground and reached the end zone twice. Wyatt Frank caught three passes for 59 yards with a touchdown, Bauer Blair grabbed two passes for 59 yards and scored once, Hamm hauled in a 44-yard touchdown reception and Corben Gosnell made two catches totaling 38 yards.

Defensively, Zephyr gave up 323 yards – 191 passing and 132 rushing – as Trapper Schoenhals tallied 19 tackles followed by Stevens and Byers with 13 teach and Johnny Paul Evans-Rollins with nine.

Rising Star’s see-saw pre-district ride concluded Saturday with a 46-0 homecoming triumph over Priddy.

The Wildcats produced 213 total yards – 114 rushing and 99 passing – as Anthony Pollard passed for 78 yards and a 60-yard touchdown to Payton McGinn, who also returned a kickoff 68 yards for a touchdown. Manning Miller led the way on the ground with 80 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, the Wildcats did not allow a first down and held Priddy to negative yards.

Dustin Pollard recovered three fumbles and returned two for touchdowns while also blocking a punt and recording 12 tackles, with five for loss, and one sack. Pollard picked off a pass and returned a fumble for a touchdown and also logged 12 tackles with six for loss. Miller recorded an interception as well, to go along with five tackles, including three for loss. Leland Schenk led the Wildcats with 14 tackles, six for loss, and a sack.

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

***

Richland Springs (5-0, 0-0) at Brookesmith (3-2, 0-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Class A Division II No. 2 Richland Springs Coyotes battle a much improved Brookesmith Mustangs squad Friday night in the District 15-A Division II opener for both teams.

Brookesmith is coming off a 51-0 homecoming win over Olfen last week as the Mustangs were sparked by the play of Adyn Ribble, who rushed for 57 yards and two touchdowns and returned a punt 63 yards for another score. Derrick Beard added 53 yards and two scores on the ground and returned a kickoff 65 yards for six points. Addison Heard also scored twice and rushed for 33 yards.

Richland Springs, which had a bye last week, most recently defeated Giddings Lone Star by a 48-0 count.

In that contest, the Coyotes produced 232 total yards – 129 on the ground and 103 through the air.

Billy Perry passed for 103 yards and three touchdowns – two to Hutton Rogers from 7 and 10 yards out, and a 10-yarder to Brice Roesler. Perry also rushed for 60 yards and touchdowns of 1 and 16 yards.

Gage Behrens tacked on 46 yards on the ground and scored twice from 3 and 43 yards out.

Cohen Ethridge chipped in a 36-yard reception and 23 yards rushing, while Hudson Tharp grabbed two catches for 25 yards and Ethan Deeds hauled in an 8-yard catch.

Defensively, Petty tallied nine tackles, two sacks and a recovered a fumble, while Ethridge and EJ Aviles also finished with nine tackles. Behrens recorded two sacks while Rush Norris and Jim Eckermann each tallied one sack.

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

***

May (6-0) at Moran (1-5)

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Class A Division I No. 4 May Tigers wrap up their pre-district slate against a Moran squad that has struggled throughout the early portion of the season.

Undefeated May is coming off an 84-36 triumph over Irion County as the Tigers manufactured 385 yards of total offense – 257 rushing and 128 passing.

Ben Harrell led the charge for the Tigers with 193 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, and tossed a 40-yard touchdown to Lane Goodson, who finished with two receptions for 85 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Goodson also caught a 45-yard touchdown from Cayson Dail, who passed for 73 yards. Kobey Morris tacked on 30 yards and a touchdown on the ground and also returned a kick 50 yards to the end zone.

Defensively, Harrell tallied 12 tackles followed by 10 from Goodson, seven from Morris, six from Jackson Lusk and five tackles from Mikey Scheriger. Morris also intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble, while Kaden Watkins picked off a pass as well.

Moran’s lone victory this season came in the season opener against Lueders-Avoca (55-16), with losses following to Paint Creek (52-24), Brookesmith (55-6), Mullin (49-0), Rotan (64-14) and Trent (84-62).

Players to watch for Moran include Ellis Hise (495 rushing yards, 10 TDs; 12-146, 4 TDs receiving); 133 passing yards, 2 TDs), Keegan Boyd (383 rushing yards, 3 TDs), and Garrett Hamilton (211 passing yards, 4 TDs).

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

***

Jim Ned (3-2, 0-0) at Comanche (3-2, 0-0)

7 p.m. Friday

The teams with the league’s two best pre-district records cross paths in the District 3-3A Division I opener as the Comanche Indians play host to the Jim Ned Indians.

Comanche’s most recent outing was a 54-20 thrashing of Early as the Indians amassed 507 yards, with 403 coming on the ground, while allowing just 222 yards – 117 rushing and 105 passing – with a pair of takeaways.

