Top 5 high school football games to watch in West Texas for Week 9
Here are our top five high school football games to watch in West Texas in Week 9 of the 2022 season:
Irion County (6-0, 1-0) at Robert Lee (7-1, 1-1)
This is a tasty District 13-1A D-I matchup. Irion County is currently tied for first with Menard in the odd-numbered district. The Hornets overwhelmed Eden 78-0 last week to stay undefeated. Robert Lee rolled past Veribest 54-8. Irion County is averaging a whopping 71.3 points per game and the Hornets are giving up an average of 21. The Hornets opened the season by scoring 80 and 83 points, respectively, against Buena Vista and Spur. Robert Lee is averaging 45.3 points per game, while allowing an average of 25.2. The Steers' only loss in district so far was a 64-38 setback against co-leader Menard. Robert Lee running back Brayden Sherwood is averaging 138 yards rushing per contest.
The pick: Irion County 56, Robert Lee 42
San Angelo Central (5-2, 2-0) at Midland Legacy (3-4, 1-1)
Central is currently tied for first place in District 2-6A with Frenship. The Bobcats are coming off a 57-34 win at home against Odessa High last week. Quarterback Tyler Hill completed 16 of 20 passes for 196 yards and four TDs, including two to wide receiver Keevon Rice. The senior QB also ran for a team-high 123 yards and two scores. On the season, Hill has thrown for 1,277 yards and 13 touchdowns. He's rushed for 1,023 yards and 13 TDs. Jacob English leads Central's receivers with 286 yards and five TDs. The Bobcats have won four consecutive games after a 1-2 start. They'll be facing the defending district champions on the road this week. Legacy handed Odessa Permian its first loss of the season last week, 33-25. The Rebels opened district with a 49-34 loss at Frenship two weeks ago. Legacy quarterback Marcos Davila has thrown for 1,866 yards and 24 touchdowns. Deonta Sonnier leads the Rebels' receiving corps with 560 yards and 10 TDs. Legacy rolled to a 69-28 blowout against Central last year in San Angelo. The Rebels will be tough to beat at home, but the Bobcats should keep it close this time.
The pick: Legacy 49, Central 35
Christoval (4-3, 2-0) at Forsan (6-1, 2-0)
This is the battle for supremacy in District 3-2A Division I. Christoval is coming off a 21-2 victory last week against Ozona to stay undefeated in district. Forsan overwhelmed Anthony 37-0 to stay unblemished in 3-2A as well. Cougars senior running back Ketcher Joiner needs 106 yards this week to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark. Forsan has outscored its opponents 219 to 65. The Buffaloes' only loss was a 14-13 heartbreaker against Kermit in the nondistrict finale on Sept. 23. Forsan running back Kevin Kilgora is averaging 110.6 yards rushing per game. The Buffaloes lead the all-time series against the Cougars 9-6-0. This will be the first meeting since 2015 when Forsan won 39-17. The Buffaloes will be hard to beat on their home turf this week.
The pick: Forsan 31, Christoval 24
Reagan County (4-3, 1-1) at Ozona (2-5, 0-2)
This is another 3-2A D-I matchup between teams that are trying to make a push for the playoffs. Reagan County is currently tied for third with Sonora after the Owls edged the Broncos 24-21 in a thriller last week. Ozona remained winless in district after a 21-2 setback against Christoval. The Lions desperately need to win this week to get in the playoff picture. The brother duo of Jarrett Brown and Kason Brown has combined for nine touchdown passes. A.J. Avalos leads the Owls with 332 yards rushing and a pair of scores. Reagan County has three players who are averaging double digits in tackles -- Angelo Botello (13.0), Eduardo Encinas (10.5) and Ruben Bernal (10.4). Encinas also has three interceptions. Lions quarterback Hudson Fowler has thrown for 956 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he's been picked off 10 times. Reagan County edged Ozona 13-12 last year in Big Lake. The guess here is that it will be another defensive battle.
The pick: Reagan County 17, Ozona 14
Sterling City (4-3, 2-1) at Water Valley (2-6, 0-4)
This District 5-2A Division II showdown is a matchup of teams that moved up from the six-man ranks. Sterling City earned a forfeit win over Midland TLCA last week. Sterling City is currently tied for third with Eldorado. Water Valley is looking for its first district win after getting shut out 54-0 against district co-leader McCamey last week. Two years after winning the Class 1A Division I state championship, Sterling City has been impressive as an 11-man squad. The Eagles are averaging 36.4 points per game and they're allowing an average of 22.2. Two weeks ago against McCamey, Sterling City put up a strong fight en route to a 39-22 loss on the road. Water Valley has dropped four straight games after a 2-2 start. The Wildcats are averaging 21.8 points per game and they're allowing an average of 34.1. Water Valley went 12-1 last year before making the move to 11-man.
The pick: Sterling City 42, Water Valley 28
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Top 5 high school football games to watch in West Texas for Week 9
