COVER1 PREGAME: Week One High School Football Predictions

SAN ANGELO, TX –Week 1 of the 2023-2023 Texas High School Football season is here. Will your team start the season with a win or a loss? The Cover1 crew of Matt Trammell, James Bouligny, and Ryan Chadwick give their takes on six local games.

Follow the the scores tonight on the Texas Bank Scoreboard.

CENTRAL V SHOEMAKER

Matt Trammell - The game that we’ve all been waiting for. Everyone in the Concho Valley has had their eye on week one for the Bobcats to find out who will be the starting QB. All summer long there has been a QB battle between Christian English and Colton Hill. Our insiders are expecting English to start but will it last? I’m not exactly sure who will end the season or the game for the ‘Cats but either way don’t expect anything too pretty this game. PICK: Shoemaker 48 - Central 21. 

James Boulginy - Can Central get things started off right with a new defensive coordinator? Will Christian English or Colton Hill get the start at quarterback? Will the new weapons outside for the Bobcats step up? There are a lot of question marks this season but one thing the ‘Cats have is a running game. If Central can control the line, something Shoemaker has had difficulty doing in the past, and eat clock, maybe the Cats can pull off the upset. PICK: Shoemaker 45 - Central 21

Ryan Chadwick - The Bobcats enter the 2023 season with many new faces on on both sides of the ball. Namely, the quarterback position. Replacing a guy like Tyler Hill is never easy, but the Bocbats have two solid choices to choose from. Coach Crane says that he has not made the decision yet, but I think it will be Junior Christian English under center tonight for the ‘Cats. English was athletic enough to play somewhere on the field last season on Varsity, but Crane made the decision to keep the young man on JV so he could gain much needed experience at quarterback. He is accurate with the football, has a strong arm, and is elusive in space. Colton Hill, Tyler’s little brother, may be an athlete, but English has time and experience on his side. Defensively, the Bocbats changed their entire scheme with the addition of new defensive coordinator Jacob Martin. The ‘Cats will use the speed they have on the front end to counter what Killeen Shoemaker brings to the table athletically. Containing Shoemakers backs will be the hardest challenge the Central faces tonight. If they can box in the ball carriers and rally to the ball for a gang tackle, Shoemaker will find scoring on this defense tough. Regardless, Central faces a tough test tonight. The game could honestly go either way as these two teams never have huge advantages over one another. I’m picking the Bobcats to win tonight. Central 35 - Shoemaker 28.

OTHER PICKS: Yantis Green - Shoemaker. Ernesto Rodriguez - Shoemaker. Scott Menchaca - Shoemaker. Lexi Dykes - Shoemaker

TLCA V OZONA

Trammell - How well can a team be after getting a new head coach in the middle of July? Well we are about to find out with the TLCA San Angelo Eagles. Last year the Eagles came off of the most winning season in program history. Despite that, a head coaching change could lead to a slow start on offense. Despite that TLCA’s athleticism should boost them past this Ozona program that struggled a year ago. PICK: TLCA San Angelo 28 - Ozona 12

Bouligny- The Battle of the Quarterbacks. Eagle quarterback Layne Honea brings a lot of respect from around the Concho Valley. New head coach Paulo Gonzalez took over a little late in the offseason but he does bring a big school perspective to TLCA. The Ozona Lions are in a tough district but this should be a good game to get a decent look. Quarterback Hudson Fowler can throw it as demonstrated in the 2022 Miles/Ozona game when he was practically perfect in the Lion’s upset. The Lions bring extra experience to the Eagles new scheme under Gonzalez. PICK: Ozona 35 - TLCA San Angelo 28

Chadwick - Everyone knows that TLCA’s new head coach, Paulo Gonzalez, arrived late in the off season. What does that mean for the Eagles? TLCA has to play solid defense until the offense can get enough reps to be comfortable. With that being said, Layne Honea has a cannon for an arm and the Eagle Receivers can make plays. The difference in the game will be how well the Eagles’ offensive line holds up against Ozona’s defense. I say Coach Gonzalez gets his first win on Friday night. PICK: TLCA 28 - Ozona 24

OTHER PICKS: Yantis Green - Ozona. Ernesto Rodriguez - Ozona. Scott Menchaca - Ozona. Lexi Dykes - Ozona.

WALL V EASTLAND

Trammell - If you asked me today if I could be anyone in the world the last person on the list would be an Eastland Maverick. For week 1 they have to play one of the roughest and toughest teams in 3A. Wall has geared up from a deep run last year, added pieces, and sharpened up a defense that looked unstoppable a year ago. This is likely to be a blow out. PICK Wall 35 - Eastland 6.

Bouligny- The Hawks prepare for glory and have their sights set on a deep playoff that they expect to end at Jerry’s World in Arlington. Wall’s defense is looking to dominate the competition under defensive coordinator Craig Slaughter. Returning on the Hawk’s defense is reigning COVER1 Defensive Player of the Year Brylan White, a sophomore at the time, who took the starting spot from a senior last season. Another defender to watch is Logan Thomas. Offensively, quarterback Gunner Dillard is looking much improved on last season and has plenty of options in the Hawk backfield with Nathan Pepper, Will Scherr, Hagyn Barbee, and Matthew Steen among others. This Hawk group is extremely talented and impose their will wherever they go this season. PICK: Wall 42 - Eastland 10

Chadwick - Wall versus Eastland is a mismatch on paper. The Hawks bring one of the premiere defenses in 3A football to the field tonight. Coach Guy said in an interview earlier this week that Mavericks returned several starters and look much better than they did a year ago, but it’s not going to matter. I want to see the Hawks shut Eastland out. Wall is too talented on both sides of the ball to lose this one. Gunnar Dillard is back under center with Nathan Pepper in the backfield. With the addition of Luke Kemp, who’s fresh back from an injury sustained in Wall’s State baseball game, and Hagyn Barbee, the Hawks have too much speed on offense. PICK: Wall 49 - Eastland 0

OTHER PICKS: Yantis Green - Wall. Ernesto Rodriguez - Wall. Scott Menchaca  - Wall.  Lexi Dykes - Eastland.

