Friday Night Rewind: Best Games, Biggest Wins and Top Performers From Last Week

Here are the best games, biggest wins and top performers from last week’s high school football action in West Texas:

Best Game: San Angelo Lake View-Lubbock High

Lake View’s 50-49 win over Lubbock High had everything a Chiefs fan could have hoped for. Lake View earned its first 4-0 start in 42 years, and it was a memorable shootout in which neither team ever led by more than seven points. Izaiah Rios rushed for 269 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Chiefs, who twice answered in the fourth quarter after falling behind. Lake View’s defense stepped up with a stop when it needed it most in the final minute to seal the unforgettable win.

Biggest Win: Junction

The Junction Eagles went on the road to the Puncher Dome and snapped an 18-game losing streak against their top rival, Mason, with a 27-16 win. Chasen Doyal threw three touchdowns passes to lead Junction, which trailed 14-13 at halftime. The Eagles defense didn’t allow a point in the second half as the Punchers’ only score was a safety. After finally slaying the dragon that is Mason, Junction moved up another spot to No. 5 in the Class 2A Division II state rankings. The Eagles will have to immediately refocus with longtime state power Falls City coming to town this week. 

Biggest Surprise: San Angelo Central

The Central Bobcats were supposed to face more resistance on the road against Belton this year, but it was another blowout win. Central’s offense was rolling in the 49-21 victory as Micah Smith threw for 221 yards and four TDs, while Darius Huitt and Zey Johnson combined for 169 yards in the running game. Jimmy Edwards hauled in seven passes for 161 yards and three TDs. The Bobcats now have back-to-back wins as they head into their nondistrict finale this week at Waco.

Most Impressive: Gordon

We don’t cover Gordon, but we’re mentioning the Longhorns anyway. The defending state champion and No. 1-ranked team in Class 1A Division I decided to take a step up this week and take on an 11-man team in Thorndale. Not only did the six-man powerhouse hold its own, but Gordon dominated in a 54-21 win. Thorndale went 8-4 and won a playoff game last year in 2A Division I, making Gordon’s win all the more impressive.

Case for the Defense: Menard

In a battle of 3-0 teams, the Menard Yellow Jackets flexed their muscles in a 51-0 win over Bronte. Menard was the favorite, but the shutout was a bit unexpected against a Bronte team that had won all three of its previous games by the 45-point mercy rule. The Yellow Jackets look capable of making a run at a perfect regular season.

Strong in Defeat: Olfen

The Olfen Mustangs are still looking for their first win as a varsity program. They had their closest call yet with a 19-16 loss to Lohn last week. It was the second time in four games this year that Olfen has gone the distance. The Mustangs will host the Veribest JV this week.

Top Performers

Christian Villarreal, Ozona: Had 18 carries for 450 yards and four TDs in a win over Harper

Izaiah Rios, San Angelo Lake View: Had 19 carries for 269 yards and four TDs, had three catches for 21 yards, and kicked 5-of-6 extra points and a 24-yard field goal in a win over Lubbock High

Chris Alvizo, San Angelo Lake View: Threw for 274 yards and a TD on 19-of-25 passing, and scored the game-winning TD on a 12-yard run in a 50-49 win over Lubbock High

Nick Leyva, San Angelo Lake View: Had six catches for 114 yards in a win over Lubbock High

Braylon White, San Angelo Lake View: Had five catches for 76 yards and a TD in a win over Lubbock High

Mason Van Sickle, San Angelo Central: Had 14 tackles, five tackles for loss, two QB hits, one fumble recovery and no missed tackles in a win over Belton

Jimmy Edwards, San Angelo Central: Had seven catches for 161 yards and three TDs in a win over Belton

Micah Smith, San Angelo Central: Threw for 221 yards and four TDs on 11-of-19 passing in a win over Belton

Darius Huitt, San Angelo Central: Had 16 carries for 89 yards in a win over Belton

Zey Johnson, San Angelo Central: Had 11 carries for 80 yards and two TDs in a win over Belton

Graciano Garcia, Ozona: Had three catches for 163 yards and two TDs, along with six tackles and five pass breakups on defense in a win over Harper

Jay Borrego, Ozona: Had eight carries for 91 yards and two TDs in a win over Harper

Kaleb Ramon, Ozona: Had 17 tackles in a win over Harper

JP Garza, Ozona: Had 11 tackles and three tackles for loss in a win over Harper

Ty DeBusk, Christoval: Threw for 200 yards and three TDs on 13-of-20 passing in a win over Sterling City

Kanin Green, Christoval: Had three catches for 75 yards and a TD in a win over Sterling City

Colt Floyd, Christoval: Had 12 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack in a win over Sterling City

Kelton Gibbs, Christoval: Had three catches for 61 yards and a TD in a win over Sterling City

Manny Gonzalez, Ballinger: Had five catches for 47 yards and two TDs in a loss to Brady

Sean Jacoby, Brady: Threw for 134 yards and four TDs on 9-of-17 passing, had eight carries for 101 yards, and intercepted a pass on defense in a win over Ballinger

Ashton Taylor, Brady: Had 18 carries for 156 yards, along with a 40-yard TD catch in a win over Ballinger

Johnny Roque, Brady: Had eight carries for 61 yards and a TD, along with nine tackles and three tackles for loss in a win over Ballinger

Dalton Fischer, Miles: Had 12 tackles and an interception returned for a TD in a loss to Eldorado

Jaxon Hohensee, Miles: Had 12 tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack in a loss to Eldorado

Wesley Compton, Menard: Had six carries for 85 yards and three TDs in a win over Bronte

Darrell West, Grape Creek: Had 12 carries for 149 yards and two TDs, and had four catches for 63 yards and two TDs in a win over Colorado City

Anthony Saavedra, Grape Creek: Had 12 carries for 136 yards and a TD in a win over Colorado City

Sire Garcia, Grape Creek: Had six carries for 85 yards and a TD in a win over Colorado City

Chris Duron, Grape Creek: Had 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup in a win over Colorado City

Landon York, Wall: Threw for 280 yards and five TDs on 19-of-30 passing in a win over Monahans

Reid Robertson, Wall: Had six catches for 118 yards and two TDs in a win over Monahans

Kellan Oliver, Wall: Had four catches for 46 yards and two TDs in a win over Monahans

Dylan Sellers, Wall: Had seven tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack in a win over Monahans

Hagyn Barbee: Had two interceptions and a forced fumble in a win over Monahans

Acea Gomez, Sonora: Had 12 carries for 73 yards and forced a fumble on defense in a win over Alpine

John Rey Acevedo, Sonora: Had seven carries for 81 yards in a win over Alpine

Evan Arredondo, Alpine: Had four catches for 63 yards and a TD in a win over Alpine

Kane Brock, Eldorado: Had 26 carries for 115 yards in a win over Miles

Marcos Flynn, Eldorado: Had eight tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in a win over Miles

Brindon Gamez, Eldorado: Had two interceptions in a win over Miles