Quarterback Cayden Davis rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns and completed 5 of 12 passes for 104 yards and two more scores. CT Buford added 96 yards and a touchdown on the ground, Ladainian Smith chipped in 72 rushing yards, while Zaden Tello tacked on 15 yards and a touchdown and Chance Boswell rushed for 10 yards and a score.

Through the air, Buford caught a 32-yard touchdown pass and Tello hauled in a 15-yard scoring reception, while Manuel Ortiz also caught a 35-yard pass and Smith pulled down a 24-yard reception.

Alex Terrell led the Indians defense with six tackles and an interception, Badger Sanchez also picked off a pass, and Ethan Dease and Peyton Baugh each tallied a sack.

Jim Ned has defeated Lubbock Trinity Christian (42-12), Jacksboro (42-40) and Holliday (17-15), with losses to Lubbock Estacado (14-7) and Wall (25-24).

Quarterback Garon Beasley has thrown for 652 yards with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions, and rushed for 209 yards and two scores. Aiden Ellis has chipped in 482 yards and two scores on the ground, and leading receivers in Breck Lawson (11-246, 5 TDs) and Dean Guffey (10-184, TDs).

Defensively for Jim Ned, Carter Lange has tallied 42 tackles with 13 for loss and three sacks followed by Stone Griffon with 37 tackles with 11 for loss and one sack, and Michaiah Powell with 30 tackles and four sacks. Jim Ned, however, has forced just two takeaways all season.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 17-point underdog.

***

Coleman (0-5, 0-0) at Hamilton (5-0, 0-0)

7 p.m. Friday

The winless Coleman Bluecats look to reverse their fortunes in the District 5-2A Division I opener against the undefeated, 10th-ranked Hamilton Bulldogs.

In an 0-5 start to the season, the Bluecats have fallen to Eastland (21-6), Clifton (33-12), Mason (53-6), Cisco (35-22), and Collinsville (52-6).

In their most recent outing against Class 2A Division II No. 4 Collinsville, the Bluecats were limited to 174 yards – 123 passing and 51 rushing – while allowing 505 yards – 329 through the air and 176 on the ground.

Brayden Torres completed 8 of 16 passes for 123 yards with a 52-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Stewart, who led the Bluecats with four grabs for 66 yards. Anthony Espitia added two catches for 29 yards while rushing for 21 yards. Torres also led Coleman with 25 yards rushing while Blaine Bouldin and Javon Christophe added 13-yard receptions.

Hamilton is off to a flawless start, having defeated Millsap (33-18), Early (41-21), Crawford (38-22), Clifton (27-7), and San Saba (40-21).

In its most recent outing against San Saba, Hamilton finished with 488 yards, with 412 coming on the ground, and allowed 218 yards, and only 58 passing. In the win over Early, the Bulldogs generated 559 yards of total offense.

Players to watch for the Bulldogs include Quarterback Jaxon Edwards and state powerlifting lineman Nik Adams.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 25-point underdog.

***

San Saba (3-2, 0-0) at Johnson City (2-3, 0-0)

7 p.m. Friday

The San Saba Armadillos venture south as District 14-A Division I action commences, facing a new batch of opponents this year starting with the Johnson City Eagles.

San Saba Armadillos was unable to knock Hamilton from the undefeated ranks in its pre-district finale, falling at home by a 40-21 count.

The Armadillos were held to 225 yards – 167 rushing and 58 passing.

Luke Tharp rushed for a team-high 110 yards and completed 4 of 10 passes for 56 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Levi Glover finished with two receptions – both touchdowns – covering 58 yards and rushed for 27 yards, while Jason Everett added a touchdown and 20 yards on the ground.

Defensively for the Armadillos, Everett logged 22 tackles trailed by 19 tackles and an interception from Glover, 17 tackles and a sack from Winton Lackey, and 10 tackles from Kolton Pierce.

Johnson City opened the season with wins over Granger (34-22) and Sonora (36-35), followed by losses to Miles (46-6), Comfort (21-14) and Thrall (62-28).

In the most recent outing against Thrall, Johnson City finished with 376 yards – 258 passing and 118 rushing – with the game’s two turnovers, and gave up 587 yards – 309 on the ground and 278 through the air.

Players to watch for Johnson City include running back/defensive back Colton Bonnett, receiver/defensive back Johnny Slawinski, receiver/defensive back Walker Jackson, and quarterback/defensive back Max Lechow.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 7-point favorite.

***

Cross Plains (3-2, 0-0) at Roscoe (1-3, 0-0)

7 p.m. Friday

The Cross Plains Buffaloes look to start District 7-2A Division II action on a positive note as they visit the Roscoe Plowboys.

Cross Plains thus far has knocked off Haskell (24-22), Abilene TLCA (64-8), and Sterling City (42-18), with losses to Hico (42-14) and Tahoka (56-13).

In their most recent outing against Sterling City, the Buffaloes finished with 417 total yards – 248 passing and 169 rushing – while surrendering 199 yards, and only 21 passing, with two takeaways.

