West Texas Football Dream Tour 2024

It doesn't get much better than a couple of heavyweights like Wall and Mason kicking off the football season at the PuncherDome.

This has been an awesome rivalry since it was revived in 2018. In four of the six meetings, the game has been decided by eight points or less. Mason has pulled off two close ones, including last year's 14-7 win on its home field.

Both of these teams are coming off 11-win seasons, and both are ranked No. 9 in the state (Wall in 3A Division II, Mason in 2A D-I). However, the Punchers return more starters, including their entire offensive line. That will be one of the matchups to watch - Mason's experienced front vs. Wall's dangerous defense led by defensive end Brylan White and linebacker Ethan Michalewicz.

Fans have been able to expect an old-school smashmouth football game in previous years when these two teams met, but the matchup may be a little different this time around with Wall debuting a spread offense after more than a decade of operating out of a run-based scheme.

Alternate routes: Eldorado at Christoval, Sonora at Miles, Zephyr at Veribest, Buena Vista at Irion County, Reagan County vs. Olney (at McMurry University in Abilene on Thursday)

WEEK 2

San Angelo Central at Amarillo High

After starting in the Hill Country, our tour moves north about 400 miles to the Panhandle.

It's hard to believe after years of Central and Amarillo High sharing a district that the two teams haven't met since their memorable showdown in 2011. Central traveled to Amarillo that year and dethroned the district champs 28-27 with a wild fourth-quarter comeback, clearing the way for the Bobcats' first undisputed district title since 1963.

They'll finally play again 13 years later in Central's first road game under new head coach Mark Smith. While Central is coming off a 1-9 season, the Bobcats' offense averaged 34 points per game. Quarterback Christian English threw for over 2,500 yards and rushed for over 1,000. Amarillo High hasn't had a losing season since 2007, so you can bet on the Sandies putting a solid team on the field.

Alternate routes: Brownwood at Wall, Robert Lee at Garden City, Johnson City at Sonora, Sterling City at Miles

WEEK 3

Rochelle at May

For most Texans, if they've heard of the tiny town of May — about 18 miles north of Brownwood — it's probably because of its six-man football team.

The Tigers have reached the state final four times since 2013, but 1977 remains the only year they've won it all. They return almost every starter from last year's 9-4 team, and they enter this season ranked No. 7 in 1A Division I.

Rochelle is also a blink-and-you-missed-it kind of town about 10 miles northeast of Brady. The Hornets have experienced mostly modest success in their history, though they have strung together three straight 7-win seasons.

Rochelle heads into this year with expectations as high as they've been in a long time. They bring back all six starters from last year's 7-2 team, led by all-state spread back Merek Howell, and they're ranked No. 11 in 1A Division II.

This should be a fun night of football out in the middle of nowhere.

Alternate routes: Brady at Ozona, Coleman at Mason, Jim Ned at Wall, Junction at Early, San Angelo Central at Abilene Cooper

WEEK 4

Brady at Ballinger

This is one of the 50 oldest rivalries in Texas as these towns have met 95 times on the gridiron since 1926.

Ballinger and Brady have also managed to produce some exciting games in recent years. Ballinger claimed last-second thrillers in 2018 and '19 by a combined five points, but Brady has won three straight in this series, including a 54-41 shootout in 2021 and a 34-27 win last year.

Though Ballinger is coming off an 0-10 season last year, the Bearcats have renewed hope after dropping to Class 2A Division I in the last realignment. Brady remained in 3A D-II, but the Bulldogs will also be in a new district with teams from Central Texas.

With so many new opponents for both teams this season, this matchup will be something familiar and a good bet for an entertaining game.

Alternate routes: Sonora at Alpine, Irion County at Garden City, Cisco at Coleman, Blackwell at Robert Lee, Monahans at Wall

WEEK 5

Miles at Ozona

This is a rematch of what might have been 2023's Game of the Year when Miles outlasted Ozona 70-68. Defensive coaches may not have loved it, but it was a showcase for two of the best offenses in West Texas.

This year's meeting is back in Ozona, and some of our area's best playmakers will be on display again.

Miles wide receiver Cooper Ellison turned in a 1,000-yard receiving season last fall in 12 games. His teammate, Tevin Meade, had 964 yards on the ground and has been clocked at 4.4 in the 40-yard dash.

Ozona returns quarterback Hudson Fowler, who threw for over 2,200 yards last year. Christian Villarreal is back for the Lions after an 1,100-yard rushing season.

Buckle up and get ready for some more offensive fireworks in this game.

