Grayson County bragging rights and the District 7-3A Division II lead will be on the line Friday when Howe visits Bells at Panther Stadium.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 20-13 victory over Valley View, while the Panthers had a bye last week. Howe (6-2, 4-0) clinched its first playoff berth since 2022 with last week’s victory, while Bells (5-2, 3-0) can clinch a postseason bid with a win.
In the Bulldogs’ victory, quarterback Deacon Bender threw for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Riken Cross caught six passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns, while Ayden Kane hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass.
The Panthers enter Friday’s contest as arguably the most run-oriented team in the district. All but 55 of their offensive yards have come on the ground, with Westin Hicks, Jaxon Brown and Asa Curtis leading the way.
Hicks has rushed for 642 yards and seven touchdowns on 57 carries, while Brown has 518 yards and seven scores on 73 carries. Curtis has added 512 yards and five touchdowns on 70 carries.
S&S (1-7, 0-4), bye
The Rams enter their Week 9 bye in the midst of a six-game losing streak after falling to Callisburg, 53-7, last week.
Jason Monreal scored S&S’s only touchdown on a reception from Joe Orr.
The Rams return to action Oct. 30 when they host Blue Ridge.
Whitewright (5-3, 2-2) at Tom Bean (4-3, 2-1)
Two teams looking to stay in the District 9-2A Division I postseason race collide when the Tigers visit the Tom Cats at 7 p.m. Friday in Tom Bean.
Whitewright lost to Cooper, 42-14, last week, while Tom Bean had a bye.
In the Tigers’ loss, Drake Freeman led the offense with 70 yards and a touchdown on three carries. Nick Ulmer also returned a kickoff 80 yards for a score.
The Tom Cats are led by quarterback Henry Cheek, who has thrown for 1,404 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 245 yards and four scores on 56 carries.
Slayton Farris has rushed for 303 yards and five touchdowns while catching 23 passes for 155 yards and a score. Cain Pearson leads the receiving corps with 38 catches for 467 yards and five touchdowns.
Tatum Hanson has added 262 yards and five touchdowns on 48 carries, while Jacob Lind has 23 receptions for 256 yards and two scores. Paxton Parrish has contributed 23 catches for 200 yards and five touchdowns.
Alvord (5-2, 1-1) at Tioga (4-3, 1-1)
This battle of Bulldogs features two teams looking to stay in the hunt for the District 6-2A Division I championship when Alvord visits Tioga at 7 p.m. Friday.
Alvord suffered a 56-7 loss to Muenster last week, while Tioga trounced Chico, 72-0.
In Tioga’s victory, Camden Stephens threw for 361 yards and six touchdowns while running for another score. Cole Boyd added 90 yards and a touchdown passing, while Raul Chavez returned an interception for a score.
Jaxson Hurst caught eight passes for 102 yards and four touchdowns, while Quesyn Arrington had six receptions for 115 yards and a score. Arrington also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
Jake David added four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Kyson Kirkland finished with six receptions for 72 yards and a score.
Ponder (5-2, 2-0) at Van Alstyne (6-1, 2-0)
Two teams looking to stay atop the District 6-4A Division II standings square off Friday when Ponder visits Van Alstyne at 7 p.m.
The Lions blew out Gainesville, 75-0, last week, while the Panthers held off Krum, 37-28.
In Van Alstyne’s victory, quarterback Cason Howard led the way with 121 yards and four touchdowns rushing on 32 carries. He also threw for 186 yards.
Amyrion Taylor caught a 29-yard touchdown pass, while Tim Moore rushed for 58 yards on five carries and caught six passes for 63 yards.
Xavier Vidaurri added 59 yards rushing on 12 carries and four receptions for 60 yards. Aydin Mowry also contributed a field goal.
Pottsboro (4-3, 0-2) at Dallas A+ Academy (2-5, 0-2)
Two teams looking to stay out of the District 5-3A Division I cellar square off when Pottsboro visits Dallas A+ Academy at 7 p.m. Friday at Founders Stadium, 10327 Rylie Road in Dallas.
The Cardinals suffered a 27-3 loss to Gunter last week, while the Knights fell to Dallas Life Oak Cliff, 44-6.
In Pottsboro’s loss, Colton Kirkland provided the Cardinals’ only points with a field goal. Brody Burdette led the offense with 90 yards rushing on 24 carries.
Denison (3-5, 2-4) at Anna (7-0, 5-0)
The Yellowjackets look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive when they visit the Coyotes at 7 p.m. Friday in Anna.
Denison held off Frisco Memorial, 22-20, last week, while District 4-5A Division II leader Anna had a bye.
In the Yellowjackets’ victory, quarterback Paxton Neasbitt threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns while adding 47 yards and a score on eight carries.
Rashaun Dehorney rushed for 129 yards on 26 carries and caught two passes for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Shandan Love added two receptions for 48 yards and a score, while Christian Ramos caught four passes for 55 yards.
Sherman (1-7, 1-3) at Denton (5-2, 2-1)
The Bearcats are fighting for their playoff lives when they visit the Broncos at 7 p.m. Friday.
Sherman lost to Saginaw Chisholm Trail, 24-14, last week, while Denton had a bye.
In the Bearcats’ loss, Trae Reason caught six passes for 119 yards and a touchdown, while Pierre Browhow rushed for 94 yards and a score on 20 carries.
Daniel Ramos and Max Bond split quarterback duties, with each throwing for 83 yards. Ramos also tossed a touchdown pass.