Dripping Springs Tigers (6-0, 3-0) vs. Boerne Champion Chargers (3-3, 2-1)
When: Friday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tiger Stadium
Last week: Dripping Springs 52, Lockhart 14; Boerne Champion 64, Marble Falls 20
Last meeting (2016): Boerne Champion 45, Dripping Springs 40
The first of three critical district games in a row begins Friday for the Tigers, which continues its quest for an outright 26-5A championship. First in their way is a Champion Charger team that very well could challenge Dripping Springs stingy defense, which has only allowed a paltry 93 total points in six games. Over the past two weeks, Champion has averaged 53 points per game and close to 500 yards of total offense. QB Davis Brin’s arm leads the Chargers, while RB Nick de los Santos carries the load in the backfield. On the flip side, Dripping Springs’ offense, led by dual-threat QB Trevor Greenman, could find success against a hot-and-cold Champion defense. Champion hasn’t allowed more than 21 points so far in district play. However, the Chargers gave up 40-plus points in non-district play to San Antonio Brandeis and Prosper, who are a combined 11-1. Expect plenty of fireworks in this matchup.
Hays Rebels (2-5, 1-2) vs. Leander Lions (0-6, 0-2)
When: Friday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bob Shelton Stadium
Last week: Hays 55, Lehman 20; Vandegrift 63, Leander 13
Last meeting (2016): Hays 31, Leander 24
Hopes of potentially earning a playoff berth lies squarely in the hands of the Hays Rebels, which face the first of three must-win games to close the 2017 regular season. Hays’ opponent this week is a Leander group that’s struggled mightily this season. Through six games, Leander has been outscored 255-103 and has given up 30 or more points each game. It could bode well for QB Xavier Martinez, RB Thai Mayberry and the Rebel offense to keep up momentum gained against Lehman last week. Hays’ defense will try to hold young Lion QB Will Loofe and RB Adison LaRue, which have amassed an average of 290 yards per game. But can the Rebels avoid falling into a potential trap? A key district game against Vista Ridge looms, but Hays must avoid looking past Leander.
Lehman Lobos (1-6, 0-3) at Lake Travis Cavaliers (4-2, 1-1)
When: Friday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cavalier Stadium, Lake Travis High School
Last week: Hays 55, Lehman 20; Westlake 21, Lake Travis 14
Last meeting (2016): Lake Travis 68, Lehman 0
The odds seem stacked against the Lehman Lobos as they take on a Lake Travis team that’s also reeling from a loss to a rival. Lake Travis brings one of the more prolific offenses in Texas that’s led by QB Matt Baldwin. Surrounding him is a plethora of weapons the Lobos will have to keep tabs on, which include WR Hudson Card. Stopping Lake Travis will be a tall task for a Lobo defense that’s given up an average of 50 points per game. On offense, Lehman will look to QB Bryant Lewis and RB’s Kaleb Preistly and Diego Romero to pick up the slack. They may find some success against a Lake Travis defense that has struggled at times.