Harker Heights continued its early season offensive tear and Ellison outdueled Chaparral by scoring the final 12 points, highlighting an action-packed Week 3.
And, suddenly, the football season is nearly one month old.
Like Shoemaker last week, Killeen will open its District 12-5A-I trek in Week 4 while Chaparral, Ellison and Harker Heights continue down their non-district paths. The Grey Wolves (1-2, 0-1) are idle this week, a few extra days to shake off a tough 22-0 road result against College Station.
Week 4 matchups
Non-District
Chaparral (0-3) at Waco (1-2)
7 p.m. Thursday, Waco ISD Stadium
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/mpyy4ba6
The Bobcats drew the Thursday straw in Week 4 and travel north to face the Lions for their final non-district tilt.
The Lions, who average 25 points per game, are coming off a 14-0 loss to Bryan last week.
Meanwhile, CHS had the Eagles in its sights in the third quarter of last week’s all-KISD clash at Joseph L. Searles III Stadium following quarterback Bryson Coleman’s rushing touchdown and subsequent 2-point conversion that made it 14-all.
Ellison, though, posted a pair of fourth quarter TDs to separate itself down the stretch.
Coleman finished with a team-high 62 yards rushing and 109 yards passing with one TD toss to La’Daevion Moore, who had 73 yards on five catches. The sophomore has three touchdown catches over the last two games.
This is Chaparral’s first game this season away from Searles Stadium.
Harker Heights (2-1) at Dripping Springs (1-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday, Tiger Stadium
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/ejmar4ex
These two sides know how to challenge one another, and if the previous two encounters are any indication, the third straight meeting should be quite entertaining.
The Knights, who are coming off a 42-35 victory over Buda Hays in which they posted more than 500 yards of offense for the third consecutive game to start the year, are looking for a little redemption after falling to the Tigers by a combined eight points (41-38 and 31-26) over the last two years.
Dripping Springs beat San Antonio Harlan 42-7 to open the season before dropping a 35-25 decision to Round Rock a week ago. The Tigers average 282 yards passing and 165 yards rushing per game.
HHHS quarterback Hudson Humble completed 19 of 25 passes for 315 yards and six touchdowns against Hays. Arshawn Spann and Ryan Taylor each had more than 100 yards receiving and two scores, and Eric Young III and Questn Merida each caught a touchdown.
Brandon Fowlkes Jr. (102 yards rushing) and Jasiah Bryant (85 yards) led an equally effective ground attack.
Young and Spann recorded one interception each.
This is the Knights’ final non-district game. They are idle in Week 5 before kicking off their defense of the District 12-6A crown Oct. 1 at home against Lake Belton.
Lake Belton (2-1) at Ellison (1-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Joseph L. Searles Stadium
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/mutw6sj9
Ellison plays in Killeen for the third week in a row, but Friday’s contest is the Eagles’ official home opener after they were the visiting team against Killeen in Week 2 and Chaparral in Week 3.
After breaking into the win column against the Bobcats, the Eagles welcome the Lake Belton Broncos, who will aim to rebound following a loss to Huntsville.
EHS quarterback Maryln Smith passed for one score and ran for another in the win over CHS. Laboris Creagh churned out a team-high 122 yards on 19 carries, including a first quarter TD. Rodrecus Johnson also had a touchdown rushing.
Mbaye Ndoye recorded 15 tackles, including four for losses, for the Ellison defense. Kenyon Thompson also had 15 tackles. Tyler Reed grabbed an interception.
District 12-5A-I
Pflugerville Hendrickson (2-1, 1-0) at Killeen (1-1)
7 p.m. Friday at Leo Buckley Stadium
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/2vduxu9a
The Roos had an extra week to soak in their big win over the Eagles in Week 2 and prepare for their District 12-5A-I opener against Hendrickson.
KHS head coach Roderick Sneed said his team spent the open week getting ahead with schoolwork and academics. Now, the focus is on the Hawks (2-1, 1-0), who began their league push last week with a 28-17 win over Georgetown, one of the preseason favorites to earn a playoff spot.
Hendrickson has won two straight after opening the year with a 39-17 loss at Belton.