Hays Rebels (3-0, 1-0) at Bowie Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1)
When: Friday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Burger Stadium in Austin
Last week: Hays 35, Anderson 3; Bowie 37, Del Valle 20
Last meeting (2015): Bowie 38, Hays 17
An early season district battle with possible playoff implications takes place Friday when Hays and Bowie square off in Austin. While no playoff spots are at stake just yet, the winner could have the leg up on third place (and maybe a shot a higher seed) as the season rolls on. Hays will look to keep its undefeated season going by utilizing their time-consuming, efficient Slot-T attack led by QB Xavier Martinez and RBs Nash Danford, Xavier Green and Sam Scott, among others. They'll face a Bulldog defense that's limited opposition to 20 or fewer points in three of four games, and has kept opponents to an average of 200 rushing yards per contest. Meanwhile, what Hays' defense could face Friday is dependent on the health of Bowie QB Trinidad Sanders, who was out last week due to injury. Sanders' dual-threat capabilities could pose a challenge for a bend-but-don't-break Rebel defense that's allowed an average of 18 points per game so far. But even without Sanders in the backfield, expect Bowie to get production from RB Kyle Carter and WR Jayden York.
