It’s Week 1 for Texas High School Football … Are You Ready?

It’s finally here! Week 1 for Texas High School Football is about to get underway this week, as area teams prepare for their season openers. I imagine you fans are super excited! So, let’s take a look at who’s playing who this week.

Chilton Pirates (10-2A, DII) vs. Hearne Eagles (12-2A, DI) Since 2022, the Pirates have notched three straight wins over the Eagles

The Chilton Pirates will be on the road for their season opener, as they travel to Hearne to battle the Eagles. Coach Bennie Huitt’s team finished (3-7) overall, and (2-5) in district in 2024. Chilton had a lot of youth digging in at starting positions last season, so the 10 offensive and 10 defensive players returning, gaining a ton of experience that could give the Pirates a huge advantage over some of their district opponents this season. Players to watch will be RB Dha’Corian Evans, QB Nate Wuebker, and another RB, X’Zavion Taylor.

Hearne is coming off a two deep playoff run from last year, where they finished (5-7), and (4-1) in district, finishing as an area finalist in the playoffs. Many key players were lost to graduation, but the Eagles have seven returning on offense, and six starters coming back on defense. This should help give the team another push for a district title run. Players to keep your eyes on are TE/DL Kellen Bowser, Athlete Jederrius McGee, and WR Kelton Cooks.

Chilton is picked to win by six. The fanbase has 53 percent pulling for the Pirates.

Marlin Bulldogs (13-2A, DI) vs. No. 4 ranked Lexington Eagles (13-3A, DII) The two teams have only met a few times in recent years

Fans will pack Legion Stadium in Marlin this Friday, as the Lexington Eagles pay the Bulldogs a visit. However, Coach Jeff Rogers will have his Bulldog team ready and prepare as this could be the game of the week here in the region. Marlin is coming off a (104) finish, winning the district with a perfect (5-0) record, and as a regional finalist in the playoffs. With six offensive, and seven defensive starters making their way back in 2025, there’s a good chance the Bulldogs could add another district title, and deeper playoff run. Players to watch will be linemen Brysen Steele, and D’aire Johnson on defense, QB De’Angelo Wright, who’ll have two veteran receivers to throw to in Keyshaun Massington, and Jaden Ray.

For the Eagles, Coach Kirk Muhl’s team finished the 2024 campaign with a record of (12-2), and the badge of regional finalist. Lexington has a good chunk of last year’s team returning, and should be able – with the young talent coming up – make another, stronger playoff run. Players to watch are QB Kase Evans, RB Noah Wright-Harris, and WR Weston Bayer.

Lexington is picked to win by 8, and 74 percent of fans side with the Eagles. Marlin fans say, we’ll see about that when the final horn sounds to end the game.

Rosebud-Lott Cougars (13-2A, DI) vs. Florence Buffaloes (13-3A, DI) The Cougars are (7-4) against the Buffaloes since 2006

The Cougars are excited to be back on the field, after returning to the playoffs after a two-year hiatus. They’ll begin the season on the road against Florence. Coach Brandon Hicks has plenty to be excited about as well, especially with six offensive and seven defensive starters coming back from the 2024 playoff team. This year, the Cougars have high expectations on another playoff run. Rosebud-Lott will begin the 2025 campaign on the road this Friday night. Key players to watch will be QB Pryce Rabroker, FB/LB Bo McGinniss, RB/LB Zaylon Wells, and DB Orrin Pomykal.

Florence hasn’t had a winning season in the past seven years, posting an overall record during that time period of (10-60). Coach Robert Draper’s team will be in rebuilding mode with only three starters coming back on offense, and six on defense, from a team that finished winless in district play, and (2-8) overall. Key players to watch will be the running backs, Mariano Palacios, and Kaden Moss, along with sophomore QB Eduardo Rios-Reyes.

The Cougars are picked by DCTF to win by 25. Fans polled on the DCTFF app show 84 percent saying Rosebud-Lott will come out on top.

Buckholts Badgers (161A, DII) vs. Waco Methodist Children’s Home Bulldogs (Private School)

The Badgers will be at home at Jim Hauk Field Friday night to host the Bulldogs from Waco Methodist Children’s Home. Coach Robert Smith hopes to turn things around for the Badgers in 2025. The team finished (3-7) overall, and (1-2) in a pretty tough district with Calvert, Cherokee, and Pawnee. The Badgers have six starters returning on offense, and five on defense, and have the opportunity to aim for the district title this season. QB Marc King is coming off a great freshman season, and will have plenty of help from RBs Joseph Vega, and Braxton Reese in the backfield.

