Top 5 Football Games to Watch in West Texas This Week

Here are our top five high school football games to watch in the Concho Valley and West Texas in Week  6:

Burnet (1-4) at San Angelo Lake View (4-1) 

The Lake View Chiefs will try to get back on track Friday when they host Burnet at San Angelo Stadium. Lake View suffered its first loss of the season last week, 40-33 to Levelland. The Chiefs fell behind by 20 points late in the third quarter, but their high-powered offense came alive late to give them a chance to steal the game in the final seconds before a last-second pass fell incomplete in the end zone. Burnet routed Lake View 57-14 last year, but the Bulldogs are only averaging 16.8 points per game this year during their 1-4 start. They’ll also have to contend with a Lake View offense that is averaging 43.6 points per game. However, the Chiefs’ defense has allowed 30.2 points per game. Lake View has had back-to-back exciting games at San Angelo Stadium — including a 50-49 win over Lubbock High — and it should be another fun one this week. 

The pick: Lake View 34, Burnet 30

Rankin (4-1) at Water Valley (5-0)

This is a Top 10 matchup right here in Tom Green County. Water Valley, the No. 2-ranked team in Class 1A Division I, will host No. 10 Rankin. It will be one of the final nondistrict tests for each team before they begin district play in the coming weeks. Water Valley has been extremely impressive on the way to a 5-0 start to the season. The Wildcats have won every game by the 45-point mercy rule, and they’ve allowed a combined 14 points. Rankin is off to a 4-1 start with only a 74-44 loss to No. 7 Borden County. The Red Devils also have a 48-44 win over Westbrook. Rankin was run over 59-14 by Water Valley last year. The Red Devils may be able to give Water Valley its toughest test yet this year, but it’s a big ask to keep pace for 40 minutes.

The pick: Water Valley 66, Rankin 32

Wall (5-0) at Idalou (3-2)

The Wall Hawks will complete their nondistrict schedule in the South Plains against Idalou. Wall, ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 3A Division II, posted its second shutout of the season last week in a 35-0 win over Sweetwater. Wall has allowed an average of six points per game against a schedule that includes Mason, Brownwood, Jim Ned and Monahans. The Hawks offense has been led by quarterback Landon York, who has thrown for 1,193 yards and 17 TDs with two interceptions. His top target is Reid Robertson with 21 catches for 411 yards and seven TDs. Idalou has won three games in a row, including a 45-20 decision over Shallowater last week, but the Wildcats may be overmatched in this one. Wall won this game last year 33-10, and it could be a similar result this year. 

The pick: Wall 35, Idalou 7

Grape Creek (3-2) at San Angelo TLCA (0-4)

Both of these Tom Green County teams will wrap up nondistrict play in this matchup. TLCA is still looking for its first win of the season, though the Eagles have made strides on both sides of the ball from last year. TLCA will try to slow down a Grape Creek team that is coming off a 41-0 shutout win over Tahoka. Grape Creek running back Darrell West has had five straight 100-yard games. Grape Creek won this game in a 74-0 rout last year. TLCA is still a heavy underdog but should continue to show the progress that it has made.

The pick: Grape Creek 42, TLCA 13

Robert Lee (5-0) at Bronte (3-2)

These two Coke County rivals have played each other more than 100 times over the years. They each started this year 3-0, but Bronte has dropped its last two games after back-to-back losses to Eden and Menard. Robert Lee, meanwhile, is steamrolling ahead with a perfect record and the No. 5 ranking in the state in Class 1A Division I. Steers spread back Brenner Sherwood has rushed for 803 yards and 20 TDs, while throwing for 829 yards and nine TDs. He also has six interceptions on defense. Bronte will have its hands full trying to contain Sherwood, but the Longhorns’ main goal is to prepare for making a run at a playoff spot from their district. 

The pick: Robert Lee 60, Bronte 14

The Rest of Week 6

Westbrook at Garden City

May at Irion County

Three Way at Paint Rock

Veribest at Nueces Canyon

Eden at Baird

Panther Creek at Blackwell

Brookesmith at Olfen

Richland Springs at Lometa

Mullin at Lohn