The best Thursday night Texas high school football games during Week 10

It’s been a while since there have been some real headliners on Thursday night this season, but this week is the exception to the rule late in the year. Here are a few of tonight’s must-see matchups: Edinburg Vela (8-0) vs. Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (8-0) Edinburg Vela is off to yet another hot start in the regular season, but its streak of eight straight wins will be put to the test by PSJA. It’s been quite the turn around for the Bears, who have already more than doubled their win total from last season (3) under coach Lupe Rodriguez. PSJA is thriving behind the play of junior quarterback Trey Guajardo (2,709 total yards, 32 TDs) who takes on a heavy load offensively, as the Bears don’t have much of a run game to support a dominant passing attack. Fortunately, they haven’t needed to run the ball much – Guajardo is averaging more than 300 yards per game through the air and has at least four passing touchdowns in three straight games. Vela is considerably more balanced offensively, but quarterback Nathan Garcia (1,748 yards, 17 TDs) is the one who leads the way. Aaron Alvarez (444 yards, 12 TDs) and Sam Valenzuela (397 yards, 6 TDs) split the workload in the backfield. Vela hasn’t allowed more than seven points in a game since Oct. 6 and will look to use that defensive prowess to stifle Guajardo. Vela won last season’s game in a 64-40 shootout, and this year’s winner will lock up the District 31-6A championship. Sachse (8-0) vs. Naaman Forest (7-1) Sachse looked mortal for the first time this season in a 42-35 win over Rowlett last week as the Mustangs gave up more than nine points for just the second time this year. It took a 21-point fourth quarter comeback and some heroics from QB Jalen Mayden for the team to fight back and remain unbeaten. Now Sachse will take on Naaman Forest in what will be its final true test before playoffs. The Mustangs offense was held in check for three quarters last week, but that was an unusual start to the game for an explosive group. Look for Mayden (1,607 total yards, 19 TDs) and RB Christian Cole (1,093 yards, 13 TDs) to bounce back strong. Naaman Forest’s only loss of the year came to the same Rowlett team that put a scare into Sachse, as the Rangers fell 13-7 three weeks ago. With a defense that’s less giving up than eight points per game this year, Naaman Forest may have the pieces necessary to stick with Sachse through the night. The Mustangs won the matchup 28-0 last season and 39-0 in 2015 – but expect this year’s game to be much more competitive in a big District 10-6A game. Southwest (7-1) vs. Eagle Pass (6-2) Outside of the two teams at the bottom of the standings, District 29-6A has been extremely competitive this season with six teams still in position for a playoff berth. Southwest and Eagle Pass are the leaders of the pack, and both have a chance to lock up at least a share of the district title with a win. Eagle Pass sits a game behind Southwest after last week’s 45-14 loss to Laredo United – a team the Dragons snuck by 33-29 back on Oct . 21. Southwest has won seven straight after a 20-14 loss to Cedar Park Vista Ridge to open the season, and is looking to keep their momentum rolling heading into next week’s season finale. The Eagles will have to find a way to slow down Southwest’s run game that’s averaging more than 300 yards per game behind Sean Ruiz (837 yards, 17 TDs) and Martin Torres (487 yards, 2 TDs). After putting up its fewest point total all season in last week’s loss, Eagle Pass will look to come out quickly in hopes of snapping the Dragons’ win streak. Southwest has three straight wins over Eagle Pass but has to play on the road this time around, which could play into the Eagles’ hands.

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