Waco Methodist Children’s Home did not have any information available, but they are picked to win by 11, according to the DCTF website. The fans support the Badgers by 63 percent on the DCTFF app.

Cameron Yoe Yoemen (11-3A, DI) vs. La Grange Leopards (11-4A, DII) Series tied at (6-6) since 1950

Week 1 for the Yoemen have them pitted at Yoe Field against the Leopards of La Grange.The Yoemen come in with six offensive, and five defensive starters for Coach Aaron Babino, and a good group of young men coming up to the varsity that should give Cameron a big push this season. While finishing last season at (3-8) overall, and (3-2) in district, the Yoemen made it to the playoffs for the 49th time in team history. This year, the team looks to make another playoff appearance and push even further. Who knows, this could be the year Cameron adds a fifth state title. Players to watch will be two-way starter lineman, Enrique Luna, DL Mykel Keith, running back De’Marques-Lopez-Pinchback, and junior receiver Tra’veon Myles.

The Leopards finished the 2024 season with a record of (6-5), and making it to the bi-district round of the 4A, DII playoffs. Coach Kyle Cooper Leopards will depend a lot on the young men coming up to join a team with five offensive, and six defensive starters returning. Key players to watch will be DL/TE Oliver Gunn, QB Eli Gillum, and WR/DB Dwodney Thompson.

According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Friday Nights, 52 percent of fans pick Cameron to come out on top. DCTF website has La Grange picked to win by 11.

Milano Eagles (District 13-2A, DII) vs. No. 14 ranked Axtell Longhorns (7-2A, DI) The Eagles are (6-1) against the Bulldogs since 1994

The Eagles start off with a tough matchup, as they travel to Axtell to face the Longhorns. Coach Nicholas Morehead will have his Milano team fired up this Friday night, facing a ranked team right out of the chute. The Eagles closed out 2024 with a record of (3-4, 4-6), barely missing a chance for the playoffs. Coach Morehead will have five offensive and three defensive starters returning, and players coming up to fill in the gaps from key losses to graduation. Players to watch will be RB/LB Peyton Steinbecker, RB/LB Dylan Magee, and defensive linemen Troy Montoya, and Nolan Reyes.

Coach Craig Horn’s Longhorns finished (5-1) in district, and (12-2) overall, and as a regional finalist in the playoffs. Axtell has been strong the past three seasons, but it might be a little tougher on them this year, as they’ll have to rely on players coming up since only four offensive and four defensive starters return. QB Levi Leathers, TE/LB Ethan Porter, and Athlete A.J. Fetsch will be a few of the key players to watch in this game.

Axtell is picked to win by 50, while the fans on the DCTFF app have fans picking the Longhorns by an 87 percent margin.

Thorndale Bulldogs (142A, DI) vs. Thrall Tigers (13-3A, DII) Since 1925, the Bulldogs hold the edge over the Tigers with a winning record of (55-33-3)

What better way to start the high school football season, than with a rivalry game! The Bulldogs will host the Tigers this Friday night, in the “Battle of Highway 79.” Coach John Kovar’s Thorndale team is coming off an (8-4) season last year, and went two deep in the playoffs, finishing as an area finalist. The majority of starters are coming back (O/D: 7/7), and with a heap of talent joining the varsity team this year, the Bulldogs have a chance to make a deeper playoff run, and possibly add a fourth state title to the trophy case. Keys players for 2025 will be defensive players Kale Meadors, Cayson Merz, and Wyatt Betak, while on offense, RB/LB Kade Becker, and WRs Ethan Schramm, and Jaxson Eschberger, will help keep the Bulldog offense rolling along.

The Tigers, under head coach Aaron Vanecek, made it to the bi-district round of the 2024 playoffs, finishing the year with an overall record of (6-5). A few key losses from last years team could make it a little difficult early on, but that should be resolved by the time district rolls around. Coach Vanecek’s Thrall squad has 11 starters returning, including WR/DB Jaden Spence, OL/DL Dakota Marak, and RB/DL C.J. Kelm. Junior QB Weston Smiley will be under center for the Tigers this season to lead the offense.

Thorndale is picked to win by 18, while the DCTFF app agrees with 52 percent of fans supporting the Bulldogs. P.S., grab some BBQ before the game. I hear there’s a prime spot there in Thorndale.

Good luck to all of our area coverage teams, and coaches please send in your game stats as quickly as possible. Email them to sports@cameronherald. com