A&M-Tennessee, Italy-Riesel highlight Slovacek's I-35 Showdowns

Slovacek's logoTo honor the loyal football fans that travel great distances to support their favorite team, DCTF and our friends from Slovacek’s in West, Texas are proud to present The Slovacek’s I-35 Showdowns of the Week. Texas A&M (5-0) vs. Tennessee (5-0)3:30 p.m. Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station The second Saturday in October generally belongs to the sights and sounds of the State Fair of Texas. This year, however, a clash of unbeaten SEC teams makes College Station the main attraction for the weekend. While this was anticipated as a big matchup before the season, the Aggies and Volunteers haven’t arrived at it unbeaten quite as might’ve been anticipated. Texas A&M’s stellar defensive front has been even more intimidating than expected, leading a defensive resurgence in their second year under coordinator John Chavis. Tennessee, meanwhile, has somehow remained unbeaten despite a rocky first month of the season that saw the Volunteers nearly lose to an FCS foe and then need miraculous comebacks to take down division rivals Florida and Georgia. If there is anything approaching a script to Tennessee’s wild ride to 5-0, it’s that the Volunteers have been able to overcome slow starts with manic second half rallies and a penchant for forcing turnovers on defense. That will be tough to do against the Aggies, who have a +2 turnover margin and have the clock-devouring one-two punch of senior quarterback Trevor Knight and freshman tailback Trayveon Williams, who have combined to average nearly 180 rushing yards per contest. In may seem redundant to say, but expect a big-game atmosphere and intense crowd at Kyle Field Saturday afternoon. ESPN’s College Game Day will be broadcasting from College Station that morning, and Aggie fans know a win against the Vols will catapult A&M into the role of Alabama’s biggest threat for the SEC crown, two weeks before their trip to Tuscaloosa. Italy (4-1) vs. Riesel (3-2)7:30 p.m. Friday at Willis Field in Italy This is the week that games really start to mean something with the beginning of the District 8-2A Division I schedule gets underway with the Riesel Indians heading north on I-35 to pay a visit to the Italy Gladiators. Following an 0-2 start to the season, Riesel has reeled off three straight wins – two of them on the road – including last week’s 34-13 victory at Hubbard. Senior quarterback Jase Little led the way with 163 yards and a touchdown rushing with another score through the air. Playing host on Friday will be a Gladiator team that has experienced two polar opposite results in their last two outings. Two weeks ago, they were on the losing end of a 48-7 contest at Hico – their first loss of the season. Last week, though, they took advantage of the familiarity of their home field in a 44-14 win over Gateway Charter Academy out of Dallas. On the line will be a 1-0 start in district play and the opportunity to keep pace with district-favorite Mart, ranked 2nd in DCTF’s 2A Division I poll after a 5-0 start and will be on the road to face Itasca this weekend.