Top 5 Football Games to Watch This Week in West Texas

SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are our top five high school football games to watch in West Texas in Week 3:

Ozona (1-1) at Junction (1-1)

Two programs that had perfect regular seasons last year — separated by about 90 miles of Interstate 10 — meet at noon Saturday. Both of these teams lost numerous playmakers from last year and are working in new quarterbacks and running backs, which is part of the reason both have already lost a game this season. 

Junction bounced back from a 59-27 loss to state-ranked Goldthwaite in its season opener with a 45-30 win over Iraan last week. Running back Koda Bierschwale had a big game with 18 carries for 158 yards and three touchdowns behind the Eagles’ new offensive line.

Ozona rolled to a 64-27 win over Brackettville in its season opener, but the Lions fell last week to a strong private school program, Austin Hyde Park, 45-22. One constant from the two games is the performance of running back Jay Borrego, who has topped the 100-yard mark each time for a combined 314 yards.

These are two of the better programs in the Concho Valley, and this should give each of them a good test. But Ozona seems to be a little farther along, especially with its advantage in the trenches due to its experienced and talented offensive line.

The pick: Ozona 34, Junction 27

Wall (2-0) at Jim Ned (0-2)

Despite these teams having opposite starts to the season, this is one of the best rivalries in our area between two tradition-rich programs. You can expect Jim Ned to raise its level with Wall coming to town.

Jim Ned has dropped both of its games so far, but the Indians were playing quality competition. They lost to a 4A D-I state quarterfinalist last year in Greenwood (39-12) and 3A D-I state semifinalist in Llano (26-7). Some growing pains were expected for a Jim Ned team that returned only one starter on offense and two on defense.

Wall also took a big hit from graduation, but the Hawks have hit the ground running with impressive wins over 4A D-I Canyon West Plains (42-35) and 6A La Joya (55-14). Quarterback Gunner King has been sensational throwing for 637 yards and nine TDs with no interceptions while completing 42 of 58 passes. Gunner Garza has provided a formidable rushing attack with 31 carries for 237 yards and two TDs, along with six catches for 76 yards.

Wall went into Tuscola last year and made a statement with a 24-0 win against a Jim Ned team that was ranked No. 10 in the state. The No. 5-ranked Hawks will need to be on alert against an Indians team that would love to make a statement of its own.

The pick: Wall 31, Jim Ned 14

Ballinger (2-0) at Early (2-0)

This is a matchup of teams off to 2-0 starts. Ballinger has bounced back well so far from last year’s 3-7 season with wins over Eastland (27-6) and Odessa Compass (27-20), both of which are 3A programs. Early will be yet another 3A test for the 2A Bearcats. 

Ballinger QB Wyatt Clemens has thrown for 410 yards and six TDs to lead a capable offense. He has a dangerous trio of receivers with Hunter Kresta (nine catches for 175 yards and two TDs), Pierson Nord (9-146, 2 TDs) and Brody Wilde (7-80, 2 TDs, along with a kickoff return and interception return for TDs).

Early has wins over Merkel (35-26) and Breckenridge (47-18). The Longhorns are led by QB Caden Wilson, who has thrown for 355 yards and three TDs, while rushing for 150 yards and four TDs on 14 carries. Isaac Ybarra is the workhorse of the offense with 39 carries for 300 yards and three TDs. Jaxson Stockman is a big-play WR with five catches for 153 yards and two scores. 

Ballinger will be better for seeing this game — its third straight on the road — but can they match Early’s firepower?

The pick: Early 35, Ballinger 28

Sands at Water Valley

For the second consecutive week, Tom Green County will host a matchup of six-man powerhouses. Water Valley outlasted No. 1 Rankin 93-90 last week in an epic shootout, but the Wildcats must put that behind them to get ready for No. 10 Sands.

Water Valley’s win last week — revenge for last year’s state semifinal loss to Rankin — vaulted the Wildcats into the state rankings at No. 8. Branson Lacy also served notice that he just might be the best six-man player in the state after producing 672 yards of offense. He had 23 carries for 412 yards and nine TDs, and he threw for 260 yards and three TDs on 9-of-13 passing. He also recorded 22 tackles.

Sands opened the season with a 124-74 win in a track meet against Turkey Valley, which was ranked No. 12 in 1A D-II. The Mustangs then blanked Kress 58-0 last week. Sands returned every single starter from a team that went 8-5 last year and reached the state quarterfinals in 1A D-II, so the Mustangs were expected to be good.

