SAN ANGELO, TX — Here’s a brief rundown of some highlights from the opening Friday night of football we haven’t covered elsewhere:
Ballinger Starts Strong With Win Over Merkel
After an 0-10 season in 2023, the Ballinger Bearcats earned a much-needed 28-10 win at Merkel on Friday to start the 2024 season.
Merkel went 6-4 last year in 3A Division II. Ballinger is making its debut in the 2A D-I ranks.
The Bearcats scored on their opening drive of the season and jumped out to a 21-3 lead by halftime.
Ballinger didn’t allow Merkel’s TD until the Bearcats were ahead 28-3 in the fourth quarter.
Kyson Weathers ran for one touchdown and threw for another, connecting with Hunter Kresta.
Aiden Pena and Jaylin Washington also ran for scores.
Ballinger will make its home debut next week against Christoval, while Merkel will visit Bangs.
No. 23 Robert Lee Runs Past Loraine
The Robert Lee Steers are off and running after a 78-28 win over Loraine on Friday.
Brenner Sherwood threw for 208 yards and a touchdown on 8-of-12 passing, and he added 13 carries for 121 yards and four TDs.
Sherwood also had two defensive TDs with a fumble return and an interception return.
Noah Gonzales had eight carries for 85 yards and three TDs, and he forced a fumble on defense.
Jaxon Tavarez had three catches for 111 yards.
Edward Samaniego led the defense with 11 tackles.
Robert Lee will visit Garden City next week, while Loraine will host Paint Rock.
No. 12 Water Valley Makes Successful Return to Six-Man
After a two-year break from the six-man game, the Water Valley Wildcats looked like they never left in their return.
Water Valley raced to a 54-6 win over Grandfalls on Friday, ending the game by the 45-point mercy rule.
Water Valley will host Hermleigh next week. Grandfalls will host Midland TLCA.
No. 10 Buena Vista Too Much for No. 19 Irion County
The Irion County Hornets were overwhelmed by an experienced Buena Vista team Friday in a 59-14 loss.
Buena Vista won this matchup 46-42 last year. While the Longhorns returned five starters on both sides of the ball, Irion County took a big hit from graduation.
Colton Lawdermilk led Irion County's offense with eight carries for 57 yards.
Kyle Olivan had nine tackles and a fumble recovery to lead the Hornets' defense, while Parker Posey had eight tackles and a forced fumble. Lawdermilk added seven tackles.
Irion County will host Rankin next week, while Buena will travel to Gilmer Union Hill.
Veribest Clipped by No. 17 Zephyr
The Veribest Falcons were edged 29-27 by No. 17-ranked Zephyr on Friday.
Both teams are coming off 8-win seasons last year, but Zephyr returns all but one starter on each side of the ball.
That experience may have been the difference for a Veribest team that graduated some key players from last year.
Veribest will look to bounce back when it hosts Santa Anna next week. Zephyr will host No. 25 Blackwell.
Eldorado Holds Off Rival Christoval
The Eldorado Eagles topped the Christoval Cougars 20-13 on Friday.
Christoval closed the distance from last year’s 26-12 loss, but Eldorado managed its third straight win in the series.
Christoval running back Manuel Riojas was outstanding, turning 13 carries into 172 yards and a touchdown.
Eldorado will host Ozona next week, while Christoval will visit Ballinger.
Lohn Earns First Win Since 2017
Lohn defeated Olfen 53-6 on Friday for their first win in seven years.
Lohn, which often struggles with numbers, is still one of the smallest schools in Texas with an enrollment of only 29 students.
But the Eagles have 17 boys out for football this fall, and they return five starters from last year.
Barrett Brock led Lohn on Friday with six carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Jase Moreno had four carries for 82 yards and two TDs.
Fermin De La Rosa and Joe Anthony De la Fuente each added a rushing TD.
Olfen is battling its own numbers game this year with only seven boys in the football program.
Lohn will host Lueders-Avoca next week. Olfen will have a week off before playing Three Way in Santa Anna on Sept. 13.
Garden City Rallies Past No. 22 Nazareth
The Garden City Bearkats made an early statement Saturday with a 62-44 win over No. 22-ranked Nazareth.
Garden City trailed 38-26 early in the third quarter before outscoring the Swifts 36-6 the rest of the way.
Brody Walts sparked the comeback by returning a kickoff 45 yards for a touchdown. He then caught a 30-yard TD pass from Presley Jost to give the Bearkats a 40-38 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Walts also had seven carries for 67 yards and a TD, but he shined even more on defense with 14 tackles and two interceptions, one of which he pitched to Preston Dehlinger, who ran it in for a score.
Dehlinger had four catches for 119 yards and two TDs, and he forced a fumble on defense.
Carson Goodwin had 13 carries for 116 yards and a TD, and he completed both passes he attempted for 98 yards and two TDs.
Jost was 7-of-9 passing for 70 yards and a TD, and he had 11 tackles on defense.
Garden City will host No. 23 Robert Lee this week.
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