Week 5 What to Watch For in the Concho Valley

Since Central and Wall are both enjoying bye weeks in week five, you may have some more free time that needs occupying. Don't worry, as the sun always rises in the east, there will always be football aplenty in Texas. We'll help you figure out how to occupy your Friday.

Here's a few games worth going to:

Roby (3-0) vs Rocksprings (3-1)- 7:00 p.m., San Angelo Stadium

Well, if your itch for football is so bad that you need a game ASAP, Roby and Rocksprings will square off tonight at San Angelo Stadium in a non-district game. Roby may be one of the best turnaround teams in the state after going 0-10 in 2016. This game is also a rematch from last year's 35-18 Rocksprings' win over Roby. That game was one of the closest margins Roby had in 2016. This year, the two teams seem evenly matched on paper. Roby is scoring an average of 27 points per game, while Rocksprings has a narrow advantage at 29 points per game. Where this game will be decided is defensive play. Roby's defense, much like their team overall, has flipped 180-degrees from their 2016 season, allowing just 14 points per game compared to the Angoras' 28 points per game allowed. There's no telling how this 2A matchup will shake down, but it's definitely worth the price of admission.

Eldorado (1-3) at Cross Plains (2-2)- Friday 7:30 p.m.

The first three games for Eldorado didn't look good, by any means. The Eagles went 0-3 in that stretch, losing by a combined score of 136 to 30. That's why last week's 20-13 comeback win over Miles was a welcomed sight for the Eagles' fans and first year Head Coach, and Angelo State alum, Michael Johnson. The win was Johnson's first as a head coach. The Eagles got a crucial stop on a fourth-and-goal play late in the fourth quarter to secure their first win. This week against Cross Plains will be another test for an Eldorado team trying to turn another corner under Johnson's young tenure. Cross Plains, contrary to what their record may say, is a very tough team to play. The Buffaloes are averaging 30 points per game and 338.3 yards rushing. The two teams run the ball tremendously, and on the legs of two senior workhorses. Eldorado senior Anthony Olivares has carried the ball 84 times in 2017 for an average of 157.5 yards per game and five touchdowns, two of which came in their week four win. Cross Plains senior Creed Goode has burned rubber for the Buffaloes averaging nearly 200 yards per game this season on 74 carries with eight touchdowns. To put the two's ability into perspective, they have tallied six 100-yard rushing games in a combined eight games played. This game will either be an offensive explosion or a defensive tug-of-war.

Lubbock Estacado (3-1) at Lake View (0-4)- Friday 7:30 p.m.

The Chiefs will look for an upset on homecoming this Friday. Lake View is not favored in this game against an Estacado team coming off a 50-0 thwarting of Lubbock High and a 2016 appearance in the Area round of playoffs. But that just makes the potential homecoming victory even sweeter, right? Add the fact that Lake View is currently on a 12 game losing streak, and a win would be as sweet as peach cobbler. But the task is almost taller than an oil derrick. Opponents are averaging almost 54 points per game against Lake View, despite noticeable progress from the Chiefs' defense. Estacado has put up an average of 38 points per game on offense as well, putting Lake View's defense up against another test. Lake View's offense has also started to find some traction over the last few weeks. If the Chief's offense can put it all together this week and their defense plays like they have, Lake View could break their 12 game skid. I don't see that happening, however, against a stout Estacado squad.

Maybe you want to know what Central will be up against this season in district play. If you don't mind traveling, here's what's going on in district 2-6A on the opening week of district play:

Odessa (2-2) at Tascosa (4-0)- Friday 7:30 p.m., Bivins Stadium

Odessa has been somewhat of a surprise throughout west Texas just a year removed from going 0-10. Last week, Odessa High forced Abilene High to make some spectacular plays in order to secure the win in Odessa's 31-21 loss. This game will show if Odessa is truly a playoff contender in district 2 or if a fairly easy non-district schedule set up a mirage to the Bronchos' end of the year fate. Tascosa has also shown they may be a contender for the district title, going 4-0 so far this season.

Frenship (0-4) at Permian (4-0)- Friday 7:30 p.m., Ratliff Stadium

Frenship has not looked good all year, as their record may indicate. This game would be worth watching because Permian may be the most immediate threat to Central's crown as district champs.

Midland Lee (4-0) at Midland (0-4)- Friday 7:30 p.m., Grande Communications Stadium

Last year went the way of the Bulldogs and this year couldn't be anything further from that. Lee is undefeated and looking leaps and bounds stronger than their 2016 team while Midland is on a five game losing streak that dates back to their playoff loss in 2016. Once again, Lee could be a threat to Central's reign over the district just as Permian and Tascosa have shown early on.

Our Friday Night LIVE! football coverage begins tomorrow. Our LIVE! Game of the Week features a six-man matchup with Water Valley travelling to Eden for a 7:30 kickoff. We will also cover Lake View's homecoming and Miles home game against Menard.