3 Savory Matchups for Concho Valley Teams in Week 3

SAN ANGELO, TX-- There aren’t many games to go to in the Concho Valley in week 3 of the high school football season.

Ballinger will host Colorado City, Christoval is at home to Van Horn and Lake View Stadium will see TLCA against Cross Plains, to name a few.

But what three games should have your undivided attention this week?

Menard Yellowjackets (1-1) @ Iraan Braves (2-0); Friday, 7:30 p.m.

To be the best, you have to beat the best, the saying goes.

Iraan is steeped in tradition. The Braves have been a Class 2A blue blood for the past two decades by making playoffs in 22 of their last 23 seasons. Iraan also has not had a losing season since 1988 when they went 3-7.

They won a state championship back in 1996

So far, Iraan has handled Class 3A Crane and 2A DI outfit Ozona.

Menard is in the process of building a tradition like that.

After a hard-fought loss to Cross Plains, which finished 6-0, the Yellowjackets appear to be back on track after a 40-18 win last week.

This is the kind of game where a key playmaker, like Christian Salazar, breaks out.

A win could prove that Menard is a top dog in 2A Division II.

Central Bobcats (2-0) @ Cedar Park Timberwolves (0-2); Friday, 7:00 p.m.

No matter the outcome, this game will be a turning point for the Bobcats.

They were just dealt a crushing blow by losing Texas Tech commit and one of their biggest leaders in Maverick McIvor.

Now it’s up to sophomore Malachi Brown to direct Central’s ship. He looked good in the final quarter and a half of the Bobcat’s win over Del Rio, completing 4-of-10 passes for a touchdown and adding one on the ground when he first entered the game.

He won’t go it alone, however. The Bobcats still have their key pieces in place to make a good run this season and ease the pressure on their sophomore.

Being able to play free and not worried about making mistakes are key to a young quarterback’s development.

Their offensive line has proven strong through the first two games, limiting pressure in the backfield. The 1-2 punch from running backs Bobby Pena and Sam Goodloe and their solid receiving corps could allow Brown to open up in Central’s offense over these final two games.

Central’s defense may be the best it’s been in the last few years and they’ll get their chance to prove it this week against the 5A power.

If Central can keep this game close, which should be expected, it means everything will be ok for the team.

Sonora Broncos (2-0) @ Mason Punchers (2-0); Friday, 7:30 p.m.

This will be the 48th meeting of this once dormant rivalry. Sonora leads 29-17-1 all-time.

Both teams are off to great starts.

Mason, led by names like quarterback Otto Wofford and fullbacks Jake Cockerham and Klay Klaerner, has already knocked of 3A opponents Wall (27-21) and Johnson City (49-6).

While Mason, who returns 12 total starters, is poised to make yet another deep run in the postseason, they will not overlook any opponent, especially Sonora.

The Broncos should not be overlooked with their 17 returning starters.

Senior quarterback and tennis star Brian Van Winkle has stepped up in his first year as the Bronco’s starter.

Through two games, Van Winkle has thrown for 572 yards and nine touchdowns on 35 completions for Sonora.

That can be attributed to his strong receiving corps led by fellow senior Wesley Dutton.

Dutton has 254 receiving yards with four touchdowns on 10 catches so far this season.

Much like Mason’s matchup with Wall, this will have a playoff atmosphere when the two teams square off in the Puncherdome on Friday.