SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are our top five high school football games to watch in West Texas in Week 4:
Brady at Ballinger
These two teams are both off to great starts this season, adding another level of excitement to this longtime rivalry. Brady-Ballinger is one of the 50 oldest rivalries in Texas as these towns have met 94 times on the gridiron since 1926 (with Ballinger holding a 54-39-1 series lead). It has also been an entertaining rivalry in recent years. Ballinger won last-second thrillers in 2018 and ‘19, while Brady has won three straight in the series, including a 54-41 shootout win in 2021 and a 34-27 victory last year.
After a winless season last season, Ballinger is 3-0 this fall, including a 61-6 win last week over San Angelo TLCA. Aiden Pena has three straight 100-yard rushing games to lead the offense. The Bearcats’ defense has allowed only 16 points.
Brady (2-1) is coming off an impressive 47-45 win over Ozona. Johnny Menefield had 157 rushing yards, while Ashton Taylor had 135 yards. Menefield also had a 16-tackle performance on defense. Brady has had a more difficult schedule than Ballinger so far, and those tests may have the Bulldogs a little better tested for this game.
The pick: Brady 27, Ballinger 24
Mason at Junction
These two Hill Country teams have played every single year since 2000, but Junction has won only four of those, and Mason has won the last 18 in a row. Can Junction finally beat the Punchers this year? The Eagles are off to a 3-0 start and averaging 39 points per game, so there’s a lot of excitement around the program. They’ve had convincing wins over Goldthwaite (40-6) and Early (49-12), along with a close win over San Saba (28-27).
Mason should present Junction with its most daunting challenge so far. The Punchers are ranked No. 10 in the state in Class 2A Division I. After a 28-6 loss to Wall to open the season, Mason has rolled in wins over Brady (47-19) and Coleman (53-6). The Punchers also defeated Junction 55-13 last year. The Eagles should close the gap this time, but they’re probably not quite ready to get the upper hand in this series.
The pick: Mason 34, Junction 20
Buena Vista at Water Valley
The Water Valley Wildcats have quickly found their six-man legs again with a 2-1 start. We’ll find out where they stand against some top-notch competition with Buena Vista visiting Friday. Buena Vista is ranked No. 10 in Class 1A Division I. Water Valley was No. 12 in Texas Football’s preseason rankings, though some bumps in the road should be expected for a program that was playing 11-man football last year, even if they were a six-man state quarterfinalist as recently as 2021.
Water Valley is coming off a 65-0 win over Panther Creek last week. Boston Wiese, Landon Lacy and Brylan Naylor each had two rushing TDs. The Wildcats had a 36-28 loss to undefeated Hermleigh a week earlier. Buena Vista (3-0) has 45’ed all three of its opponents — Irion County (59-14), Gilmer Union Hill (61-15) and Grandfalls (54-0). The Longhorns should be slowed this week, but an upset win by Water Valley is asking a lot.
The pick: Buena Vista 58, Water Valley 38
Monahans at Wall
The Wall Hawks’ nondistrict gauntlet continues Friday with a home game against Class 4A Division II Monahans. It will be the third straight opponent from a larger classification for Wall. The Hawks had a classic 25-24 win over Jim Ned last week as they scored a TD with eight seconds left, then pulled off the two-point conversion. Thomas Leanos punched it in on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line to get Wall within 24-23. Landon York found Lane Stansberry for the game-winning conversion. Wall stood pat in this week’s 3A Division II state rankings at No. 9.
Monahans beat Lubbock-Cooper Liberty 28-12 last week for its first win of the year. The Loboes went 12-1 last season and entered this year ranked No. 22 in Texas Football’s preseason rankings. They began the season with losses to Shallowater (17-14) and Canyon Randall (43-14). Monahans has had a strong program, evidenced by a 31-9 record the last three years. This should be a great test for both teams.
The pick: Wall 21, Monahans 17
Grape Creek at Colorado City
After last week’s crazy comeback, the Grape Creek Eagles will try to build on that momentum this week at Colorado City. Grape Creek erased a 27-0 halftime deficit against Bangs to storm back for a 38-27 win. Sire Garcia had two touchdown runs and four two-point conversions. His 40-yard TD romp with about six minutes remaining gave Grape Creek its first lead at 28-27.
Colorado City is winless after three weeks, but the Wolves have had some success on offense with an average of 26 points per game. Their defense has struggled, however, in losses to Seymour (58-35), McCamey (40-24) and Tahoka (48-19). Both of these teams went 2-8 last season, and both will be hungry for a win Friday.
The pick: Grape Creek 34, Colorado City 21
Bonus game: Baird at Veribest
Sometimes five games to watch just isn’t enough. We’re adding this six-man matchup between undefeated Baird and a Veribest team that is only a few points away from a perfect record. Veribest lost its season opener 29-27 to Zephyr, which is now ranked No. 9 in 1A Division II. The Falcons have responded with resounding wins over Santa Anna (78-0) and Bronte (52-6). Baird has wins over Nueces Canyon (46-0), Founders Fine Arts (69-0) and Highland (52-30). Veribest won this matchup 60-12 last year, but it should be much more competitive this time.
The pick: Veribest 48, Baird 40
Editor's note: This story previously stated that Baird's head coach was Nathan Hayes. However, Hayes left before coaching a game, and Baird is now led by Dale Means.
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