Friday Football Previews
La Grange vs. Rockdale
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Leopard Stadium, La Grange
Last year’s records: La Grange was 8-4. Rockdale was 8-3. Of Note: Rockdale begins the season
Of Note: Rockdale begins the season ranked No. 7 in the state in Class 3A. The Tigers return eight offensive and eight defensive starters from last year’s team. Running back Cam’Ron Valdez, who ran for 1,662 yards last season already has scholarship offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Purdue. Wide receiver Kesean Raven had 900 yards last season and has offers from Arkansas, Southern Miss and Air Force among others. Quarterback Jace Robinson threw for 2,324 yard last season and 33 touchdowns. Rockdale has a new head coach this season, Jacob Campsey, promoted from defensive coordinator last year. Former La Grange assistant Will Kates was a finalist for the job opening. Rockdale won a state title two years ago ... Like Rockdale, the Leps return their own host of special skill position players, led by tandem quarterbacks Matthew Johnson and Caden Cooper, third-year running back D.J. Taylor, sophomore Bravion Rogers and junior superback Ryder Imhoff, all of which factored heavily in the Leps offense last year that averaged 27 points a game.
Stockdale vs. Schulenburg
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Schulenburg HS
Last year’s records: Schulenburg was 6-5. Stockdale was 5-7.
Of Note: Stockdale, a 3A school, returns five offensive and five defensive starters from last year’s team. Many of those returnees are on the offensive and defense lines. Stockdale is picked to finish fourth in their seven-team District 15-3A ... These two teams played in last year’s season opener which Schulenburg won 14-13. In that game the Shorthorns got all the offense they needed in the first quarter via early touchdown runs from Temon Glover and Brayden Duarte ... This is the first game leading the Shorthorns for new head coach Walt Brock, who went 20-6 over his last two seasons at Granger.
Flatonia vs. Runge
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: at Runge
Last year’s records: Flatonia was 11-2. Runge was 2-9.
Of Note: These two teams opened the season last year against one another and Flatonia rolled to a 49-14 win. The Bulldogs ran for three touchdowns (including two by Chris Johnston) and threw for three touchdowns .... Runge went 2-9 last season but returns eight offensive and eight defensive starters, including dual threat quarterback Daniel Mendoza, who threw for 587 yards and ran for 463 yards a season ago ... Flatonia returns eight offensive and eight defense starters from last year’s team which went to the third round of the playoffs. Three big stars graduated from that team, however.
• Luling’s season-opening football game against Columbus on Friday has been cancelled because a player from Luling has tested positive for COVID-19. Luling school district Superintendent Erin Warren said the boy received his test results last Friday. Eleven players from the varsity team’s 23-man roster and two coaches who were in ‘close contact’ with the player are under quarantine this week.
•Additionally, Sealy’s football game against Brazosport this week has been cancelled. Brazosport cancelled classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in advance of Hurricane Laura.