Van Alstyne (2-1) @ Nevada Community (2-1) (9/22) Braves Field
Van Alstyne rolled through their first two games of the season, but suffered their first setback on the year with an 18 point defeat to Anna last week; the margin ties the fewest number of points allowed by the Panthers. Community also enters this contest looking for a bounce back, dropping last week’s game to Sunnyvale 24-9. While the Braves offense isn’t quite on par with Van Alstyne’s, the defense has stepped up when needed to deliver wins against good Leonard and Farmersville teams. Can that unit propel their team to another solid win?
Last Result: Van Alstyne 48, Nevada Community 14 (2016)
Petrolia (2-1) vs. Seymour (3-0) (9/22) Pirate Stadium
The Pirates hit the ground running under first year head coach Jesse House, rolling over Fort Worth Country Day and Olney, allowing seven points to the former and pitching a shutout against the latter. Petrolia enters this contest however with a loss, dropping last week’s game against Lindsay 55-12. Seymour meanwhile has been dominant, also improving on their season record from 2016 as well: The Panthers avenged 2016’s three point loss to Electra with a 30-0 shutout this season. After defeating Quanah, the Panthers remained undefeated with last week’s 61-7 drubbing of Archer City, also different than 2016’s 37-12 win.
Fans are always curious to see how first year head coaches bounce back after their first loss, and this will be no different. It will be quite the challenge for Petrolia however, as Seymour has so far played quality football.
Last Result: Seymour 23, Petrolia 21 (2016)
Bryson (2-1) vs. Borden County (3-0) (9/22) @ Guthrie’s Jack Huey Field
Bryson rebounded well after their season opening one point loss to a quality Milford team, allowing only eight points against Wichita Falls Notre Dame, and seven points in last week’s 64-7 thrashing of Moran. The Cowboys continue to be explosive offensively as well, now having scored a combined 190 points. Borden County however has been an unstoppable freight train, including last week’s unprecedented 62-0 shutout over Calvert (the Trojans first shutout loss since 2001). The win also moves the Coyotes to 3-0 with three straight shutouts to begin the season.
Bryson’s offense has scored close to 200 points in just three games, but can they break the BC shutout streak? And more importantly, can their defense stop one of the more powerful offenses in the state?
Last Result: N/A (first meeting)
Forestburg (2-1) @ Gordon (1-2) (9/22) Longhorn Stadium
Forestburg played well against Wichita Falls Notre Dame and Weatherford Christian, topping both by a combined 139 points; sandwiched in between these wins however is a tough 48-0 loss to Strawn. The Longhorns have the opportunity for their first win against UIL competition, as Gordon is reeling from back to back shutout losses to Crowell and Iredell. With Gordon being the home team, they have quite a lot riding on this game. Can Gordon rediscover their mojo from the season opener win against a good Newcastle team, or will Forestburg’s offense continue to roll on the road?
Last Result: Gordon 64, Forestburg 12 (2016)
Knox City (2-1) vs. Throckmorton (0-3) (9/22) Greyhound Field
Knox City suffered their first loss of the season, a 73-28 defeat at the hands of a tough Crowell bunch. The Greyhounds will look to bounce back, and have the offensive attack to do so: KC scored a combined 142 points in their two wins. Throckmorton hit a rough patch after claiming the state title in 2014, winning only three games in each of the next two seasons. Throckmorton did however rebound from an 0-3 start last season with a win over Knox City; with nine total starters who returned from last season, is a repeat in the cards? Or can the Greyhounds return to their solid start to the 2017 season?
Last Result: Throckmorton 26, Knox City 12 (2016)
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