2025 West Texas Football Dream Tour

Priddy is an unlikely place to kick off our 2025 Dream Tour. The community didn’t even have a football team a few years ago, but it will be the setting for one of the best season-opening matchups in Texas.

Richland Springs is a nine-time state champion and the No. 3-ranked team in Class 1A Division II. Gordon has four state titles in its trophy case. The Longhorns are the back-to-back defending state champs and the No. 1 team in 1A D-I. 

Richland Springs brings back four on offense and three on defense, including all-state players Billy Perry and Cohen Ethridge. Gordon — which has won 42 of its last 43 games — returns five starters on offense and four on defense, including the Reed brothers, Ry and Stryker. 

Buckle up for a road trip to this town off the beaten path — somewhere between Comanche and Goldthwaite — for an exciting shootout to start the season.

Alternate routes: San Angelo Central at Abilene High, Mason at Wall, Christoval at Eldorado, Sonora at Miles

WEEK 2

Brady at Mason

These two towns, separated by only 30 miles, have a long rivalry that dates to 1916. The rivalry went dormant for 15 years, however, before it was revived in 2022. Mason has won the three meetings since then by 20 points or more each time, but this year’s matchup looks like it could be different. 

Brady returns seven starters on each side of the ball from last year’s 8-3 team, while Mason was hit hard by graduation from its 11-2 team. The Punchers return just two starters on offense and three on defense, and they have a new head coach with Wade Griffin, but their program has earned the respect to still be ranked No. 12 in Class 2A Division I.

The last time Mason posted less than eight wins was in 2007, when the Punchers went 4-6. That’s also the last time they lost to Brady, though the Bulldogs have the edge in the all-time series (33-25-1). We’ll see if Brady can get the upper hand again this year.

Alternate routes: Amarillo High at San Angelo Central, Wall at Brownwood, San Angelo Lake View at Snyder, May at Richland Springs, Garden City at Robert Lee, Water Valley at Hermleigh

WEEK 3

Wall at Jim Ned

This is a clash of two of the best football programs in our area. Wall hasn’t posted a losing record since 2008, while Jim Ned hasn’t done so since 2016. Last year, Wall went 13-2 and reached the state semifinals, while Jim Ned was 9-4 and advanced to the third round. 

When they met last year, Wall scored with eight seconds remaining — then pulled off a two-point conversion — for a memorable 25-24 win. 

It should be another heavyweight battle this season. Wall is ranked No. 3 in Class 3A Division II. The Hawks bring back most of their firepower on offense with seven starters, including QB Landon York, though the Hawks have to rebuild their defense with only four returners. Jim Ned, ranked No. 13 in 3A D-I, returns six on offense and seven on defense. 

Alternate routes: Ozona at Brady, Sonora at Eldorado, Abilene Cooper at San Angelo Central, Bronte at Veribest

WEEK 4

Eldorado at Miles

Two of our area’s best quarterbacks will face off in this matchup with Eldorado’s JonnieRae Adame and Miles’ Liam Yancy. Last year, Adame threw for 1,812 yards and 18 TDs, then led the Eagles to the 7-on-7 state tournament over the summer. Yancy threw for 2,472 yards and 34 TDs, and he also guided the Bulldogs to the 7-on-7 state tournament. 

Both QBs will have to step up with young teams around them. Eldorado returns five starters on offense and four on defense. Miles has only two starters back on each side of the ball. 

Miles clipped Eldorado 21-14 last year to end a six-game losing streak against the Eagles. It should be another close game this season.

Alternate routes: Ballinger at Brady, Junction at Mason, Sonora at Alpine, Robert Lee at Blackwell, Water Valley at Buena Vista

WEEK 5

Falls City at Junction

Not long ago, this would have been a lopsided matchup, but the Junction Eagles have vaulted themselves into the state’s elite. Three years removed from being 2-8, Junction is ranked No. 12 in the state in Class 2A Division II. The Eagles are coming off the winningest season in program history after going 12-2 to reach the state quarterfinals.

Falls City is a team Junction beat along the way. The Eagles’ 35-13 win over the Beavers in the second round of the playoffs established them as a team that had to be taken seriously. Falls City is one of the most consistent state powers in Texas with 17 straight years of at least seven wins. The Beavers reached the state semifinals in 2023, and they’re No. 14 in the state.

This is now a big-time matchup with both teams returning a strong core from last year. It could also preview an even bigger playoff rematch down the road.

