Central Texas - Week 4 Predictions

As we head into Week 4 action, several teams across the region prepare to start district play. There are still other big non-district matchups left as well, but the games that count start soon so everyone will be geared up and ready to play. Here's our picks for the region's best games to watch this week.

Thursday night

Round Rock (1-2) vs. Round Rock McNeil (2-0)

The Dragons looked great in whipping Killeen Ellison two weeks ago, but struggled to get much going in their other two games. Which Round Rock team shows up is the biggest question and may be answered by turnovers. The Dragons have coughed up the ball six times their two losses and none in their win.

McNeil has flown under the radar for much of the season, but has looked solid the past two weeks. The Mavericks are off to a 2-0 start and have won those games by an 81-9 margin. All-purpose back Reginald Cole is the main offensive spark, averaging 113 yards and a touchdown per game.

Our pick:
McNeil 24   Round Rock 14

Friday night

Westlake (0-3) vs. Bowie (2-1)

The Chaps are off to their first 0-3 start in school history and can't seem to straighten things out. The defense has yet to hold anyone under 30 points, while the offense is productive but has been done in by costly turnovers.

The Bulldogs lost a heartbreaker to start the season and have been crushing everyone since. Bowie had three 100-yard rushers in a 56-point outing last week, while star receiver DeAndre Perry has two touchdowns in his last seven catches.

Our pick:
Bowie 41   Westlake 28

Marble Falls (3-1) vs. Dripping Springs (4-0)

The Mustangs offense has apparently hit its groove, scoring 101 points in its last three games - all Marble Falls wins. Running back Austin Sparks has been the catalyst, rushing for 392 yards and four touchdowns in that span.

The Tigers have yet to be tested this season, winning their games by an average of 19 points per game. Dripping Springs showed how tough its defense can be last week, holding Travis to 165 total yards and forcing two turnovers.

Our pick:
Dripping Springs 28   Marble Falls 21

Hutto (4-0) vs. Pflugerville Hendrickson (3-1)

The Hawks are on a roll, averaging 29 points per game, while surrendering just 15 during their three-game win streak. The key for Hendrickson has been the running back duo of Kenny Williams and Marquese Dunn, who rushed for almost 500 yards and four touchdowns during that run.

The Hippos are no strangers to power running games. Hutto is among the Austin area's best teams on the ground, averaging 361 yards per game. The Hippos are also averaging 47 points per game and have been held under 300 yards rushing just once this season.

Our pick:
Hutto 42   Hendrickson 31

San Marcos (2-1) vs. Cibolo Steele (3-0)

Since being over matched in their season opener, the Rattlers have won two straight behind a strong running game.  San Marcos has totaled 822 yards on the ground the past two weeks, with as many as 10 different ball carriers getting a few touches.

Steele is no stranger to smashmouth football either, rushing for 787 yards and averaging 27 points while doing it. Malcom Brown leads the way for the Knights, rushing for 550 yards and seven touchdowns, while averaging more than 10 yards per carry.

Our pick:
Steele 28   New Braunfels 21

Round Rock Westwood (2-1) vs. Round Rock Stony Point (2-1)

Westwood gave Lake Travis all it could hand in Zero Week and has stayed impressive since. The Warriors are averaging 33 points per game and have a considerable run-pas threat in running back Princeton Collins and quarterback Tyler Grabarkewitz. Collins is averaging 195 rushing yards per game and has scored four touchdowns, while Grabarkewitz has thrown for 604 yards and four touchdowns.

Stony Point's offense was on cruise control, averaging 45 points per game, until it ran into Waco and put up a single field goal. The Tigers had an extra week to prepare for this one, however, and you can bet quarterback Nyk Mckissic will look more like the guy that had 540 yards of offense and five touchdowns the first two weeks, than the guy that had 155 yards against Waco.

Our pick:
Westwood 31   Stony Point 28

Schertz Clemens (3-0) vs. Alamo Heights (1-2)

The Buffaloes have been solid on offense and defense all season, outscoring their first two opponents 53-12. Clemens, however, proved it can win a shootout, dropping Beeville Jones 41-35 behind running back Charles Ross' 198 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.

Alamo Heights won this game handily last season, but now could just use a win to right its subpar season. The Mules, picked by many as a state championship dark horse, stumbled out of the gates and haven't seriously recovered. Quarterback Drew Allen did show what he is capable of in Heights' last game, throwing for 367 yards and six touchdowns.

Our pick:
Clemens 38   Alamo Heights 24

Last week: 7-1   Season: 19-5   Winning percentage: .791

Date of Article: Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:46 pm

Related Content:
- Austin Bowie  - Austin Westlake  - Dripping Springs  - Ennis  - Hutto  - Marble Falls  - Pflugerville Hendrickson  - Round Rock McNeil  - Round Rock  - Round Rock Stony Point  - San Antonio Alamo Heights  - San Marcos  - Schertz Cibolo  - Schertz Clemens  - Waco