Hays (0-0) at Boerne Champion (0-0)
When: Friday, August 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Boerne ISD Stadium (1 Greyhound Lane, Boerne, Texas)
Last meeting (November 1, 2013): Hays 38 Boerne Champion 7
Players to watch:
Hays: QB Braeden Kent, RB Cody Gandy, RB Jackson Effiom, OL Connor Lanfear, LB Emory Cuzze, FS Joseph Rubio, OL Mateo Mendoza, WR Austin Maulding
Boerne Champion: RB Travis Pospisil, WR Dillon Manz, FS Alex Flores, QB Josh Green, LB Trey Moskal
Outlook: Rebel junior QB Kent leads a young offense that must find their identity. Helping will be OL stalwarts Lanfear and Mendoza, along with the running abilities of RB Gandy and Effiom. But can the Rebels throw downfield and to whom will they throw to? That’s where head coach Neal LaHue must find answers. It will be done against an experienced Champion defense. On the opposite side, the Rebel defense must stop a cohesive Champion attack. Limiting Champion RB Pospisil could prove tough, as will stopping Green and his talented wide outs. It may seem much for Hays to deal with. Notching a win here could be the first step in proving their doubters wrong.
Lehman (0-0) vs Bastrop (0-0)
When: Friday, August 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bob Shelton Stadium
Last meeting: First ever
Players to watch:
Lehman: QB Jeremy Schilhab, RB/DB J.R. Torres, RB/DB Brett Wagner, WR/TE Jay Sayles, WR/DB Jon Herrera, DB Za’Quan Campbell, LB Jacob Tamez, RB Jameson Castillo, WR Tyler Hendrickson
Bastrop: QB Cameron Barron, RB Carrington Waites, DB Scotreal Hayes, DB Reagan Carter, DB Ben Flores, DB Adonis Davis
Outlook: First up for the Lobos is a Bastrop offense that returns several dangerous elements, including dynamic duo of Barron and Waites. Lehman’s defense, young in certain areas, will be tested. On the other hand, experience is at a premium for the Lobo offense, especially with the Schilhab/Herrera passing combo. Added are two new elements in sophomores Sayles and Hendrickson, which will take pressure off Herrera. But who will step up as lead running back? They’ll face a Bear defense with equal experience. It all comes down to how newcomers respond when the lights are shining. Lehman hasn’t won a season opener since 2010. A strong, cohesive effort at home could change that.
