SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are our top five high school football games to watch in West Texas in Week 11:
Roscoe at Miles
This game will determine the No. 2 seed out of District 7-2A Division II. It will also allow the winner to avoid a first-round playoff matchup with No. 5-ranked Collinsville. Miles lost this game 34-33 last year, and the Bulldogs’ season ended the next week with a 69-21 loss to Collinsville. Meanwhile, Roscoe was able to win two playoff games before it was flattened 50-12 by Collinsville. So a one-point loss in this game last year was the difference between two playoff trophies and a first-round exit.
Miles (7-2 overall, 3-1 in district) is led by sophomore quarterback Liam Yancy, who has thrown for 1,907 yards and 28 touchdowns with eight interceptions on 64% passing. Cooper Ellison has been his top target with 54 catches for 1,188 yards and 17 TDs. Tevin Meade has returned from injury to give the Bulldogs an extra dimension in the backfield. The speedy Meade has 90 carries for 913 yards and 13 TDs. Roscoe is 4-4 overall and 3-1 in district.
The feeling here is that Miles’ offense, especially now that the Bulldogs are at full strength, will be a bit too much for Roscoe this time around
The pick: Miles 35, Roscoe 28
Ozona at Christoval
Christoval may have saved its season last week with a 20-13 win over Sonora. If the Cougars can pull off another upset this week, they can lock up a playoff spot and finish as high as second place. With a loss, however, they could end up on the wrong side of a tiebreaker and miss out altogether. Around the district, Sonora-Colorado City and Forsan-Reagan County will also impact the playoff race. The only certainties are Reagan County is the district champ, Ozona has qualified, and Colorado City has been eliminated.
Christoval (3-6 overall, 2-2 in district) was led last week by a strong defensive effort and the running of Manuel Riojas, who had 21 carries for 134 yards and a TD. Ozona (7-2, 3-1) is coming off a 50-28 win over Forsan. The Lions were led by Christian Villarreal, who had 16 carries for 168 yards and two TDs, and Michael Daniels, who had nine carries for 111 yards and three TDs.
These teams have five common opponents, and Ozona had a better showing in all five matchups, so the Lions seem like the clear favorite. But Christoval knows its season could be on the line, so expect a fight from the Cougars.
The pick: Ozona 34, Christoval 24
Clifton at Brady
Second place in District 5-3A Division II is on the line in this matchup. Brady is 7-2 overall, while Clifton is 6-3. Both teams have 3-1 records in district. Brady’s six-game winning streak was snapped last week in a 42-21 loss to Tolar, a state finalist last year. Clifton has lost only once in its last five games, and that was a 41-0 loss to Tolar.
Brady’s rushing attack was slowed down last week, but the 1-2 punch of Johnny Menefield (971 yards) and Ashton Taylor (966 yards) is typically a handful for opposing teams. Clifton is led by quarterback Joaquin De La Hoya, who has rushed for 718 yards and thrown for 382. This is believed to be only the second meeting between these programs. Clifton defeated Brady 39-19 in a playoff game in 1970.
The pick: Brady 31, Clifton 24
Ballinger at Hico
If the Ballinger Bearcats want to finish this season with a playoff trip, they’re going to have to earn it about 130 miles away in Hico. This is the first-ever meeting between these teams, and the fourth and final playoff spot from District 5-2A Division I is on the line.
Ballinger (4-5 overall, 1-3 in district) and Hico (5-4, 1-3) each had convincing wins over Bangs, and both had narrow losses to Coleman to find themselves in this spot. Ballinger is led by running back Aiden Pena, who has 819 yards and 10 TDs. The Bearcats’ defense is allowing 19.7 points per game. This should be a close game from start to finish, and we’re giving the edge to Ballinger.
The pick: Ballinger 21, Hico 20
Eden at Menard
This rivalry game has big implications for the playoffs and title race in District 15-1A Division I. If Menard wins, the Yellow Jackets will complete a perfect run through district play and end Eden’s season. If Eden wins, however, the Bulldogs would force a three-team tie for the title and earn a playoff spot. Depending on how the points tiebreaker shook out, either Menard or Medina would miss the playoffs.
Menard (7-1-1 overall, 3-0 in district) hasn’t lost since Week 2 against Rochelle. Eden (6-3, 2-1) has won five of its last six games, and the Bulldogs’ only loss was a 47-43 setback against Medina. Menard beat Medina 80-57, so the Jackets have a big cushion in a potential tiebreaker scenario. As long as Menard doesn’t lose to Eden by 43 points or more, the Jackets will still be in the playoffs.
The pick: Eden 56, Menard 54
Bonus game
Stanton at Wall
The No. 5-ranked Wall Hawks can lock up the District 4-3A Division II title outright at home with a win over Stanton. Wall (8-1 overall, 3-0 in district) has won seven straight games since a Week 2 loss to Brownwood. Stanton (5-3, 2-1) has made significant strides from last year's 1-9 season, but the Buffaloes slipped up in a 57-40 loss last week to Coahoma. Though Stanton is a big underdog in this game, the Buffaloes can steal the district's No. 1 seed with an upset over Wall. If the Buffaloes lose, they'll still finish as the No. 2 seed.
Wall is led by junior quarterback Landon York, who has thrown for 1,982 yards and 22 TDs with 6 INTs on 66% passing. Reid Robertson has 45 catches for 628 yards and eight TDs. Thomas Leanos leads the rushing attack with 628 yards and nine TDs.
The pick: Wall 42, Stanton 14
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