- CONVERSE JUDSON (5-0, 2-0 in 26-6A) – at No. 10 New Braunfels
- BRANDEIS (5-0, 4-0 in 28-6A) – vs. No. 3 O’Connor (Gustafson)
- O’CONNOR (4-1, 4-0 in 28-6A) –vs. No. 2 Brandeis (Gustafson)
- SCHERTZ CLEMENS (4-1, 2-0 in 26-6A) – vs. New Braunfels Canyon
- BRENNAN (4-1, 3-1 in 28-6A) – vs. Marshall (Farris – Thursday)
- CIBOLO STEELE (3-2, 0-2 in 26-6A) – at San Marcos
- SMITHSON VALLEY (3-2, 1-1 in 26-6A) – vs. No. 9 East Central
- ROOSEVELT (4-1, 1-1 in 27-6A) – vs. South San (Heroes)
- EAST CENTRAL (4-1, 2-0 in 26-6A) – at No. 7 East Central
- NEW BRAUNFELS (4-1, 1-1 in 26-6A) – vs. No. 1 Converse Judson
- JOHNSON (3-2, 2-0 in 27-6A) – vs. MacArthur (Comalander)
ON THE BUBBLE
MADISON (3-2, 2-0 in 27-6A) – vs. Reagan (Heroes – Saturday)
REAGAN (2-3, 1-1 in 27-6A) – vs. Madison (Heroes – Saturday)
SOUTH SAN (4-1, 2-0 in 27-6A) – at No. 8 Roosevelt (Heroes)
STEVENS (3-2, 2-0 in 28-6A) – vs. Clark (Farris – Saturday)
WEEK 7
No. 2 Brandeis vs. No. 3 O’Connor
This crucial District 28-6A battle sold out within hours of tickets being available for what is now nicknamed the Whatabowl. According to a Wednesday morning report by Spectrum News, tickets are going for three times the cost of the regular admission fee. Last season O’Connor won a closely contested battle, 30-28.
Brandeis leads 6A in the San Antonio with 319.2 rushing yards per contest while averaging 44.4 points per game. Junior dual-threat quarterback Jordan Battles, one of the best overall quarterbacks in the area, leads the team with 495 yards and 10 TDs with Corion Holmes checking in with 474 yards and four scores. J. Nova Rangel and Bear Wente bolster a deep backfield for the Broncos. Battles can do it through the air as well but has not had much reason to thus far since the Broncos have been dominant in the run game. Tight end Kris Bowen is committed to Cornell.
Defensively, Brandeis gives up 274.4 yards per game. Jalen Rainey, a 6’2 safety, is emerging as a name to keep an eye on in the Class of 2021 locally. Rainey is rangy, extremely athletic, and breaks quickly on the football.
O’Connor is riding a 23-game winning streak within its district dating back to 2015 and has not lost to Brandeis since losing 42-3 in 2014. David Dodd is amongst the area leaders in passing with 1,125 yards and nine TDs. Sophomore John Locke has reeled in three TDs this season, while Sam Castillo and junior Carson Jones boost a solid passing game for the Panthers. Texas verbal Logan Parr, the No. 1 ranked player in the area, has appeared at left tackle at times this season. His dominating presence is a key factor in the success of running back Zion Taylor. Junior move-in Bradley Adkins boosts the offensive line.
Defensive tackle Pryson Greer will do his best up front to minimize the Brandeis running game. When Battles throws, seniors J’Onta Waller and Jack Jennings have big game experience.
No. 1 Converse Judson at No. 10 New Braunfels
Top-ranked Converse Judson is rolling on offense, putting up 56 points in the first half in Week 5 in a convincing victory over San Marcos. Mike Chandler II is having an All-Area performance thus far, while junior De’Anthony Lewis has emerged as one of the top players in the Class of 2021 in San Antonio.
As for New Braunfels, junior Peyton Driggers and a loaded sophomore class have been behind the Unicorn resurgence. Sophomore Ryker Purdy is key in the running game, while Driggers has been spreading the ball around to a plethora of senior receivers in the passing game.
No. 9 Smithson Valley at No. 7 East Central
In the District of Doom, the race towards the postseason could very well hinge on this game for both teams. Smithson Valley has used a two-pronged attack in the running game with Greg Eggleston and Jacob Forton. In a 51-7 victory over New Braunfels Canyon, Eggleston rushed for 233 yards on 11 carries while Forton checked in with 173 yards and a pair of TDs.
East Central defeated New Braunfels for the second year in a row behind a fantastic performance from stat-stuffing running back DeAngelo Rosemond. Rosemond leads the area in rushing with 897 yards and 14 TDs. This is not the Hornets unit from a few years back as Head Coach Joe Hubbard has his program rolling in the right direction.
Projections (Enrollment)
6A DIV. 1 – Converse Judson (3068) and Smithson Valley (2768.5)
6A DIV. 2 – Schertz Clemens (2708) and Cibolo Steele (2418)
Darkhorses – East Central (3160.5) and New Braunfels (2549)
– Everything is still in front of a large majority of the teams in 26-6A. Conventional wisdom would figure Cibolo Steele, despite its 0-2 record heading into Week 7, will have a huge say on who goes to the playoffs out of the district. East Central, Smithson Valley, and New Braunfels could have a huge effect on which division Schertz Clemens will play in. There is no scenario which would see Converse Judson drop to Division II. All of this is due to change after Week 7.
Projections (Enrollment)
6A DIV. 1 – Reagan (3518) and Madison (3286)
6A DIV. 2 – Johnson (3083) and Roosevelt (2858)
Darkhorse – South San (2606)
– South San is the ultimate darkhorse in 27-6A, well-deserving of its 4-1 overall record and district lead after the bye week. Its old school offense is difficult to prepare for while the Bobcats allow just 11.6 points per game. Reagan was without starting QB Travis Sthele in the first two games before coming from 28-7 down to beat No. 4 Schertz Clemens. Expect the Rattlers to be in the discussion all the way to the end. Madison already has a win over No. 8 Roosevelt.
Projections (Enrollment)
6A DIV. 1 – O’Connor (3367) and Stevens (2969)
6A DIV. 2 – Brandeis (2744) and Brennan (2683)
Darkhorses – Warren (3124) and John Jay (3058)
– O’Connor appears locked and loaded for a run to Division I riding a 23-game district winning streak heading into its monumental encounter with No. 2 Brandeis. Win or lose for Brandeis, it appears the Broncos could be likely to make a deep run in the Division II playoff bracket out of Region IV. Stevens is capable of holding on to its current position in the standings, but it will not be easy. Warren is capable of catching up within in the district, while John Jay has performed well at times this season with pint-sized QB Danny Amezquita operating the controls.
