The idle dates are out of the way. No more nights off. It’s all district, all the time for the next five weeks. From now until the regular season finales some 32 days from now, the margin for error will continue to shrink and the stakes will continue to rise.
Chaparral, Ellison, Harker Heights, Killeen and Shoemaker are ready to embrace the challenge.
All five teams are in action in Week 7, with Chaparral and Ellison back on the field with homecoming games after a week off, Shoemaker kicking off the slate with a Thursday home contest, and Harker Heights and Killeen taking their unblemished league marks on the road.
Buckle up. The path to the playoffs will be a winding one.
Week 7 matchups
District 12-5A-I
Georgetown (3-3, 2-2) at Shoemaker (1-4, 0-3)
7 p.m. Thursday, Joseph L. Searles III Stadium
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/4kctskw9
Including last week’s 41-23 loss at College Station A&M Consolidated, the Grey Wolves have had their chances to break into the 12-5A-I win column but haven’t quite climbed over the hump in competitive games that have mostly been decided by second-half rallies from their opponents.
First-year head coach Roy Locks described it as growing pains and said his team needs to focus on staying disciplined through all four quarters.
Next up for Shoemaker is a visit from the Eagles, whose two district wins over Pflugerville Connally and Leander Glenn have been sandwiched between losses to Pflugerville Hendrickson and, last week, College Station.
“Georgetown has been in some battles this year and is well-coached,” Locks said. “They have a creative scheme on offense. It should be a good game.
Fourteen players have at least one carry for the Grey Wolves, with six of those owning a rushing touchdown. Tano Wooten leads the receiving corps with 20 catches, 315 yards and three TDs.
Killeen (4-1, 3-0) at College Station (5-1, 3-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Cougar Field
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/4ckjzrwr
The Roos remained unbeaten in 12-5A-I and moved into a tie for first place with a 23-21 victory last week over upset-minded Leander Glenn.
After picking up wins over three league opponents with a combined overall record of 5-11, Killeen begins a crucial five-game stretch against teams with a combined record of 16-12, starting with the Cougars.
The Roos continue to produce on the ground through the three-headed rushing attack of Jatavion Harris, Amari Paige and Elijah Sandiego. That trio is averaging about 331 yards rushing per game.
College Station’s lone setback was a 40-38 loss at first-place Pflugerville Weiss on Sept. 18. The Cougars are led by running back Trey Walton (104 carries, 605 yards, seven TDs) and receiver Kaston Adams (24 catches, 549 yards, eight TDs). College Station’s defense allows 22 points per game.
District 12-6A
Harker Heights (3-2, 1-0) at Temple (1-5, 0-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Wildcat Stadium
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/4wc8z2ha
The Knights turned to the run last Friday and used a defensive gem to turn away Lake Belton, 20-10.
Brandon Fowlkes Jr. powered his way to 9.1 yards per carry en route to 228 yards rushing, while defensive back Eric Young III’s pick-six in the closing minutes sealed Harker Heights’ 1-0 start to 12-6A.
The 10 points allowed were a season low for the defense, which entered the game allowing 48 points an outing. Ar’Keevian Thomas’ 55 tackles rank him second in the district. Quarterback Hudson Humble (97-for-142, 1,437 yards, 16 TDs) is 12-6A’s top passer entering the week, while Ryan Taylor (41 catches, 728 yards, nine TDs) is the district’s leading receiver.
Temple scores an average of 28 points and allows 42.
Copperas Cove (4-2, 2-0) at Chaparral (2-3, 1-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Joseph L. Searles III Stadium
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/yks2m42w
The Bobcats bring a two-game winning streak into their return from an idle date and welcome the Bulldawgs, who’ve won three straight, including their first two 12-6A contests.
Chaparral’s defense has allowed 28 points or fewer in four of five games so far, and a stout effort on that side of the ball would be ideal Friday against Cove, which averages a shade under 40 points per game.
The Bobcats’ offense is averaging 168 yards passing and 188 yards rushing per game.
District 8-5A-II
Waco (1-4) at Ellison (2-3)
7 p.m. Friday, Leo Buckley Stadium
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/y773cdep
Ready to take flight again after the 8-5A-II idle date, the Eagles officially begin their trek for a third consecutive playoff berth with a home game against Waco.
Ellison head coach Danny Servance said the Eagles spent their open date mending injuries and getting ahead in the academic realm.
As for facing the Lions, Servance said it’s all about the team in green.
“We have to take care of us and not make plays that are detrimental to our success,” he said. “We have to consistently do things that are conducive to playing winning football.”
Quarterback Marlyn Smith will be a key part of that effort with his arm and legs. Smith, a junior, has 1,021 yards passing and another 475 rushing to go with 16 total TDs.
His favorite target through the air is Tyler Reed, who has 24 receptions for 466 yards and four scores.
