Week 9 of the Texas High School Football season is here and with that it's time to look at 5 of the top games across the San Antonio and Austin area this week. Lots of games that could potentially have district and playoff implications are abound this week. Here are the 5 with think have big time stories.
ELGIN VS PFLUGERVILLE
One of the surprise teams in the Austin area this year is the Elgin Wildcats. After an 0-10 season last year Elgin is currently sitting at 6-2 on the year, and already has a playoff spot locked up. Meanwhile Pflugerville is on the outside looking in for a playoff spot and absolutely needs to win out if they hope to make the playoffs. Junior Nathan Lewis for Elgin has been one of the key pieces for this seasons turnaround. He has thrown for 1,134 yards on the year and rushed for 524 more. Pflugerville will need a big game from Matthew Tryon to come out with the win in this one. Look for Elgin to get the win here though.
SEGUIN VS NEW BRAUNFELS CANYON
One of the surprising teams in the San Antonio area this year is Seguin. Not so much for their record but that they hold everything in their hands when it comes to District 12-5A DII. They sit at 6-1 on the year and 4-0 in district and won their biggest district game so far defeating Hays 41-34. Now they have to turn their attention to New Braunfels Canyon. Canyon is also 6-1 on the year but is currently 3-1 in district. While I think both teams eventually make the playoffs, a win here can propel Seguin to what could be a battle for the district crown in Week 11 against Smithson Valley. Seguin has done this with a Freshman quarterback at the helm in Corey Dailey. Continued good play from him could go a long way for the Matadors.
LAKE TRAVIS VS DRIPPING SPRINGS
You may look at the 29-10 final score in last weeks loss to Westlake and think that Dripping Springs didn't perform up to expectations last week. But you would be wrong. This was a 16-10 game in the 4th quarter and to me the Tigers proved they are a team you will want to pay attention to in DII of 6A. But first up is a game against Lake Travis. The Tigers will once again rely on Austin Novosad who has thrown for over 1,400 yards and 19 touchdowns on the year. Meanwhile Lake Travis is still trying to get healthy. Bo Edmundson has only played in 2 games thus far and is still trying to get fully healthy. During that time Lake Travis has started to rely on their run game having run for over 1,782 yards with Nico Hamilton accounting for 629 of those yards. And while both of these teams are going to be in the playoffs (Lake Travis in DI and Dripping Springs in DII) a win here will not only bring bragging rights, but for the Tigers will also continue to show they are a team to watch in 6A-DII in what could be a very wide open bracket.
BANDERA VS DEVINE
First place is up for grabs in division 2 district 14-4A where Bandera and Devine face off. Both teams come in with 1 non-district loss and this game could be the de-facto district championship game. Devine has been dominate on the ground all season rushing for nearly 3,000 yards as a team with Ethan Santos rushing for over 1,300 yards and Gabe Esquibel rushing for nearly 800 yards. While most people think that means that this game will come down to if Bandera defense can stop the Devine run game, I think it's the opposite. Outside of their loss to Davenport, Devine has only given up 35 points (a 5 point a game defensive showing). Bandera is going to have to keep pace with Devine if they hope to win. But looking at how the Warhorses have performed against teams not named Davenport I have to give the edge to Devine in this one.
POTEET VS JOURDANTON
Our final game today is once again a game that will in all likelihood decide who wins Division 1 District 14-3A when Poteet takes on Jourdanton. Poteet comes in having replaced Ernest Davila after his great season last year. What was once a running team last season has now become a passing team. Senior Asael Moreno has thrown for 1,668 yards and 12 touchdowns while the offensive unit as a whole has added 1,254 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, Jourdanton brings in a balanced attack with Juan Lerma and Rustin Schuchart leading the way. I won't sit here and say there is no bias in my pick here as my brother coaches for Poteet. So with that being said I'm favoring the Aggies here.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
