District 25-6A was not on the radar of that many people to start the season, but the district is outperforming all pre-seaosn expectations. This week is full of exciting matchups, headlined by two top-25 teams.
Manor vs Round Rock
7PM Friday, Dragon Stadium
Manor (4-1, 1-1) jumps right back into the fire after their 34-6 home loss to Vandegrift, heading out on the road to take on the undefeated Round Rock Dragons (5-0,2-0). Round Rock is coming off a 32-16 win over Stony Point that was a one score game heading into the 4th Quarter before they pulled away late.
Manor Mustangs
SR RB Quentin Joyner showed last week he is the real deal when he ran for 154 yards on 26 carries and scored the Mustangs sole touchdown against Vandegrift. Manor did struggle in the passing game, with Quintaelyn Joyner only going 7 for 15, 63 yards and 1 INT. The Mustang Offensive Line will be pushed again this week to provide time for Quintaelyn to find the open man downfield against the Dragons Secondary. After falling behind in the 3rd Quarter, Manor never looked to switch into any type of up-tempo offense to try and speed things up. This could hurt them in this and future games if they find themselves down by multiple scores and the clock working against them.
With multiple D1 players on the Mustang Defensive Line the Round Rock Offensive Line will be challenged opening holes for Cochran and SR RB Ruben Ribeiro, as well as giving Cochran time to throw when they do attempt to try and stretch the field. The Manor defense did manage to contain the Vipers running game, limiting them to just 60 yards for the night. They were also able to get pressure on Vandegrift QB Brayden Buchanan, but he was still capable in finding the open receiver downfield enough to extend drives and push the ball towards the goal line.
Special Teams should be a focal point of this game after the performance against the Vipers last week. The Mustangs need to shore up their kickoff return unit that fumbled a 3rd Quarter bobbled return right back to Vandegrift. The Manor punting unit only averaged 22.3 Net Yards/Punt, not including having one blocked in the 4th Quarter that resulted in a Viper touchdown. Manor only Kicked Off twice during the game, but gave up returns of 20 and 27 yards, allowing the Vipers good starting field position. With the low snap on their only extra point attempt, the Manor place kicking unit is now 14 for 20 on the season.
Round Rock Dragons
Round Rock is also a run first Offense, but unlike the Mustangs, their leading rusher is also their Quarterback. JR QB Mason Cochran (660 yards, 14TDs) leads the Dragons Offense that is averaging 313.4 yards/game (191.4 Rushing, 122 Passing). Cochran’s longest completion against Stony Point was 15 yards downfield in the air, with several deeper throws just missing on connecting with Dragon Receivers. If he can better synch up that timing, it could be a long night for the Mustang Secondary.
The Dragon Defense is a solid unit, much like Manor faced last week. Only allowing 240.4 yards/game (143.4 yds Passing, 97 yds Rushing). Joyner will test them unlike any team they have faced except for San Antonio Regan (allowed 246 yds Rushing). The question will be can the Round Rock Secondary stifle the Manor passing attack to allow them to stack the box against Joyner.
Who Wins – Both Defenses will have their hands full with powerful running attacks led by the Mustangs RB Joyner and Dragons QB Cochran. Manor showed they could hang with the Vipers for a half, but they will have to avoid the turnovers and Special Teams miscues that allowed Vandegrift to pull away in the 2nd Half. The Round Rock Offense will need to play their version of ground and pound to control the ball and shrink the number of possessions for the Mustangs like they did against Stony Point (only two 2nd Half Possessions for the Tigers). Result: Round Rock 28, Manor 21
Stony Point vs Cedar Ridge
7PM Friday, Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex
This is a must win for the Tigers (3-2,0-2) for them to have any chance of heading back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Backup QB Skyler Hausenfluck played well in the 1st half against Round Rock last week, starting in place of injured QB1 Ivan Villegas, until he left the game just before halftime with an injury and the game tied 14-14. With Stony Point down to their 3rd QB and the passing game limited (1 for 4, 49 yards in 2nd Half), they leaned heavily on their run game to try and keep pace with Round Rock. The Tigers defense played well against the Dragons, especially with being on the field for over 33 minutes on the night. However, their inability to wrap up QB Mason Cochran led to multiple long gains, including touchdowns runs of 44, 37, and 20 yards that allowed Round Rock to pull away for the win.
