Football Game Preview: Wallace Wildcats vs. Southwest Roughriders + How To Watch

By Team Reports Sep 26, 2025, 1:15pm

Football Preview: Wallace Wildcats vs. Southwest Roughriders

HOW TO WATCH: This game can be replayed on the NFHS Network, the official streaming partner of the NE School Activities Assn. (NSAA) & Southwest High School. Watch Full Replay

For the first time this season, Wallace will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will take on the Southwest Roughriders at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both teams are still undefeated after three games, but that won't be the case come Friday.

Two weeks ago, Wallace was fully in charge, breezing past South Platte 66-32. The contest was all but wrapped up at the end of the third, by which point the Wildcats had established a 27-point advantage.

Ashtin Johns

Rushing Touchdowns

09/12/25 vs South Platte4
09/04/25 @ Creek Valley1
08/29/25 vs Arthur County3
10/24/24 vs Sumner-Eddyville-Miller1
10/18/24 vs Wauneta-Palisade1
+ 2 more games

This one was won in the trenches and the lion's share of the credit has to go to Tyson Sullivan and Ashtin Johns. Sullivan rushed for 229 yards and five scores on only nine carries while Johns rushed for 250 yards and four touchdowns while picking up 14.7 yards per carry. That's the most rushing touchdowns Johns has posted since back in September of 2024.

Wallace was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 520 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 236 rushing yards every time they've taken the field this season.

Meanwhile, you can't lose the game if you win every quarter, and that was precisely Southwest's strategy against South Platte last Thursday. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that the Roughriders blew the Blue Knights out of the water with a 59-8 final score. Fans of the Roughriders have seen this all before: every one of the games they've played this season has ended in a blowout of 20+ points.

Wallace better keep an eye on Houston Billeter. He was instrumental in Southwest's win, rushing for 101 yards and three TDs on only six carries, while also throwing for 172 yards and a pair of touchdowns while completing 77.8% of his passes.

One reason for the win was Southwest's imposing defense, which managed to get into the backfield for three sacks. In that department, Gage Hammond was the leader with two.

Wallace's record is now 3-0. As for Southwest, their record now sits at an identical 3-0.

Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Wallace has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 378.3 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Southwest struggles in that department as they've been averaging 157 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.

Wallace took their win against Southwest when the teams last played back in September of 2024 by a conclusive 67-45 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Wildcats since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.

Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps

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