Top 5 Football Games to Watch in West Texas This Week

SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are our top five football games to watch this week in the Concho Valley and West Texas:

Menard (5-0) at Water Valley (5-0)

We’ve been looking forward to this game since before the season began. It pits two of the best six-man teams in Texas — a couple of powerhouse programs that are undefeated and ranked in the Top 10 — in a game that will likely decide the District 8-1A Division I title. It also features two of the best six-man players in the state, Water Valley’s Branson Lacy and Menard’s Cohen Ethridge.

These teams have taken very different paths to get here. While No. 9-ranked Menard has cruised to five straight 45-point wins, No. 5 Water Valley has been tested against a schedule that included four teams ranked in the top 15 in the state by sixmanfootball.com. Water Valley has gone the distance in shootouts against Westbrook (102-100), Rankin (93-90) and Klondike (72-58).

Water Valley will be led by Lacy, who has a stat line through five games that seems almost impossible. He has already racked up 2,665 yards of offense and 51 touchdowns. He has 1,607 rushing yards and 34 TDs, and 1,058 passing yards and 17 TDs. As the only returning starter from last year’s state semifinal team, we knew Lacy would have to shoulder a bigger role on offense, but my goodness. This is building up to be a six-man season for the ages. 

Menard’s Ethridge is also an all-state returner who comes from a family that is six-man royalty. His older brother, Tyler, led Richland Springs to three state titles while setting the nation’s record for passing touchdowns. Cohen’s father, Harley, was the offensive coordinator for those teams and is one of the game’s best coaching minds. Cohen is a talented playmaker whose numbers aren’t near as staggering as they could be, because Menard’s games have all been 45-point blowouts. He has 619 rushing yards and 15 TDs, along with 388 passing yards and 11 TDs, with two kicks returned for a score and an interception returned for a TD.

This has the potential to be the game of the season. Let’s hope it lives up to the hype. Water Valley’s big-game experience and familiarity with four-quarter battles is why we’re giving the Wildcats the edge.

The pick: Water Valley 72, Menard 66

Wall (5-1) at Llano (4-2)

There are storylines all over the place for this game, which is one of the best district showdowns in the state. No. 4-ranked Wall hasn’t lost a district game since 2021 to Jim Ned, but Llano poses a serious threat. While Wall won the Class 3A Division II state title last year, Llano reached the state semifinals in 3A Division I. Since 2024, Wall is a combined 34-3, and Llano is 29-6. These are two great programs.

The big question heading in is if Wall quarterback Gunner King will play. He suffered a knee injury in the third quarter last week in a 34-26 loss to Midland Christian that snapped the Hawks’ 21-game winning streak. If King can’t play, it will be a considerable loss as he has thrown for 1,675 yards and 19 TDs with three interceptions. He also has 262 rushing yards and three TDs. Junior Ian Reichenau has been solid in limited action, throwing for 181 yards and a TD on 18-of-26 passing. He has two carries for 22 yards and a TD. Wall may also be without top receiver Jager Thompson after a hamstring injury. He has 28 catches for 500 yards and two TDs, and he’s a big threat in the return game.

Wall head coach Craig Slaughter previously led Llano for five years from 2012 to 2016. During that time, Llano played Wall for the only two times in its history, losing both times. Llano has experience in competitive contests this season with four games decided by 15 points or less. They have wins over Burnet (38-31), Jim Ned (26-7), Bandera (34-20) and Brady (45-13). Their losses were to Blanco (39-34) and Lago Vista (51-36). The Yellowjackets have weapons with QB Luke Davis (959 passing yards, 12 TDs), RB Cole Landers (900 rushing yards, 4 TDs) and WR Cash Lynch (33 catches, 548 yards, 7 TDs).

This game is hard to gauge because of the uncertainty with King’s availability, but we’re not picking Wall to lose a second consecutive game.

The pick: Wall 35, Llano 31

Forsan (6-0) at Ballinger (4-1)

This is an under-the-radar district clash with the other battles we have going on this week. But first place is on the line when Forsan (2-0 in District 4-2A Division I) travels to play Ballinger (1-0).

Forsan has been one one of the surprises of the area with its 6-0 start, which included a 46-22 romp over defending district champ Ozona. We could also say the same about Ballinger, which is off to a 4-1 start despite playing four of its first five games on the road. 

After a 24-22 overtime win over Coahoma, Forsan has won five straight games by 24 points or more. The Buffaloes’ schedule hasn’t been the most formidable, but they’ve dominated it. They have capable playmakers in QB Owen Bishop (988 passing yards, 13 TDs), RB Ashton Ellis (719 rushing yards, 12 TDs) and WR Coy Evans (26 catches, 479 yards, 7 TDs).

Ballinger has a dangerous passing attack with QB Wyatt Clemens and WR Hunter Kresta, along with a running game that had a breakout performance in its last game with Malachi Bentley rushing for 96 yards and three TDs. 

The Bearcats have home-field advantage with a huge opportunity in front of them if they can slow down the Buffaloes. The feeling is Forsan will be a bit too much.

The pick: Forsan 34, Ballinger 27

Richland Springs (5-1) at Cherokee (6-0)

These San Saba County rivals have played 53 times since 1921, and this is one of the most important. Cherokee is the No. 1-ranked team in the state in Class 1A Division II, while Richland Springs is No. 5. These two programs have combined for 12 state titles — three by Cherokee and nine by Richland Springs — and another one could be waiting for them in December.

