WEATHERFORD —  

Weatherford vs. Arl. Bowie

Time: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Site: Kangaroo Stadium

Type: 3-5A district opener

Last year: Bowie 44, Weatherford 0

Arlington Bowie Volunteers (2-1)

Last season: 9-4 overall, 5-2 in District 4-5A; 

                    Class 5A, D-I Region I semifinalist.

Last week: Idle

Players to watch: DB Steven Wesley (6-1, 190, 4.5), DB Malik Tipler (5-10, 205, 4.6), DE Darryl Calhoun (6-1, 225, 4.8), LB Andre Chineme (6-0, 195, 4.6), 

Weatherford Kangaroos (1-2)

Last season: 3-7 overall, 2-5 in District 4-5A

Last week: Idle

Players to watch: OG Hayden Davis (6-1, 250, 5.4), OT Jordan Gray (6-3, 286, 5.6), C Sammy Stephens (6-2, 253, 5.6), DE Slade Hodge (6-2, 200, 4.8), DT Kent Sanner (6-1, 232, 4.9), DT Andrew Cape (5-11, 270, 4.9), QB Grant Werts, RB Jeuqwan Brownlee, RB Fred Brownlee.

Game notes: Bowie adjusted its offensive philosophy in the offseason with the emergence of its junior passing quarterback, Keaton Perry, who was also a running threat, until going down to a leg injury in the Vols second game. Enter receiver and QB backup Tony James, and a change in the offensive scheme, as head coach Kenny Perry (Keaton's dad) had to retool the attack plan.

James was effective in his first start, accounting for more than 275 yards and five TDs running and throwing to beat Dallas Skyline two weeks ago. Barring the return of Perry, James will be at the helm again on Friday.

But the defense has been the main concern for Bowie, thus far. While its schedule has been no cake walk, Vols defenders have yielded 350 yards and 38 points per game, putting pressure on the offense to keep lighting up the scoreboard.

 A bit beat up themselves, Weatherford welcomed the off week, entering the bye with a win over Burleson, a positive reminder of sweet victory as the tough district schedule looms. The Roo offense has been a pleasantly-balanced one through three contests, granting some relief from opposing defenders over-stacking the box. 

The second and third lines of opposing defenses may also need to stay at home due to the burst of speed provided thus far by Fred (sophomore) and Jeuqwan (freshman) Brownlee, who pose running and receiving threats. In just a handful of touches in the Burleson game, Jeuqwan produced more than 100 yards of offense, while Fred took in a 14-yard Werts pass to close out the first half.

But make no bones about it — Bowie is a talented football team. Beyond turnover-free offense and mistake-free special teams, the Roos' mental game must be sharp to adhere to assignments and take advantage of opportunities. As the coaches have been preaching and the players have  (hopefully) been absorbing — Execution is key for WHS from this kickoff, forward.   

Aledo vs. Arlington Heights

Time: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Site: Bearcat Stadium

Type: 7-4A district opener

Last year: Did not play

FW Arlington Heights Yellow Jackets (0-3)

Last season: 9-4 overall, 7-2 in District 6-4A,

    Class 4A, DI Region I Area finalist.

Last week: Idle

Players to watch: DT A'Shawn Robinson (6-5, 300, 4.8), RB Sammy Webb (5-10, 170, 4.4), QB Vincient Barrones, WR Brian Henderson, 

WR Guy Kobione

Aledo Bearcats (2-1)

Last season: 14-2 overall, 7-0 in District 5-4A ,

Class 4A, DII state champions

Last week: Idle

Players to watch: LB Gunner Johnson, WR Willie Gibson, FS Shea Wood, SS Clayton Lowe, LB Jordan Mittie, QB Pate Davis, RB Caleb Frysinger, RB  Jess Anders.

Game notes: Arlington Heights may not be looking forward to its first district opponent with particular relish, but is probably happy to get past its non-district schedule, which has been a weird ride resulting in an inauspicious start. After a shellacking from Birdville in Week 0, the Yellow Jackets went without the services of Texas commit A'Shawn Robinson the next week, taking the field against Paschal. Bothersome without their defensive star, but not a killer, Heights easily pounded the cross-town former-rival Panthers. But, due to an ineligible player Heights self-reported, the Jackets forfeit the game,  leading to the 0-3 pre-district record after losing late due to a Brewer Bears' 4th-quarter rush.

So, the Jackets may be in a foul mood as they trot onto Bearcat turf, but they will need more than a lousy disposition to beat Aledo in a district game. Robinson is far and away the biggest defensive threat Heights has at its disposal, and the 300-pounder has also been on the receiving end of a TD pass — a scary prospect for any defensive back caught alone between Robinson and the goal line. Most of the Yellow Jackets offensive real estate has been achieved through the air, not necessarily by design, as the running attack has not always been consistent.

