By Michael Adams
madams@austinsportsjournal.com
Week 2 of the Texas high school football season didn’t disappoint, but the third week of the season features several big games. Here are five
A heavyweight showdown at Chaparral Stadium
Westlake (2-0) will get its second test of the season Friday night at Chaparral Stadium in a batthle of two Top 10 teams in Class 6A. The No. 4 Chaps host No. 9 Humble Atascocita (2-0) in what is arguably the best game in the state for Week 3. The Eagles manhandled host Katy last week 41-22, outscoring the Tigers 27-7 in the second half. Westlake has already beaten one ranked team this season in its season-opener, a 35-14 win over No. 25 Prosper.
District play begins for 25-6A and 12-5A-I
The chase for district titles begins in 25-6A and 12-5A-I as both districts begin district play. There are a couple of games in the first week of district action that could have playoff implications as the season progresses.
McNeil (0-2) takes on Westwood (0-2) Friday in their 25-6A opener. The Mavericks were the Cinderella story last year despite losing to the Warriors, who went 7-3 and missed the playoffs. Another intriguing matchup is Vista Ridge (1-1) at Round Rock (2-0). The Rangers won last year’s meeting which decided the final playoff spot and eliminated Westwood from the playoffs.
In 12-5A-I, Weiss (2-0) hosts A&M Consolidated (2-0) on Thursday at The Pfield in a game that could have district title implications for both teams. Both the Wolves and the Tigers are expected to challenge College Station for the district championship. The winner of this matchup will have the upper hand.
Austin set to invade Midland
Both Lake Travis (2-0) and Liberty Hill (1-1) will play games in Midland on Friday. The Cavaliers (2-0) will take on another prominent team in Midland Legacy (0-2) at the legendary 15,000-seat Astound Broadband Stadium. Don’t let the Rebels’ 0-2 start fool you. Legacy, like Lake Travis, has played a touch non-district schedule. Those two losses were to state powerhouses Allen and Euless Trinity.
The Panthers will travel to Midland to take on El Paso Eastlake (1-1) at Midland Christian High School. This game is a result of LASA electing to play an outlaw schedule after UIL realignment in February, leaving the other eight teams in 11-5A-II to scramble to find Week 3 non-district opponents.
Can Thorndale make it two in a row?
The Bulldogs (1-1) snapped a 12-game losing streak last week with a 33-27 win over Granger at home. Thorndale will look to make it two-in-a-row Friday night against Riesel in its homecoming game at Bulldog Stadium.
Class 4A top 10 showdown at Nelson
Westlake vs. Atascocita isn’t the only Austin-area game featuring two state-ranked top 10 teams. Class 4A-I No. 8 LBJ (1-0) will host 4A-II No. 3 Wimberley (2-0) Friday night at Nelson Stadium. The Jaguars have had an extra week to prepare for the Texans. LBJ’s bye week was Week 2. The Texans are off to a rousing 2-0 start and beat Fredericksburg 35-9 last week at home. These two teams are expected to make deep runs in the playoffs and potentially play in the state championship games in each division.