Central Texas - Week 5 Predictions

The excitement is starting to grow more and more each week as district play throughout the region spreads. And while some of the big-name programs have struggled (Westlake, Alamo Heights, etc) other newcomers (San Antonio Roosevelt, Hutto, etc.) have shined. As we reach the midway point of the season, here are some of the biggest games Central Texas has to offer.

Friday games

Hewitt Midway (3-1, 1-0) vs. Corsicana (3-1, 1-0)

The Panthers are off to a great start thanks to a punishing running game led by Jon Hubert. The Midway starter gashed previously unbeaten Cleburne for 210 rushing yards and three touchdowns, helping Midway finish with 391 yards in a 43-0 victory last week. The Panthers' D wasn't too shabby either, holding a Yellowjackets team that came in averaging 47 points to zero and holding Cleburne to 89 total yards.

The Tigers survived a bruising battle with Waco University last week and seem to be gaining steam on offense. Corsicana is averaging 31 points and over 300 yards of offense in its past three games, with the running back duo of Javonti Harris and Cody Evans combining for 448 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

This game will boil down to defense and with Corsicana having already forced 10 turnovers this season, we like the Tigers'  chances.

Our pick:
Corsicana 27   Midway 21

Copperas Cove (4-0, 1-0) vs. Temple (0-4, 0-1)

The Bulldawgs have been impressive all season, showcasing a scary balance of power on offense and defense. Copperas Cove has won its last two games by a whopping 87-14 point differential and has yet to give up more than 20 points in a game this season. Wide receiver Josh Boyce was a one-man-gang last week, catching three passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-0 rout of Killeen Ellison.

Few teams in the state can match the one-two offensive punch of Temple's Lache Seastrunk and wide receiver Tevin Reese. Seastrunk has rushed for 551 yards, while Reese adds another 315 receiving yards yet the Wildcats still enter their second district game without a win. Yet the Wildcats haven't been overpowered either, with three of their four losses coming by eight points or less.

Temple entered district play winless last season before getting on a roll. We just don't see that momentum building against the Bulldawgs.

Our pick:
Copperas Cove 38   Temple 27

No. 1 Lake Travis (5-0, 1-0) vs. Hutto (4-1, 0-1)

Lake Travis comes into this game following a 50-9 pounding of Killeen and looks near unstoppable on offense, having scored at least 35 points in its last four games. Texas commit Garrett Gilbert has been better than ever, throwing for more than 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns while tossing just one interception. Wide out Cade McCrary has been his go-to target, hauling in 27 passes for 602 yards and six touchdowns.

Hutto's jump to Class 4A has gone a lot smoother than anyone could've expected thanks to a running game that has plowed through everyone in its sight. The Hippos rushed for 445 yards and six touchdowns but still dropped a wild 50-49 game to Pflugerville Hendrickson last week. Yet, Hutto isn't afraid to pound the ball against anyone and has the results to back it up, averaging 47 points per game.

If Hutto can control the clock and wear down Lake Travis this one could go down to the wire. That, however, is a big if.

Our pick:
Lake Travis 56   Hutto 42

Round Rock Stony Point (3-1, 1-0) vs. Leander (3-1, 1-0)

Stony Point's offense has been downright lethal against every opponent except Waco. The Tigers showed how dangerous they can be last week, thrashing rival Westwood 41-14 and rolling up 335 yards of offense along the way. Baylor commit Glasco Martin has shined in his new role at running back, rushing for 388 yards and six touchdowns.

What Leander lacks in offensive firepower, it makes up for with defensive grit. The Lions completely shut down Vista Ridge in last week's 35-10 win, holding the Rangers to 149 total yards and just eight first downs. Leander's power running game benefits greatly from an opportunistic defense that forced 11 turnovers this season.

While Leander has proved it can slow down anyone, we think the Tigers have too much firepower to shut down.