ELDORADO V CHRISTOVAL

Trammell - The Battle of 277. What else could you say? Well if you are a fan of Cover1 you likely guessed that I would be rooting for the team I go to bat for on a yearly basis. However things are changing this year. Sorry Eagles but I have a feeling this year may be the one for the Cougars. For the past two years both teams have put on a slobber knocker. This past year the game ended 7-0. It is likely to be the same physical and tough game as these two really don’t like each other. PICK: Christoval 21 - Eldorado 13.

Bouligny- The Cougars and the Eagles continue their rivalry in the opening game. Christoval graduated almost all their offensive line and quarterback this past May so watch the Broadway Brothers up front. The Cougars weapons include running back Manuel Riojas and receiver Jake Edmiston. Defensively, Ethan Busch and Riojas will lead the way. The Eagles are looking more experienced on defense as Tony Kmeic and Aizik Soto are the linebackers and leaders. Offensively, Omar Barajas will sling the ball and Jason Covarrubias and Soto will tote the rock. PICK: Eldorado 21 - Christoval 14

Chadwick - Two rivals clash in a game that could honestly go either way. Eldorado’s defense returns several starters and are particularly strong at the linebacker position. Christoval will struggle to score points if they can’t move past these guys. Offensively, Eldorado runs the ball well, but Coach Otho’s offensive scheme always produces points. The quarterback position is still a question mark at the moment in Christoval but Manuel Rojas is incredibly talented in the backfield. The final outcome will come down to whether or not the Eagles can stop Rojas from running wild. PICK: Christoval 21 - Eldorado 17

OTHER PICKS: Yantis Green - Eldorado. Ernesto Rodriguez - Eldorado. Scott Menchaca  - Eldorado.  Lexi Dykes - Christoval.

MILES V KERMIT

Trammell - It’s been 288 days since the Miles Bulldogs had their hearts ripped out of their chest. In the first round of the playoffs a missed extra point sealed their fate against the Sterling City Eagles. This season however they have used that as fuel for their senior heavy squad. Expect fire works early from the Miles and a blowout in week 1. PICK: Miles 42 - Kermit 16.

Bouligny- The Miles Bulldogs will go as far as quarterback Hayven Book can take them. The talented signal caller, who led the Bulldogs to back-to-back 7-on-7 state championships can sling the ball all around the field. Pairing Book with Devin and Dylan Medina in the backfield should be a little unfair. Also, Books has Cooper Ellison, who had double digit touchdowns last year. I believe that Book can be a 4,000 yard player. The Bulldog defense needs to be able to stop someone so they have changed the defensive scheme. This Miles team should be competing for a trip to Jerry World this season. PICK: Miles 56 - Kermit 28

Chadwick - Miles fell short of expectations a season ago when they fell to Sterling City in the first round of the playoffs. The Bulldogs are back with a vengeance this year behind Senior quarterback Hayven Book. Miles brings a high powered offense to the fore in 2023 and the Kermit Yellow Jackets will struggle to contain the Bulldogs on Friday. Kermit played well against Lake View in the scrimmage at San Angelo Stadium a week ago, but are small up front. Miles brings some big boys on the offensive and defensive lines and should be able to push the Yellow Jackets around. Kermit has speed on offense but will not keep up with the Bulldogs relentless pressure. PICK: Miles 42 - Kermit 21

OTHER PICKS: Yantis Green - Miles. Ernesto Rodriguez - Miles. Scott Menchaca  - Miles.  Lexi Dykes - Miles.

BRADY V COMANCHE

Trammell - Who needs the Ruidoso Downs when you can go out to Brady this Friday night for Brady vs Comanche. This game will feature two workhorses out of the back field that will try and put on a show. Don’t expect a ton of points but don’t be surprised when you hear the total rushing yards after the game. PICK: Brady 28 - Comanche 27.

Bouligny - The Brady Bulldogs start their three game gauntlet against the Comanche Indians tonight. Brady brought in Stamford’s defensive coordinator Jaron Roberts to be their new head coach. At Stamford last season, Robert saw an awful lot of different offenses with Hawley and Cisco and at the Llano scrimmage, the defense looked like it could hang with a talented team. The offensive line needs to come together but when a running lane opens, running back Zeke Jones will take what's given to him. The one question to ask is, “Can the Bulldogs stop Comanche back Sawyer Wilkerson?” Brady’s defense was flying around and has quality players at every level in DeMarcus Reed, Johnny Menefield, and Mason Airheart. PICK: Comanche 35 - Brady 21

Chadwick - The Bulldogs are another team in the Concho Valley with a new coaching staff this season. Head Coach Jaron Roberts is a defensive minded coach who spent time at Stamford a season ago. The Bulldogs looked good in the preseason on defense while the offense needs the non-district games to find its identity. Lucky for the Bulldogs, RB Zeke Jones returns to Brady after missing last season with a torn ACL. Jones is explosive with the ball in his hands and will get better and better as the season progresses. Brady will have its hands full with a talented Comanche squad. Sawyer Wilkerson can be contained but not fully stopped. The Indians will score several touchdowns in this matchup so the outcome will be determined by how many times Brady can make a stop. A few takeaways for the Bulldogs and Brady might just steal one away. PICK: Comanche 28 - Brady 14

OTHER PICKS: Yantis Green - Brady. Ernesto Rodriguez - Brady. Scott Menchaca  - Brady.  Lexi Dykes - Brady.