Big Country Game of the Week: Brownwood Lions at Stephenville Yellow Jackets

THE BEARD'S PICKS LAST WEEK: 35-1 (.972); 11-man: 19-1; Six-man: 16-0

OVERALL: 259-79 (.766); 11-man: 131-27; Six-man: 128-52

During his playing days at Brownwood, Sammy Burnett got so amped up before a game against Stephenville that he lost his lunch right on the field.

That's just how much the rivalry means to these schools.

I'll be in Stephenville for this year's rendition, our Big Country Game of the Week.

Sterling Doty knows the rivalry firsthand, too. The first-year Yellow Jackets coach also is leading his alma mater.

"We've both come back to head the programs of our hometowns," said Burnett, who is in his second year at Brownwood. "I think that's a big deal. He's got the Yellow Jackets being Yellow Jackets again and. hopefully, we've got those Brownwood Lions playing like Brownwood Lions of the days of old.

"It's going to be a slobberknocker come Friday, and we're looking forward to the opportunity."

So far, it definitely looks like the Brownwood of old. The sixth-ranked Lions (7-0 overall, 2-0 District 5-4A Division I) are off to their best start since a 14-1 campaign in 2010.

The success of both programs is part of what makes the rivalry special, Doty said. The teams have combined for 12 state championships, but there's a more immediate importance to Friday's contest.

The Jackets (4-3, 1-1) got roughed up by No. 3 Waco La Vega, 42-10, on Friday. That put added weight on this week's showdown, one of two district games remaining for Stephenville.

"That's kind of a wake-up call there for our guys that it doesn't get any easier, in terms of people we're playing," Doty said. "The rivalry brings you back up, and it's Senior Night. Our seniors have been working a long time for this season."

Brownwood posted three consecutive shutouts before its open week. That gave the Lions extra prep time for quarterback Kade Renfro and the Stephenville offense.

"Obviously, they create turnovers," Doty said. "...For us, what we're looking to do is just continue to evolve and get better at every position, all 11 guys working to do their job. They make you earn everything that you get. We're just going to have to not get frustrated and just stay the course in our plan."

Senior running back Reece Rodgers leads a balanced Brownwood attack with 950 rushing yards and 14 TDs. Quarterback Drew Huff has thrown for 1,103 yards, 10 TDs and no interceptions.

"We're going to have to control the line of scrimmage," Burnett said. "It's very important that we're able to move the ball on the ground. I think the run game will set up the passing game. If you have to depend on one more than the other, I think you're in a little bit of trouble."

The Lions have one of the best defenses I've seen this year. The team allows 4.6 points per game, and I think it will be hard for Stephenville to have success, even in front of the home crowd.

PICK: Brownwood 27, Stephenville 14

If there were two Stephens

Eastland (7-0, 2-0) at Wall (7-0, 2-0)

This week I especially wish there were two Stephens. Maybe even three or four.

Eastland and Wall meet in a top-10 showdown that could decide the District 3-3A Division I title. Jim Ned will still get its shot at the Mavericks.

It'll be an unstoppable force against an immovable object when No. 7 Eastland has the ball. The Mavs average 52.1 points per game, while No. 2 Wall allows only 6.9.

The key will be the Eastland defense. I think the Hawks will control possession and limit the Mavs' opportunities with their explosive offense.

PICK: Wall 28, Eastland 21

Keep your eyes on:

Dublin (6-1, 2-0) at Jacksboro (4-3, 2-0); PICK: Jacksboro by 2

Jim Ned (6-1, 1-1) at Clyde (5-2, 1-1); PICK: Jim Ned by 7

Albany (5-2, 1-0) at Cross Plains (6-1, 1-0); PICK: Albany by 20

Big Country power rankings

Class 3A

1. Eastland (7-0); Last week: No. 2—W, 76-28 vs. Breckenridge

2. Jim Ned (6-1); Last week: No. 1—L, 14-7 vs. Wall

3. Cisco (6-1); Last week: No. 3—W, 75-0 at San Angelo TLCA

4. Anson (5-2); Last week: No. 4—W, 40-12 vs. Coleman

5. Dublin (6-1); Last week: No. 5—W, 36-10 vs. Rio Vista

Class 2A

1. Hawley (7-0); Last week: No. 1—Idle

2. Albany (5-2); Last week: No. 2—W, 49-0 vs. Roscoe

3. Hamlin (5-2); Last week: No. 3—W, 51-7 at Haskell

4. Cross Plains (6-1); Last week: No. 4—Idle

5. Stamford (5-3); Last week: NR—W, 31-28 at Winters

Class 1A

1. Jayton (8-0); Last week: No. 1—W, 54-6 vs. Roby

2. Ira (8-0); Last week: No. 2—W, 54-24 vs. Spur

3. May (6-1); Last week: No. 3—Idle

4. Blackwell (8-0); Last week: No. 4—W, 70-42 vs. Lubbock Kingdom Prep

5. Gordon (6-1); Last week: No. 5—Idle

The Beard's picks

Thursday:

CLASS 1A

Santa Anna at MAY

Friday:

CLASS 4A

Big Spring at ANDREWS

SWEETWATER at Snyder

CLASS 3A

COMANCHE at Rio Vista

ABERNATHY at Colorado City

ANSON at San Angelo TLCA

BALLINGER at Merkel

BANGS at Coleman

Early at BRECKENRIDGE

San Angelo Grape Creek at CISCO

Stanton at COAHOMA

CLASS 2A

ELECTRA at Ranger

HASKELL at Roscoe

QUANAH at Munday

De Leon at CRAWFORD

HAWLEY at Stamford

Winters at FORSAN

CLASS 1A

ASPERMONT at Spur

Baird at IRION COUNTY

Benjamin at THROCKMORTON

GORDON at Bluff Dale

GORMAN at Lingleville

Gustine at STRAWN

Guthrie at LUEDERS-AVOCA

HERMLEIGH at Rotan

Highland at STERLING CITY

JAYTON at Rule

Knox City at PADUCAH

Moran at BLACKWELL

Mullin at RISING STAR

ROBERT LEE at Bronte

Sidney at BROOKESMITH

Trent at LORAINE

Westbrook at GARDEN CITY

Zephyr at EVANT