Week 2 High School Football Previews
Lots of great high school football action around the area, as the 2025 season got underway. In Week 1, Buckholts, Chilton, Rosebud-Lott, and Thorndale picked up opening wins. Now it’s on to Week 2, so let’s see who’ll face who this Friday night. Check it out!
Six-Man Buckholts Badgers 161A/Six-Man DII (1-0) at Gustine Tigers 131A/Six-Man DII (1-0) Roger Oliver Stadium in Gustine 7:30 p.m.
Looks like we have a battle of the unbeatens here early on. Buckholts is coming off a 58-12 smackdown against Waco Methodist Children’s Home. Blade Duarte led Buckholts with 97 yards of offense (30 passing/22 rushing) and scored three touchdowns in the win. “They played great against MCH,” said Badgers Coach Robert Smith. “Good performances from Senior Captain Joseph Hansen Blum, and sophomore Gabriel Ventura.” Hansen-Blum caught two passes for 40 yards and two TDs in the Buckholts win. Gustine picked up a season opening win as well, running aground the Paint Creek Pirates, 68-20. Players to watch will be quarterback Andy Garcia, running back Alonso Gomez, and receiver Michael Garcia. The Tigers run a T-formation offense and a 3-3 defense. Should be an interesting matchup between these two. Gustine won last year’s game, 72-20.
Class 2A Italy Gladiators 7-2A DI (1-0) at Chilton Pirates 10-2A DII (1-0) Featherston Field in Chilton 7 p.m.
Chilton is coming off a big win against the Hearne Eagles last week, 32-12. The Pirates will host Italy as the Gladiators march in to Featherston Field. Look for big playmaker Dha’Corian Evans, and QB Nate Wuebker to work their magic on Italy. The Gladiators defeated the Scurry-Rosser Wildcats, 31-28, at home in a very close ball game against a 3A opponent. Keep your eye on Gladiators Eric Solis and Raul Acosta, as they will split RB duties, along with sophomore QB Tripp Slovak. Italy won last year’s contest, 21-6. Could be Chilton’s chance to enact some revenge this time around.
No. 7 ranked Marlin Bulldogs 13-2A DI (0-1) at No. 8 ranked Honey Grove 9-2A DI (1-0) Warrior Field 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs found it hard to handle Lexington’s pass attack (188 yards/3 TDS), and the 315 yards and five TDs the Eagles collected on the ground in their Week 1, 55-26, loss at home. Coach Jeff Rogers team will regroup this week as they will be on the road against the Honey Grove Warriors. Marlin will need good numbers from QB De’Angelo Wright, and receivers Jaden Ray and Keyshaun Massington. RB Dai’Viyon Evans could see the bulk of carries in the Bulldogs run game. For the Warriors, they’re coming off a one-point, 21-20 win over the Hugo Buffaloes up Oklahoma way. Honey Grove had just 180 yards of total offense, while giving up 236. The only total that matters is that one-point difference for the win. Key players for the Warriors will be RB Ryelan Morris, QB Jarrmez Daniels, and linebacker Mason Banker – the teams leading tackler last season. Ironically, Honey Grove beat Marlin last year, 21-20. It seems the Warriors like that final score. Pretty sure Marlin will have a sayso about that this time around.
Milano Eagles 13-2A DII (0-1) at Bosqueville Bulldogs District 7-2A DI (1-0) Bulldog Stadium 7 p.m.
The Eagles fell to No. 14 ranked Axtell Longhorns on the road, 48-0, in the season opener. Coach Nicholas Morehead will get his squad ready as they’ll want to avenge last season’s three-point loss to the Bulldogs, and pick up that first win of the season, but once again the Eagles are on the road. Players to watch will be QB Shiner Thurman, defensive linemen Troy Montoya and Nolan Reyes, and RB Dylan Magee. Bosqueville beat the Bartlett Bulldogs by eight, 21-13, in their season opener. The Bulldogs have big playmakers in receivers Dax Pharris and Camp Youens, while RB Cooper Clements racks up the yards on the ground. This could be another close game for both teams!
Thrall (0-1) at Rosebud-Lott Cougars 13-2A DI (1-0) Cougar Stadium 7:30 p.m.
Another big matchup this week, as Thrall’s Tigers pay a visit to the Rosebud- Lott Cougars. The Cougars are coming off a big Week 1 win over Florence, 58-0. Coach Brandon Hicks couldn’t have been more happier with the way his team performed during the win. “We played very physical and very fast,” said Hicks. “I was pleased with how well our starters executed at the beginning of the game. I was also very impressed with our depth and the level of play from guys that got opportunities in the second half.” The Cougars look to keep that momentum going against the Tigers at home this week. Thrall got bit by the Thorndale Bulldogs, 31-3, in Week 1’s Battle of Hwy. 79 rivalry game. You can bet the Tigers will be looking to take out their frustrations on the Cougars this week. QB Weston Smiley (9-23-0-152) and receiver Logan Heselmeyer (4-98) were the bright spots in Thrall’s offense, while kicker Alejandro Estrada put the only points on the board for the Tigers on a 42-yard field goal. The Cougars are looking forward to getting back at the Tigers after last season’s 38-21 loss.
Thorndale Bulldogs 142A DI (1-0) at Granger Lions 13-2A DII (1-0) Lion Stadium 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs are flying on “Cloud 9” after winning the Battle of Hwy. 79 rivalry game against Thrall last Friday night, 31-3. Thorndale’s RB Cole Harkins rushed for over 100 yards and a TD in the win, while QB Case McDaniel threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns to lead the offense. Receiver Will Cloud turned in his impressive five catches for 99 yards and two scores, to add to the Bulldogs offensive totals. Granger enters this week with a monster win over the Johnson City Eagles in Week 1, 49-34. The Lions offense caught fire in the second half, after being up by only three at halftime. Granger outscored the Eagles 34-22 in the final two quarters of play to secure the win. Players to watch for the Lions will be RB Caleb Hobratsch, QB Wyatt Rochner, WR Nicholas Blane, and LBs Chase Selucky and Stino Flores. Granger won last season’s contest by six points, 3327. The Bulldogs are looking forward to return the favor on the Lions home field this week.
Class 3A Cameron Yoe Yoemen 11-3A DI (0-1) at Sealy Tigers 11-4A DII (1-0) T.J. Mills Stadium in Sealy 7:30 p.m.
The Yoemen took one on the chin at home last Friday night, falling to the La Grange Leopards, 4114. Coach Aaron Babino and his crew will look over the game film to see where improvements need to be made, and step up to knock down the Sealy Tigers here in Week 2. Cameron Yoe will need a good game from RB De’Marques Lopez-Pinchback, and WRs Brody Aguirre and Tra’veon Myles. “The kids played hard the entire game and never got down on one another,” said Coach Babino. “We have to do a better job of not having penalties, which stalls our offensive drives.” Sealy will enjoy the home field advantage, after coming off the road with a Week 1 victory over the Navasota Rattlers, 33-18. Coach Clint Finley will rely on all the talent he has that returned from last year’s 10-4 playoff team. Players to watch will be QB Kane Killough, athletes Elijah Sanders and Javien Grant, and LB Isiah Dukes-Self. At least five offensive players have times of 4.7 and under, so the Yoemen will need to keep pace during this game. Sealy won last season’s game, 48-13.