Here are our top high school football games to watch in West Texas in Week 2 of the 2022 season:
Sterling City in Miles
This is a matchup of teams that have each won a state title recently — though none of them were on an 11-man football field. Sterling City was the 2020 Division I Class 1A six-man state champion, while Miles won the Division III 7-on-7 state title last summer. Sterling City is in its first year returning 11 players and the Eagles are off to a fast start after beating Odessa Compass Academy 68-0 last week. Johnathan Monreal rushed for 158 yards and four TDs on just five carries, and he had three punt returns (covers of 76, 77 and 72 yards). Miles was also impressive in a 69-0 win over Midland TLCA. Hayven Book was 8-of-9 passing for 176 yards and four touchdowns. Carson Ellison had an 86-yard TD catch and returned a punt for a score. Devin Medina rushed for two scores, and Tanner Wood responded for a TD. Both of these teams could have an exciting season ahead of them and this should be an entertaining game.
Choice: Miles 29, Sterling City 28
Irion County vs. Spur (at Blackwell)
Irion County is one spot at No. 9 in the Class 1A Division I state rankings, while Spur is knocking on the door of the Top 10 after entering the season ranked No. 12. The Bulldogs defeated O’Donnell 64-18 on the week past . Irion County had a little more trouble putting away Buena Vista in an 80-60 blowout. The Spurs return four starters from a team that went 10-2 and reached the state quarterfinals last year, so the Bulldogs should present a serious challenge to an Irion County team with aspirations of making a deep playoff run. The Hornets return all but one starter from last year’s 8-3 team that lost its playoff opener. This looks like a competitive game that won’t be decided until late in the fourth quarter.
Choice: Irion County 60, Spur 52
Mason in Brady
Both of these teams managed to find the end zone just once last week, but their defenses had very different results. While Mason lost 7-6 to a Coleman team now up to No. 6 in the 2A DI rankings, Brady was blown out 49-7 by Comanche. It was a surprising result for a Bulldogs team that went 8-4 last year and returns 13 starters. Comanche would come off a 1-9 season. Brady will try to right the ship when she hosts Mason, renewing a rivalry between cities just 28 miles apart. This will be their first meeting since 2007. Brady averaged 33.5 points per game last year and the Bulldogs will need that offensive firepower to come through if they are to break through the formidable Punchers defense.
Choice: Mason 26, Brady 14
Menard in Garden City
The six-man newcomer will take on the power set in this interesting match. Menard won its six-man debut last week 47-2 over San Marcos Hill Country, but the learning curve could be much steeper against Garden City, which is ranked fifth in 1A DI. The Bearkats are coming off a tough 30-26 win over then-No. 9 Turkey Valley last week. Garden City is a veteran group with five starters returning on each side of the ball from last year’s 7-4 team. If Menard is able to communicate with Garden City at all, it would speak volumes for the six-year program.
Choice: Garden City 62, Menard 32
Christoval at Grape Creek
Both of these district champions from last year suffered humbling losses to start their 2022 seasons. Christoval was shut out 7-0 by Eldorado. Grape Creek lost 33-8 to Stanton. We’ll see how they respond this week in a Tom Green County battle at Grape Creek. Last year it was no contest as Christoval won 55-7 over Grape Creek. The Eagles bounced back from that loss and went on to claim a share of the first district title in program history. Christoval’s offense averaged over 43 points per game last year, and they will look to get back on track this week.
Choice: 29 Christoval, 16 Grape Stream