Whether it be an age-old rivalry, or a match against two-powerhouses, these seven non-districts game are ones to watch in the upcoming weeks.
(*) denotes rivalry game
September 1
Westfield vs. Lamar
This one should be a no-brainer. Being two of the top teams in the Houston area isn’t what makes this exciting. It’s the talent on each side of the ball along with the proud traditions of both the Westfield Mustangs and the Lamar Texans that make this game worthwhile. And this year, Westfield looks to exact revenge on southwest foe Lamar.
September 8
Katy at Klein Collins
Katy comes off of a disappointing season, in which the Tigers’ failed to advance past the third round in a close contest with North Shore. Klein Collins looks to repeat their five round deep playoff run.
Klein Collins players feel the defeat while Katy celebrates their double overtime victory 50-49. (Photo by John Glaser)
What does this matchup mean then? Standings wise, not a whole lot. But a win in a game such as this could propel either team into a heavily momentous winning stretch. Look back at this as a pivot point for these teams later on in the season.
Strake Jesuit at St Thomas* (NRG Stadium)
Fire and ice. Dog and cats. Chicago style hot dogs and ketchup. Like these pairs of non-coexisting beings, it’s easy to be said that quite simply, the Strake Jesuit Crusaders and St. Thomas Eagles DO NOT get along. Having grown up in and around this rivalry, it can be said that there is a lot at stake here. And after a stunning loss last year to Strake, it appears that the Eagles are going to go on their own Crusade this year.
Richmond Foster vs. A&M Consolidated
This should be a game for the books. Richmond Foster welcomes A&M Consolidated and new head coach Lee Fedora in their second contest of the season (yes, that would be Larry Fedora’s brother). A&M Consolidated lost this game 34-28 last year at home but looks to put their stamp on 5A football early on in the season.
September 15
Galena Park North Shore at Westfield
One field. Two teams. And a single name shared by all. The North Shore Mustangs and the Westfield Mustangs sport the same colors, same name, and same playoff record from 2016. Both teams having reached the fourth round of the playoffs and losing to cross-town foes by less than a touchdown. Both teams are powerhouse in their respective division of football. Similarities all around, there is one difference that separates them. North Shore dismantled Westfield 36-16 in 2016. However, home-field advantage goes to Westfield in 2017.
Katy vs. The Woodlands
Katy and The Woodlands are very powerful teams. Their head coaches, however, may be more famous than their teams. Katy’s Gary Joseph and The Woodlands’ Mark Schmid are as good as it gets in the Great State of Texas.
Deondrick Glass (#30) had a difficult time picking up yards for the Tigers during their loss to The Woodlands 26-3 Friday Night. (Photo by John Glaser)
Joseph, a perennial winner of the UIL State Championship, is looking to avenge his woeful loss to the Highlanders from last year in what was a 26-3 crucification of the once good but always great Katy Tigers
Pearland at Manvel
As sad and odd as it was to see Manvel drop to Division 5A, the rivalry between the Mavericks and the Oilers has never been stronger. And the hatred continues to percolate.
Pearland finished off strong in a widely contested region last year, getting knocked off by a stupendously good Atascocita team in the playoffs. Manvel returns as the state wide favorite to win at AT&T this year. This game has no bearing on playoff contentions, no effect on district standings. No, rather this game is about all the marbles; a game in which the only thing being competed for is school pride and bragging rights. This should be game of the year.
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