Sports

Who will win this week in Central Texas high school football? Our predictions

Nairavoice · Sep 24, 2026 · 10 min read

As the 2026 high school football season enters Week 5 in Central Texas and around the state, the American-Statesman’s seasonlong staff picks for the week’s 15 top Austin-area matchups feature high school reporters Colby Gordon and Shaun Chornobroff, high school correspondent Jay Plotkin and sports editor Richard Tijerina. Gordon is our defending champion.

Westlake concludes its nondistrict slate with a strong Midland Lee side, while undefeated Anderson travels to the greater San Antonio area where it will take on Boerne Champion and one of the best sophomore quarterbacks in the nation.

Here are some Austin-area matchups that we’re really interested in this week:

Midland Lee at Westlake

Midland Lee enters Friday’s matchup with Westlake after a 28-21 win over a solid Liberty Hill squad. The Rebels are averaging 41.25 points per game, led by quarterback JP Reyes, who has thrown for 1,108 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 67% of his passes.

Westlake hosts Lee after having a bye last week. Its last matchup was a 49-40 defeat in a thriller against Prosper. While the Chaparrals haven’t quite matched Midland’s offensive exploits, quarterback Patton Jones, running back CJ Jones and the receiving duo of Braden Riddell and Nash Chapman lead an offense that’s finding the end zone often.

This game should have plenty of points. However, the winner will likely be the team that can get a crucial stop or force a couple of turnovers. That’s where the edge goes to Westlake.

Chornobroff’s pick: Westlake 34-28

Anderson at Boerne Champion

Anderson is off to a stellar start to its 2026 campaign. Through three games, the Trojans have outscored opponents 123-43. Quarterback Covert Darbyshire is clicking with an experienced group of receivers; the defense has been suffocating opponents.

Boerne Champion, about 30 miles out of San Antonio, has had a similarly strong start to its season. The Chargers have scored 236 points, while only giving up 24. Sophomore quarterback Ryder Flugence, recently named the top quarterback in his graduating class by 247Sports, has thrown for 604 yards and 11 scores on just 37 completions, an average of 16.3 yards per completion. Boerne also has a trio of rushers that have already surpassed 250 yards in senior Caleb Farias (355 yards, 8 touchdowns), Flugence (295 yards, 4 touchdowns) and junior Easton Hamel (285 yards, 3 touchdowns).

Anderson is a really strong team, but especially on the road, Boerne might be too much.

Chornobroff’s Pick: Boerne Champion 41, Anderson 31

Stony Point at Round Rock

Stony Point enters this matchup two weeks removed from a 45-21 win over University high in Waco. The week before, the Tigers had lost a 51-45 shootout. If Stony Point hopes to upset Round Rock this week, it will need to score in the 40s instead of the 21 points it posted in a 26-point loss to Bowie last week.

Round Rock comes into this district matchup with wins against Dripping Springs and Vandegrift. Quarterback Dov Stickler leads a high-powered passing attack, while the duo of Dylan Jaeger and Simon Sylvain have combined for 879 yards and 11 scores.

Round Rock should move to 1-0 in district play somewhat comfortably.

Chornobroff’s Pick: Round Rock 44, Stony Point 20

Bowie at Austin High

Outside of a 40-37 loss to Vista Ridge in Week 2, Bowie has looked the part of a district contender. The Bulldogs have scored more than 40 points a game, while holding opponents to 25.5. Running back Rhys Moreno has been the team’s star, running for 883 yards on just 91 carries – an average of 9.7 yards per run – and 13 scores.

Austin High is searching for its first win. The Maroons lost by just four to Westwood and 10 against East View last week. For Austin to have a chance, star Ethan Kahle and the Maroons defense must have a huge game.

Chornobroff’s Pick: Bowie 37, Austin High 17

Rouse at Vista Ridge

Although Rouse fell to Cedar Ridge last week, the Raiders have a versatile stud in senior Aubryn Davis, who has 595 combined rushing and receiving yards and five scores. The team is surrounded by experience with seniors Coen May, running back Isaiah Arellano and quarterback Chase Whitten. Defensively, junior Miles Burrell is one of the area’s top defensive backs and already has 10 Division I offers.

