Hays Rebels vs. Boerne Champion Chargers
When: Friday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bob Shelton Stadium
Last meeting (2014): Boerne Champion 44, Hays 21
Players to watch
Hays: QB Braeden Kent, RB Cody Gandy, WR Austin Maulding, WR Dustin Bruno, WR Hollis Cagle, WR Brandon Hunter, DL Johnson Elrod, DL Dale Caswell, LB Coby Brown, LB Kendall Stovall, DB DaDa Crayton, DB David Keils
Boerne Champion: QB Josh Green, WR Theisson Brooks, DB Charles Shipp, DL Darren McCormick, DB Issac Murdock
Intangibles:
Hays High opens the season against a Boerne Champion team that returns only nine total starters. But with Champion expected to contend for a 27-5A title, the Chargers may prove to be formidable despite replacing some integral parts. Hays attacks with the ability of Gandy on the ground and Kent through the air. Experience at the wide receiver position could play a vital role. But can the Rebels can keep their high-tempo offense going for four quarters? On defense, Hays will attempt to stop Green, who helms an offense that must fill the void left by Alex Flores and Travis Pospisil. The Rebels bring a defense that holds a vast amount of experience. But don’t sleep on Champion, who scored 40 or more points in all but two games last year.
Lehman Lobos vs. Bastrop Bears
When: Friday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bastrop Memorial Stadium
Last meeting (2014): Bastrop 48, Lehman 21
Players to watch
Lehman: QB Jacob Zamora, RB JaMar Dixon, WR/QB Tyler Henderson, WR Jeramiah Brown, WR Grayson Steineger, WR Cameron Whited, OL Brian Prickett, DL Cody Richter, LB Kacey Santos, DB Edward Arana, DB Austin Lakey
Bastrop: QB Calvin Hendricks, WR/CB Adonis Davis, WR Jaden Watson, DL Jared Ferguson, DB Ben Flores, DB Reagan Carter, LB Jaedon McGee
Intangibles
Life after Jeremy Schilhab begins Friday for a Lehman Lobos team aiming to improve. They’ll begin their trek by taking on a Bastrop team that is also replacing key parts form last year’s squad. Zamora, who transferred from Hays, will be tasked in leading a Lobo offense that put up 27 points per game last year. Zamora will be aided by the size of Henderson and the speed of Brown. But the Lobos must find a way to generate offense on the ground to keep their offense rolling. It starts with an offensive line that must prove itself quickly. Defensively will see an experienced Lobo defense defend Hendricks, who makes his first varsity start. Experience guides the Lobo defense, but they must find a way to hold down a bruising Bastrop offense.
