Top 5 Football Games to Watch in West Texas This Week

SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are our top five high school football games to watch in the Concho Valley and West Texas in Week 9:

Robert Lee at Water Valley

We’ve been building toward this matchup all season, and both teams have held up their end of the bargain in making this the game of the year. Robert Lee is 8-0 and ranked No. 5 in the state, while Water Valley is 7-0 and ranked No. 2. It doesn’t get much better than a Top 5 matchup to decide the district title and No. 1 playoff seed. This game is also loaded with individual talent. Robert Lee is led by last year’s All-Cover 1 MVP, spread back Brenner Sherwood, along with all-state wide receiver Nate Samaniego. Water Valley has one of the deepest six-man rosters in Texas with all-state players like quarterback Landon Lacy, linebacker Boston Wiese and defensive lineman Brylan Naylor, along with standout newcomer Branson Lacy at running back. If any team could slow down Sherwood, it might be Water Valley, especially with a state-champion coach like Trey Sisco. Water Valley reached the state semifinals last season, but they still only earned a 62-50 win over Robert Lee. This has all the makings of an even better game this year. These rivals are separated by only 25 miles, and you can expect a packed stadium Friday in Water Valley, even with the threat of rain. 

The pick: Water Valley 58, Robert Lee 52

San Angelo Lake View at Pecos

The Lake View Chiefs are having one of their best seasons in years, and now they have a chance to make it unforgettable with the start of District 3-4A Division I play. Lake View is off to a 5-2 start and chasing its first district title in 21 years. The Chiefs can also lock up their first winning season since 2004 with one more win. Lake View is opening district play a day early due to a shortage of referees in the Permian Basin. The Chiefs will make the roughly 200-mile drive west to Pecos, which has a 3-4 record. The Eagles beat Lake View 45-37 in overtime last year in San Angelo. The Chiefs have the offensive talent to take control early this year, but they need their defense to keep this game from turning into a shootout.

The pick: Lake View 41, Pecos 27

Brady at Early

The Brady Bulldogs (5-2) face what may be their biggest hurdle in the way of a district title Friday when they travel to Early (3-4). Both teams are off to 2-0 starts in District 5-3A Division II. Brady was the runner-up in this district last year, but defending champ Tolar has fallen off this season. Early has stepped up as a new contender for the title with wins over Tolar (43-14) and Clifton (28-3). With only winless Eastland and Dublin remaining on their schedule after this game, the Longhorns know they could all but clinch the title on their home field with a victory over Brady. The Bulldogs have shown what they’re capable of this year, highlighted by a 24-22 win over Mason, and they’re the only team that’s been remotely close to Ozona in a 46-32 loss. Brady has a strong 1-2 punch in the backfield with running back Ashton Taylor (994 yards) and quarterback Sean Jacoby (822 yards). The Bulldogs also have a solid defense led by defensive lineman Demarcus Reed (72 tackles, 16 tackles for loss) and linebacker Johnny Roque (91 tackles, 16 TFL). It won’t be easy, but Brady has a real chance at returning home from Early alone in first place.

The pick: Brady 38, Early 28

Midland High at San Angelo Central

The Central Bobcats (3-4 overall, 1-1 in district) host Midland High (2-5, 1-1) on Friday in what could be a make-or-break game for their season. Central needs a win to put itself in position to get into the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Last year’s 0-3 start to district doomed the Bobcats, and they were eliminated from playoff contention before the final week. After close losses to Midland Legacy (58-42) and Odessa Permian (35-27), Central has shown it has the ability to pull off this win. Midland High is coming off a 45-21 win over Odessa High, which followed the Bulldogs’ 42-31 loss to Frenship. Midland High isn’t the offensive juggernaut it was last year when the Bulldogs ran all over Central in a 56-47 win, but they still have a dangerous offense Central will have to contain. The Bobcats have been playing the district’s best teams close the last two seasons. Is this the time they finally break through with a win?

The pick: Central 36, Midland High 35

Bronte at Blackwell

The Bronte Longhorns (4-3 overall, 1-0 in district) haven’t won an outright district title since 2011, but they have the potential to end that streak this year. First, they’ll have to go on the road and earn a win at Blackwell (3-4, 2-0). Bronte had a bye last week, which followed a 56-6 win over Loraine. Blackwell had a less-convincing 83-52 win over Loraine last week. If the Longhorns can get past Blackwell, they’ll set themselves up nicely to earn a playoff spot and face Trent (6-1, 1-0) for the District 6-1A Division II title. This should be a competitive game that goes the distance,

The pick: Bronte 46, Blackwell 38

Other Week 9 Games

San Angelo TLCA at Jim Ned

Grape Creek at Wall

Christoval at Forsan

Sonora at Reagan County

Colorado City at Ozona

De Leon at Ballinger

Hico at Coleman

San Saba at Harper

Mason at Holland

Van Horn at Eldorado

Sterling City at Wink

Miles at Hamlin

Roscoe at Winters

D’Hanis at Junction

Garden City at Buena Vista

Irion County at Paint Rock

Medina at Eden

Nueces Canyon at Menard

Brookesmith at Rochelle

Richland Springs at Panther Creek