Vista Ridge has a win over a strong Bowie squad, but is two weeks removed from a 47-point loss to Cedar Ridge. Quarterback Preston Froelich and running back Quinn Szczytowski are both enjoying strong senior seasons, leading the Vista Ridge offense.

This game could be a tight one. But in the end, Rouse has been slightly better this season.

Chornobroff’s pick: Rouse 31, Vista Ridge 24

Hutto at East View

Hutto’s receiving duo of Oklahoma commit Jaiden Fields and Western Kentucky commit Dylan Owens is arguably the best in the area. But the Hippos offensive talent goes much deeper than that. Sophomore quarterback Micah Antoun has thrown for 13 touchdowns and only three interceptions, while the duo of Brayden Childs and Ethan Carlson have combined for more than 500 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

After dropping its first two games, East View has notched a 41-point win over Legacy Ranch and a 34-24 win over Austin High in the last two weeks.

East View will need a similarly balanced performance to take down Hutto this week. Ultimately, the Hippos talent will be too much as they move to 4-1 on the season.

Chornobroff’s pick:Hutto 37-East View 21

Manor at McCallum

Manor has started district play with a 44-0 win over Seguin and a 79-14 loss against Smithson Valley. Manor will hope its run-first offense can control the clock and the defense can return to its form against Seguin this week.

McCallum had a bye last week after a 63-7 loss to Smithson Valley on Sept. 11. The Knights will hope to get back into the win column this week.

Manor’s run game should control the clock and notch the Mustangs their third win of the season.

Chornobroff’s pick:Manor 28-McCallum 20

Hays at Johnson

Hays has an offense that’s averaged more than 40 points per game and a defense that’s allowing just over 20 points per contest. Speedy running back Gabriel Peach has 516 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season. Kru Allen leads a strong defense with 52 tackles and eight tackles for loss.

Johnson’s lone victory of the season is against a one-win Westwood squad. The Jaguars have allowed 174 points through four games, although they have played quality teams like Anderson and Boerne (4-0).

In the end, Hays has been the more impressive team and should come out on top in this one.

Chornobroff’s Pick: Hays 31, Johnson 14

Liberty Hill at New Braunfels

Liberty Hill is looking to get back in the win column after dropping games to Vandegrift and Midland Lee over the past two weeks. The Panthers’ run-heavy offense, headlined by Bryce Byrn and Pierre Dylan Belinga, has to produce points this week.

New Braunfels has a pair of 11-point losses on the season. Through four games, the Unicorns have only scored 70 points.

If New Braunfels finds its offensive footing, they could win this one. But this game will likely go to a Liberty Hill squad that can control the clock on the ground.

Chornobroff’s Pick: Liberty Hill 24, New Braunfels, 7

Pflugerville at Killeen Ellison

Pflugerville has a 2-2 record but also had a two-possession lead Sept. 13 against Anderson. Quarterback Caleb Gaston has been a two-way threat, throwing for 998 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also leading the Panthers with 171 rushing yards and six scores.

Ellison’s lone win of the season is against 1-3 Chaparral. While the Eagles have surpassed 40 points twice this season, they are also allowing just under 41 points per game.

Pflugerville is allowing less than 25 points per game, while scoring 34. That balance of getting regular stops and an offense that can score points should be enough to secure a win.

Chornobroff’s pick:Pflugerville 41-27 Killeen Ellison

Crockett at Eastside

Crockett comes into district play off a 61-33 win over Akins. Senior running back Peter Cobos has run for 511 yards and five touchdowns this season. He’ll likely need another big game Friday for the Cougars to win.

Eastside has played a team with a winning record in each game this season. The Panthers lost to a 2-1 Jefferson team by three in their second game before falling in blowouts each of the last two weeks.

This one projects to be close, but Eastside is due for some luck in front of its home fans.

Chornobroff’s prediction: Eastside 21, Crockett 17

Georgetown at Glenn

Georgetown broke a two-game losing streak with a 61-7 triumph over Connally last week. Weston Steward has flashed in the running game, while sophomore defensive lineman Brody Weisbrod has emerged as a force on the defensive line. Both will need to have big performances Friday.

