Week 7 of the Texas High School Football season is here and with that it's time to look at 5 of the top games across the San Antonio and Austin area this week. Things are starting to heat up as district games become important for making playoffs and playoff seedings.
SEGUIN VS BOERNE CHAMPION
Seguin comes into the year at 4-1 and has quietly put together a strong start to their season, including a 2-0 start to district play. Their only loss is to 6A rival New Braunfels. Boerne Champion however comes in at 2-3 on the season and are 0-2 to start district play. However they may have just gotten through the 2 of the tougher district games in Canyon and Hays respectively (more on them later). The Chargers are led by junior Quarterback Jordan Ballin who has thrown for 1,359 yards and 16 touchdowns on the year to only 3 interceptions. Meanwhile the Matadors do a good job of spreading the ball around throwing for 742 yards with freshman Quarterback Corey Dailey at the helm while junior John'Avahn Jackson has rushed for 561 yards and 7 touchdowns on the year. This will be Seguins biggest game since their loss to the Unicorns over a month ago. How Dailey has developed since then will go a long way in showing if Seguin can compete for one of the four playoff spots.
STEELE VS NEW BRAUNFELS
After their hot start with a win over Denton Ryan, New Bruanfels has dropped 2 of their last 3 games. They now start district play by playing one of the hottest teams in the area in Steele. The Knights have wins over Brennan, Lake Travis and Midland Legacy. Chad Warner has led the way for the Knights throwing for 1,151 yards ad 10 touchdowns on the year with senior Jaydon Bailey rushing for 756 yards and 15 touchdowns. This one could be a quarterback duel as junior Leighton Adams for New Bruanfels has thrown for 1,442 yards and 17 touchdowns on the year including a 277 yard 3 touchdown game in their Week 5 win over Brenham. Steele's defense has come up big for them time and time again and I think that could be the difference in the game in this one.
LIBERTY HILL VS VETERANS MEMORIAL
Even with a week 2 loss to Hutto, Liberty Hill has looked dominate on the season putting up enormous points and yards on the season. They are currently 2-0 in district play and are looking to make it back, and win, state. Veterans Memorial is 4-1 on the year, also with a Week 2 loss to Taft, and comes in 1-0 after last weeks 49-42 win over Lockhart. The key to this game is simple enough; can Liberty Hill's Slot-T offense be stopped. So far the answer to that has been no. Even in their loss to Hutto the Panthers put up nearly 500 yards on the ground a a rare pass (that led to a pick six) was one of the key plays in that game. For Veterans to pull off the win they will have to stop Noah Long and Joe Pitchford which is easier said than done. Long has already eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season while Pitchford is at 782 himself. I expect more of the same from them in this one.
ST. MICHAEL'S VS HYDE PARK
Over the last three seasons Hyde Park has gone a combined 2-26. But after 5 games on the season they sit at 5-0 with convincing wins in all 5 games averaging 50 points per game. Meanwhile St. Michael's comes into the season sitting at 2-2, but on a two game win streak. This one is an interesting one because St. Michael's came into the season with what I would say were some high expectations, that could still be reached. But looking on paper these teams looked to be somewhat evenly matched, especially when looking at their common opponents in St. Anthony and TMI. I think if Hyde Park can come out and play like they have for 5 games, you have to like their chances.
CANYON VS HAYS
In what I think is the biggest game in the area this week Canyon travels 30 minutes up north to take on Hays who is off to a 5-0 start. Hays has looked dominant to start their first year in 5A play. Senior Kyree Payton has been the catalyst for this teams hot start on the offensive side, rushing for 810 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. They look like they could be a team to beat in 5A Division 1. On the other hand, Canyon comes in as an interesting story. They had huge wins over New Braunfels and Boerne Champion but then in week 5 got shut out 35-0 against Smithson Valley (which like Hays was a 6A program last season) with their rushing game getting shut out in the game. This game will go a long way to showing what Canyon is capable for the rest of the season. I pick Hays as a favorite in this one, but I think a good showing by Canyon can do a lot for their confidence in the reset of district play.