Top 5 Football Games to Watch This Week in West Texas

SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are our top five high school football games to watch in West Texas in Week 2:

Rankin at Water Valley

The last time the Rankin Red Devils arrived in Tom Green County, they were an unranked football team and an underdog against the Water Valley Wildcats in last year’s state semifinals. They’ll return this week as the No. 1-ranked team in the state in 1A Division I for a highly anticipated rematch in Water Valley. 

Rankin pulled off a stunning 54-46 win last year over a Water Valley team that was undefeated and ranked No. 2. The result was all the more surprising considering Water Valley’s 68-20 win over Rankin earlier in the season. With four starters back from last year, Rankin began this season as the top-ranked team in the state, but the Red Devils were less than impressive in a 66-46 win over Rocksprings last week.

Water Valley, meanwhile, began this season ranked No. 14 and rolled to a 61-12 win over Garden City. Water Valley’s only returning starter, all-state playmaker Branson Lacy, had 171 rushing yards and four TDs, and he was 8-of-10 passing for 115 yards and a TD. 

Despite Rankin’s experience, this game surely means a lot to Water Valley, and the Wildcats could make a huge statement Friday with a win.

The pick: Water Valley 48, Rankin 44

Wall vs. La Joya (at Uvalde)

This is one of the more intriguing matchups of the season with the 3A Division I Wall Hawks meeting 6A La Joya in Uvalde. It’s a clear mismatch in terms of numbers as La Joya, a South Texas school just outside McAllen, has more than six times as many students — 2,236 compared to 370 for Wall. 

However, No. 4-ranked Wall has won 17 games in a row, including last year’s 3A D-II state title, while the Coyotes went 5-6 last season. La Joya hasn’t posted a winning record since 2018. Will the Coyotes’ advantage in numbers and size outweigh Wall’s strengths with its tradition and speed?

Wall is coming off a 42-35 win over 4A D-I Canyon West Plains last week, highlighted by quarterback Gunner King throwing for 415 yards and four TDs. La Joya had a 35-12 over 4A D-I Zapata The Coyotes churned out 291 rushing yards, led by Fabian Arjona’s 106-yard game. Owen Benoit threw for 115 yards and a TD on 9-of-16 passing.

The pick: Wall 28, La Joya 21

Mason at Hamilton

This is a big-time matchup between Mason, the No. 4-ranked team in 2A D-I, and Hamilton, last year’s 2A D-I state champ. Hamilton moved up to 3A D-II during this past realignment, and the Bulldogs lost 26-21 in their first game of the year to Bremond, which is ranked No. 2 in 2A D-II.

Mason couldn’t have looked much more impressive last week in a 58-0 win over Reagan County. The Punchers had 495 yards of offense while holding the Owls to only 32. Ryder Balmos was 11-of-13 passing for 234 yards and five TDs, and Mason’s stable of athletes were making plays all over the field.

This should be a much tougher test for Mason against a Hamilton team looking to avoid an 0-2 start. The Punchers look like a team ready to contend for their third state title this season. We’ll know more about just how good they are after this week.

The pick: Mason 28, Hamilton 14

Sterling City at Westbrook

This is a rematch of a memorable 2021 state quarterfinal game that Westbrook won 44-41, bringing an end to Sterling City’s state title defense. Westbrook went on to bring home a state title of its own that season, then won it all again in 2022.

These teams haven’t met since then, because Sterling City moved up to 11-man in 2022 and spent the last four years there. But the Eagles returned to the six-man ranks last week, and they looked like they never left after claiming a 66-27 win over Grandfalls, the No. 10-ranked team in 1A D-II. 

Westbrook isn’t the state power it once was, but the Wildcats still went 7-3 last year, and they rolled to a 58-8 win over Whitharral to open this season. 

Westbrook opened this season ranked No. 21, while Sterling City was No. 23. All indications point to this being a great football game.

The pick: Sterling City 52, Westbrook 46

Miles at Christoval

Both of these teams played some strong defense last week by holding their opponents to 14 points, but only one of them walked away with a win.

Christoval’s 35-14 win over Eldorado was highlighted by a powerful rushing attack, led by Danny Alfaro’s nine carries for 170 yards and four touchdowns. Yet the Cougars’ defense did an outstanding job limiting the Eagles, highlighted by Kash Bates’ three interceptions.

Miles’ defense was also impressive in holding Sonora’s explosive offense to just two touchdowns, but the Bulldogs managed only one score in a 14-6 loss.

Both of these teams have returning quarterbacks — Christoval’s Ty DeBusk and Miles’ Liam Yancy — with capable playmakers around them. Their defenses should be challenged to replicate last week’s performances.

The pick: Christoval 28, Miles 21

Preview of San Angelo Teams

San Angelo Central at Mansfield Lake Ridge

The Central Bobcats had a statement win last week with a 28-23 victory over an Abilene High team ranked No. 18 in the state in 5A D-I. Can the Bobcats keep it rolling? 

Central travels to the Metroplex this week to take on Mansfield Lake Ridge, a 6A team that went 9-3 last year. The Eagles return some talented offensive players, including QB DeShawn Edwards (2,421 passing yards, 1,346 rushing yards), WRs Mikah Blow (32 catches, 710 yards) and Jayden Evans (35-761) and RB Jaiden Cotton (1,193 yards). Lake Ridge is coming off a 49-28 loss to Walnut Grove, a team that went 12-1 last year. 

The Bobcats’ offense was led last week by RB Zey Johnson, who rushed for 139 yards, QB Micah Smith (15-of-22 passing, 184 yards, 2 TDs) and WR Jesse Smith (5-97). The defense didn’t allow a score until midway through the third quarter, but this could be a bigger test against Lake Ridge’s offense.

The pick: Central 31, Lake Ridge 28 

Snyder at San Angelo Lake View

The Lake View Chiefs hit the ground running last week with a 41-19 win on the road over Fort Stockton. Now they’ll make their home opener at San Angelo Stadium against Snyder.

Lake View’s defense was stellar last week in forcing six turnovers, including an interception returned for a touchdown by Isaiah Fuentes. Conner Williams had 10 tackles, five tackles for loss and a blocked punt, while Juan Ramirez had 11 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. The Chiefs’ offense was led by QB Chris Alvizo (231 yards and three TDs on 19-of-38 passing) and WR Chris Rodela (6-95, 2 TDs).

Snyder was overwhelmed 59-13 by Canyon last week and managed only 171 yards of offense. The Tigers lost 49-28 to Lake View during a winless campaign last year, and they may be overmatched again.

The pick: Lake View 38, Snyder 21

TLCA Abilene at TLCA San Angelo

In what is being dubbed the first annual Eagle Bowl, TLCA San Angelo will play TLCA Abilene on Friday at Lake View Stadium. 

Neither program has had much success in recent years with both teams posting winless seasons in 2024 and ‘25. TLCA San Angelo is on a 23-game losing streak, while TLCA Abilene just snapped a 28-game losing skid with its 46-14 win over Baird last week. TLCA San Angelo had an encouraging performance last week in a 39-25 loss to Tahoka.

With home-field advantage and a little momentum on its side, this game might just represent an opportunity for TLCA San Angelo to pick up its first victory since 2024.

The pick: TLCA San Angelo 27, TLCA Abilene 26