TribFridayNight Top 5: Tense competition for China Spring-La Vega, Robinson-Connally, more
Here's a breakdown of some of the top games in Central Texas entering Week 8.
No. 6 Robinson (5-1, 1-0) at Connally (4-2, 1-0)
Radio:
Outlook: Temperatures may be going down but the pressure in District 12-4A Div. II most certainly is not.
The Rockets and the Cadets picked up wins in the district opener with Robinson blazing past Lorena in a renewed rivalry while Connally just held off China Spring's second-half surge. Cadets head coach Terry Gerik said he was proud to see the resiliency of his team, but added that they can't let their guard down.
"Our word of the week this week is 'focus,'" Gerik said. "I think we really have to focus in practice and we've got to make sure we're on point with everything. Knowing how to line up correctly defensively, making sure we read our keys and taking care of business on offense. We got to give them credit over there — Coach (Chris) Lancaster's done a great job. Their kids are playing hard, they're doing really well. They're a much-improved Robinson team."
It's shaping up to be another physical matchup in a run-heavy district as both squads sport plenty of veterans in the trenches. Rockets head coach Chris Lancaster emphasized the importance of the line in Robinson's success this season.
"That's where it's all won and lost, is up front in the trenches," Lancaster said. "You can't do anything — it's hard to run the ball, throw the ball. It's hard to stop the run. It's hard to defend the pass if you can't have a pass rusher. It starts in the trenches on both sides of the ball."
On the ground Braeden Ford will lead the charge for the Cadets while Evan Moreno takes the bulk of the carries for the Rockets. Both Connally's Jamarion Vincent and Robinson's Brice McCurdy present dual threats at quarterback but the Rockets lean toward a more balanced offense, which will keep the Connally secondary on high alert.
China Spring (1-5, 0-1) at La Vega (3-3, 1-0)
Stream: Look! Livestream, Centex Sports TV on YouTube
Outlook: After coming up just short of a comeback against Connally, China Spring is up against another challenge on the road against the district favorite La Vega Pirates. Meanwhile, the Pirates breezed to an early lead against Gatesville and held off a rally attempt in the second half to open district with a win.
More than anything, the Cougars' biggest obstacle has been playing clean football. China Spring head coach Beatty told the Tribune-Herald that the Cougars' self-inflicted wounds need to end.
"That little yellow flag is the thing that's having the biggest impact in this game," Beatty said, following the loss to Connally. "We were letting that dictate how we played. It's hard anytime trying to call 3rd-and-20... I know our kids take these things to heart and we'll be ready to go on Monday."
For the Pirates, not much was amiss in their battle with Gatesville. Head coach Don Hyde said that he was happy with the passing game on a night where the running game wasn't up to its usual level. Sophomore quarterback Kourtney Parr has settled in as the Pirates go-to starter, although Jayven Hernandez is still seeing reps when the game calls for his skill set.
West (3-3, 0-1) at Mexia (3-3, 1-0)
Streaming: NFHS Network
Outlook: After an emotional road win over a storied rival in Groesbeck, the Blackcats will return home to face the Trojans, who came up just short in a close game against Maypearl. In the words of Mexia head coach Aaron Nowell, "For a few hours on Friday night it was what's normal," for a team and a community going through an immense loss following the passing of Micah Kirven.
"I know a lot of our kids had Micah in mind as we were playing, I mean the whole team did really," Nowell said. "Our community is really, really special and they support our young people unbelievably well, and even more so in a time like this."
Mexia is hunting for its first trip to the playoffs since 2021. With a roster full of seniors that now have more to play for than just football, the Blackcats are fighting for a chance in a competitive district. They're hoping to carry the energy of the win over Groesbeck into a tough, physical matchup against West.
"What I hope to carry over, I knew the emotion from Friday night, I knew we would be high. I knew we would be up at kickoff," Nowell said. "My concern going into it was, when our adrenaline dumps, what happens? We didn't really let that happen. We talk all the time, we're going to ride the wave — ride the wave when it's high and when the wave goes down and we hit a low, bounce off the low and get back to the high and we really didn't have a lot of lows the other night."
Meanwhile the Trojans are looking to get past some red-zone troubles. Head coach David Woodard pointed out that while West moved the ball well against Maypearl, finishing drives became difficult. Attention to detail and execution when they're on the verge of a score has been an emphasis in the Comma this week.
"We learned that when you're down there, things get even more important, and you've got to do a better job and focus and be more intentional to be able to make sure that you're able to score touchdowns down there," Woodard said. "This is going to be a tough district, and you've got to bring your A-game every week to be able to give yourself a chance on Friday night."
University (4-2, 0-1) at Belton (0-6, 0-1)
Streaming: NFHS Network
Outlook: The Trojans couldn't pull off their usual magic against undefeated Bryan Rudder and now face an opportunity to get their mojo back.
"I think we learned that we still have some soul-searching to do," said University head coach Kaeron Johnson. "To lose the way we did I think we got to take a good look at ourselves and just have to want it more than anybody else."
University held the Rangers to just 273 all-purpose yards compared to its own 383 yards, boosted by a 286-yard passing night for sophomore quarterback Savoy Nichols and a big night for junior receiver London Smith (11 catches for 183 yards and a TD). However, Rudder managed to stall the Trojans' run game. The Rangers also made two interceptions and a fumble return for a touchdown to earn the one-score victory.
With the Tigers still searching for their first win of the season, the trip down I-35 may have lost a little bit of luster. But a cornered animal is still a dangerous one.
"Going into the season it was definitely a big game, especially because it's always a good game, and that's what we were expecting this year," Johnson said. "I know Coach (Brett) Sniffin is going to have them ready and they're going to be prepared to play. They're going to give a good game. I know it's going to be a good game. It has been the last three years, but if we don't fix ourselves and the mistakes that we make, anyone is going to be able to beat us at any time."
Belton will host the Trojans following a district-opening loss to Ellison. Sophomore Will Shepard has gotten the majority of reps under center, throwing for 644 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions, and also leads the run game with 168 yards and five scores. Fellow sophomore Graham Chambley has logged time at QB as well.
The senior core of Kegan Sherwood (49 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception), Damien Tiumalu (44 tackles, 14 TFL, 4 sacks) and Sebastian Magana (40 tackles, 2 sacks) lead Belton's effort on the defensive side of the ball.
Whitney (4-2, 0-1) at Maypearl (4-2, 1-0)
Streaming: NFHS Network
Outlook: The Grandview Zebras continue to be a thorn in Whitney's side and the Wildcats will look to bounce back from a one-point loss when they travel to Maypearl this week. Meanwhile, the Panthers were finally able to get one back from West on the road after being stomped 38-0 by the Trojans in 2023.
Wildcats head coach David Haynes Jr., said for many of his players, the big atmosphere of Friday's game was a new experience,
"I'm not going to emphasize the youth, but it was some of our kids' first time in a big, big game like that," Haynes said. "For the most part we played pretty good, but in certain situations we didn't do what we're supposed to. We learned that we're going to have to execute 100 percent of the time. We have to be almost perfect to beat really, really good teams."
Whitney will face another challenge in the size matchup against the Panthers. Maypearl's O-line alone consists of several guys ranging from 240 to 310 pounds. Haynes noted the Wildcats will have to be strategic, but more importantly they'll have to execute in their tackling, which was an element that hurt them against the Zebras.
"We know we're going to have to play technique football," Haynes said. "We're going to have to be smart. We're going to have to do stuff the correct way... We've got to tackle. That's one thing that hurt us against Grandview — we didn't tackle well, and we let out some big plays."
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