The must-see Friday night games in every 11-man classification for Week 5

From district openers to interclass clashes, Texas high school football is filled with solid matchups Friday night. Here are the ones in each classification that catch my eye this week: 6A: DeSoto vs. Cedar Hill After a shaky start to the year that resulted in a very close 41-36 win over Dallas Jesuit, DeSoto has responded with back-to-back blowout wins over Guyer and Midland. But Guyer was without its starting quarterback for the majority of that game, and Midland is 0-4 so far this season – Cedar Hill may be struggling, but the rivalry should be a real test for the Eagles in the District 7-6A opener. The Longhorns have played well defensively, but have struggled to find a consistent option at quarterback. That may make things tough against DeSoto’s defensive attack, Cedar Hill has some weapons in Cameron Fleming and Josh Fleeks who can make big plays if they get the ball in their hands. DeSoto has gotten a lot of production out of quarterback Courtney Douglas (815 total yards, 12 TDs), who has stepped in nicely as the replacement for Shawn Robinson (TCU). The game might not grab as many headlines as it has in the past, but as the district opener, it remains an important rivalry matchup. 5A: El Paso Burges (2-1) vs. El Paso Bowie (3-0) This game will be a clash of playing styles, as Bowie will look to establish the run early and control the time of possession battle while Burges spreads the ball around the field in a more balanced offensive attack. It’s the District 1-5A opener for two teams that should be in the thick of the playoff race, giving the game a playoff like atmosphere still early in the season. Burges, coming off a 47-26 loss to Class 6A El Paso Montwood, will rely on senior quarterback Matteo Serrano (756 yards, 8 TDs) and WR Christian Yeager (309 yards, 4 TDs) to continue their hot start to the season in order to get back on track. For Bowie, the key will be continuing to play strong defense while running the ball successfully behind Jacob Marrufo and Nathan Felix. Bowie squeaked out a 21-12 win over Burges last year, but the teams have split their last four matchups. 4A: Fredericksburg (4-0) vs. Wimberley (4-0) Fredericksburg has been dominant through its first four games of the season, outscoring opponents 192-34 so far. But Wimberley, a team that entered the season as one of the favorites in Region IV, will be a test of just how good coach Lance Moffett and the Battlin’ Billies are this season. The Texans are coming off a 20-13 win over a solid Canyon Lake team, and have been lighting up the scoreboard almost as consistently as Fredericksburg (41.5 ppg). The Billies need their running game, led by a committee of William Sebera (296 yards, 4 TDs), Hobbs Price (289 yards, 6 TDs), Tristan Sanchez (218 yards, 1 TD) and Brant Bowers (201 yards, 2 TDs), to get going early against a talented Wimberley defense. The Texans offense is all about the play of senior quarterback JoJo Weeks (1225 yards, 13 TDs), who is completing more than 68 percent of his passes and has yet to throw an interception this season. Fredericksburg will have to adjust to Wimberley’s physicality and slow Weeks down, but this should be a fun matchup in the Hill Country. 3A: Cisco (3-1) vs. Albany (4-0) Undefeated Class 2A Albany is traveling to take on 3-1 Class 3A Cisco, looking to avenge last season’s 34-7 loss to the Loboes. Last year’s loss marked just the second regular season loss for Albany since 2013, so there is certainly something to play for in tonight’s rematch. The game will come down to whether or not the Lions’ offense continues to shine the way it has through four games this year against a talented Cisco defense. Albany is averaging almost 50 points per game and senior quarterback Brian Hamilton (970 yards, 16 TDs) will need to have another big game with WR Dax Neece (545 yards, 8 TDs) and Adam Faith (310 yards, 7 TDs) for the Lions to remain unbeaten. Cisco does the majority of its damage through a punishing run game that is headlined by Dathan Harding (497 yards, 6 TDs). This game is definitely one of the best in the Big Country this week and should be a fun one between two teams that have the potential to make some noise come playoff time. 2A: Navarro (4-0) vs. Refugio (2-0) No. 9 Navarro (Class 4A) and No. 1 Refugio (Class 2A) match up again for what is always a fun battle between powerhouse programs. While the Bobcats – the defending Class 2A DI state champions – are the smaller school, they have hung with Navarro in the past and will be looking to avenge last season’s 14-6 loss. This will be a big game for Refugio, which has been through a lot this fall after being hit hard by Hurricane Harvey. The Bobcats will turn to quarterback Jared Kelley (559 yards, 7 TDs) and Jacobe Avery to attack the Panthers’ defense while Navarro will line up and run right at the Refugio defense with its dominant run game. The Panthers divvy up the carries between Will Eveld (383 yards, 2 TDs), Chris Gomez (304 yards, 4 TDs), Will Reyna 287 yards, 5 TDs) and Tyler Law (193 yards, 2 TDs). If history is any indication, this will be another exciting game.

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