District contests are precious to the Bearcats. In fact, the last time Aledo lost a district contest was in 2007, and it has compiled a 33-0 record since then. While losing has been distasteful to the program for a number of years, non-district or otherwise, the level of play of the Bearcats goes all workman-like when he games really count.

Aside from the Stephenville glitch, which saw defensive numbers soar (and not in a good way), the Bearcats 'D' has been serviceable. Historically speaking, one might expect the average yards ceded to decrease. Aledo's scheme is designed to funnel tackles to its linebacker corps, and the scheme is working. Among its starters alone — Jordan Mittie, Aaron Hinsley and Gunner Johnson — the Bearcats second layer has amassed 87 tackles in three games, with 45 of those solo efforts.

Meanwhile, the offense is rife with weapons, in the backfield and on the perimeters. While Caleb Frysinger and Jess Anders handle the lion's share of running the ball, QB Pate Davis handles about 10 carries a game, as well. Willie Gibson provides "veteran" leadership in the receiving corps, with Taco Anderson, Frysinger and Anders also on the receiving end of Davis tosses.

Springtown at Graham

Time: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Site: Newton Field

        1100 Calaveras Street, Graham

Type: Non-district game

Last year: Did not play

Graham Steers (3-1)

Last season: 5-6 overall, 4-1 in District 6-3A.

    Class 3A, DII bi-district finalist

Last week: Beat Breckenridge, 44-0

Players to watch: C Ben Hays (5-10, 245, 5.1), OT Tyler Fore (6-2, 225, 4.7), WR/S Bryce Reeves, QB Ben Davis, RB Dillon Gonzales, LB Hunter Walls, WR Hagen Hughes. 

Springtown Porcupines (2-2)

Last season: 1-9 overall, 1-6 in District 5-4A

Last week: Lost to Gainesville, 28-20

Players to watch: DE/TE Bryson Burtnett (6-5, 225, 4.6), QB Colby Moore, RB Tyler Robertson, DL Kolyn Waldrop, WR Caleb Whiteman, P/K/ WR Javier Reynoso

Game notes: Chances are Springtown may have encountered the most talented and athletic players of their season when they stepped on the field against Gainesville last week. But it does not mean they necessarily faced the best team. The Graham offense snapped the ball 47 times in its tilt with Breckenridge — a modest number. But the Steers efficiency more than made up for any perceived lack of frequency. Junior QB Ben Davis completed 14 of 16 passes to seven different receivers. A committee also proved effective in the running game, compiling nearly 300 yards with five runners, although Dillon Gonzales and Hagen Hughes toted most of the load. The Steers have a formidable number of seniors in the trenches, which has been helping its underclassmen, who are most prevalent at the skill positions. And except for a bad day against Abilene Wylie (most are for everyone) its defense has been very stingy — ceding 10 points a game and creating 13 total takeaways.

Speed kills — and Gainesville gave Pojo a nasty reminder of the danger of the fleet footed last week. With good coverage in the secondary, the Porcupines succumbed to quarterback scrambles and gave up the corners too often to the rush. Springtown moved the ball with regularity in the first half, but a 4th-quarter Leopard goal-line stand took some the air out of Springtown sails.

Still, Pojo has weapons, not the least of which is multi-faceted, multi-talented Javier Reynoso, who in the Gainesville match kicked a 52-yard field goal (another of 37 yards), booted his only punt more than 40 yards and was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass. Pojo will try to get back on the good side of the score board this week before heading into its bye.   

Millsap at Rio Vista

Time: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Site: Eagle Stadium

         Capps Street at South Hughes, Rio Vista

Type: 6-2A, DII district opener

Last year’s result: Millsap 20, Rio Vista 13 

Rio Vista Eagles (1-2)

Last season: 1-9 overall, 1-6 in District 4-2A

Last week: Idle

Players to watch: DB Jacob Stanley (6-0, 170, 4.8), OL/LB Jared Wilson, WR Ryan Jimison, QB Nick Russell, RB Sean Worlow, RB Jake Strickland

Millsap Bulldogs (0-3)

Last season: 3-7 overall, 1-5 in District 4-2A

Last week: Lost to Windthorst, 44-6

Players to watch: OL/DL Payton Vandeveer, WR/DB Shawn Harper, OL/DL Mitchell Coker, WR/DB Daulton Thomas, RB Kristian Martinez

Game notes: Rio Vista beat the Wampus Cats of Itasca in its season opener, but that has been the only taste of victory for the Eagles thus far, being blanked by Hico and Hubbard by a combined 76-0. Despite its mascot name, Rio Vista rarely goes to the air, and has struggled to generate consistent offensive drives.

Millsap has yet to taste anything but a changing roster pretty much since the season began and is still looking for a win to find the tracks.

The defense has been taxed with an inordinate amount of on-field time as the Bulldog offense tries to muster sustained drives. Averaging more than six yards a carry last week at Windthorst, Kristian Martinez had little opportunity to get enough carries to help the offense move consistently. The Vista game may be an opportune time for Millsap to snag a "W," the best medicine for an ailing record.