With its 49-21 victory over District 12-6A foe Copperas Cove last Friday night, Harker Heights clinched its sixth consecutive playoff berth.
Now, the Knights (6-2, 4-0), who’ve won four games in a row and average 47 points and 546 yards per contest, have an open week before their final two tilts of the regular season. One more win assures Heights of at least a share of their third straight district title.
Quarterback Hudson Humble tossed five TDs last week, pushing his total to a district-high 31. Tyler Johnson is 60 yards shy of reaching 1,000 receiving, and running backs Kaden Butler and Zy’Riyan “C2” Evans continue to chew up yards on the ground. They’ve combined for 1,890 yards.
While the Knights are off, the remaining four Killeen ISD teams report for work Friday night for big games across the board.
Week 9, here we come.
District 10-5A-II
Brenham at Ellison
7 p.m. Friday, Buckley Stadium
In their bid for the program’s first playoff appearance since 2017, the Eagles (4-3 overall) upped their chances and moved to 2-0 in district with a 40-0 rout of Waco last week.
The shutout, which included interceptions from Diondre Bell, Joseph Fowlkes IV and Sema’j Howard, six sacks and defensive TDs from Howard and Juan Cavello, was Ellison’s first since 2019 and the seventh dating to 2004.
Led by 304 yards and three TDs passing from Sidney Holland Jr. and 113 yards and two TDs receiving by Juan Ramirez, the Eagles posted at least 40 points for the fourth time this season.
The Eagles will be tested down the stretch of the regular season with games remaining against the league’s three other likely playoff contenders. The gauntlet starts Friday night with the Brenham Cubs (6-1, 2-0) in town.
The Cubs, who are ranked No. 10 in 5A-II, are coming off a 31-10 win over previously unbeaten Bryan Rudder (6-1, 1-1) and bring with them a run-first offense led by running back Jakoby Dixon (150 carries, 1,493 yards, 20 TDs) that produces 46 points per game plus a defense that only yields about 24 points.
District 12-6A
Copperas Cove at Shoemaker
7:30 p.m. Friday, Searles Stadium
Much like the Eagles, Shoemaker did itself a massive favor when it dispatched Bryan, 35-21, on the road last Friday. The win –– Shoemaker’s first at Merrill Green Stadium –– boosted the Grey Wolves (5-3, 2-2) into the all-important fourth spot in the standings with two games remaining.
The first in that group is Friday’s matchup with the Bulldawgs (3-4, 1-2), who sit in a tie for fifth.
Quarterback Tyrieke Wade and receiver/running back Brandon Brown Jr. combined to account for all five of Shoemaker’s touchdowns against the Vikings. Wade passed for 188 yards and ran for 82 yards and two TDs. Brown carried it 11 times for 133 yards and three scores. Malachi Jerome aided the defensive effort with an interception.
The Bulldawgs offense ranks second in 12-6A behind Heights with 482.7 yards per game. Receiver Trishstin Glass (50 catches, 920 yards, 11 TDs), running back KJ Zeigler (104 carries, 895 yards, 12 TDs) and quarterback Anthony King (114-of-181, 1,801 yards, 20 TDs) anchor that group.
Killeen at Waco Midway
7:30 p.m. Friday, Panther Stadium
Josiah Walker churned out 117 yards and two TDs rushing during the Roos’ setback last week to Temple, and joined three others –– Jamarcus Wilder, Kemell Brown and Vincent Moody –– in earning the team’s player of the week recognitions.
Killeen (0-8, 0-4) heads north for its next 12-6A text and will encounter a Panthers bunch aiming to stay in the race for a piece of the district title.
The Roos are idle next week before closing out the season at home against Bryan.
District 8-5A-I
Chaparral at Georgetown East View
7 p.m. Friday, Birkelbach Field
After back-to-back home games, Chaparral (2-5, 0-4) heads back on the road to face the Patriots (3-4, 1-3).
The Bobcats got an electrifying 70-yard touchdown run from Davian Arthur last week, and Triston Pezzelle led the way with three catches for 31 yards.
Both teams will aim to end losing streaks.