Richland Springs has owned this rivalry over the last couple of decades, which is no surprise considering the Coyotes have lost only 25 games in the last 25 years. Yes, you read that right. They have a record of 316-25 since 2001. So their record of 19-1 in their last 20 meetings with Cherokee would be expected. And yet, Cherokee has held its own against Richland Springs in recent years. The Indians ended the Coyotes’ run of 18 straight district titles with their 78-47 win in 2022. They were also within 24 points in each of their last four losses to Richland Springs. 

Cherokee has been tested twice this year in wins over Iredell (76-50) and Rocksprings (56-41). Richland Springs has uncharacteristically only 45’d one opponent so far this year (Gorman, 56-8). The Coyotes have failed to put away other teams despite winning, and they were routed 58-12 by private school Houston Emery-Weiner, which could benefit them after seeing that level of competition. 

This seems like a game destined to be decided in the fourth quarter, and it’s rarely a good idea to pick against Richland Springs.

The pick: Richland Springs 64, Cherokee 60

D’Hanis (6-0) at Junction (4-2)

The Junction Eagles are shooting for a third straight district title for the first time in program history, and this may be their biggest obstacle. D’Hanis is undefeated after six games, and nobody has been closer than 33 points against the Cowboys. Junction has cruised through this district the last two years, including a 47-0 win over D’Hanis. But the Cowboys were a 4-6 team last year, and their confidence has to be high after their start to the season. 

Junction is coming off a 35-19 win over a Brackettville team that is only 1-5, so perhaps the Eagles are vulnerable after taking a big hit from graduation following back-to-back runs to the state quarterfinals. However, Junction has also earned some solid wins over teams like Iraan (45-30), Ozona (37-32) and Harper (63-55). This is a program that has lost only five games the last three seasons.

D’Hanis is enjoying its best year since a 7-5 season in 2022. The Cowboys haven’t had a winning season since then. They have a high-flying passing offense led by QB Evan Craft, who has thrown for 1,790 yards and 32 TDs with no interceptions. Those numbers have to command some attention. They have three wideouts with 374 receiving yards or more, so this is an offense with numerous playmakers. 

We’re giving Junction respect here, but D’Hanis looks like it might be capable of dethroning the Eagles.

The pick: Junction 38, D’Hanis 37

San Angelo Glance

San Angelo Central (3-2) at Midland Greenwood (3-3)

The Bobcats will travel to Greenwood for their final non-district tuneup before the start of District 2-6A play next week at home against Midland Lee. Central is coming off a bye week, which followed its 52-29 win over Belton in which running back Zey Johnson rushed for a school-record 351 yards and four TDs on 31 carries. He also had a TD catch. Johnson now has 883 rushing yards through five games, and we would expect the Bobcats to give Greenwood a healthy dose of the bruising back in this one. Greenwood is a 4A Division I program, so this may be a bit of a mismatch, even if the Rangers did reach the state quarterfinals last year.

The pick: San Angelo Central 42, Midland Greenwood 21

Pflugerville Connally (1-4) at San Angelo Lake View (3-3)

The Lake View Chiefs are coming off back-to-back overtime losses, and they’d love to get back on track in their last nondistrict game, but Connally won’t be an easy win. The Cougars are a 5A Division I team that went 7-5 last year and returned 14 starters from that team. They’re off to a 1-4 start this season, but they began the year with a 33-32 win over Lampasas. They’ve also played a tough schedule that has included blowout losses against A&M Consolidated (49-6) and Georgetown (61-7) along with competitive defeats against Killeen (63-51) and Pflugerville Hendrickson (28-14). Like Lake View, Connally does most of its damage through the air with a passing attack that features four receivers with 20 or more catches and at least 226 yards. QB Trajin Alexander has thrown for 1,534 yards and 13 TDs, though he’s also thrown 11 INTs, so opportunities for turnovers could be there. Lake View will hope to get healthier after top wideouts Chris Rodela and Andrew Young missed last week. 

The pick: Pflugerville Connally 35, San Angelo Lake View 28

Early (5-1) at TLCA San Angelo (2-4)

The TLCA Eagles will begin a difficult District 3-3A Division I slate at home against Early. TLCA’s four district rivals have a combined record of 19-5. TLCA was also in a gauntlet of a district the last two years, so this is nothing new. However, the Eagles have made some progress this season after winless campaigns in 2024 and ‘25, and they don’t want to let that momentum slip away if they can help it. They nearly won a third game this season before Eldorado rallied from a 12-point deficit last week for a 28-24 win. Early has been a strong team this year with its only setback coming in a 51-21 loss to De Leon. The Longhorns will be a tough test for TLCA.

The pick: Early 35, TLCA 16

Other Week 7 Games

Crane at Grape Creek

Christoval at Ozona

Colorado City at Reagan County

Bangs at Mason

Coleman at Brady

San Saba at Johnson City

McCamey at Eldorado

Iraan at Wink

Miles at Winters

Robert Lee at Paint Rock

Highland at Bronte

Eden at Veribest

Sterling City at Irion County

Olfen at Blackwell

Rochelle at Brookesmith