No. 1 Westbrook (6-0) at Highland (4-2)

Friday, 7:30

Nothing like starting the district schedule off with a whopper. Without a doubt, Westbrook has had this game circled on their calendar since February when UIL alignments were posted. I am guessing Highland has as well.

This is it. This is the season for the top-ranked Wildcats and Hornets.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s always a chance to come back and make the playoffs, especially in this weird season, but that would mean the loser here would have to beat Sterling City, who looks every bit the top-4 team we expected in the preseason.

Highland started well at 3-0, including a big win over rival Blackwell in week three, but has dropped a pair of games these last two weeks.

Westbrook is 2-10 against Highland since 2000, with Wildcats’ only win this decade being a 36-34 squeaker in 2015. They are also looking to break a long playoff drought having not made the playoffs since 2001.

“They can pretty much score at will,” says Highland head coach Ben Smith. “Our best defense will be to keep our offense on the field. Hopefully we can slow them down and throw some looks at them they haven’t seen.”

Prediction: Westbrook 54, Highland 24

OTHER TOP GAMES:

No. 1 Bastrop Tribe at No. 2 Johnson County Sports Association – The top two teams in the Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations face off in what should be a high-powered thriller.

No. 1 Fredericksburg Heritage at No. 3 Cedar Park Summit – Two of the top-ranked teams in TAPPS Division 3 go at it in Cedar Park on Friday night. 

Saint Jo at Bryson – No rest for the weary, as Saint Jo must regroup after their big game last Friday at Union Hill against their toughest district competition.

Springlake Earth at #5 Groom – Two teams trying to make some noise. This should be a great battle between a six-man newcomer and a top-ranked Division 2 opponent.