Playoff push in 28-6A heats up
Most of the area’s districts have open weeks, but there are still plenty of good games on tap this week in addition to the Express-news’ Game of the Week featuring Sotomayor and Jay.
District 28-6A is in action with three games that should shape the playoff picture heading into the final stretch of the season.
Other top games Johnson vs. Brandeis, 7 p.m. Saturday, Farris Stadium: Johnson (4-0, 2-0 28-6A), No. 3 in the Express-news’ Class 6A rankings, looks to build momentum after piling up more than 700 yards in last week’s 56-20 win against previously undefeated Roosevelt. Junior quarterback Ty Hawkins, a TCU commit, has combined for more than 1,000 total yards, including 799 in the air. Unranked Brandeis (3-2, 2-1) is trying to rebound after a stunning 24-21 overtime loss against Madison after the Broncos led 21-7 in the second quarter.
Roosevelt vs. Churchill, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Heroes Stadium: Eighth-ranked Roosevelt (4-1, 2-1 28-6A) is led by senior running back Brennan Carroll, who has rushed for 1,010 yards, which leads all area Class 6A rushers, and 12 touchdowns. He has rushed for more than 200 yards three times this season.
Unranked Churchill (3-1, 1-1) has had two weeks to prepare following a 33-9 loss against Johnson. The Chargers are led by junior quarterback Hunter Pavilcek, who has passed for 465 yards, and running back Nicolai Pari, who has rushed for 261 yards.
Although Churchill holds a 33-22 advantage in the series, Roosevelt has won the last four meetings.
Madison vs. Clark, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Farris Stadium: No. 9 Madison (3-2, 1-2 28-6A) is riding momentum after earning its first district win with a 24-21 victory against Brandeis thanks to Aiden Page’s 32-yard field goal in overtime. It was a muchneeded victory that kept the Mavericks in the playoff chase. Junior quarterback Blake Hickman filled in for injured starter Landon Gill and passed for 282 yards and three touchdowns to lead the team.
After opening district play with a loss against top-ranked Reagan, unranked Clark (3-2, 2-1) has back-to-back wins against Marshall (36-28) and LEE (33-0). Senior Armon Gardner leads the Cougars with 463 yards and three touchdowns on 112 carries.
Madison leads the all-time series 7-3, but the Cougars have won their last two matchups. Antonian at Somerset, 7 p.m.: Antonian (4-1), No. 10 in the Express-news’ Sub-6a rankings, gets a final tune-up before heading into district play. Senior quarterback Jayce Toscano has passed for 1,148 yards and 19 touchdowns with two interceptions. He tossed six TDS in last week’s 49-28 victory against Austin Crockett.
No. 9 Somerset (3-1) resumes play after taking last week off. The Bulldogs are trying to rebound from a 24-21 loss against Beeville.
Somerset leads the all-time series 2-1 and won last year’s contest 45-27.
Under-the-radar game Blanco at Randolph, 7 p.m. Friday: Randolph (5-0, 1-0 13-3A-I) won its first five games last year before Blanco stopped that run with a 10-7 victory.
The Ro-hawks want to return the favor at home. Junior quarterback Collin Stucki has passed for 562 yards and nine touchdowns, and sophomore Cody Howard has rushed for 421 yards and five scores.
Junior linebacker Sam Oakland and senior defensive back Austin Young (seven interceptions) have been the playmakers on the defensive side.
Blanco (4-1 1-0) is led by senior quarterback Cameron Anderson, who has passed for 533 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for a team-best 337 yards and six scores.