By Michael Adams
michael@otssports.com
Week 8 of the 2023 high school football season had a few surprises, but it also had several teams emerge as contenders. Here are five pressing thoughts from Week 8’s action:
1. Is Vista Ridge in jeopardy of missing the playoffs?
Stony Point pulled off the shocker of Week 8 by defeating Vista Ridge 7-0. The Rangers’ loss to Stony Point is kind of a head-scratcher. After a hiccup against McNeil on Oct. 5, Vista Ridge proved their 7-6 loss to the Mavericks was a fluke by beating Westwood the following week. That makes the loss to Stony Point more puzzling. The loss also creates a four-way tie for third place with Westwood, Stony Point, and Manor, with McNeil lingering. It’s not going to get any easier for the Rangers, who travel to Manor on Friday and close the season with a home game against first-place Vandegrift and a road game with second-place Round Rock.
2. Georgetown sets up a big district game
East View made Georgetown sweat a bit on Friday in their cross-town rivalry game. The Patriots led the Eagles 13-7 at halftime, but it was short-lived. Georgetown scored 24 points in the second half, with 18 coming from two touchdown runs and a touchdown catch by Andrew Petter. The win sets up a huge district game this week in College Station against the Cougars, which possibly will be for the District 11-5A-I district title. College Station (6-1, 4-0) hosts the Eagles at 7:30 p.m. Both teams are the only undefeated teams in district action.
3. Dripping Springs impresses in loss to Westlake
In only its second season in Class 6A, Dripping Springs (5-2, 4-1 District 26-6A) has proven it can play with the big boys. On Friday night, the Tigers held a lead at halftime over Westlake and threatened to end the Chaps’ 40-game regular season winning streak. Jack Tyndall broke for a big run against Westlake’s stingy defense and had full momentum in the first half. The Chaps, however, responded in the second half and figured out an answer for Tyndall and the Tigers. Dripping Springs hosts Lake Travis on Friday in arguably the best Austin area game this weekend.
4. Rouse inches toward district title
The Rouse Raiders (6-1, 3-0) defeated Killeen Chaparral 49-36 in Week 8 to cut their magic number to two for the District 11-5A championship. The Raiders host Waco University on Friday at Bible Stadium in Leander. With a win, Rouse will need to win just one of its final two games to clinch the district title and a Belton loss. Or the Raiders could win its final two games against Pflugerville (1-6, 1-2) and Elgin (3-5, 1-3).
5. Smithville emerges as playoff contender
The Tigers of Smithville have emerged as a contender in District 12-4A-II. Smithville (2-5, 1-1) defeated Giddings 35-34 in a thriller at Buffalo Stadium in Giddings. The win puts the Tigers in control of their own destiny. Since it’s a six-team district with four teams making the playoffs, Smithville could possibly get into the postseason with just one win in its last three games. The Tigers can help their cause on Friday when they host Gonzales at Tiger Stadium. If Smithville beats the Apaches Friday night, it will move them into third place and likely ensure them a postseason berth.