Friday Night Rewind: Best Games, Biggest Wins and Top Performers From Last Week

Here are the best games, biggest wins and top performers from last week’s high school football action in West Texas:

Best Game: Lake View-Burnet

Win or lose, the Lake View Chiefs have put on a show all season. They fell short Friday in a 46-36 loss to Burnet, but Lake View led 29-22 at halftime and trailed only 32-29 heading into the fourth quarter before the game got away. Lake View quarterback Chris Alvizo continues to impress and threw for 253 yards and five touchdowns while adding 69 rushing yards. Lake View’s offense has scored at least 33 points in every game this season. The Chiefs, who are now 4-2 after back-to-back losses, will try to get back on track this week at Brownfield.

Biggest Win: Water Valley

The Water Valley Wildcats, ranked No. 2 in Class 1A Division I, had a big test with No. 10 Rankin in town last week. Water Valley passed the test in convincing fashion with a 68-20 win that was over early in the third quarter due to the 45-point mercy rule. Landon Lacy threw three TD passes, ran for a score and intercepted a pass to lead the way for the Wildcats, who are now a perfect 6-0 as they prepare for district play in two weeks at Veribest.

Biggest Surprise: Wall-Idalou

The Wall Hawks had dominated every matchup this season heading into last week, but they found themselves in a battle on the road against Idalou. The game was tied 14–14 at halftime, and Wall held only a 21-14 advantage after the third quarter. Idalou has one of the better programs in the region, so it’s not completely stunning that the Wildcats hung with Wall. But the Hawks had won so impressively that it was a bit eye-opening seeing them in a competitive game in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Wall held on for a 35-21 win and remains the No. 2-ranked team in the state in Class 3A Division II. The Hawks open district play at home this week against Merkel.

Case for the Defense: Blackwell

The Blackwell Hornets picked up their first win of the season last week, and they did so emphatically with a 58-0 shutout over Panther Creek. Blackwell also started 0-5 last year before a win over Panther Creek kickstarted a district title and run to the second round of the playoffs. The Hornets hope for a similar story this season. They host Olfen to open district play this week.

Strong in Defeat: Veribest

The Veribest Falcons have had a tough season so far with a 1-5 record, but they showed heart last week in a 44-41 loss to Nueces Canyon. It was the most points Veribest has scored this year. The Falcons will open district play at home this week against Paint Rock.

Top Performers

Chris Alvizo, San Angelo Lake View: Threw for 253 yards and five TDs on 22-of-34 passing, and had 11 carries for 69 yards in a loss to Burnet

Landon York, Wall: Threw for 307 yards and two TDs on 19-of-29 passing in a win over Idalou

Reid Robertson, Wall: Had five catches for 123 yards and a TD in a win over Idalou

Kellan Oliver, Wall: Had five catches for 71 yards in a win over Idalou

Darrell West, Grape Creek: Had nine carries for 54 yards and three TDs in a win over San Angelo TLCA

Sire Garcia, Grape Creek: Had seven carries for 67 yards and a TD, along with seven tackles, tackle for loss and a forced fumble in a win over San Angelo TLCA

Izaiah Rios, San Angelo Lake View: Had 19 carries for 122 yards in a loss to Burnet

Braylon White, San Angelo Lake View: Had seven catches for 104 yards and two TDs in a loss to Burnet

Chris Rodela, San Angelo Lake View: Had six catches for 58 yards and two TDs in a loss to Burnet

Brenner Sherwood, Robert Lee: Had nine carries for 143 yards and five TDs, threw for 90 yards and a TD on 4-of-7 passing, intercepted a pass on defense, and was 8-of-9 kicking PATs in a win over Bronte

Edward Samaniego, Robert Lee: Had 12 tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble in a win over Bronte

Landon Lacy, Water Valley: Threw three TD passes, had a TD run, and intercepted a pass on defense in a win over Rankin

Billy Perry, Richland Springs: Threw for 90 yards and three TDs on 7-of-7 passing in a win over Lometa

Cohen Ethridge, Richland Springs: Had 10 carries for 121 yards and a TD, and three catches for 23 yards and a TD in a win over Lometa