Video: Top 10 games of the weekWatch a preview of the games you'll be talking about this weekend. 1. Judson (Converse) 4-0 at Steele (Cibolo) 3-1, 7:30 p.m. Friday
The two San Antonio-area powerhouses collide early in the District 27-6A schedule. The quarterback match-up is a good one: junior Julon Williams for Judson against senior Xavier Martin, a Texas Tech commit, for Steele. Among Judson's victims this fall is 2015 Class 6A-DII state finalist Lake Travis (Austin). Lake Travis handed Steele its only loss thus far, 59-56 in overtime. Last year, both teams advanced to the state semifinals. Steele edged Judson 20-13 in their district encounter and the Knights have defeated their rival six straight seasons.
2. DeSoto 3-0 at Cedar Hill 2-1, 7:30 p.m. Friday
This neighborhood duel could likely decide the District 7-6A title. DeSoto quarterback Shawn Robinson, a TCU pledge, is protected by a big and talented offensive line. Cedar Hill quarterback Avery Davis, a Notre Dame commit, is expected to make the start after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. Joey McGuire's Longhorns have won the last two meetings, including a 26-2 victory at home last year. DeSoto took three in a row from the Longhorns in 2011-2013 and scored at lead 45 points in all three.
3. Denton 4-0 at Ryan (Denton) 4-0, 7 p.m. Friday
No doubt about the player Denton has to slow down to have a chance in this District 5-5A opener. Junior Ryan quarterback Spencer Sanders is up to 837 passing yards and nine touchdowns. He's rushed for 445 yards and nine scores. Cole Atkinson, the son of Broncos head coach Kevin Atkinson, handles the quarterbacking chores for Denton.
4. Navarro (Geronimo) 4-0 at Refugio 3-0, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Two successful programs are getting results with different offensive philosophies. Navarro, a Class 4A program, is averaging 344 rushing yards per game led by Jake Wright with 329 yards. Refugio has long been a proponent of the air game. The Bobcats, a Class 2A-DI state finalist last year, return the strong arm of Jaylon Mascorro who in 2015 threw for 4,238 yards and 50 touchdowns.
5. Friendswood 2-0 at Dickinson 3-0, 7 p.m. Friday
Dickinson defeated Friendswood 27-20 last year and the Gators have yet to allow more than 14 points to an opponent so far this season. That could change in this District 24-6A contest involving Greater Houston teams when Dickinson faces Mustangs quarterback Tyler Page. In two games Page has accounted for 13 touchdowns, throwing for 500 yards and seven scores while rushing for 216 yards with six trips to the end zone.
6. Newton 4-0 at East Chambers (Winnie) 3-1, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Senior quarterback Brock Barbay has thrown for 575 yards and seven touchdowns thus far in leading the high-powered Newton offense. The job of slowing Barbay down in this Class 3A contest belongs in part to East Chambers junior outside linebacker Colton Devillier, the team's tackle leader (9.7 per game). The Buccaneers only loss came in double overtime.
7. West Sabine (Pineland) 3-1 at Tenaha 4-0, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Tenaha is attempting to improve on last year's Class 2A-DII regional finalist showing. Junior quarterback CJ Horn has already thrown for 1,137 yards and 14 touchdowns. West Sabine also returns a clever operator at quarterback in Demarie' Smith coming off 1,600-yard, 23-touchdown rushing numbers last fall.
8. Fort Bend Ridge Point (Missouri City) 3-0 at Fort Bend Kempner (Sugar Land) 3-0, 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Ridge Point senior receiver Terry Petry is averaging gains of 29.6 yards on his eight catches and has scored touchdowns of 71, 51 and 44 yards. Kempner with a victory would match last season's win total. Kempner running back Billy Reagins Jr., a 6-2, 210-pound senior, has the power to run over tacklers and the speed to run by them.
9. Cy-Fair (Cypress) 2-1 at Cypress Ranch (Houston) 3-0, 7 p.m. Thursday
Cy-Fair's ground-and-pound attack is led by junior Trent Kennedy with 321 rushing yards and five touchdowns. The Cy-Ranch defense has already amassed 15 sacks with senior outside linebacker Amaud Willis-Dalton leading with six. Cy-Ranch took last year's game, 26-10.
Cy-Fair's Blake Faecher looks to help the Bobcats against Cypress Ranch.
Photo by Maria Lysaker
This District 20-5A opener matches a pair of teams that made the playoffs last year. Brenham experienced a rare losing season and a first-round exit in post-season.
Ralph Kallie, a junior, leads Brenham with 487 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Magnolia West advanced two rounds in the playoffs on the way to an 8-4 mark last fall.
Myles Jones, who had four interceptions last year, teams with
Cade Logan to form a solid secondary.