Quarterback Kade Purvis threw four touchdown passes, completing 18 of 27 attempts for 248 yards. Tyler Mackey caught 10 passes for 122 yards with a touchdown, Gray Albrecht finished with six grabs for 78 yards and two scores, and Rylen Reed hauled in three catches for 39 yards and scored once.

On the ground, Mackey rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown, Purvis tacked on 60 yards, and Albrecht scored on a 10-yard carry.

Colt Sanderson led the defense with seven tackles, including three for loss; Jessey Bradford added six tackles with two for loss and a sack; Mackey also tallied six tackles with three for loss; Landry Savell collected six tackles as well; and Purvis intercepted a pass, while Albrecht recovered a fumble.

Roscoe’s lone win thus far has come against New Home (26-6), with losses against Hawley (49-21), Coahoma (48-14), and Stamford (56-0).

In the Plowboys’ lone victory, Ivan McCann rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns and returned a fumble 23 yards for six points.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 10-point favorite.

***

Frost (3-2, 1-1) at Goldthwaite (3-2, 2-0)

7 p.m. Friday

The Goldthwaite Eagles will attempt to keep their perfect District 10-2A Division II record intact as they host the Frost Polar Bears Friday night.

Goldthwaite is coming off a 61-0 road victory over Hubbard as the Eagles surrendered -6 yards of total offense – 18 through the air and -24 on the ground – and forced five turnovers.

Offensively, the Eagles churned out 351 yards – 212 rushing and 139 passing.

Aidyn Lee rushed for 41 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 73 yards and another score. Hayes Greenway chipped in 66 yards and a touchdown through the air while rushing for 51 yards and another touchdown.

Luke Sanderson fished with 37 yards and a touchdown on the ground and caught a team-high four passes for 38 yards. Talen Gardner added two grabs for 42 yards, while Zach Rodriguez hauled in a 35-yard scoring reception and Scott Reynolds pulled down a 19-yard scoring toss.

Landry Sanderson added 31 yards and a touchdown on the ground, Owen Campbell rushed for 28 yards and Gary Wiedebusch scored on a 3-yard carry.

Frost is coming off a 41-13 victory over Meridian as Mario Porter ran for 309 yards and five touchdowns and returned an interception 35 yards score. Quarterback Edwin Alvarado added 83 rushing yards as the Polar Bear finished with 429 total yards.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is a 42-point favorite.

***

Woodson (3-3) at Santa Anna (3-3)

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Santa Anna Mountaineers’ roller-coaster ride to the season continues with a home game against the Woodson Cowboys in the pre-district finale.

Last week, Santa Anna dropped a 58-20 contest to Zephyr as the Mountaineers finished with 323 yards – 191 passing and 132 rushing – but gave up 526 yards – 327 rushing and 199 passing.

Wyatt Strickland threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 49 yards. William Perry rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for 48 yards and another score. Jeremiah Davila led Santa Anna with three catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Strickland also led the Santa Anna defense with 14 tackles.

Woodson dropped a 60-24 home outing to Blanket last week as the Cowboys surrendered 451 yards of total offense.

Players to watch for Woodson include Gunner Oliver (793 passing yards, 15 TDs, 8 INTs), Britton Bellah (503 rushing yards, 9 TDs), Nicholas Romo (441 rushing yards, 7 TDs), Jace Munoz (328 rushing yards, 9 TDs), Carson Bellah (15-280, 5 TDs receiving) and Payton Malcuit (15-274, 8 TDs receiving).

According to sixmanfootball.com, Santa Anna is a 2-point favorite.

***

Mullin (2-4, 0-0) at Oglesby (4-2, 0-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Mullin Bulldogs open District 14-A Division II at the home of reigning Class A Division II state finalist and No. 4-ranked Oglesby Friday night.

Mullin is coming off a 56-6 loss to Lohn last week, while Oglesby – which is in the midst of a four-game winning streak – hammered Marble Falls Faith, 62-12 last week.

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

***

Cranfills Gap (0-6) at Priddy (0-5)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Two teams seeking their first victory of the season meet in the District 14-A Division II opener, where the winner could have the inside track to the league’s second playoff seed.

Priddy was blanked by Rising Star this past week, 46-0, and has been outscored 273-70, with no points coming in the last two outings.

Cranfills Gap, meanwhile, has not scored since the opening week of the season and has given up 246 points while mustering just 12. The Lions have also forfeited a contest.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Priddy is a 22-point underdog.

***

Panther Creek (0-4, 0-0) at Lohn (4-2, 0-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Panther Creek Panthers seek their first win of the season in the District 15-A Division II opener against a Lohn Eagles squad that has already recorded the most wins in a season for the program since the 7-4 campaign in 2007.

Panther Creek was dealt a 61-0 loss this past Saturday by previously winless Blackwell, while Lohn hammered Mullin, 56-6.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Panther Creek is a 23-point underdog.