Hays Rebels (2-0, 0-0) at Anderson Trojans (3-0, 1-0)
When: Thursday, Sept. 19
Where: Nelson Field, Austin
Last week: Anderson 20, Del Valle 17; Hays was idle
Last meeting: Hays 35, Anderson 3
All eyes in 25-6A will be fixated on Nelson Field Thursday as the winner keeps up with the lead pack in the district title chase. Anderson, fresh off a close win over contender Del Valle, brings a balanced attack that's put up close to 1,000 yards so far this year. Helping that cause is a variety of weapons at the disposal of QB Carsten Groos, who’s thrown for 490 yards and four scores. RB’s Joseph Baran (314 yards rushing), Colin Page (135 yards rushing) and WR Grose Kiel (228 receiving yards) are challenges for a Hays’ defense, fresh off a week’s rest, to stop. But can the Rebel offense, which has been inconsistent at times to start the year, hit the ground running against an opponent that’s given up only 37 total points through three games? QB Durand Hill, RB’s Nate Green, Xavier Green will lead Hays’ multi-faceted attack that’s averaged 339 total yards in its first two contests.
Dripping Springs Tigers (2-1, 0-0) vs. Travis Rebels (0-3, 0-0)
When: Friday, Sept. 20
Where: Tiger Stadium, Dripping Springs
Last week: Dripping Springs 54, Canyon 38; Salado 50, Travis 0
Last meeting (2018): Dripping Springs 49, Travis 0
Two teams going in opposite directions will be on display Friday at Tiger Stadium. For Dripping Springs, the team’s district opener could be a chance to further shore up both sides of the ball ahead of several key contests over the next month. Dripping Springs comes in with an offense that finally clicked on all cylinders in a 92 point shootout against Canyon a week ago. The one-two combination of Curtis Cox (328 yards) and Preston Alford (363 yards) will carry the bulk of the load on the ground. Meanwhile, the Tiger defense aims to recover after giving up more than 500 yards to Canyon. Expect both to thrive against a Travis team that’s struggled mightily to start the year. So far though three games, Travis has been outscored 146-7.
Wimberley Texans (3-0) at Fredericksburg Battlin’ Billies (1-2)
When: Friday, Sept. 20
Where: Billie Stadium, Fredericksburg
Last week: Wimberley 45, Canyon Lake 7; Cedar Creek 20, Fredericksburg 12
Last meeting (2018): Fredericksburg 46, Wimberley 20
With a win Friday, Wimberley can match the total number of victories it secured a year previous. Standing in their way, however, is a battle-tested Fredericksburg team aiming to right the ship after two straight last-minute losses. Led by QB Cooper McCollum (992 all purpose yards, 12 TD’s), RB Moses Wray (174 rush yards, 3 TD’s) and WR Christian Marshall (288 receiving yards, 3 TD’s), Wimberley’s offense is finding its groove as they take on a Billie defense that’s giving up close to 30 points per game. Meanwhile, defending Fredericksburg’s offense depends on the effectiveness of dual threat QB Tucker Elliot who has thrown for 693 yards and six scores with three TD’s. Helping Elliot is WR Jarrett Beard who has caught all six touchdown passes and 397 yards.
