Hays (3-2, 1-1) vs. Lockhart (3-2, 1-1)
When: Friday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lion Stadium (906 Center Street, Lockhart)
Last week: Kerrville Tivy def. Hays 34-31; Schertz Clemens def. Lockhart 23-0
Last meeting (2012): Hays def. Lockhart 56-6
Hays offense: Multiple
Hays defense: 3-4
Lockhart offense: Slot-T
Lockhart defense: 4-3
Players to watch:
Hays: QB Jeff Jordan, QB/WR Hayden Cagle, RB Dylan Kasper, RB Cody Gandy, WR Luke Park, WR Ty Goebler TE Banner Steele, DL Cole Carney, DL Justin Diaz, LB Hector (Trey) Solis, DB Emory Cuzze, DB Jared Self, DB Mason Salinas
Lockhart: FB Curtis Hawkins, QB/DB C.J. McKinney, RB/LB Juan Lopez, RB/DE Marcus Johnson, RB Tim Sedwick
Intangibles: Picking up and moving on needs to be the theme for Hays this week. Despite a tough loss to Tivy, they cannot dwell on it – the heart of the district schedule lies ahead. This week they take on Lockhart, which along with Hays, Tivy and Boerne Champion, are in a four-way tie for third place in 27-4A. The Rebels will be up against a power rushing team in Lockhart, who through five games gained 1722 of their 1902 total yards on the ground. Hays’ rush defense has been strong the last few weeks. However, they will be tested, as they will have to keep an eye on as many as five running backs on Friday. Coach Neal LaHue praised the Lions ability to keep teams off balance with their run game. The offense will continue to be a point of contention for Hays. Last week saw the Rebels gain only 371 total yards – 104 on the ground. They will need to get their run game back on track. Look for a heavy dose of RB’s Kasper and Gandy. The pass game will also have to revitalize itself. With WR Park gaining a majority of coverage, other wide outs must step up. Ultimately, maintaining ball security is key – something the Rebels are working on. LaHue said the Lions’ strength is controlling the clock. The team also must take advantage of possessions and “make them count.” If the Rebel offense finds their mojo again, they will thrive – so long as they hold on to the ball. Only five district games remain. The shuffle for playoff positioning begins.
Lehman (1-4, 0-2) vs. Alamo Heights (4-1, 2-0)
When: Friday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bob Shelton Stadium
Last week: Boerne Chanpion def. Lehman 47-3; Alamo Heights def. Seguin 53-41
Last meeting (2012): Alamo Heights def. Lehman 35-0
Lehman offense: Multiple
Lehman defense: 4-3
Heights offense: Multiple
Heights defense:3-4
Players to watch:
Lehman: QB Jeremy Schilhab, RB Paul Brown, QB/RB Paul Matthews, WR/LB Tylor Dodero, WR/DB John Herrera, OL/DL Derick Chavarria, OL/DL Andrew Davila, WR/DB Malcolm Turner, WR/DB Kelton Powell
Alamo Heights: QB Dalton Banks, RB Byron Proctor, WR Robert Schuler, WR Jake Osborne, WR Bruno Fontana, LB Robert Durbin, DL Ben McSween, DB Austin Jaramillo
Intangibles:A week after trying to halt a high-efficiency offense in Champion, the Lobos get another in Alamo Heights. They do so with a depth chart that has been banged up. Head coach Todd Raymond said as many as six starters on offense and defense couldn’t play last week. While he did not use that as an excuse, he knew it certainly didn’t help. However, with a majority returning to the lineup, along with WR/DB Foster Rico possibly returning, the Lobos are ready to face the challenge. Lehman faces off against Heights’ balanced offense, led by RB Proctor, who Raymond said was the “best running back in the district.” Proctor has gained 600 of the 1022 total rushing yards for Heights. The Lobos will have to keep an eye on QB Banks, who’s adequately filling the shoes of last year’s standout QB Kalen Brockwell. The big key for the Lobos is execution – which extends to both sides of the ball. Ultimately, Raymond said, they must fix mental mistakes if they wish to succeed. The good news is Heights defense was exploited by Seguin, giving up 400 total yards. The Lobos must regain confidence in their offense, starting with the rushing game. Brown, Schilhab and Matthews have been the stalwarts on the ground. The addition of WR Hyss, who gained 51 yards against Champion, brings an added dimension. All eyes will be on the passing game. Schilhab and the Lobos have big play capability – they’ll need to showcase it. Possibly gaining Rico may help keep attention off of Herrera. If the Lobos’ offense wakes up, this could turn into a high scoring affair. Lehman is not out of the playoff picture yet. However, they need to win to keep pace. Starting with an upset of Heights may be the catalyst they need.