Cedar Ridge (2-3,1-1) got back on track last week taking down Westwood after imploding late in a loss to Vista Ridge before the bye week. QB Aidan Liston and the Raiders Offense started out slow against Westwood but were able to put up 41 points behind three Liston touchdown passes to get their first District win. The Raider Defense made excellent adjustments after allowing Westwood two long touchdown plays in the 1st Quarter, shutting them out for the remainder of the contest.
Who Wins – This one is a toss-up. Both defenses will have their hands full if Hausenfluck and Liston can duplicate their efforts at QB from last week. Stony Point’s running game led by Cam Cook gives them a slight edge, but if the Cedar Ridge Defense can pick up where they left off last week against Westwood this one could come down to the final series. Result: Pick’em, Stony Point 22, Cedar Ridge 21
Westwood vs Vista Ridge
7PM, Gupton Stadium
Westwood (3-2,0-2) and Vista Ridge (3-2,2-0) are two teams going in opposite directions.
The Warriors started out the season 3-0 but have gone 0-2 in their two District games. Westwood got their running game back on track early against Cedar Ridge (15 carries for 129 yds, 1TD in 1st Quarter), but only managed 83 yards on 22 carries over the remainder of the game. QB Owen Norrell (851 yards, 5 TDs, 4INT) will need to try and find open holes in the Rangers secondary to take pressure off the running game. Defensively Westwood will want to get the same penetration they had in their first three games to keep the Rangers running game in check and get pressure on Vista Ridge QB Jackson Harrell to take away him stretching the field with explosive pass plays.
The Rangers started out 0-2 and have reeled off three straight wins to find themselves tied atop the District 25-6A Standings. Offensively Vista Ridge isn’t putting up eye-popping numbers (259 yds/game, 177 Passing, 82 Running), but they will find the big play when needed to put them close to or over the goal line. The Ranger defense has stymied both District foes into multiple three and outs (11 in two District Games), along with late game turnovers (4th Quarter Fumble Recovery that led to a TD and Pick 6 INT against Cedar Ridge, 4th Quarter INT against McNeil to thwart possible go-ahead score).
Who Wins – Another toss-up game that will have eyeballs from all over Region IV tuning in to see if Vista Ridge goes to 3-0 and continues to shake-up the District standings. Westwood will have to duplicate their 1st Quarter performance last week against Cedar Ridge for the entire game to take down the Rangers. Both sides will be looking to force turnovers to try and gain extra possessions to get enough separation on the scoreboard to avoid a late game collapse/comeback. Result: Warriors 28, Rangers 21
McNeil vs Vandegrift
7PM Friday, Monroe Stadium
McNeil (2-3,0-2) jumped out 11-0 last week against Vista Ridge, but couldn’t hold on, falling 15-11. The Mavericks played well in stretches in their past two games against Manor and Vista Ridge, but inconsistent play creeped in during both contests (limiting them to an avg of 233 total yards/game). Ball control issues (2 Fumbles, 2 INT against Vista Ridge), a struggling passing game (96.5 yds/game in District Play) and shaky special teams will have to be overcome if they want to try and keep themselves in this game with the Vipers.
The Vipers (4-1,2-0) are 6-0 all-time against McNeil and it doesn’t look good for the Mavericks to reverse that trend this week. Vandegrift must avoid this trap game ahead of next week’s matchup with District rival Round Rock. Expect the Vipers Offense to focus on getting their running game back on track early after being limited to just 60 yards against Manor. Vandegrift QB Brayden Buchanan (1163 Yds Passing, 13 TD), along with WR duo of Miles Coleman and Ray’Jean Middleton (combined 755 yds, 8 TDs) will challenge the McNeil secondary all night. The Vandegrift Defense has forced a turnover in every game this season (14 Total, 7INT and 7FR) and will look to continue that trend.
Who Wins – Vipers should roll to their 7th straight win over McNeil. Result: Vipers 39, Mavericks 8
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