Playoffs aren’t decided in the first week of the season, but it generally gives teams a good indicator on where they stand, and what they need to work on.
There are several dozen games in the Brazos Valley area during Week 1, but here are seven that will have fans chomping at the bit as August ends and September begins.
Copperas Cove at A&M Consolidated
Photo via John Glaser, TexasHSFootball.com
Lee Fedora coaches in his first official game at Consol, his alma mater. This game is also a good measuring stick for both teams that perennially make the playoffs. This meeting was cancelled before kickoff last year because of lightning in Central Texas.
2016 Result: Cancelled, lightning delay
Hutto at Bryan
The Hippos handed it to Bryan last year in Hutto, but this year both teams meet at Merrill Green Stadium on the Viking campus. Both teams need good starts to the season as they both play in tough districts.
2016 Result: Hutto 59, Bryan 28
Navasota at Franklin
Franklin went into Rattler Stadium and pulled off the upset last year, and the Lions celebrated like they’d just won the Super Bowl. The Rattlers could be better this year in Patrick Goodman’s second season. Franklin plays in a tough 3A district and needs a good start to the season. For Rattler Nation, they’ll get a good indication of where they stand after this game.
2016 Result: Franklin 38, Navasota 22
Mart at Lexington
Both of these teams are favorites to win their respective state championships. Mart is a 2A school while Lexington is 3A. Forget about the numbers before the A’s. The only numbers that’ll count will be on the scoreboard. This will be a big win for one of these teams, and the other will know what to work on moving forward.
2016 Result: Mart 22, Lexington 20
Bellville at Cameron Yoe
Last year the Yoemen inflicted pain on the Brahmas in The Pasture of Pain. Yoe will be a favorite to win the 3A DI state title while Bellville reloads for another good season.
2016 Result: Cameron Yoe 33, Bellville 10
Geronimo Navarro at Giddings
December 9, 2016 – Navarro receiver Tanner Law (20) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half during the Texas state 4A Div. II semi-final playoff game between West Orange-Stark and Navarro at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. West Orange-Stark wins 49-7 and moves on to the state finals next week at AT&T stadium in Dallas. (Image Credit: John Glaser)
Giddings went four rounds deep in the playoffs last season in 4A DII Region 3 while Navarro went five rounds in Region IV. Both teams lost to eventual state champion West Orange-Stark. Navarro and Giddings each reload and this year Giddings gets the home field.
2016 Result: Navarro 37, Giddings 21
Bremond vs Whitewright
December 15, 2016 – Texas UIL 2A Div. II State Championship game between Iraan and Bremond at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Image Credit: John Glaser/texashsfootball.com)
Bremond’s 47-game winning streak is on the line, and they meet 2016 playoff team Whitewright in Ferris for a neutral site game. This will be Bremond’s first game in four years without Roshauud Paul, who was named Mr. Football in Texas last season after guiding the Tigers to a third-straight state championship.
2016 Result: Bremond 29, Whitewright 10
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