After winning its opener against Stony Point, Glenn has fell to Davenport, Weiss and A&M Consolidated in its last three games – all opponents with winning records. Glenn has completed 49% of its passes this season. The Grizzlies will need to find their stride offensively if they hope to pull out a win.

Georgetown heads into this one as the favorite.

Chornobroff’s Pick: Georgetown 27, Glenn 13

Taylor at Northeast

Taylor has shown a balanced team early in the season, surpassing 30 points in each game its played but also not giving up more than 30 at any time. Junior quarterback Johnny Guzman has thrown for 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. Sophomore receiver Jeremiah Caldwell has been dynamic on the outside with 20 catches for 417 yards and eight scores.

Northeast’s lone loss of the season is a 63-7 defeat to Elgin, a squad that Taylor beat. Dual-threat senior quarterback Kellion Kidd has thrown for 278 yards and four scores, while also leading the Raiders in rushing 408 yards and five touchdowns scores.

Taylor should end the night victorious here.

Chornobroff’s Pick: Taylor 35-Northeast 24

LBJ at Kerrville Tivy

After winning nine games last year, LBJ is somewhat surprisingly off to a 1-2 start, with convincing losses to La Vega and La Vernia in its last two contests. The Jaguars will need to step up defensively if they hope to get back on track against Kerrville Tivy.

Tivy has scored 190 points in its first three games. However, the Antlers have also allowed 43 points per game in their last two.

This game should have a lot of points, but Tivy enters with momentum and an offense that’s been lighting up scoreboards.

Chornobroff’s Pick: Tivy 48, LBJ 34

Lago Vista at Lampasas

Lago Vista is riding a three-game winning streak into Lampasas on Friday. The Vikings have a trio of productive running backs and a defense that has held opposing teams under 30 points twice.

One of Lampasas’ two defeats is an overtime loss to Connolly; the other a 35-14 loss to Wimberley last week. Sophomore quarterback Ross Kothman has thrown for 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

This game should be a tight one. A defensive stop or turnover could be the difference.

Chornobroff’s Pick: Lampasas 31, Lago Vista 28

Last Week: Plotkin (10-6), Gordon (9-7), Chornobroff (9-7), Tijerina (8-8)

Standings: Plotkin (45-15), Gordon (42-18) (-3), Tijerina (37-23) (-8), Chornobroff (36-24) (-9)

Midland Lee at Westlake: Midland Lee – None; Westlake – Plotkin, Gordon, Gordon, Chornobroff
Anderson at Boerne Champion: Anderson -Tijerina; Boerne Champion – Plotkin, Gordon, Chornobroff
Stony Point at Round Rock: Stony Point – None; Round Rock – Plotkin, Gordon, Tijerina, Chornobroff
Bowie at Austin High:Bowie – Plotkin, Gordon, Tijerina, Chornobroff; Austin High – None
Rouse at Vista Ridge: Rouse – Gordon, Chornobroff Vista Ridge – Plotkin, Tijerina
Hutto at East View: Hutto – Plotkin, Gordon, Tijerina, Chornobroff; East View – None
Manor at McCallum: Manor – Gordon, Tijerina, Chornobroff; McCallum – Plotkin
Hays at Johnson: Hays – Plotkin, Tijerina, Chornobroff Johnson – Gordon
Liberty Hill at New Braunfels: Liberty Hill – Plotkin, Gordon, Tijerina, Chornobroff; New Braunfels -None
Pflugerville at Killeen Ellison: Pflugerville – Gordon, Tijerina, Chornobroff; Killeen Ellison – Plotkin,
Crockett at Eastside: Crockett – Plotkin, Tijerina; Eastside – Gordon, Chornobroff
Georgetown at Glenn: Georgetown -Plotkin, Gordon, Tijerina, Chornobroff Glenn – None
Taylor at Northeast: Taylor – Plotkin, Gordon, Tijerina, Chornobroff; Glenn – None
LBJ at Kerrville Tivy: LBJ – Plotkin, Kerrville Tivy – Gordon, Tijerina, Chornobroff
Lago Vista at Lampasas: Lago Vista – Gordon, Tijerina; Lampasas – Plotkin, Chornobroff