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

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

Best Game: Brady-Early

With the District 5-3A Division II title on the line, it took four overtimes before Brady finally held off Early 17-15. Each team scored just once during regulation, and they both scored eight points in the second overtime. After that, the teams began alternating two-point conversion tries. Each failed once before Brady’s Ashton Taylor scored to win the game. Considering the stakes, the drama was high throughout the game until the final play. Brady walked away with a gigantic road win that goes a long way toward earning the Bulldogs the district title and No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs.

Biggest Win: San Angelo Central

The Central Bobcats took a huge step toward returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2022 with a 34-27 win over Midland High. The Bobcats trailed 17-7 in the second quarter before rallying for what could be a season-defining victory. Central’s Zey Johnson scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:15 remaining to give the Bobcats a 34-24 lead, and they held off a late Midland High charge. Central can now likely lock up a playoff spot this week with a win at Odessa High.

Honorable mention: Bronte

The Bronte Longhorns also had a big-time win with their 75-40 victory over Blackwell. Bronte all but assured itself of a playoff berth, and the Longhorns are in position to win the District 6-1A Division II title if they beat Trent at home on Friday.

Biggest Surprise: Water Valley

The No. 2-ranked Water Valley Wildcats were the favorite in their matchup with then-No. 5 Robert Lee on Friday, but they weren’t expected to win so convincingly. Water Valley didn’t seem bothered by the wet conditions and jumped out to a 22-0 lead on the way to a 67-30 win. The Wildcats are now in the driver’s seat for the District 8-1A Division I title, and they have a chance to make a run all the way to the state final.

Case for the Defense: San Angelo Lake View

The Lake View Chiefs clinched their first winning season in 21 years with a 42-14 win Thursday at Pecos. Lake View’s offense has been putting up big numbers all season, but the Chiefs’ defense also stepped up with one of its best showings this fall. Evan Gallegos and Roman Garcia each had interceptions to lead the Chiefs, who also forced a turnover on downs. If Lake View can continue to play defense like this, the Chiefs can make a serious push for their first district title since 2004.

Strong in Defeat: Blackwell

Blackwell may have lost the district title after its 75-40 loss to Bronte, but the Hornets didn’t get 45’d, and they showed they may still have the potential to finish as the second and final playoff participant from this district. They rebounded from an 0-5 start to win three straight games before the loss to Bronte, and they can punch their ticket to the playoffs next week with a win at Trent.

Top Performers

Christian Villarreal, Ozona: Had 20 carries for 380 yards and seven touchdowns in a win over Colorado City

Jayden Payton, Menard: Had eight carries for 124 yards and three TDs, and was 4-of-5 passing for 71 yards in a win over Nueces Canyon

Bryce Davis, Menard: Had 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, an interception and a blocked kick in a win over Nueces Canyon

Ashton Taylor, Brady: Had 25 carries for 205 yards and a TD, along with three catches for 53 yards, and the game-winning two-point conversion in a win over Early

Zey Johnson, San Angelo Central: Had 21 carries for 117 yards and two TDs in a win over Midland High

Mason Van Sickle, San Angelo Central: Had 15 tackles and two tackles for loss in a win over Midland High

Chris Alvizo, San Angelo Lake View: Threw for 276 yards and four TDs on 21-of-25 passing in a win over Pecos

Izaiah Rios, San Angelo Lake View: Had 12 carries for 172 yards and a TD in a win over Pecos

Nick Leyva, San Angelo Lake View: Had eight catches for 100 yards in a win over Pecos

Braylon White, San Angelo Lake View: Had five catches for 70 yards and a TD in a win over Pecos

Landon York, Wall: Threw for 246 yards and seven TDs on 18-of-21 passing in a win over Grape Creek

Jager Thompson, Wall: Had four catches for 72 yards and three TDs in a win over Grape Creek

Jacob Braden, Wall: Had 15 tackles, including 11 solos in a win over Grape Creek

Hagyn Barbee, Wall: Had 15 tackles, including one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in a win over Grape Creek

Slayton Hallmark, Wall: Had 14 tackles and a tackle for loss in a win over Grape Creek

Acea Gomez, Sonora: Had nine carries for 106 yards and two TDs in a win over Reagan County

Evan Arredondo, Sonora: Had six catches for 103 yards and a TD in a win over Reagan County

Armani Coronado, Sonora: Had 15 tackles in a win over Reagan County

Angel Diaz, Sonora: Had 12 tackles and an interception in a win over Reagan County

Landon Lacy, Water Valley: Threw four touchdown passes, ran for a TD and had an interception on defense in a win over Robert Lee

Rett Dickison: Had four TD catches in a win over Robert Lee