By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
*All games non-district
Thursday
Paetow (0-1) vs. Spring Dekaney (0-1), 7 p.m. at Planet Ford Stadium
Last year: Did not play
- Paetow and Dekaney both come into week two off of a season opening loss and both will be looking to bounce back in the second week of the season in an early season matchup.
Paetow had some encouraging signs against Langham Creek to open the season, but also had some areas they knew they will need to improve in. The Panthers defense had two takeaways, including a interception returned for a touchdown, but the Panthers struggled to get off the field on third downs, forcing the Lobos into plenty of bad situations but not being able to stop drives once Langham Creek was in third and long. The Paetow special teams did well, blocking two punts, but the offense struggled, not scoring accounting for a single point in the 26-14 loss, but moving the ball well in the second half of the game.
Dekaney’s offense struggled in the team’s first game as well, the Wildcats lost to Port Arthur Memorial 30-17, only scoring seven points in the first half of the game, while the teams defense gave up 24 points in the first half of the loss. Dekaney will be led by Tanook Hines, while Jamal Frilot and David Edmerson might both get time at quarterback.
For Paetow, the most important thing is to clean things up in the redzone offensively and not allow big plays on third down in what will be the Panthers last warmup before district play begins.
Seven Lakes (1-0) vs. Foster (0-1), 7 p.m. at Traylor Stadium
Last year: Did not play
- Seven Lakes won its second straight season opener against Memorial last week in a thriller, winning 10-7 in the seventh straight season opening matchup between the teams.
The Spartans offense struggled in the game, but came up points when the team needed it most, driving down the field and scoring the game winning touchdown in the fourth quarter to win it. While the Spartans defense was tremendous in the game, holding Memorial to just a single field goal.
Foster meanwhile comes off a 35-14 loss to Randle to open its season, where the Foster defense didn’t have an answer or the Randle offense. Foster struggled against the pass, allowing 214 yards through the air, while they did slightly better against the run, allowing 135 yards.
Seven Lakes will have an opportunity for the offense to have a better performance than it did against Memorial and it might need it. The biggest things to look for in week two are how the Spartans move the ball through the air and if the defense can keep its performance up in back to back weeks before heading into district.
Friday
Katy (1-0) vs. Atascocita (1-0), 7 p.m. at Legacy Stadium
Last year: Atascocita 42, Katy 34
- Katy faces off against its second straight state ranked team to start the season and this one will be an even harder task than the last with a matchup against No. 9 ranked team in the state Atascocita.
Katy comes off a last minute 41-37 win over Dickinson in week one. The Tigers came from eight points down in the matchup and took the lead with under two minutes left in the game before hanging on to win with a goal line stand that forced a turnover on downs in the final seconds. Tremayne Hill led the way with 123 yards on the ground and four touchdowns on 29 carries, while Gunner Nelson threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns in the game and Israel Olotu-Judah led the way catching the ball with five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Atascocita comes off a 35-7 win over Lamar in its season opener where the Eagles were dominant offensively and defensively. On defense, the team only gave up 43 yards through the air and 113 yards on the ground, while a trio of Tory Blaylock, Cardae Mack and Isaiah Rasheed did damage in the backfield in what has an impossible to stop run game from the Eagles.
It will be strength vs. strength in the game. Both teams pride themselves on running the ball and their ability to stop the run, and it will be a great final non-district game to see how both teams are shaping up early in the year.
Taylor (0-1) vs. Fort Bend Bush (0-1), 7 p.m. at Mercer Stadium
Last year: Did not play
- Taylor will face off against Bush this week after both teams suffered a loss to open the year.
The Mustangs weren’t able to find enough offense in their loss to Cy-Woods in the first game of the year, falling 37-10, with the Mustangs only touchdown coming in the final quarter of the game. Cy-Woods was able to move the ball through the air, completing nine of 11 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns, while Taylor did better defending against the run, allowing 116 total yards and not allowing a player to go over 41 yards on their own, but the Mustangs offense struggled and had two turnovers in the game.
Bush lost 49-7 in its season opener and couldn’t keep up with Cy-Springs. Springs had 209 yards through the air and 189 yards on the ground din the game, while Bush was sacked six times in the game.
Taylor will hope that an extra week of preparation will help clean up some of their offensive woes. They have a run game they can build off of with Josh Jacobson, Javion Garrett and Connor Chupna and will try to build off of that against a defense that can be susceptible to the run.
Jordan (1-0) vs. Fort Bend Travis (0-1), 7 p.m. at Hall Stadium
Last year: Did not play
- Jordan came out on fire to start the season and will go up against a Travis team that struggled in week one, losing to Mayde Creek.
The Warriors couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season and will try to keep building off of that. Both quarterbacks in the teams rotation, Domenic Cangolosi and Beau Bryant, played well in the teams game against Cy-Creek, while Andrew Marsh and Tanner West continued to show why they are two of the top playmakers in the area.
