The Thursday night must-see Texas high school football games for Week 3

Photo by Jay Stevens

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Week 3 features another good slate of games with some teams looking to prove themselves against the state’s top programs and others against familiar foes. With many week two cancellations due to inclement weather, teams across the state are gnawing at the bit to get back on the gridiron. Weather may still be a big factor this week, though, as many games have already been cancelled and some Friday games have been moved to Thursday. Here are some of the top games that have always been slated to play on Thursday night.

Arlington Bowie (2-0) at Rockwall (0-1)

This bout features two teams who have played some very tough schedules. Bowie, who has defeated both Flower Mound Marcus and Mansfield, will be tested again versus Rockwall, who lost to defending 5A DI state champion Highland Park 49-42 in week one. Rockwall’s week two game against Rowlett was canceled due to inclement weather.

Bowie quarterback Malcolm Mays has thrown for 526 yards and six touchdowns — five of which were to big targets Jordan Joyner and Emmanuel Muhammad. Mays will lead the Volunteers' spread offense against a Yellow Jacket defense that returned just three starters from last year’s squad and allowed 49 points in their only contest this season.

The Yellow Jackets will look to quarterback Jacob Clark — who threw for nearly 3,000 yards and earned offensive MVP honors last season — to put up big numbers against a defense that has allowed just 14 points this season. Clark will look to speedy junior receiver Jaxon Smith, who notched 223 receiving yards in the season-opener, early and often in hopes of penetrating the Bowie defense.

Galena Park North Shore (2-0) at Spring Westfield (2-0)

This matchup features two heavyweight programs — who both have mustangs as mascots — pitted against one another in one of the best matchups of the week.

Prior to the season, questions surrounded Westfield after they graduated 43 seniors. However, they have done nothing but hush those questions with convincing road wins over Houston Lamar and Alief Taylor. Westfield now returns home and faces tougher competition as North Shore comes to town.

In order to upset No. 3 North Shore, Westfield will look to signal-caller Terrance Gipson (220 passing yards) and their stable of senior running backs led by Rayshawn Hames (86 rushing yards, 3 TDs) to lead the Mustang offense that has averaged 42 points per game in their first two contests. Westfield’s 4-3 defense, anchored by linebacker Franklin Montgomery, will face a tall task of containing North Shore running back Zach Evans — one of the best backs in the nation. Dual-threat quarterback Dematrius Davis will also pose a threat to the Westfield defense, anytime that he has time in the pocket.

Amarillo Tascosa (1-1) vs. Amarillo Palo Duro (1-1)

After holding a 14-point lead against big-time rival Amarillo High, Tascosa allowed 21 unanswered points and suffered their first loss of the season. Heading the Rebels’ flex-bone offense, quarterback Joseph Plunk was good on the ground. However, two of his six pass attempts were intercepted. Look for the Rebels to keep the ball on the ground for the majority of the game against Palo Duro with feature back King Doerue, who ran for 149 yards and a touchdown last week, doing the heavy lifting.

Palo Duro’s spread offense is led by junior quarterback Dondray Degrate, who has thrown for 327 yards and five touchdowns. Degrate has looked to proven big-bodied tight end early and often this season and the tandem has connected for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

Others worth your time:

San Antonio O'Connor vs. San Antonio Warren

Both teams notched wins last week in their first games in district play. The two district favorites will now square up in a heavyweight battle that will likely have major implications in district 28-6A play.

San Marcos vs. Laredo United

After dropping their first two games, the San Marcos Rattlers will look to get back on track as they travel to Laredo to take on United, who notched their first win last week against Alamo Heights last week.

Melissa vs. Whitehouse (at Emory Rains)

Two undefeated teams meet in a cross-classification matchup. The key matchup to watch her is Melissa’s dynamic duo of Brendon Lewis Jr. and Ja’Bray Young that will be pitted against a stout Whitehouse defense.

 

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