Week 5 Concho Valley HS Football Preview

SAN ANGELO, TX — Elite quarterbacks, dominant defenses, and Wing-T run games highlight week 5 as district play kicks off for several valley teams.  Most of the match-ups are very even and fans will be treated to competitive games with low blow-out potential. 

Take a look below for all you need to know before the action starts on Friday night. 

SA Central vs. Weatherford (Friday at 7:00)

The obvious focus in this game is Weatherford’s star signal caller, Ken Seals.  The 6’3 Vanderbilt commit is one of the top pocket passing quarterbacks in the country and leads a 4-0 Kangaroo team that lights up the scoreboard.  Seals has compiled 1,070 yards and 13 touchdowns passing so far this season in addition to 3 scores running. Defensively, Central should be prepared to face Seals.  The previous two weeks gave them needed experience against talented QB’s. Seals is better than Pebble Hills and Cedar Park’s quarterbacks, but Central will up to the challenge. 

Lake View at Llano (Friday at 7:00)

Both teams saw their perfect seasons come to an end last week.  Lake View struggles to move the ball consistently at times, and tends to rely on big plays to get things rolling.  When the big plays are hitting, the Chiefs are an explosive and entertaining offense. When they aren’t, Lake View has a hard time putting the ball in the end zone.  Llano, on the other hand, is coming off a 42-28 loss at the hands of Lago Vista. In that game, quarterback Braxton Vickers threw for 322 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.  The Yellowjackets ran the ball 23 times for only 42 yards. In its three other games, Llano was very well balanced offensively (they averaged 228 yards passing and 220 rushing). Lake View will need to replicate Lago Vista’s effort to get back on track.

Wall at Big Spring (Friday at 7:30)

Wall’s defensive dominance has been impossible for opponents to overcome.  They have not allowed a single point during the last six quarters and only 34 on the whole season.  Offensively, Chase Rios can strike at any moment. Last week, the junior scored on a long punt return and a 34 yard dash up the middle.  Big Spring is 1-3 with its only win being against 0-4 Monahans. Wall could run away with this one early.  

Ballinger vs. Cisco (Friday at 7:30)

These two teams kick off District 4-3A DII competition with a bang.  The Bearcats are undefeated, and Cisco is 2-1 (loss was a 20-13 defeat to Wall).  Ballinger Quarterback Edgar Nunez is an integral part of the offense and has to be clicking for them to score.  In his three games, Nunez has passed for 339 yards passing, 213 rushing, and 9 total scores. Cisco will be a tough challenge and will make for a very entertaining game.   

Grape Creek at Coleman (Friday at 7:30)

The Eagles had a bye this past week after securing their first win the week before.  Coleman is in the same boat earning its first win two weeks ago and then taking a week off.  The Bluecats could pose a problem for the Creek, but they have a great chance at getting to .500.  A win here would be a great start in a tough 4-3A DII district.

TLCA at Merkel (Friday at 7:30)

The Eagles have had two weeks to prepare for this one.  They are 0-3, but a bye week could be just what they need to refocus and turn things around.  Merkel is in the same exact position, 0-3 and coming off a bye. TLCA is the road team, but if they can slow down Merkel’s Wing-T offense, then they will have a good chance at claiming their first victory of the season.

Sonora vs. Burnet (Friday at 7:30)

The Broncos started the season well, but have since struggled against tough competition.  Losses to Mason and Wall put them at 2-2 and looking for answers offensively. Against Wall, Sonora’s one-dimensional play-calling was exposed.  The ground and pound attack only garnered 153 yards on 48 carries and, down 26 at halftime, threw the ball a total of five times. Burnet, similarly, is 2-2 with wins against Lockhart and Manor New Tech.  They were throttled in outings with Wimberley and Marble Falls. 

Mason at Comanche (Friday at 7:30)

After nearly 40 consecutive home wins, Mason is 0-2 at the Puncherdome and 2-0 on the road.  Mason did, however, achieve something no one else has this season, score on Jim Ned. The Indians had not relinquished a point until Mason earned 19.  Mason’s defense also held Jim Ned to its worst offensive outing by far by allowing 28 points. Comanche will be trying to improve its mediocre 2-2 start.  They rely heavily on the run game and a battalion of different running backs. Mason is all too familiar with that type of offense and should improve to 3-2.

Christoval at Winters (Friday at 7:30)

The undefeated Cougars will make the trip north to take on the 3-1 Winters Blizzards.  Winters lost its perfect season two weeks ago at Bangs, but bounced back and trounced the Ranger Bulldogs 68-14, nearly doubling their point total for the season.  Christoval’s Brayden Wilcox has continued to tear things up. He ran for 225 yards and two TD’s, adding 71 yards and one TD through the air against Cross Plains a week ago. 

Eldorado vs. McCamey (Friday at 7:30)

Besides a minor bump in the road against Winters, Eldorado has dominated early this season.  The Eagles are 3-1 after handling an 0-4 Iraan team 36 to 0. In that game, Santiago Hernadez stole the show with 170 yards on just 7 carries, the bulk of which came on an 85 yarder.  The McCamey Badgers have been somewhat sporadic in their first four games. They are 2-2 with victories of 14 and 26 points and losses of 31 and 24. Eldorado should be able to defend their home turf and walk away 4-1. 

Miles vs. Munday (Friday at 7:30)

The Bulldogs keep stringing wins together and are 4-0 coming off a beatdown of Era.  The matchup with Munday with be their third in a four game home stretch. The Moguls are 2-1 and lost to Clarendon 40-0 last week.  Quarterback Cameron Thornton is Munday’s biggest weapon. Against Olney, the senior accounted for 142 yards passing, 166 rushing, and 6 total touchdowns.  He is a serious dual threat weapon that rushed for 921 yards as a fullback a year ago.

Water Valley at Eden (Friday at 7:30)

Water Valley was handed its first loss of the season last week against an Ira team that has only allowed 7 points all season.  The Wildcats were 3-0 before that game. Eden, meanwhile, lost its opener to Blackwell and two weeks later to Irion County. This will still be a tough test for the Wildcats.  Eden has proven they have the offensive firepower to have a very successful season, and Water Valley might struggle to keep them contained in a home game for Eden.