Our pick:
Stony Point 24   Leander 21

Pflugerville (3-1, 1-0) vs. Westlake (1-3, 1-0)

Pflugerville has made an art of winning ugly and that was once again the case last week. Despite being outgained by almost 100 yards, the Panthers forced three key turnovers and routed Bastrop 28-10. Pflugerville star defensive linemen Alex Okafor and Tyrus Thompson are a load to handle and anchor a defense that is surrendering just 13 points per game in its last three wins.

The Chaparrals finally cut down on mistakes and showed how explosive they can be on offense last week. Westlake didn't turn the ball over for the first time all season and racked up 540 yards of offense to drop Austin Bowie 49-35 and get its first win of the season. Texas A&M commit Ryan Swope looked healthy in carrying the offensive load to finish with 227 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.

Pflugerville has a knack for winning big games, but we like the momentum Westlake is building off from last week.

Our pick:
Westlake 35   Pflugerville 31 

San Antonio O'Connor (3-1, 1-0) vs. San Antonio Warren (3-2, 3-0)

Quarterback Jarek Lancaster was a star at linebacker last season, yet has been steady under center. The Rice commit has amassed 430 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns and is mobile enough in the pocket to keep defenses honest. O'Connor's offense hasn't missed a beat without running back Jerreal Minor, averaging 315 yards per game.

Warren's tough non-district schedule put it in an early hole, but the Warriors have rallied with three consecutive wins. Running back Matt Owens is the work horse on offense, rushing for 510 yards and six touchdowns. But the strength of the team is on defense, where Warren has allowed 14 points or less in its past three games.

O'Connor edged Warren for the district title with a win in this game last season, so we like the Warriors getting revenge.

Our pick:
Warren 31   O'Connor 28

Schertz Clemens (3-1, 0-1) vs. No. 10 Cibolo Steele (4-0, 1-0)

Clemens went into last week's game against Alamo Heights on a roll and promptly got whacked 35-3. Defensive breakdowns and turnovers helped the game get out of hand early and should teach the Buffaloes a lesson going into this rivalry game. Rice commit Charles Ross rushed for 161 yards, his fourth consecutive game over 100 yards this season, yet failed to score a touchdown for the first time.

Steele's power running game has yet to be stopped and continues to thrive thanks to a dominating offensive line and the shifty moves of running back Malcom Brown. Brown torched San Marcos last week for 176 rushing yards and four touchdowns, helping spark a 49-17 rout. The Knights are averaging 30 points per game and haven't had a close game yet.

We think Clemens has the defense to stop Steele's option-attack, but think the Knights will still find a way to stay unbeaten.

Our pick:
Steele 28   Clemens 24

Saturday's game

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

Reagan rolled up 490 yards of offense in last week's 45-20 pasting of Lee and has been cruising on offense since its season-opening loss to Cinco Ranch. Quarterback Derrick Walls completed 90 percent of his passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns, giving him over 1,000 yards of total offense to rank in the top five in Class 5A in the San Antonio area.

The offensive duo of quarterback Devin Haywood and running back Brandon Armstrong has the Rough Riders going well on offense after an opening-week loss. Haywood has accounted for 740 yards of offense, while Armstrong adds another 415 on the ground. Armstrong torched Lee for 215 yards and three touchdowns in Roosevelt's last game, a 42-20 victory.

Roosevelt looks more explosive, but we like Reagan's resume so far and see the Rattlers taking this one.

Our pick:
Reagan 42   Roosevelt 34

Last week: 2-5    Season: 21-10    Winning percentage: .677

Date of Article: Thu Oct 02, 2008 12:31 pm

Related Content:
- Lake Travis  - Austin Westlake  - Cibolo Steele  - Copperas Cove  - Corsicana  - Hewitt Midway  - Hutto  - Leander  - Pflugerville  - Round Rock Stony Point  - San Antonio OConnor  - San Antonio Reagan  - San Antonio Warren  - Schertz Clemens  - Temple