Hallsville Bobcats (0-5, 0-1) at Jacksonville Indians (0-5, 0-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday at the Historic Tomato Bowl
Last Week: Texas High 26, Hallsville 3; Nacogdoches 40, Jacksonville 14
Next Week: Nacogdoches at Hallsville; Jacksonville at Whitehouse
Game Notes: The Indians have a decent chance at winning this week, but must avoid costly penalties and play a more disciplined brand of football… Jacksonville has won 7 of the last 10 meetings against the Bobcats; although Hallsville downed the Tribe, 31-7, last year in Hallsville… Bobcats could get a lift having played a more challenging non-district schedule that featured games against undefeated Lindale and Crandall… Offensively Jacksonville is averaging 14 points a game, compared o the Bobcats’ eight…Defensively, the Bobcat defense has held its foes to an average of 27.6 points a game, while the Tribe “D” has allowed 43.3 points a game.
Troup Tigers (5-0, 1-0) at Elkhart Elks (1-4, 0-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Jerry Ives Memorial Stadium
Last Week: Troup 42, Arp 6; West Rusk 62, Elkhart 13
Next Week: Winona at Troup; Elkhart at Buffalo
Game Notes: Troup moved up to No. 7 in the state after the convincing win over Arp last week… the Elks have struggled mightily to score points this year and are averaging only seven points a game… the Tiger defense has given up 58 points in five games and the Elk offense has scored 56 points in is five games… Elkhart’s only win came on Sept. 5 against Warren (16-14)… one state-wide ranking service has Troup a 59-point favorite to win this week.
Alto Yellowjackets (3-2, 1-0) at Grapeland Sandies (3-2, 1-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Sandies Stadium
Last Week: Alto 29, Cushing 20; Grapeland 35, Overton 27
Next Week: Tenaha at Alto; Grapeland at Mount Enterprise
Game Notes: Coach Brock Grigsby’s Yellowjackets have won three-straight games, including their district opener last week… Penalties continue to hurt the Mean Sting this season… Grapeland’s opponents are a combined 17-7, while Alto’s past opponents this year are 9-15… Alto lost, 34-19, to Groveton while the Sandies beat Groveton, 49-20…Alto fell to Cayuga, 29-6, with Grapeland outlasting Cayuga, 46-41… an Alto win this week would really boost the Jackets’ playoff chances.
Grace Community School Cougars (2-3, 1-0) at Brook Hill Guard (2-2, 0-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Young Field at Herrington Stadium
Last Week: GCS 33, Austin Brentwood Christian 14; Austin Regents 56, Brook Hill 14
Next Week: GCS at Austin Regents; Austin Hyde Park at Brook Hill
Game Notes: The Cougars have won the last three games against the Guard… Brook Hill’s last triumph over GCS came during the 2021 season…Brook Hill’s offense is an explosive one that has transformed into a more multi-dimensional one as the season has progressed… it’s always difficult to predict a rivalry game, but it looks like the Guard have too many weapons on the offensive side for the Cougar defense to have to try to contain.
