Week 3 Football Outlooks

Cameron Yoe (1-1) Vs. China Spring (1-1)

Both of these teams suffered surprising losses in week two. Cameron just had one too many mistakes against a quality football team to pull out a win. China Spring only mustered up 14 points in a 17-14 loss to Huntsville. The Cougars totally dominated this Huntsville team a year ago. Is China Spring as good as they were last season? I don’t believe so. However, they are still a strong football team. This will be a winnable game for the Yoemen, but more than anything, you want to see a clean, well-executed performance this week. Cameron’s rushing attack has been impressive in the first few games. Having that big-strike passing game come along will only make the Yoemen that much harder to stop.

Josh’s Pick: Cameron Yoe by 3.

Around Milam County

McDade (1-0) Vs. Buckholts (0-1)

Though the Badgers lost their season opener to Temple Holy Trinity, 38-22, the game this year appeared to be much more competitive. McDade, which is located inbetween Elgin and Giddings on highway 290, is just in its second year of varsity competition. McDade did win their season opener versus San Antonio River CIty (47-0), but this should be a game that Buckholts expects to win.

Josh’s Pick: Buckholts by 14.

Milano (2-0) Vs. Bremond (2-0)

Milano has started the season 2-0 after beginning last season 0-2, but this week the back-to-back-to-back state champions are on the schedule. That would be Bremond, which has now won 49 straight games after defeating Iola on Friday night, 17-6. The good news is that Iola managed to hold down a normally potent Bremond offense, so maybe the Eagles can find similar success and keep the game close.

Josh’s Pick: Bremond by 21.

Jarrell (0-2) Vs. Thorndale (0-2)

For Jarrell, this is more than likely their best shot to get a win this season. If not, I believe the Cougars could be eyeing a winless season having to go through the 10-3A gauntlet. Thorndale has not looked good themselves in the early going by dropping games to both Milano (47-28) and Lexington (52-7).

Josh’s Pick: Thorndale by 7.

Lexington (2-0) Vs. Rockdale (1-1)

This is a big one going down in Rockdale on Friday. When I watched the Tigers in week one, they had issues within their lines and had 3 of their top players out with injury. Rockdale did rebound with a 7-point win over Taylor this last week. Lexington is expected to compete for a state championship in 3A DII, so this is a game they will be favored in.

Josh’s Pick: Lexington by 7.

Around 10-3A

Lorena (0-2) Vs. Franklin (1-1)

There was probably not a more surprising result from week two than Franklin’s 57-42 loss to the Caldwell Hornets. Is this an anomaly? It’s hard to tell, but we should know more this week when Lorena comes to town. The Leopards are 0-2 this season, but have played 4A DI powers China Spring and La Vega.

Josh’s Pick: Franklin by 7.

Mart (1-1) Vs. McGregor (1-1)

After dropping a very tight 2-point game to Lexington to open the season, tradition-rich Mart easily coasted by West in week two, 43-12. West had just took down Rockdale in week one, 42-24. McGregor suffered a tough week one loss to Groesbeck, 23-10, but bounced back with a quality win over Sunnyvale, 15-7. McGregor keeping this game within 14 points would impress me.

Josh’s Pick: Mart by 21.

Around the State

Brock (1-1) Vs. Grapevine Faith (1-1)

The Yoemen were not the only big-time 3A program to go down in week two, as the 2015 state champions fell to Midland Christian, 26-9. Midland Christian has won a total of 10 private school state championships, but this was a team that Brock did defeat last season. The Eagles had a close game with Grapevine Faith (W 42-35) in 2016, so this will be another one to watch.

Josh’s Pick: Brock by 7.

Yoakum (1-1) Vs. Taylor (1-1)

Yoakum, a state finalist from a year ago, was my preseason number one team in 3A DI. The Bulldogs suffered a tough loss to Cuero last week, 41-13. Cuero won 14-7 in 2016 and was expected to be improved, but so was Yoakum. This week, Yoakum will be on the road at Taylor. This is a good measuring stick game for region III and region IV, as Rockdale just got through defeating the Ducks, 21-14.

Josh’s Pick: Yoakum by 17.