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: San Angelo Central-Midland Legacy

The Central Bobcats and Legacy Rebels put on a show in their District 2-6A opener before Legacy pulled away for a 58-42 win at San Angelo Stadium. Central trailed only 38-35 at halftime and 48-42 heading into the fourth quarter when the Rebels finally put the Bobcats away. Micah Smith threw for 414 yards and four touchdowns, half of which went to Colton Hill, who had 10 catches for 207 yards and two TDs. Central will try to avoid starting 0-2 in district play when the Bobcats travel to play Odessa Permian this week.

Biggest Win: San Angelo Lake View

The Lake View Chiefs’ 58-26 win over Brownfield last week was an important one, because it gave them some much-needed momentum after back-to-back losses had taken some of the luster off their 4-0 start.  Izaiah Rios continued his breakout year with 192 rushing yards and two TDs. Lake View now has a 5-2 record heading into its bye week before the Chiefs start District 3-4A Division I play next week at Pecos. Lake View seems to have a real chance to win its first district title since 2004.

Biggest Surprise: Eldorado

The Eldorado Eagles could have taken the top two categories as well, because their 45-42 comeback win over Iraan was a classic game and a season-defining victory. Eldorado trailed 20-0 before storming back to turn into a back-and-forth battle the rest of the game. The Eagles took the lead for good with 2:42 remaining, then won the game with a defensive stand. Projected to be a third-place team in District 4-2A Division II, the Eagles are suddenly in the district-title mix. They’ll look to take another step this week at Sterling City.

Case for the Defense: Mason

The Mason Punchers had a tough start to the season with a 1-3 record after losses to Wall, Brady and Junction. The Punchers have quietly responded with back-to-back shutout wins over Christoval (35-0) and last week against Thorndale (18-0) to start off District 14-2A Division I play. Mason has long been known for its stout defense, and that could go a long way toward keeping the Punchers’ run of 14 straight district titles alive. Mason plays at home this week against Harper.

Strong in Defeat: Grape Creek

The Grape Creek Eagles nearly pulled off a win on the road over Coahoma but fell just short in a 33-27 district-opening loss. Grape Creek running back Darrell West had a career night with 277 rushing yards and three TDs on 29 carries in a losing effort. Grape Creek trailed 33-20 entering the fourth quarter before scoring and getting the ball back before a last-minute drive came up empty handed. The Eagles will try to get back on track this week when they host Stanton.

Top Performers

Christian Villarreal, Ozona: Had 16 carries for 296 yards and six TDs, and had one catch for 45 yards and a TD in a win over Reagan County

Darrell West, Grape Creek: Had 29 carries for 277 yards and three TDs in a loss to Coahoma

Cason Tidwell, Bangs: Had 15 carries for 189 yards and four TDs in a win over Ballinger

Jay Borrego, Ozona: Had 10 carries for 91 yards and a TD in a win over Reagan County

Michael Preddy, Ozona: Had seven carries for 93 yards and a TD, and was 7-of-11 passing for 186 yards and three TDs in a win over Reagan County

JP Garza, Ozona: Had 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a defensive TD in a win over Reagan County

Nolan Martinez, Ozona: Had eight tackles, three tackles for loss and three sacks in a win over Reagan County

Izaiah Rios, San Angelo Lake View: Had 14 carries for 192 yards and two TDs, along with four catches for 31 yards in a win over Brownfield

Evan Gallegos, San Angelo Lake View: Had seven carries for 95 yards and two TDs in a win over Brownfield

Chris Alvizo, San Angelo Lake View: Was 22-of-33 passing for 223 yards and three TDs in a win over Brownfield

Nick Leyva, San Angelo Lake View: Had four catches for 96 yards and a TD in a win over Brownfield

Ashton Taylor, Brady: Had nine carries for 150 yards and four TDs in a win over Dublin

Alijah Stark, Brady: Had 12 carries for 102 yards and two TDs in a win over Dublin

Colby Hinton, Brady: Had five carries for 91 yards and a TD in a win over Dublin

Micah Smith, San Angelo Central: Threw for 414 yards and four TDs on 22-of-46 passing in a loss to Midland Legacy

Colton Hill, San Angelo Central: Had 10 catches for 207 yards and two TDs in a loss to Midland Legacy

Jimmy Edwards, San Angelo Central: Had six catches for 100 yards and a TD in a loss to Midland Legacy

JonnieRae Adame, Eldorado: Threw for 259 yards and two TDs on 18-of-31 passing, and had 10 carries for 58 yards and two TDs in a win over Iraan

Kane Brock, Eldorado: Had 12 carries for 67 yards and two TDs, along with 11 tackles in a win over Iraan

Brindon Gamez, Eldorado: Had four catches for 155 yards and two TDs in a win over Iraan

Aaron Segura, Sonora: Threw for 217 yards and three TDs on 10-of-21 passing in a win over Forsan

Jose Guerra, Sonora: Had six carries for 75 yards and a TD, along with nine tackles, a tackle for loss, sack and a forced fumble in a win over Forsan

Acea Gomez, Sonora: Had 19 carries for 72 yards and a TD, along with two sacks on defense in a win over Forsan

Angel Diaz, Sonora: Had a 75-yard TD catch, along with seven tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception in a win over Forsan

Landon York, Wall: Threw for 387 yards and seven TDs on 23-of-30 passing in a win over Merkel

Brady Neal, Wall: Had 15 carries for 174 yards and two TDs in a win over Merkel

Reid Robertson, Wall: Had four catches for 124 yards and two TDs in a win over Merkel

Jager Thompson, Wall: Had six catches for 115 yards and a TD in a win over Merkel

Gunner Garza, Wall: Had three catches for 117 yards and a TD in a win over Merkel