- Palo Alto Middle School
- Patriot Athletics
Week 6: Roos Host Knights to Kick Off October
Hard to believe it’s October already. Fall is here and the football is more and more meaningful as the weeks go by.
Week 6 presents the first of three all-KISD matchups this season in District 12-6A and an 8-5A-I road test.
The second half of the regular season starts Friday.
Killeen vs. Harker Heights
7:30 p.m. Friday, Leo Buckley Stadium
Killeen (0-5, 0-1) is the designated home team in a clash that pits two KISD squads in District 12-6A. The Knights (3-2, 1-0) might be visitors, but they are playing their fifth game out of six so far in the city.
This is the first meeting between the schools since the 2021 season, when the Knights extended their winning streak over the Roos to three. Since 2004, the matchup stands relatively even with the Knights leading the series 9-8. Killeen had a stretch from 2006-2010 when it won five in a row.
The potential for offensive fireworks should have fans eager to head out to Leo Buckley Stadium.
The Roos (353.8 yards) and Knights (286.6) are the top-two passing teams in the league, with Killeen ranking No. 1 overall and Harker Heights No. 3. In fact, Killeen and Harker Heights boast the top-two quarterbacks and top-three wide receivers.
Roos sophomore D’Angelo Ingram is 101-of-175 passing for 1,668 yards and 19 touchdowns. Fellow 10th-grader Hudson Humble is 113-of-143 for 1,433 yards and 14 scores for the Knights.
Senior Harker Heights receiver Tyler Johnson’s 39 receptions lead the way in that category, while Killeen senior pass catcher Timothy Boatner’s 597 yards receiving are the most. He and teammate Antwoine Warren have 33 catches each. Harker Heights Kai McMillan is fourth in 12-6A with 502 yards.
And that’s just through the air.
Both teams can gobble up yardage on the ground as well. Harker Heights features senior running backs Kaden Butler and Zy’Riyan “C2” Evans who have combined for 1,029 yards and 12 TDs rushing. Senior Kardae Hicks is Killeen’s go-to out of the backfield, registering 372 yards and three TDs.
Shoemaker at Waco Midway
7:30 p.m. Friday, Panther Stadium
A pair of teams predicted to be in the playoff mix by season’s end square off looking to avoid falling into an 0-2 district hole.
The Grey Wolves (3-2, 0-1) had a three-game winning streak snapped last week at home against Temple in a game that really didn’t slip away until late in the fourth quarter.
Midway (3-2, 0-1) is on the mend after falling at Harker Heights last week.
Both defenses lead a statistical category in 12-6A. Shoemaker’s run defense, allowing 145.2 yards per game, is first. Midway has clamped down on opponents’ passing game, surrendering a league-low 110.2 yards a night.
Brandon Brown Jr.’s 90-yard kickoff return touchdown had Shoemaker within nine points early in the fourth quarter against Temple. Brown now has two kickoff return TDs and is up to 13 total scores through five games.
Quarterback Tyrieke Wade has completed 60 of 101 passes for 1,197 yards and seven TDs. Maurice Starr has team highs of 24 catches and 483 yards. Against Temple, Wade spread the ball around to seven receivers. Isaiah Butler-Tanner, Lamont Reed, Jamal Polite, Starr and Brown had at least 70 yards.
Chaparral at Georgetown
7 p.m. Friday, Birkelbach Stadium
Similar to the Shoemaker-Midway matchup, the Bobcats (2-2, 0-1) and Eagles (3-1, 0-1) would like to dial up a win after falling in their district openers last week.
Chaparral was within 10-6 of Cedar Park a week ago with 3:20 to play in the first half, but the visiting Timberwolves outscored the Bobcats 34-6 from there. The Eagles suffered their first loss of the season, 38-35, to Leander.
Voted the District 11-5A-II newcomer of the year last season, running back Keith Tyler played in his first game of 2024 last week, a boost on offense that is getting most of its production out of receivers Kenneth Johnson (19 catches, 264 yards, four TDs) and Davian Arthur (eight catches, 180 yards).
KISD Stat Leaders
Through Week 5
Passing
1. Sidney Holland Jr., EHS, 114-of-174, 1,715 yards, 23 TDs
2. D’Angelo Ingram, KHS, 101-of-175, 1,668 yards, 19 TDs
3. Hudson Humble, HHHS, 113-of-143, 1,433 yards, 14 TDs
4. Tyrieke Wade, SHS, 60-of-101, 1,197 yards, seven TDs
5. Bryson Coleman, CHS, 27-of-67, 398 yards, four TDs
Rushing
1. Kaden Butler, HHHS, 99 carries, 628 yards, seven TDs
2. Zy’Riyan “C2” Evans, HHHS, 74 carries, 401 yards, five TDs
3. Daryl Cannie Jr., EHS, 48 carries, 373 yards, three TD
4. Kardae Hicks, KHS, 65 carries, 372 yards, three TDs
5. Tyrieke Wade, SHS, 48 carries, 262 yards, two TDs
Receiving
1. Travaris Turner-Smith, EHS, 30 catches, 680 yards, 12 TDs
2. Timothy Boatner, KHS, 33 catches, 597 yards, 10 TDs
3. Kai McMillan, HHHS, 28 catches, 502 yards, four TDs
4. Maurice Starr, SHS, 24 catches, 483 yards, one TD
5. Tyler Johnson, HHHS, 39 catches, 455 yards, three TDs
Tackles
1. Cooper Howard, HHHS, 64
2. Juan Cavello, EHS, 42
3. Brian Hood, HHHS, 39
4. Jammie Smart, SHS, 38
5. Rocky Crooks, HHHS, 37
Notable
Brandon Brown Jr., SHS, 13 total TDs (six rushing, five receiving, two kickoff returns)