SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are our top five high school football games to watch in West Texas in Week 6:
Idalou (4-1) at Wall (4-1)
Two of the most consistent football programs in Texas will clash Friday in Wall. Idalou has posted one losing season in the last 34 years. Wall hasn’t had a losing season in 16 years. Both teams had playoff runs last year that were ended by Canadian. Idalou was knocked out in the third round, while Wall’s season ended the next round. This will be the fourth-ever meeting between these teams. The other three were all in the playoffs.
This is the final nondistrict game for Wall, which is up to No. 7 in the state in the Class 3A Division II rankings. The Hawks have been impressive with a 42-21 win over Sweetwater last week, along with victories against Mason, Jim Ned and Monahans. Wall’s only blemish was a loss to Brownwood. Idalou beat Sweetwater 25-21 in its season opener and owns victories against Lubbock-Cooper Liberty, Levelland and Odessa Compass. Idalou lost its first game last week 24-20 to Shallowater.
With Wall’s stout defense, combined with a spread offense that is taking flight under quarterback Landon York and wide receiver Reid Robertson, it’s difficult to pick against the Hawks.
The pick: Wall 28, Idalou 20
Water Valley (3-2) at Rankin (2-2)
This is a matchup of two of the best six-man teams in West Texas. Water Valley began the year ranked No. 12 in its return to the six-man ranks after an enrollment bump pushed the Wildcats into 11-man for two years. They’ve backed up the ranking with some strong performances, including a 73-28 win over Rochelle last week and a 54-52 loss to Buena Vista (which is now ranked No. 5 in the state). Anthony Quintana led Water Valley last week with 13 carries for 164 yards and two TDs, and he had three catches for 51 yards and a TD. Landon Lacy threw for 128 yards and five TDs on 8-of-15 passing. He also had 10 carries for 68 yards and two TDs.
Rankin was ranked No. 13 in Texas Football’s preseason poll. The Red Devils have played a difficult nondistrict schedule with both of their losses coming to Top 10 teams. They lost to No. 7 Happy (44-38) and No. 9 Westbrook (62-28). They’ve had wins over Irion County (60-12) and Borden County (16-8).
The pick: Water Valley 48, Rankin 36
Bronte (1-4) at Robert Lee (3-2)
The Coke County Rivalry continues Friday when Bronte and Robert Lee meet for the 109th time. Robert Lee has won the last two meetings and five of the last six in the series, including a 51-6 win last year. Bronte is off to a slow start this season, but the Longhorns have allowed only one team to hang a 45-point defeat on them. Bronte is coming off a 51-38 loss to Eden last week.
Robert Lee has had a habit of playing close games this year. Three of the Steers’ games have been decided by eight points or less. Last week’s 78-74 win over Sands was the most dramatic as Brenner Sherwood scored on a 2-yard TD run with five seconds remaining. Sherwood has put up some of the best numbers in the Concho Valley this fall, and he could be a difference maker again in this one.
The pick: Robert Lee 58, Bronte 30
San Angelo TLCA (0-4) at Grape Creek (1-4)
We’ll have a Tom Green County battle when these schools meet for the 11th straight year. TLCA has a 6-4 edge in the last 10 meetings, and the Eagles have won back-to-back games in this series, including last year’s 35-12 win. TLCA has struggled to start this year, losing each game by 50 points or more while scoring only three touchdowns. The Eagles had a bye last week, so perhaps the extra week of rest and preparation will give them an opportunity to find their footing here.
Grape Creek has also been slow out of the gates this year, but the Eagles have held their own with three of their losses by 14 points or less. Grape Creek also had a memorable 38-27 win over Bangs in which the Eagles rallied from a 27-0 halftime deficit. Grape Creek lost 35-14 last week to Tahoka. TLCA lost 54-0 to Tahoka to open the season. This is both teams’ last game before the start of district play.
The pick: Grape Creek 28, San Angelo TLCA 14
Nueces Canyon (1-4) at Veribest (4-1)
The Veribest Falcons will look to extend their winning streak when they host Nueces Canyon on Friday. Veribest has won four games in a row, and all four have come by the 45-point mercy rule. Veribest defeated Medina 68-22 last week. Bryce Martin had another big game with 15 carries for 166 yards and seven touchdowns. He also threw for 100 yards and a TD on 7-of-9 passing. Nueces Canyon picked up its first win of the season last week 46-27 over Knippa. This is Veribest’s last nondistrict game before the Falcons begin their playoff push next week at home against Paint Rock.
The pick: Veribest 62, Medina 16
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