Central Texas - Week 6 Predictions

Playoff lives are getting shorter in some instances, while other teams are firmly planting themselves as contenders for district titles throughout the region. So as district play continues to heat up, we break out some of the best match ups this weekend.

Austin (4-1, 2-0) vs. Austin Bowie (3-2, 1-1)

Bowie's shot at repeating as district champs could go straight out the door with a loss to the Maroons. The Bulldogs will have to contain do-it-all senior Emory Blake if they hope to come out with a win and slow down an Austin offense that is averaging 32 points per game. Blake leads Austin in rushing and receiving yards, combining for 885 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.

Austin's focus will be on slowing down a Bowie offense that is averaging more than 350 yards of offense and 44 points per game. Quarterback Matt Dodds runs the show for the Bulldogs, passing for 992 yards and 13 touchdowns. 

We see the Bulldogs prevailing in this shootout.

Our pick:
Bowie 45   Austin 38

Leander (3-2, 1-1) vs. Round Rock Westwood (2-3, 0-2)

Leander's defense is among the Austin area's best and it will have to be on top of its game to slow down a Westwood offense that features star running back Princeton Collins. Collins has rushed for 730 yards and six touchdowns, breaking the 200-yard barrier in two of the Warriors' last three games.

The Lions' offense has struggled to put up points and move the ball consistently all season, yet may get a boost from facing Westwood's porous unit. The Warriors are surrendering 30 points per game and yielded almost 800 yards combined in their past two games.

With Westwood's playoff fate virtually on the line, we don't see the Warriors losing this one.

Our pick:
Westwood 24   Leander 17

Georgetown (5-0, 2-0) vs. Round Rock Stony Point (4-1, 2-0)

This is a statement game for Georgetown, with a win proving it is among the best teams in the Austin area. The task for the Eagles will be stopping a Stony Point offense that has exploded for 79 points its last two games and has been held under 33 points just once all season. The Tigers are led by quarterback Nyk McKissic, who has posted 975 yards of total offense and 10 touchdowns.

Quarterback Garrett Gilleland has amassed over 1,200 yards of offense this season and scored 12 touchdowns. The Eagles air attack has helped Georgetown win its games by an average of 12 points per game, but at the same time, only one of those wins has come against an opponent with a winning record.

Georgetown will score points, but not enough to keep up with Stony Point.

Our pick:
Stony Point 42   Georgetown 24

Waco (3-2, 1-1) vs. Waxahachie (3-2, 1-1)

Waco looked like it broke out of its offensive funk last week, breaking through the 30-point barrier for the first time since the opening week in a 31-23 win over Waco University. Running back Bronshae' Keon Dugas broke free for 134 yards and two touchdowns, sparking a running game that had been held under 150 yards the past two weeks.

Waxahachie will test a Lions defense that held Stony Point in check thee weeks ago with a two-headed attack featuring running backs Arxavier Boyd and Venigue Benton. The duo has combined to rush for 609 yards and seven touchdowns, pacing an Indians offense that loves to control the clock.

The Indians gave state-ranked Everman and Ennis fits, so we'll give them the edge in this tight battle.

Our pick:
Waxahachie 20   Waco 17 

Schertz Clemens (3-2, 0-2) vs. Boerne Champion (3-2, 0-2)

After a promising 3-0 start, Clemens has crashed back to Earth thanks to uneven defensive play. Alamo Heights torched the Buffaloes for 435 yards, 240 coming by the air, while Cibolo Steele did it again last week, ripping through Clemens for 457 yards, with 314 coming on the ground. How well the Buffs shore up their defense will depend on how this game turns out.

Champion is also coming off back-to-back humbling defeats after being outscored by a combined 37 points. The Chargers will need to slow down Clemens running back Charles Ross, who has 565 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and continue to feed their own work horse in the backfield Josh Wray, who's rushed for 659 yards and four touchdowns.

The loser of this one will have a tough time making the playoffs, so we think Clemens will play like its capable and deliver a win.

Our pick:
Clemens 31   Champion 27

Cibolo Steele (5-0, 2-0) vs. New Braunfels Canyon (4-1, 2-0)

Steele has been on a tear since the start of the season, playing just game that's been decided by a touchdown or less and winning each by an average of 19 points. The offensive catalyst is running back Malcom Brown, who leads all 4A rushers in the San Antonio area with 1,006 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Canyon can prove its much better than its one lopsided loss showed with a huge upset over a state-ranked foe. The Cougars have scored 103 points the past two weeks with Tyler Denson and Robert Clay combining for 469 yards and eight touchdowns.

Whoever controls the line of scrimmage should win this game, so we'll go with Steele.

Our pick:
Steele 38   Champion Canyon 28

San Antonio Roosevelt (4-1, 3-0) vs. New Braunfels (4-2, 2-1)

Roosevelt can further lay claim to being among the District 26-5A favorites with a win in this showdown between offensive and defensive powerhouses. The Rough Riders head into the game averaging 374 yards and 33 points per game, with running back Brandon Armstrong being the team's strongest weapon. The junior has rushed for 495 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Unicorns rely on their stout defense to win games and it's delivered so far. Take away a 24-21 loss to Madison and New Braunfels has surrendered just 26 points this season and posted three shutouts. Thanks to quarterback Blake Forester's 388 passing yards and three touchdowns, the Unicorns have won their past two games 57-0.

When its good offense versus great defense, we'll take the defense.

Our pick:
New Braunfels 21   Roosevelt 14   

Smithson Valley (5-1, 3-1) vs. San Antonio Madison (5-0, 3-0)

In what is quickly becoming the San Antonio area's best rivalry, Madison and Smithson Valley will battle for control of District 26-5A once again. The Rangers have won four straight games and look every bit as good as they did a year ago. Madison's defense has been shaky at times, but it's hard to argue with an offense that is scoring 54 points and ringing up 450 yards per game.

The Mavericks diverse offense features sophomore stud Aaron Green and his 1,065 rushing yards and eight touchdowns as well as standout receiver Nate Askew, who's caught 21 passes for 320 yards and four touchdowns.

Smithson Valley counters with receiver Cody Matthews and running back Trey Reinhart. Matthews has caught 22 passes for 350 yards and two touchdowns, while Reinhart has rushed for 495 yards and four yards.

We like Madison's offensive duo better than Smithson Valley's so give us the Mavericks.

Our pick:
Madison 45   Smithson Valley 42 

Last week: 6-2     Season: 27-12     Winning percentage: .692

Date of Article: Thu Oct 09, 2008 4:36 pm

Related Content:
- Austin High  - Austin Bowie  - Boerne Champion  - Cibolo Steele  - Georgetown  - Leander  - New Braunfels Canyon  - New Braunfels  - Round Rock Stony Point  - San Antonio Madison  - San Antonio Roosevelt  - San Antonio Smithson Valley  - Waco  - Waxahachie