Alternate routes: Waco at San Angelo Central, Wall at Sweetwater, Reagan County at Iraan, Water Valley at Rochelle

WEEK 6

Idalou at Wall

We'll stay close to home this week for a game in our backyard between two of the best teams in the state in 3A Division II.

Wall is ranked No. 9 and went 11-3 last year, while Idalou is No. 16 and went 8-5. Both teams return about half of their starters and should be rounding into midseason form by the time this game rolls around.

This will be the fourth meeting between these programs but the first in the regular season. Wall and Idalou have clashed in the playoffs three times since 2006 — with Wall holding a 2-1 edge in those games.

This will be the sixth and final game of an absolute gauntlet of a nondistrict schedule for Wall, which also plays Brownwood (No. 7 in 4A D-I), Monahans (No. 22 in 4A D-II), Sweetwater (No. 10 in 3A D-I), Jim Ned (No. 16 in 3A D-I) and Mason (No. 9 in 2A D-I).

Alternate routes: Irion County at May, TLCA at Grape Creek, Rocksprings at Junction, Garden City at Westbrook, Bronte at Robert Lee

WEEK 7

Forsan at Sonora

Sonora was three points away from a perfect regular season last year, but the Broncos were tripped up 24-22 by Forsan in Week 11, causing a three-way tie for the district title between the two schools and Ozona.

This year's rematch will be in Sonora, and it will be quite the district opener. While Forsan brings back most of its playmakers, Sonora will have to replace some of its biggest weapons, though the Broncos have speed all over the field.

The district title appears to be up for grabs in this district again, and this game could go a long way toward deciding it.

Alternate routes: Ozona at Reagan County, Menard at Leakey, Brady at Dublin, San Saba at Johnson City

WEEK 8

Odessa Permian at San Angelo Central

When you talk about the Friday Night Lights, Permian is the team the book was written about.

The Panthers' six state titles and 11 appearances in the state final gave the program its famous Mojo mystique. Permian may not be what it once was, but this is still a strong program that has reeled off 10 straight winning seasons. Permian was 7-5 last year, and the Panthers rolled to a 42-14 win over Central in Odessa.

The legendary rivalry between these two teams will continue this year on a late October night at San Angelo Stadium. If the Bobcats want to make the playoffs, this may be a game they have to win.

Alternate routes: Sonora at Ozona, Christoval at Reagan County, Veribest at Water Valley

WEEK 9

Water Valley at Robert Lee

After a two-year hiatus in the 11-man ranks, Water Valley is back in the six-man game.

With so many returning starters, led by running back Anthony Quintana, the Wildcats have gone from a 2-7 record last year to ranked No. 12 in the state in 1A Division I this preseason.

Water Valley won't be handed anything in its district, however.

All of the Wildcats' district rivals had winning records last year, led by defending district champ No. 19 Irion County and No. 23 Robert Lee.

With some key pieces back from last year's 8-3 team, led by spread back Brenner Sherwood, Robert Lee could present a serious test for Water Valley.

Alternate routes: Holland at Mason, Reagan County at Sonora, Pecos at San Angelo Lake View, Buena Vista at Garden City

WEEK 10

Brownwood at Stephenville

We'll venture a little outside our normal coverage area to catch one of the state's best rivalries, Brownwood vs. Stephenville, in the Battle of 377.

This rivalry has it all for a Texas high school football fan. 

Brownwood has won seven state championships in its storied history. Stephenville has claimed six state titles.

Both of these teams reached the state quarterfinals last year, and expectations are sky high again.

Brownwood is ranked No. 7 in the state in 4A Division I. Stephenville is ranked No. 1.

The series dates back to 1937 with Brownwood holding a 46-34-2 edge. Stephenville has won the last four meetings, however, including a 27-17 win last year.

Alternate routes: Richland Springs at Rochelle, Irion County at Water Valley, Robert Lee at Veribest, Forsan at Ozona, Johnson City at Mason, Odessa High at San Angelo Central, Christoval at Sonora

WEEK 11

Roscoe at Miles

We don't have to go far to find a great game to close out our tour.

Just across the county line, Miles will host Roscoe in a battle of teams ranked in the top 20 in the state heading into the year.

No. 16 Miles is coming off an 8-4 season, while No. 14 Roscoe went 10-3 last year.

Because they share a district with 2A Division II back-to-back state champion Albany, this game will likely be for the district's No. 2 seed in the postseason.

Roscoe pulled off a 34-33 thriller over Miles last year. Hopefully these two teams can put on another show.

Then it's on to the playoffs, where all roads lead to the state championships in Arlington.

Alternate routes: San Angelo Central at Frenship, Eden at Menard, Veribest at Irion County, Reagan County at Forsan, Ballinger at Hico

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