GAMES
RANKINGS
Warrior Nation...
San Antonio Pieper dominating in second season of varsity football
Class 5A-Division I
No. 6 San Antonio Pieper (11-0) vs. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (10-1)
7 p.m., Friday, Warrior Coliseum
Last Week: Pieper 63, Southwest Legacy 0; Flour Bluff 35, McAllen Memorial 10
Pieper continues to ascend remarkably. In just its second year of varsity play, the Warriors enter the area playoffs undefeated after a regional finalist appearance last year. … Pieper is averaging 50.3 points per game and allowing 22.5. … Offense is the name of the game for the Warriors. Senior QB Cayden Keethe has completed 70.7% of his passes for 3,176 yards and 39 TDs to eight interceptions. He’s also rushed for 313 yards and six TDs. Keethe’s primary target is senior WR Isaiah Champagne, who has 60 catches for 1,124 yards and 15 TDs. Three other Warriors, however, have five or more receiving TDs. … On the ground, Pieper is just as potent with junior RB Brady Hopper (596 yards, 11 TDs) and senior RB John Hamilton (525 yards, 11 TDs). … Flour Bluff’s only loss this year was a 36-33 overtime setback to 9-2 Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial. … The Hornets are averaging 46.1 points per game and allowing 13. … Flour Bluff has not lost in the area round since 2019. The Hornets have made the regional final twice and state semifinal once since then. … Winner plays San Antonio Southwest or Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial in the next round.
THE HEADLINER: Brennan, Westlake battle for area supremacy
Class 6A- Division I
No. 21 San Antonio Brennan (10-1) vs. No. 10 Austin Westlake (10-1)
7 p.m., Friday, Heroes Stadium
Last week: Brenna 28, S.A. Reagan 7; Westlake 46, Vista Ridge 17
Brennan avenged a 31-9 loss to Reagan in the season opener and has now won 10 straight since that setback. … Brennan is seeking its fifth straight trip to the regional semifinals, but it will be a tough task. … Brennan is 0-3 all-time versus Westlake. The Chaps beat the Bears in the regional final 47-7 in 2022. … Brennan is averaging 44.2 points per game and allowing 7.8. Westlake is averaging 46.6 points per game and allowing 12.5. … Westlake’s lone loss this season came Sept. 13, in a 39-21 loss to No. 4 state-ranked Atascocita. … Brennan’s offense is paced by its dominant running back duo of senior Malik White (810 yards, 18 TDs) and junior Micai Thompson (702 yards, 14 TDs). The run game accounts for 65% of Brennan’s offense. … Westlake is more balanced. Junior QB Rees Wise had completed 68% of his throws for 1,924 yards and 17 TDs. Senior RB Grady Bartlett has 596 yards and 11 TDs. Senior WR Brody Wilhelm has 478 yards and eight TDs. … Winner of this game will advance to play San Antonio Johnson or Los Fresnos in the next round.