Dripping Springs Tigers (1-1) vs. New Braunfels Canyon Cougars (2-0)
When: Friday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tiger Stadium
Last week: Hays 35, Dripping Springs 34; Canyon 46, East View 44
Last meeting (2005): Canyon 38, Dripping Springs 7
Expect fireworks when Drip and Canyon clash in a matchup of high-powered offenses. Over the course of two games, both teams have scored 30 or more points per game and accrued 500 or more yards of total offense in each contest. How they’ve accumulated those stats differs greatly. Canyon will rely on its two-pronged ground attack led by senior running backs Seth Leeper-Haney and Nathan Culbreath. The duo has accounted for a combined 771 of the team’s 877 rushing yards so far this year, as well as 12 of the team’s 13 rushing touchdowns. That’s in contrast to a Dripping Springs offense that’s practically balanced. So far this season, Dripping Springs has just as many passing yards (572) as rushing yards (655). Guiding the Tigers will be quarterback Tanner Prewit and running back Jake Cox, who compiled 585 of the team’s 627 yards gained in the loss to Hays. But can the Tigers put last week’s tough loss behind them? Additionally, which defense is going to stand firm in the clutch? Whoever can make a stop, or series of stops, could have the upper hand in this one.
Wimberley Texans (1-1) vs. Canyon Lake Hawks (2-0)
When: Friday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Texan Stadium
Last week: Giddings 63, Wimberley 13; Canyon Lake 20, Pflugerville Weiss 3
Last meeting (2017): Wimberley 20, Canyon Lake 13
It’s rivalry week in the Wimberley valley as the Texans aim for the program’s third straight win over Canyon Lake. To do so, Wimberley will have to put last week’s 50-point loss far behind them. Helping the cause is junior quarterback Cooper McCollum, who through two games has 510 yards through the air and two touchdowns. A trio of aerial weapons will be at McCollum’s disposal, including Landon Clewell, Kolby Goforth and Caleb Cervenka; the trio has over 100 yards receiving and at least one score. They’ll be put to the test against a stingy Hawk defense that hasn’t allowed a touchdown so far this year. Through its first two games, Canyon Lake has limited its opponents to three total points and less than 170 total yards. The key for the Texans could be implementation of a ground game. Wimberley is averaging less than 100 yards rushing in its first two games. On the opposite end, the Texan defense squares off against a run-heavy Hawk offense. Senior running back Jacob Ruff leads a rush unit that’s amassed 484 of the team’s 540 total yards on offense.
Lehman Lobos (0-2) at Austin High Maroons (1-1)
When: Friday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: House Park
Last week: McCallum 40, Lehman 27; Westwood 49, Austin 35
Last meeting (2015): Austin High 77, Lehman 13
Moral victories might not translate to the win column, but a positive showing last week could provide a needed boost for a Lobo program aiming for improvement. They’ll put those lessons to the test Friday when they begin district play against a high-tempo Austin squad. Through two games, Austin High is averaging 45 points and 413 total yards per contest. Much of their success revolves around quarterback Charles Wright, whose amassed 544 yards and eight touchdowns to only two interceptions. Assisting Wright is a myriad of options at wide receiver; four Maroons have more than 100 receiving yards so far this year. Leading the way is senior Sawyer Berry and junior Colby Kalbacher. For the first time in a long time, however, Lehman’s best defense could be its offense. That was bolstered last week when the Lobos found consistency at the quarterback position with Cayden Raymond, who went 20 of 32 for 321 yards and a trio of touchdowns. All of those stats came as a result of Raymond coming off the bench and leading the Lobos to a 27-27 tie after three quarters against McCallum. Raymond will be flanked by wide receiver CJ Scott, who finished with 152 receiving yards last week, as well as Daniel O’Neal, Bryant Lewis and Jake Cude.
Hays Rebels – Idle
Next game – vs. Anderson on Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Shelton Stadium.
