Week 6 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. While many teams may be taking their bye-week this week, there are still a handful of must watch games across Austin and San Antonio.
BRANDEIS VS SAN ANTONIO JOHNSON
Brandeis comes into this game on a 3 game win streak, all district games. On the season Brandeis has leaned on their running game with senior Joseph Coleman rushing for 476 yards on the season and 6 touchdowns. Meanwhile after the exciting Week 1 loss to Judson, San Antonio Johnson has rebounded with a 3 game win streak of their own. Sophomore Ty Hawkins has continued his impressive start to the season with 878 yards through the air and 13 touchdowns with his favorite target being Alex Tavarez who has accounted for 448 of those yards. The key to this game will be if Hawkins can continue to be poised and calm in the pocket. With this being the first of three tough district games for Johnson, a win would definitely be something that can set them up heading into the latter half of district play.
CENTRAL CATHOLIC VS BOERNE GENEVA
After their Week 1 loss to one of the best teams in TAPPS in Regents, Central Catholic has rebounded nicely with 2 shut out wins. The Buttons have relied on a balanced attack with quarterback Ryan Perez throwing for 537 yards through the air and 118 yards on the ground through 3 games and John Vina adding 290 more on the ground. Meanwhile, Geneva sits at 2-3 on the season also with a loss to Regents as well as UIL schools Randolph and Blanco. Sophomore Jake Rosenstiel has done well taking on the starting QB job at such a young age throwing for 641 yards in the air, while Senior Landon Grimes has been carrying the load for the Eagles accounting for 279 yards on the ground and 215 yards receiving. While this one could be interesting early, I see Central Catholic pulling away as the game progresses.
MANOR VS VANDEGRIFT
In what I consider the top game to watch in the Austin/San Antonio area this week, 3-1 Vandegrift travels to take on 4-0 Manor in what should be an exciting district matchup. Quinten Joyner has shown why he is one of the best backs in the state rushing for 654 yards and 13 touchdowns while his sophomore brother Quintaelyn has settled into the quarterback position throwing for 821 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season. Meanwhile, since their Week 1 loss to Dripping Springs Vandegrift has only given up 13 points during their 3 game win-streak while averaging over 40 points a game. Quarterback Brayden Buchanan is nearing 1,000 yards passing on the year and has looked poised in the pocket all season. This one is going to come down to Vandegrift's defense. The Vipers were able to hold Cameron Cook in check 2 weeks ago in their matchup, though the Tigers losing starting quarterback Ivan Villegas didn't help. If Vandegrift can do the same to Manor and make them one dimensional that could be trouble for the young Manor quarterback. Last time Vandegrift played an opponent moving from 5A to 6A they lost a close contest. I see this one coming down to the wire. Though I give Vandegrift a slight edge.
ROUND ROCK VS STONY POINT
Staying in district 25-6A Round Rock takes on Stony Point in what will be a key game for playoff seeding when we come to the end of the season. Round Rock is coming off their bye after a 52-7 win over Westwood two weeks ago. Dual threat quarterback Mason Cochran is a big reason why with 510 yards in the air and 457 on the ground this season. That will be tough for Stony Point to handle. But on the Tigers side Cameron Cook will be the man to watch. He's put up 563 yards on the ground for the season, but against the Vipers two weeks ago he has held relatively in check when the starting quarterback went down. If the Tigers become one dimensional I expect a win for Round Rock, but if Stony Point can be effective in the passing game this one will be interesting.
PEARSALL VS STOCKDALE
Pearsall is off to an undefeated start heading into their last non-district game. After their 1 point win 2 weeks ago against Poteet, Pearsall dominated last week 50-20 over Lytle. The Mavericks have been absolutely dominate on the ground with Senior Joey Ramirez already past the 1,000 yard mark on the season with 16 touchdowns to top it off. Meanwhile Stockdale comes in at 4-1 on the season with their lone loss coming to Falls City in Week 3. The Brahmas also rely on the run game with Nicolas Martinez, Camden Derricoatte and Chris Fabian all leading the way. With all of that being said I think Ramirez and the Mavericks will be to much for the Brahmas as not only has Pearsall looked great to start the season but this is a 4A(Pearsall) versus 2A(Stockdale) matchup. And a jump that big in classifications usually lean to the bigger school