Hays (6-2, 4-1) vs. Boerne Champion (6-2, 3-2)
When: Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Boerne ISD Stadium (#1 Greyhound Lane, Boerne, TX)
Last week: Hays def. Seguin 25-18; Schertz Clemens def. Boerne Champion 34-21
Last meeting (2012): Hays def. Boerne Champion 49-46
Hays offense: Multiple
Hays defense: 3-4
Champion offense: Multiple
Champion defense: 4-3
Players to watch:
Hays: QB Jeff Jordan, QB/WR Hayden Cagle, RB Dylan Kasper, RB Cody Gandy, WR Luke Park, FB Holton Dickerson, 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
Champion: RB Travis Poposil, QB Josh Green, QB Alex Flores, RB Austin Humphrey, OL/DL Joseph Strong, OL/DL Mark Zoeller, LB Christian Desmond
Intangibles:
A lot will be on the line at Boerne ISD Stadium this Friday. A Hays win earns them a shot at another district title. A Champion victory may put the Rebels playoff hopes in jeopardy. Safe to say, this is the most important game of the year. Friday will see the clash of two strong rush offenses. Hays will have to deal with a run-savvy Champion team, led by RB Poposil, who’s gained 1,082 of the team’s 2,009 rushing yards. They will also have to key in on QB Green and Flores, both of whom are legitimate run threats. Hays will continue to pound the rock with their multi-faceted run game, led by QB Jordan, WR Parks and RB Kasper. It comes down to which defense can hold the line. Hays head coach Neal LaHue said the team would commit to stopping the run, possibly placing eight to nine players up front. The ultimate goal for Hays is to force Champion to throw the ball. But, Hays must shore up their pass defense, which has given up big plays the last two weeks. On offense, a continued effort of ball security is key. Emotions will be high as the loser of this game could be on the outside looking in for the playoff race.
Lehman (2-6, 1-4) vs. Lockhart (3-5, 1-4)
When: Friday, Nov. 1
Where: Bob Shelton Stadium)
Last week: Kerrville Tivy def. Lehman 36-7; Alamo Heights def. Lockhart 49-7
Last meeting (2012): Lockhart def. Lehman 48-20
Lehman offense: Multiple
Lehman defense: 4-3
Lockhart offense: Slot-T
Lockhart defense: 4-3
Players to watch:
Lehman: QB Jeremy Schilhab, RB Paul Brown, WR/LB Tyler Hyss, WR/DB John Herrera, OL/DL Derick Chavarria, OL/DL Andrew Davila, WR/DB Malcolm Turner, WR/DB Kelton Powell
LOCKHART: FB Curtis Hawkins, QB/DB C.J. McKinney, RB/LB Juan Lopez, RB/DE Marcus Johnson, RB Tim Sedwick
Intangibles: For the Lobo Nation, it’s all about playing for pride now. Last week’s loss to Tivy, mixed with Schertz Clemens win over Boerne Champion eliminated the Lobos from playoff contention. While disappointed to not make the playoffs, head coach Todd Raymond feels his team is excited for this week’s test against Lockhart. They go up against a Lion team that has proven to be a tough stop on the ground. RB Hawkins and QB McKinney lead a multi-faceted run attack. Combined, the two have gained 1,400 of the more than 2,800 rushing yards for Lockhart this season. Raymond said his team has to work on gap responsibilities, and ensure they work to contain the breakout runners of the Lions. On offense, injuries on the line were one reason for Lehman’s struggles. With players returning, Raymond hopes the offense can succeed. Look for QB Schilhab to continue to lead the effort, with a strong presence from WR Hyss and RB Brown. Ultimately, the Lobos must ensure they take full advantage of their possessions. Lockhart’s run game will eat up the clock if given the chance. With both teams struggling to throw the ball, look for this to be a physical, grind-it-out (and possibly short) affair.
