Friday Night Rewind: Top Football Highlights From Week 8 in West Texas

SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are the best football games, biggest wins and top performers from last week in the Concho Valley and West Texas:

Best game: San Angelo Central-Midland Lee

The result wasn’t what Central Bobcats’ fans wanted, but the district opener Friday against Midland Lee didn’t lack for entertainment. Central led 27-18 in the third quarter before Lee rallied to take a 32-27 lead with 1:47 remaining. The Bobcats drove down the field and had a chance to win the game before the Rebels made a late stand. It was a tough loss for Central, which had its aspirations for a district title likely dashed with its seventh straight loss to the Rebels. This was Central’s closest loss yet during that streak. The Bobcats will now have to win three straight games, capped by a victory at Odessa Permian, to tie for the title.

Biggest win: Sonora

The Sonora Broncos officially dethroned the Ozona Lions with a 32-14 win. Sonora improved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in district to stay tied atop the standings with Ballinger. Sonora has big games ahead against other 6-1 teams — at home against Ballinger on Oct. 30 and at Forsan on Nov. 7 — but the Broncos cleared a significant hurdle by taking down rival Ozona to turn District 4-2A Division I into a three-team race for the title.

Biggest surprise: Veribest

The Veribest Falcons improved to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in with their 47-26 win over Sterling City. Veribest was picked to finish in fifth place in District 8-1A Division I, but the Falcons took down a Sterling City team that was ranked No. 23 in the state heading into the season. Veribest is now tied for the early lead in district with No.5-ranked Menard, and the Falcons at least have a fighting chance to try and get into the playoffs, though they’ll still have to get past Menard or No. 10 Water Valley.

Most impressive win: Ballinger

The Ballinger Bearcats trailed Colorado City 14-13 at halftime before rallying for a 34-14 win to improve to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in District 4-2A Division I. It was the third second-half comeback this season for the Bearcats. Ballinger was dealing with a classic trap game after its win over previously undefeated Forsan a week earlier, but the Bearcats found a way to win on the road against a much-improved Colorado City team. They made a defensive stand on the opening drive of the second half after the Wolves reached the 11-yard line, then they drove 89 for the go-ahead touchdown.

Case for the defense: Mason

The Mason Punchers held San Saba to only 77 yards of offense in their 47-0 win. No. 2-ranked Mason continues to look like a state-title contender after the Punchers won their seventh straight game, which included six wins by 21 points or more. Mason has also posted three shutouts.

Strong in defeat: Colorado City

The Colorado City Wolves let a 14-13 halftime lead slip away against Ballinger, but they’ve still shown impressive progress this year on the way to a 4-4 overall record and 1-3 mark in district. They’re likely going to be unable to sneak into the playoffs even with wins over Forsan and Christoval, but they’ve finally turned the corner after seven straight years with two wins or less.

Top performers

Gunner Garza, Wall: Had seven carries for 92 yards and a TD, and intercepted a pass in a win over TLCA San Angelo

Aaron Segura, Sonora: Threw for 318 yards and three TDs on 22-of-40 passing in a win over Ozona

Wyatt Killough, Sonora: Had five catches for 134 yards and two TDs, and forced a fumble in a win over Ozona

Alex Portillo, Sonora: Had 19 tackles and two pass breakups in a win over Ozona

Angel Diaz, Sonora: Had four catches for 58 yards, and returned an interception 70 yards for a TD in a win over Ozona

Armani Coronado, Sonora: Had 16 tackles in a win over Ozona

Malachi Wauqua, Robert Lee: Had seven carries for 93 yards and three TDs, and threw two TD passes in a win over Santa Anna

Major Smith, Robert Lee: Had a TD catch, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in a win over Santa Anna

Josh Garcez, Robert Lee: Had 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a TD run in a win over Santa Anna

Keagan Reno, Blackwell: Had two interceptions, one of which was returned for a TD, and had a TD catch in a win over Trent

Rennder Gardenhire, Blackwell: Had eight tackles and an INT returned for a TD, along with two TD runs in a win over Trent

Zade Linman, Blackwell: Returned an interception for a TD in a win over Trent

Zey Johnson, San Angelo Central: Had 28 carries for 96 yards and four TDs in a loss to Midland Lee

Jesse Smith, San Angelo Central: Had five catches for 90 yards in a loss to Midland Lee

Malachi Bentley, Ballinger: Had 10 carries for 104 yards and two TDs in a win over Colorado City

Wyatt Clemens, Ballinger: Threw for 190 yards on 20-of-33 passing, and had nine carries for 30 yards and two TD runs in a win over Colorado City

Hunter Kresta, Ballinger: Had six catches for 86 yards in a win over Colorado City

Brody Wilde, Ballinger: Had eight catches for 59 yards, along with six carries for 37 yards and a TD in a win over Colorado City

Josh Martinez, Ballinger: Had 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and blocked an extra point in a win over Colorado City

Dylan Page, Ballinger: Had six tackles and two sacks in a win over Colorado City

Kyle Bowers, Coleman: Had five catches for 53 yards and a TD in a loss to Bangs

Branson Lacy, Water Valley: Had 13 carries for 197 yards and six TDs, threw for 92 yards and a TD on 7-of-9 passing, had 10 tackles, a tackle for loss, a fumble recovery, and returned a kick for a TD in a win over Irion County

Julian Perez, Winters: Had 13 carries for 93 yards, seven tackles and a fumble recovery in a loss to Hamlin

Ty DeBusk, Christoval: Had 12 carries for 110 yards and a TD, threw for 95 yards and a TD, and intercepted a pass in a win over Reagan County

Jett Whitlow, Christoval: Had two catches for 62 yards and two TDs in a win over Reagan County

Garrett Walling, Eldorado: Threw for 320 yards and four TDs on 23-of-33 passing, and recorded 11 tackles and a tackle for loss in a win over Van Horn

Cole Meador, Eldorado: Had six catches for 118 yards and a TD in a win over Van Horn

Chuy Martinez, Eldorado: Had six catches for 82 yards and a TD, and intercepted a pass in a win over Van Horn

Cash Williams, Eldorado: Returned an interception 95 yards for a TD in a win over Van Horn