Will Sands’ experience give the Mustangs an advantage over a Water Valley team that returned just one starter from last year’s 13-1 team? Maybe. But that one starter is Branson Lacy, so we’re still going with Water Valley, though it may be another long night for the scoreboard operator.

The pick: Water Valley 82, Valley 68

Reagan County (1-1) at Miles (1-1)

This is a matchup of two teams that both rebounded from season-opening losses with encouraging wins. It’s also their first meeting since 2013 in a series that Reagan County has dominated 8-0 in sporadic encounters since 1934.

Reagan County was overwhelmed 58-0 in a season-opening loss at Mason, but the Owls turned things around in a 34-8 win over Grape Creek. They returned almost every starter from last year’s 3-7 squad, so this is a team that we anticipated to improve.

It’s a similar story for Miles, which brought back nine starters on both sides of the ball from last year’s 2-8 team. The Bulldogs lost 14-6 to Sonora to start the season before responding with a 27-15 win over Christoval last week. It was another solid showing by the defense, which was led by Kane Brock and Cutter Travis with a combined 21 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks and two pass breakups. Ryder Satepauhooodle was a force in the rushing game with 22 carries for 166 yards and a TD. 

This looks like a game that should be closely contested, but we’re giving the edge to Miles.

The pick: Miles 27, Reagan County 20

San Angelo Glance

Abilene Cooper (0-2) at San Angelo Central (1-1)

The Central Bobcats will host former district rival Abilene Cooper at San Angelo Stadium, continuing what has been a remarkably competitive rivalry year after year. The last seven games between these teams have all been decided by eight points or less, including a 40-35 Central win last season.

Central is coming off a 47-28 loss last week against Mansfield Lake Ridge. It was a step back after a 28-23 win over No. 18-ranked Abilene High, but it was also a chance to see quality competition from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. 

Cooper has had back-to-back losses to Azle (28-24) and Abilene High (14-6). QB Mason Cole has thrown for 408 yards on 36-of-62 passing to lead an offense that is averaging only 15 points per game so far.

The pick: Central 24, Cooper 17 

San Angelo Lake View (2-0) at Lubbock High (0-2)

The Lake View Chiefs will look to continue their red-hot start when they travel to Lubbock for a 4 p.m. game Friday. Lake View is averaging 51.5 points per game while allowing only 9.5 points, capped by last week’s 62-0 win over Snyder.

QB Chris Alvizo threw for 423 yards and six touchdowns and ran for another score. Five receivers had 60 yards or more, led by sophomore Andrew Young with five catches for 94 yards and three TDs. Conner Williams had 13 tackles and five tackles for loss to help the Chiefs earn their first shutout since 2021.

Lubbock High has struggled to an 0-2 start with losses to Lubbock Estacado (47-13) and Lubbock Coronado (21-10). The Westerners had a 50-49 shootout loss to Lake View last year, but it seems unlikely they’ll be able to keep up with the Chiefs this season.

The pick: Lake View 38, Lubbock High 21

Winters (0-2) at TLCA San Angelo (1-1)

The TLCA Eagles snapped a 23-game losing streak last week with their 67-20 win over TLCA Abilene. Now they have a chance to start a winning streak when they travel to play Winters on Thursday.

TLCA struggled through back-to-back seasons without a win after it reached the playoffs in 2023. But the Eagles appear to be heading in the right direction under new head coach Robert Ontiveroz. Even a 39-25 loss to Tahoka to open the year was an encouraging start.

Winters has won only eight games since 2021, so the Blizzards are also trying to find their footing. They’re in their second year under head coach Ryan Pannell. Winters has found the end zone only once so far in losses to Shamrock (15-8) and Colorado City (38-0).

This seems like a good chance for TLCA to keep the momentum rolling.

The pick: TLCA 34, Winters 16

Other Week 3 Games

Veribest at Bronte

May at Sterling City

Eastland at Grape Creek

Christoval at McCamey

Eldorado at Sonora

Hamilton at Brady

Mason at Granger

TLCA Abilene at Coleman

Goldthwaite at San Saba

Ira at Garden City

Robert Lee at Blackwell

Midland Holy Cross at Paint Rock

Santa Anna at Panther Creek

Rochelle at Eden

Irion County at Sanderson

Menard vs. Williamson County Home School (at Priddy)

Olfen at Moran

Paint Creek at Lohn

Perrin Grace Christian at Richland Springs