Alternate routes: Ozona at Miles, Iraan at Reagan County, Lubbock High at San Angelo Lake View, Sweetwater at Wall, Rochelle at Water Valley

WEEK 6

Burnet at San Angelo Lake View

We’ll stay at home this week for a matchup of Class 4A Division I schools between the Lake View Chiefs and Burnet Bulldogs. It's also a homecoming for Lake View graduate Grant Freeman, who is Burnet's new head coach.

Both teams are capable of putting up some points. Lake View returns QB Chris Alvizo, who threw for 2,106 yards and 29 TDs last year, while Burnet brings back RB Joseph Coronado, who ran for 959 yards and five TDs.

Overall, Lake View returns nine starters on offense and eight on defense. The Chiefs’ offense was averaging 30 points per game last season after nine games before injuries helped sink the team late. There’s reason to believe this is a team that could be competitive.

Burnet is a solid team that went 5-6 last year and overwhelmed Lake View 57-14 when they met in the Hill Country. We’ll see how the rematch goes this year in San Angelo.

Alternate routes: Wall at Idalou, Robert Lee at Bronte, Rankin at Water Valley, Grape Creek at TLCA

WEEK 7

Reagan County at Ozona

This matchup out in the southwestern part of the Concho Valley pits the defending champ from District 3-2A Division I in Reagan County, against this year’s favorite to win the title, Ozona.

Reagan County will have to find a way to replace a strong senior class that was led by Division I signee Kason Brown. The Owls bring back only three on offense and five on defense from last year’s 9-2 team.

Ozona returns nine starters on each side of the ball, led by 1,400-yard rusher Christian Villarreal. The Lions seem poised to take their place atop the district, but they’ll have to take it from Reagan County.

Alternate routes: Iraan at Eldorado, Rankin at Garden City, Midland Legacy at San Angelo Central, Albany at Miles

WEEK 8

San Angelo Central at Odessa Permian

The storied rivalry between Central and Permian added another chapter last year when the Panthers escaped San Angelo Stadium with a 31-29 win that ultimately kept the Bobcats out of the playoffs. 

Central returns seven starters on both sides of the ball, but the Bobcats face an uphill climb in catching Permian this year. The Panthers return nine on defense and seven on offense, including RB Gavin Black, who racked up 2,375 yards and 31 TDs.

The Bobcats will have to travel to Ratliff Stadium in Odessa for this year’s matchup. Once again, their playoff fate could be hanging in the balance.

Alternate routes: Reagan County at Christoval, Ozona at Sonora, Eldorado at Sterling City

WEEK 9

Robert Lee at Water Valley

One of the best six-man matchups in the state will decide the District 8-1A Division I title when Water Valley hosts Robert Lee. Last year, Water Valley rolled all the way to the semifinals, but the Wildcats first had to hold off their district rivals in a 62-50 battle.

Both teams return four starters on each side of the ball, and they’re stacked with all-state talent. Water Valley is led by quarterback Landon Lacy (1,803 passing yards, 792 rushing) and linebacker Boston Wiese (198 tackles). Robert Lee has spread back Brenner Sherwood (2,186 passing yards, 2,013 rushing) and wide receiver Nate Samaniego (34 catches, 727 receiving yards).

This year’s rematch has a chance to be one of the best games in our area.

Alternate routes: San Angelo Lake View at Pecos, Mason at Holland, Garden City at Buena Vista

WEEK 10

Ballinger at Coleman

These longtime rivals, located about 30 miles apart, have played more than 90 times over the years. Ballinger has a 57-31-4 advantage in the longtime rivalry, but Coleman has won seven of the last nine. 

Last year’s meeting between these two was a defensive battle that Coleman won 14-7. It should be close again with Coleman picked to finish third in District 5-2A Division II, just ahead of Ballinger.

Ballinger turned the corner as a program last season with a five-win improvement following an 0-10 year. An important win on the road over Coleman could help the Bearcats take the next step.

Alternate routes: San Angelo Lake View at Big Spring, Tolar at Brady, Sonora at Christoval, Veribest at Robert Lee, Rochelle at Richland Springs

WEEK 11

Menard at Eden

Our tour began in a six-man town, and that’s where it will end when Eden hosts Menard in a game that could have playoff and district-title implications. 

Eden returns all but one starter from last year’s 6-4 team, while Menard lost just one starter on each side of the ball from a 9-2-1 team, so this game could be stacked with experienced players if they can avoid the injury bug.

Menard running back Jayden Payton rushed for 1,750 yards last year, and he could threaten the 2,000-yard mark this fall. 

After this week, the playoffs begin, and all roads lead to the state championships in Arlington.

Alternate routes: Frenship at San Angelo Central, Christoval at Ozona, Hico at Ballinger, San Saba at Mason, Miles at Roscoe, Irion County at Veribest

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