Video: Top 10 Texas Games of the Week
Battle of the Lakes tops this week's slate of games.
The unofficial Austin city football championship game, known as the Battle of the Lakes, headlines the Week 7 list of MaxPreps Top 10 Texas Games of the Week.
Going back to 2006 when the Austin powerhouse programs met for the first time, Westlake vs. Lake Travis was already considered a rivalry. Twice the game was moved to the University of Texas' Royal Memorial Stadium.
When it began, Westlake was the established program in the state's largest classification. It would be six years before Lake Travis' enrollment would catch up, but it didn't take long at all for the Cavaliers to excel on the field.
The teams collide Friday for the 15th time at Lake Travis' Cavalier Stadium with Westlake trailing the series 10-4 despite winning the last two encounters. The 10 Lake Travis wins came in succession from 2008-2016.
The 2016 experience was especially humbling for Westlake, beaten in the district game 49-7 and then ousted in the playoffs by the Cavs 51-3. The Chaparrals have not lost to Lake Travis since.
Tradition is strong for both programs. Lake Travis has captured six state titles (five in succession) and Westlake has made eight championship game finals, winning once in 1996 with quarterback Drew Brees. (MaxPreps Texas Top 25 ranking included)
Top 10 Texas high school football Games of the Week
7:30 p.m. Friday, Cavalier Stadium
Top players
Westlake: QB
Kirkland Michaux (6-4, 200), WR
Ryan Lindley (5-10, 165), WR
Mason Mangum (6-1, 175), DB
Sage Luther (5-11, 185), DL
Bobby Duncum (6-5, 225), OL
Connor Halverson (6-4, 260).
Austin's most successful programs tangle again with the District 25-6A title likely going to the winner. Lake Travis (5-1) is atop the 25-6A standings at 4-0 and Westlake (5-0) is 3-0 in league play.
San Benito at Harlingen7:30 p.m. Friday, J. Lewis Boggus Stadium
Top players
Known as the "Battle of the Arroyo,'' this Rio Grande Valley matchup is always prominent in the state's best rivalry conversation. This will be the 91st meeting. Harlingen (4-1) leads the series 61-24-5, but San Benito (2-3) has won three of the last four including last year, 42-28. The cities share a natural border, the Arroyo Colorado. No matter the records, passionate fans pack the stands 10,000 strong each year. This is the District 32-6A opener for both sides.
No. 19 Aledo at Burleson7:30 p.m. Friday, Burleson ISD Stadium
Top players
Aledo's 86-game streak of consecutive district wins was tested last week in a 34-28 overtime victory over Midlothian. Aledo (4-1) had to score in the final minutes to force overtime and won it on an 82-yard fumble return. Burleson (5-1) must recover quickly from last week's 37-10 loss to rival Centennial (Burleson).
O'Connor (Helotes) at No. 23 Brandeis (San Antonio)7:30 p.m. Friday, Farris Stadium
Top players
A showdown of teams with 4-0 records in District 28-6A. Brandeis (5-0) leads the series 5-4, but O'Connor (4-1) was a 30-28 winner last year on the way to the district title. However, Brandeis went four rounds deep in the playoffs while O'Connor was beaten in bi-district.
Independence (Frisco) at No. 15 Lone Star (Frisco)7 p.m. Thursday, Ford Center
Top players
On paper, the matchup appears even. Both teams are 5-0 for the season and 2-0 in District 5-5A1. Lone Star, playing perhaps a more difficult schedule, is a plus-222 in point differential and Independence is plus-224. History is on Lone Star's side with a 5-0 series lead including last year's 27-6 victory.
Franklin (El Paso) at Americas (El Paso)7:30 p.m. Thursday, Student Activities Complex
Top players
Out in the West Texas town of El Paso, this game is known as the Sun City Showdown. It's the opener of the District 1-6A schedule and could well determine the eventual champion. Franklin (5-0) is defending champion and has won 11 of the last 15 meetings. Americas (4-1) would like to avenge last season's 54-35 loss.
Friendswood at Foster (Richmond) 7 p.m. Friday, Guy K. Traylor Stadium
Top players
A pair of District 10-5A1 teams with 2-0 records collide. Friendswood (5-0) came into this game unbeaten last year and after a 28-20 loss, went on to win only once more and missed the playoffs. Foster (4-1) was 6-4 in the 2018 regular season but made it to the fourth playoff round.
Frenship (Wolfforth) at No. 22 Midland Lee (Midland)7:30 p.m. Friday, Grande Communications Stadium
Top players
Frenship failed to win a District 2-6A game a year ago and opens on the road against the league favorite. But Frenship (4-1) has already won more games than in 2018, including a thrilling four-overtime affair against Cooper (Lubbock) 61-53. Lee (5-0) has coasted through its schedule so far with no victory margin closer than two touchdowns. Last year's matchup went to Lee, 51-15.
College Station at Lufkin7:30 p.m. Friday, Abe Martin Stadium
Top players
After dropping season openers, both teams have won four in a row with the last two coming in District 8-5A1 play. On the way to the district title last season, Lufkin rolled to a 35-3 win over College Station. Each was ousted from the playoffs in the area round.
Prestonwood Christian (Plano) at John Paul II (Plano)7 p.m. Friday, JPII Athletic Complex
Top players
When John Paul II (Plano) won four games last season, it marked the most for the program that began in 2006. The Cardinals under head coach George Teague, a former NFL defensive back for the Cowboys, are doing even better this year with a 5-1 record going into the Division I District 2 opener against Prestonwood Christian (Plano), also 5-1. It will not be easy. John Paul is 0-9 against Prestonwood including a 78-7 drubbing a year ago.
