Week 8 Previews and Predictions: Colder Weather, Big Games Make for Postseason Feel

SAN ANGELO, TX-- The Texas High School football season is winding to a close as week 8 begins tonight in the Concho Valley.

Most of the area is looking to inch closer to a playoff berth with the entire area playing district games.

Here are brief previews and predictions for week 8:

Richland Rebels (3-3, 1-1) @ Central Bobcats (5-2, 2-1); Oct. 19, 7:00 p.m.

Central got a big boost to their season with a 17-15 win at the last second against Abilene and Haltom beating Euless Trinity last week.

However, Richland should not be overlooked.

The Rebels are dangerous with SMU commit Rashee Rice out wide. The senior receiver has posted a team-high 771 yards receiving on 43 catches.

Central’s defense will likely key on Rice and force someone else to make a play on Richland’s young team.

That plays right into Central’s hand.

This season, Central has been phenomenal at creating turnovers with 17 to their credit.

If Central wins the turnover battle, they should win this game handily.

If they don’t, they still have the weapons on offense to win the game despite losing Philip Lupton the last three weeks.

In that time, Tanner Dabbert and Christian Gabaldon have stepped up and gelled with sophomore quarterback Malachi Brown to give Central a stout receiving corps and a deep threat.

That duo has caught 35 passes, five fewer than the leader Jackson Timme. Yet, they have combined for 585 yards receiving, 193 yards more than Timme.

Those four, Brown, Dabbert, Gabaldon and Timme will likely continue their upward trends in this game.

Central 34, Richland 21

Jim Ned Indians (5-1, 1-0) @ Wall Hawks (3-2, 1-0); Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m., LeGrand Stadium

A lot is on the line for this game, a district championship perhaps.

Jim Ned has only suffered one loss this season. That came to the hands of the Mason Punchers 35-7 in week 4. Mason also knocked off Wall 27-21 to open the season.

But both teams are completely different from those teams who lost to the Punchers.

Led by junior QB Dylan Martin and senior RB Cooper Castro, Jim Ned has righted their ship for two-straight wins.

Martin has thrown for 819 yards, rushed for 234 and accounted for seven total touchdowns.

Castro has been modest in the backfield with a team-high 490 yards rushing and five touchdowns. The senior also has 59 yards and one touchdown receiving to his credit.

Jim Ned will also bring some familiarity to the field against Wall. The Indians return 15 starters from last year, where they lost to Wall in the Area Round of playoffs.

Yet, Wall’s veer offense is different than last year.

In 2017, Wall leaned on Brock Rosenquist, Casey Braden and Tymber Carr heavily to run the ball.

This year, the Hawks have been able to balance the workload between Mason Fuchs, Sutton Braden, Mason Kindle, Chase Rios and Kye Herbert.

That depth will go a long way for the Hawks.

Also, Wall’s defense has gotten back on track after allowing 62 points through their first two games. Through their last three games, Wall has allowed just 45 points and offenses are struggling to get any traction against the Hawks.

That should prove to be the deciding factor this week for Wall.

Wall 42, Jim Ned 20

Ballinger Bearcats (4-2, 2-1) @ Grape Creek Eagles (3-3, 2-1); Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m.

Grape Creek is seeing the reward of staying in-house and promoting Tanner Thiel to head coach.

The Eagles won one game last year. This year they’ve already past that mark and are currently challenging for a playoff spot in a tough district.

That turnaround is in large part thanks to their defense. Over the last three games, Grape Creek has allowed 14.5 points per game.

However, Grape Creek is entering the teeth of their schedule.

Since losing to Cisco to open up District 4-3A Division II, Ballinger has refocused, winning two straight and outscoring their opponents 100-46 in those two games.

Quarterback Edgar Nunez has this Ballinger offense operating in high gear with 1,287 yards of total offense and 14 total touchdowns. He will likely be the key in this game.

Ballinger 48, Grape Creek 21

Other games in the area:

Rocksprings @ Menard

Menard 35, Rocksprings 28

Sonora @ Ingram Tom Moore

Sonora 41, Ingram Moore 38

Miles @ Eldorado

Miles 31, Eldorado 28

Mason @ Junction

Mason 45, Junction 0

Christoval @ Irion County

Christoval 37, Irion County 14

Ozona @ Forsan

Ozona 32, Forsan 14

Veribest @ Bronte

Bronte 45, Veribest 10