Week 3 of the Texas High School Football season is here and with that it's time to look at the top games across the San Antonio and Austin area this week.
Boerne vs Antonian
Boerne comes into this game, in my opinion, as one of the top 4A teams in Austin and San Antonio while Antonian is an impressive 2-0 to start their season as well with wins over Pleasanton and Blanco. If common opponents is any indication, you would think Boerne is the favorite here. They both come off wins versus Pleasanton with Boerne winning 41-7 last week. This match seems like it will come down to who's passing game will be the most locked in. Greyhound quarterback Jaxon Baize has started off strong this season, last week completing 18-25 passes for 273 yards and 4 touchdowns, with another touchdown on the ground. His main target? That would be Braden Baize who he hit for all 4 of his touchdown passes last week. Meanwhile Jayce Toscano for Antonian has looked just as impressive. He threw for 293 yards last week for 3 touchdowns. However he did throw 3 interceptions which Blanco was not able to capitalize on. I don't think Boerne would make the same mistake so holding on to the ball will be key for the Apaches in this one. At the end of the day I favor Boerne in this one because of the playmakers.
Poth vs Shiner
Shiner comes into this game in "new territory" if you will having already lost a game on the season. Poth meanwhile comes in at 2-0 after their 41-0 win in the annual Polish Bowl over Falls City. Poth has always been that 1 small school team in the Austin/San Antonio area that has always been right on the cusp of getting to that state championship but have never quite gotten there. A win (or even a close game) against Shiner could go a long way to do just that. Last years contest was a 39-10 victory and you know Poth is looking to prove a point this season. Poth will need its offense to come to play Friday if it hopes to compete in this one, while Shiner will be looking to continue to find its groove in its quest to 3-peat. I think this one is close early on before Shiner pulls away into the 2nd half.
Steele vs Hutto
This is the game of the week for me. You have Steele coming into this contest with opening wins over Brennan and Lake Travis and Hutto who is also 2-0 with wins over San Marcos and Liberty Hill. Steele was finally able to do something that a San Antonio 6A team has been trying for awhile beating a Austin power like Lake Travis. Sophomore quarterback Chad Warner has looked poised against tough competition so far and will need to continue to do so against Kenny Settles and the Hippo defense. Meanwhile the Hutto offense has been humming to start the year. Junior quarterback Will Hammond has thrown for nearly 600 yards and 9 touchdowns with another 160 on the ground. This one I think comes down to the Steele offense vs the Hutto defense. While the Hippo defense has been good to start the year they did give up over 500 yards rushing against the legendary slot-t offense of Liberty Hill last week. While I think that is the exception and not the rule for Hutto, it will be interesting to see if Steele can take bits and pieces of that game to help their run game. Someone has to lose this one, and while both teams have impressed so far this year I'm going to go Steele in a close contest.
New Braunfels vs New Braunfels Canyon
It's time for the Wurst Bowl! It is also the battle of unbeatens as the Unicorns and Cougars come into this one with bragging rights on the line. There was no trap game last week for the Unicorns who took care of Seguin 31-7. Quarterback Leighton Adams had another solid showing throwing for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns, while their defense game up only 226 yards of offense in the win. Meanwhile Canyon didn't need a comeback in Week 2 cruising to a 55-27 victory over Victoria East. This game was all Deuce Adams who was 23/30 for 377 yards with 5 touchdowns. With the Cougars putting up over 50 points a game this one is going to come down to the Unicorns defensive front. I feel like the Unicorns offense is going to get its points so if their defense can stop Canyon, then the Unicorns will come out with the win. And I do think that will happen. The Unicorns will have a big edge up front and will utilize that to their advantage in this one. I expect a few key plays from their defense will spur a Unicorn win.
Liberty Hill vs Georgetown
We have got a great contest in Liberty Hill on Friday as the 1-1 Liberty Hill Panthers take on the 2-0 Georgetown Eagles. This was a low scoring affair last year with Liberty Hill getting the 17-3 victory, but I don't know if that will be the case this season. Both teams are averaging well over 35 points a game. We know what Liberty Hill is going to do; run, run, and run some more. Maybe with a pass thrown in there every once and a while to keep the defense on their toes. They put up over 500 yards rushing last week in their loss to Hutto with Joe Pitchord and Noah Long being the names to watch here. If Pitchford and Long have games like they have had the last 2 weeks I don't see them walking out with a loss this week. Meanwhile Georgetown will rely on their balanced attack on offense. Quarterback Tucker Griffin threw for 207 yards with 3 touchdowns last week while running back Andrew Petter had 221 yards on the ground and 3 touchdowns of his own. This game will come down to who can stop the run game. I'll give the edge to Liberty Hill on this one.