The Jordan defense was also huge in the game, allowing just 28 yards on the ground and just over 150 yards passing, with much of that coming with backups in the game.
Travis found success defensively but lost to Mayde Creek. The Rams had 107 yards through the air and 117 on the ground, but made offensive mistakes that cost the team in the loss.
Jordan will look to put together another strong performance and gain more experience for the teams backups in the game while cleaning up some of the penalties they dealt with in game one of the season.
Cinco Ranch (0-1) vs. Tomball (1-0), 7 p.m. at Tomball ISD Stadium
Last year: Did not play
- Cinco Ranch dropped their first game of the season and now goes up against a Tomball team that has been a strong program and playoff contender over the past few years.
The Cougars come off a loss to the Woodlands, where they fought the whole way through, but weren’t able to hang with the Highlanders for four quarters. There were good days on the offensive end from the team, Tessiah Young went over 100 yards rushing, Charlie Adamoli nearly threw for 200 yards in his first game back from a broken leg and Scott Eckel had over 100 yards receiving, but the teams defense was not able to keep at The Woodlands at bay, allowing nearly 250 yards on the ground in the game.
Tomball’s offense was on fire in its game against Stratford, but they like Cinco had some defensive questions. The Cougars threw for 177 yards and ran for 315, but allowed Stratford to run for 266 yards and throw for 190.
It will be a game where Cinco will try to fix some things defensively and build on what the offense did well last week. The Cougars will have to stop the run better to be successful and will they will try to be balanced offensively and keep Tomball’s defense guessing.
Tompkins (1-0) vs. Bridgeland (1-0), 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium
Last year: Bridgeland 41, Tompkins 35
- Tompkins and Bridgeland meet again in non-district play as both come off season opening wins, with Tompkins winning in a thriller and Bridgeland dominating in week one.
The Falcons erased a 20-0 deficit in their week one matchup with Cy-Ranch and scored the final 21 points in the contest in the second half, winning 21-20 to move to 1-0 on the season. The offense came alive for Tompkins in the second half. Justin Thierheimer had 250 yards through the air, with Bisi Bello having a huge day, catching 10 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns. Ethan Meadows had a breakout performance as well, as the sophomore ra for 94 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Kendree Madriz was huge on the defensive end, stopping two drives in the fourth quarter with interceptions to help get the win.
Bridgeland dominated its matchup, allowing just 11 yards on the ground and 169 through the air defensively and double digit points in three of the four quarters, never allowing their opponent in the game.
It will be a big test for Tompkins before the state of district. The Falcons will try to clean up the things that made them go scoreless in the first half of their game against Cy-Ranch and will have to be great defensively to earn a win over a very strong Bridgeland team.
Saturday
Morton Ranch (0-1) vs. Magnolia West (0-1), 7 p.m. at Legacy Stadium
Last year: Did not play
- Morton Ranch will play Magnolia West after coming off a loss in the team’s season opener, while Nimitz comes into the game in the same situation after losing its first game of the season.
The Mavericks come off a 34-14 loss to Nimitz, where they weren’t able to get going offensively and couldn’t shut down the Nimitz offense. One bright spot for the team was Tyler Gilmore, who had 79 yards and a touchdown on the ground on 17 rushes, while Jay’ceon Jenkins-Hamilton had some bright moments at quarterback as well. Defensively, both Jerome Ryans and Carlos Suarez made an impact on the defensive end.
Magnolia West didn’t struggle offensively in its loss, throwing for 167 yards and rushing for 221, but weren’t able to stop Bryan defensively.
It will be a chance for Morton Ranch to continue to grow offensively and try to improve on some bright moments in their first game, and it will be a chance for the Morton Ranch defense to test themselves against a strong run game before heading into district play.
Mayde Creek (1-0) vs. Fort Bend Austin (1-0), 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium
Last year: Did not play
- Mayde Creek will take on Fort Bend Austin this week in a battle between two teams that both won their season opener and a battle against what was Mayde Creek head coach Mike Arogbonlo’s former team before heading to Duncanville last season and then back to Katy to take over the Rams program.
Mayde Creek struggled to put the ball in the endzone in its first game despite moving it well, but special teams and defense were huge in the win, accounting for all 18 of the Rams points. Sophomore Chad Nelson returned a kick 89 yards for a touchdown and added six catches for 50 yards. Damarre Duncan, returned an interception for another score, while the defense also got a safety, while Tobi Haastrup had four sacks in the game and Kosi Okpala had two more.
Austin’s defense was strong in its win as well, limiting Livingston to 96 yards through the air and 125 on the ground and the offense generated 24 points in the win.
With a week under their belt Mayde Creek will try to improve on some of the offensive miscues from week one and turn those long drives they had into points. It will be a strong final test for the Rams before district play begins.