Friday night's must-see Texas high school football games for Week 8

After a Thursday night that included a new state record (McKinney’s Matthew Gadek’s 599 yards rushing against Plano East) and a few thrilling finishes, we’re back to a full slate of action. Here are the top Week 8 games in each classification: 6A: Rockwall-Heath (5-1, 3-0) vs. Tyler John Tyler (4-2, 2-1) After resting and recovering during a bye last week, two of the premiere teams in District 11-6A meet up for a key showdown at Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium. Rockwall-Heath has edged out three straight close wins to open the district schedule while John Tyler is playing catch up after falling 48-7 in the opener to Rockwall. The Lions have knocked off North Mesquite and Mesquite since then, but could really use a win over Rockwall-Heath to solidify itself in the playoff race. The Hawks’ Tanner McCalister will be key to the team’s chances, as the senior enters the game with 921 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns on the season. He’s averaging almost nine yards per carry and also sees action on the defensive side of the ball for Rockwall-Heath. The Lions defense will need to slow McCalister down while getting their more balanced offensive attack going early. After losing this matchup 48-0 in Tyler last year, the Hawks will be looking to return the favor on their home field. You couldn't go wrong by heading to Schertz Clemens vs. Smithson Valley tonight, but this one probably has a higher potential to be high scoring and tight down the stretch. 5A: Grapevine (5-1, 3-0) vs. Richland (6-0, 3-0) If you’re looking for a whole lot of offense, Grapevine is the place to be. The Mustangs, who are averaging 52 points per game, host Richland, which is averaging just over 50 ppg, in what will almost certainly be a shootout a District 8-5A. Both teams bring a perfect 3-0 record to the table and a win would allow either to maintain pace with Colleyville Heritage (6-1, 4-0). For Grapevine, it’s all about the passing game through the arm of quarterback Alan Bowman (1,618 yards, 16 TDs). But Roshawn Prear (865 yards, 11 TDs) does add some balance on the ground, taking some pressure off Bowman and the receiving corps led by David Clayton (545 yards, 7 TDs) and Jordan Brooks-Wess (505 yards, 8 TDs). Richland is similar in style with QB Drew Trent (1,003 yards, 12 TDs) leading the way and RB Rylee Johnson (737 yards, 12 TDs) captaining the run game. There should be a lot of points scored, and after Richland’s 38-35 win over Grapevine last year, this game should be another thriller. 4A: Waco La Vega (6-0, 1-0) vs. China Spring (5-1, 1-0) There’s nothing better than a heated rivalry between two competitive teams, and few games at the Class 4A level measure up to La Vega-China Spring. Both teams are ranked in our 4A DI Top 10 (No. 2 La Vega and No. 7 China Spring), and this game will likely decide the champion of a deep district at the end of the season. The Pirates are coming off a 33-18 win over Liberty Hill in the District 13-4A opener and have outscored opponents 250-46 to open the season, while China Spring knocked off Burnet 42-16 last week and has won four straight since a 17-14 loss to Huntsville in Week 2. La Vega was able to hold on for a 17-10 win over the Cougars last year, and will turn to Kemoche Hobbs to lead the way again tonight. It will be a classic slugfest in another chapter of a great rivalry, again with district title implications on the line. 3A: Buna (4-0, 2-0) vs. Woodville (5-1, 3-0) If it weren’t for a 30-22 loss to Madisonville, Woodville would enter this week a perfect 6-0. Regardless, the Eagles have cruised in District 11-3A play while registering wins over Warren, Kirbyville and Trinity by a combined 116 points. Buna, on the other hand, is still unbeaten and has knocked off Kountze and Trinity in district action the last two weeks. The teams join Coldspring-Oakhurst as the only unbeatens left atop the district standings in 11-3A, so the game will provide some clarity as the race continues down the stretch of the season. This should be a physical battle as the Eagles look to win their second straight game over the Cougars after a 28-8 victory last season. 2A: Lindsay (5-1, 1-0) vs. Muenster (6-0, 1-0) A rivalry game dubbed the Kraut Bowl is almost always going to standout, especially when it’s between two teams playing as well as Lindsay and Muenster. The Hornets are off to another hot start this year as one of the top teams in Class 2A DII and are 6-0 for the first time since 2013. Meanwhile, Lindsay’s only loss came to Valley View and the Knights have responded with four straight wins – including a 35-21 victory over Santo last week to open District 8-2A play. If Lindsay is going to pull off the upset, it’s going to have to find a way to slow down Muenster quarterback Parker McGrew. McGrew has racked up 1,681 total yards and 26 TDs so far this season and leads the Hornets both on the ground and through the air. Lindsay hasn’t won a game in the series since 2014 and will be looking to get back on track in the Kraut Bowl.

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