Top 5 Playoff Football Games to Watch in West Texas This Week

SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are our top five football games to watch in the Concho Valley and West Texas this week in the second round of the playoffs:

Menard (11-0) vs. Gordon (10-0)

Our list this week is topped by a matchup of undefeated state-ranked teams in the second round of the Class 1A Division I playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday in Trent. No. 7-ranked Menard hasn’t lost since its season was ended last year by Gordon in this same round (48-0). The No. 1-ranked Longhorns are the back-to-back defending state champions, and they’re on a 40-game winning streak. They haven’t lost since falling 32-24 to Abbott in the state quarterfinals in 2022. What’s really impressive is Gordon has won every game during its winning streak by at least 33 points — and that was in an 11-man game this season over Thorndale. Against six-man opponents, Gordon’s closest game was a 41-point win over Abbott in the state semifinals last year. Gordon features potentially three players who will compete at the NCAA Division I level in college. Stryker Reed has committed to Air Force, Ry Reed has committed to Army, and Brayden Walters is receiving serious college interest. 

This is the challenge in front of Menard, which will try to find a way to hang with this juggernaut. The Yellowjackets are led by running back Jayden Payton and a big offensive line. Cado Bannowsky anchors a defense that has allowed only 10.3 points per game. Menard deserves a better playoff run than the second round, but this is likely the end of the line for the Yellowjackets.

The pick: Gordon 64, Menard 16

Grape Creek (7-4) vs. Idalou (8-3)

The Grape Creek Eagles will make their first-ever trip to the second round of the playoffs when they take on Idalou at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Colorado City in the Class 3A Division II bracket. Grape Creek is coming off a 50-15 win over Crane last week that gave the Eagles the first playoff trophy since the school opened its doors in 1998. Darrell West continued his breakout season with 22 carries for 185 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Eagles’ offense. Idalou is a tradition-rich program that hasn’t missed the playoffs since 1999. The Wildcats are the only team that tested Wall this year before coming up short in a 35-21 loss. They’ll be a tough test for Grape Creek, but the Eagles’ powerful rushing attack gives them a chance.

The pick: Idalou 35, Grape Creek 20

Water Valley (11-0) vs. Newcastle (8-2)

The No. 2-ranked Water Valley Wildcats will take on No. 9 Newcastle in this second-round matchup in Class 1A Division I at 6 p.m. Friday in Baird. While No. 1 Gordon has rightfully commanded attention as it goes for a third straight state title, Water Valley has been rolling along in the No. 2 spot nearly all season. The Wildcats have 45’d every opponent, with the exception of a 37-point win over No. 6 Robert Lee. They’ve also allowed only nine points per game with one of the state’s best defenses, led by linebacker Boston Wiese. Quarterback Landon Lacy and running back Branson Lacy highlight a dangerous offense. Newcastle’s only two losses are to No. 3 May (60-42) and the No. 1 team in 1A Division II, Jayton (61-16). Newcastle is a solid program that shouldn’t be taken lightly, but Water Valley simply has too much firepower.

The pick: Water Valley 68, Newcastle 20

Robert Lee (10-1) vs. Valley (5-6)

The No. 6-ranked Robert Lee Steers won their first playoff trophy in 13 years last week, and they’ll be favored to win another one when they clash with Valley at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Borden County High School in Gail. Robert Lee’s only loss this season was against No. 2 Water Valley (67-30). The Steers had a stellar defensive showing in last week’s 60-14 win over No. 10 Ira, forcing five turnovers. Brenner Sherwood had a fumble recovery and two interceptions, one of which he returned 80 yards for a TD on the last play of the first half. The dynamic athlete also had 129 rushing yards and a TD, along with two TD passes. Valley began this season 0-6 before rattling off five straight wins to reach this point. The Patriots are certainly battle-tested after losses to Strawn, Gordon, Jayton, Nazareth, Whitharral and Claude, who have a combined record of 55-8. They were only within 20 points of one of those games, however, and it seems like Robert Lee will also be too much for Valley to overcome.

The pick: Robert Lee 76, Valley 30

Mason (8-3) vs. Schulenburg (6-5)

After a 1-3 start to the season, the Mason Punchers have won seven in a row and are back in familiar territory in the second round of the Class 2A Division I playoffs, where they’ll play Schulenburg at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Cedar Park. Mason’s success has been fueled by a defense that has allowed only five points per game during its winning streak. Schulenburg’s 6-5 record is a bit misleading considering the Shorthorns lost overtime games to Rogers and Burton. Their other three losses were against teams with eight or more wins, including a 42-20 defeat to No. 2 Ganado in district. Schulenburg is a team that is capable of giving Mason some trouble, and this could be our most competitive game of the week.

The pick: Mason 28, Schulenburg 21

Quick Hits

San Angelo Central (8-3) vs. Southlake Carroll (11-0)

The Central Bobcats are in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2020, but they drew the No. 1 ranked team in Texas in Class 6A, Southlake Carroll. Their game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Art Briles Stadium in Stephenville. Central is enjoying its winningest season since 2017. The Bobcats are coming off a 24-14 win over El Paso Pebble Hills last week that was their fourth straight win since an 0-2 start in district play. Carroll blanked Crowley 35-0 last week. The Dragons have won every game this year by at least 28 points. Their lineup is stacked with Division I college commits, and they’ll be an overwhelming favorite in this one.

Wall (11-0) vs. Childress (8-3)

The No. 2-ranked Wall Hawks will meet Childress in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row when they play in the area round of the Class 3A Division II bracket at 6 p.m. Thursday in Snyder. Wall has won the previous three meetings, including a 49-14 blowout last year, but Childress was close in a 21-14 loss a year earlier. The Bobcats can put up some points, as evidenced by an 84-34 win over Littlefield last week, but Wall’s defense has been exceptional, allowing 6.5 points per game. Only one team has been within 14 points of Wall this year, and that should continue this week.

Junction (11-0) vs. Falls City (7-4)

The No. 4-ranked Junction Eagles will play Falls City for the third time in the last 12 months when they meet at 7 p.m. Friday in Bandera in the second round of the Class 2A Division II playoffs. Junction has rolled in the last two meetings — 48-0 earlier this season and 35-13 in this round of the playoffs last year. Falls City is a traditional power, but Junction is in the midst of an incredible run in which the Eagles have won 20 of their last 21 games, losing only to Shiner in the state quarterfinals last year. Junction has the look of a team ready to make another deep playoff run.

Richland Springs (9-1) vs. Zephyr (10-1)

The No. 2-ranked Richland Springs Coyotes will take on another one-loss team when they play Zephyr in the second round of the 1A Division II playoffs at 6:30 p.m. Friday in San Saba. Richland Springs hasn’t lost since a season-opening 52-6 defeat against No. 1 Gordon. The Coyotes bounced back the next week with a 42-14 win over a May team ranked No. 3 in the state, reminding everyone that Richland Springs is still very much a contender. They haven’t seen much in the way of competition since then, however. Zephyr’s only loss was 86-38 to No. 6 Strawn. Richland Springs has to be considered the favorite, but Zephyr could make it interesting.

Brock (11-0) vs. Lubbock Estacado (8-3)

Neither one of these schools is in our coverage area, but this second-round matchup in Class 4A Division II between No. 3 Brock and Lubbock Estacado will take place at 7 p.m. Friday at San Angelo Stadium. So for fans that don't feel like leaving the city limits, here's a game for you.