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ABILENE HIGH (0-0) AT SAN ANGELO CENTRAL (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday * San Angelo Stadium * KTLT 98.1 FM
What's riding on the game: This is the season opener for both teams and the first nondistrict meeting between them since 2005. This will be the 96th meeting in the series, which started in 1910 and is the oldest in Abilene High history. "All the work, the pain and suffering that these guys have gone through since January of getting themselves ready, now they get to reap the benefits of their hard work," AHS coach Del Van Cox said of opening the season. "We're excited about going against somebody different that starts to count."
Last meeting: Despite giving up 432 passing yards — the second most by an opponent in Abilene High history — the Eagles held on for a 41-24 victory last year in the District 3-6A opener at Shotwell Stadium. Abilene High scored three touchdowns in a 5:14 stretch of the second quarter to go up 24-10. Eagles running back Abram Smith and quarterback Peyton Killam combined to rush for 226 yards and three touchdowns for AHS. Killam added 106 passing yards, becoming the fourth quarterback in AHS history to have 100 yards rushing and passing in a game. Eagles defensive back Ray Velasquez scored on a 21-yard fumble return and had a 59-yard interception return.
Scouting Central: The Bobcats return 15 starters from last year's 11-2 team, but will have a slightly different look. Clay Vincent moves from wide receiver to quarterback, replacing Brennen Wooten (TCU), and running back Daven Manning (782 yards, 12 TDs rushing) returns to run behind an experience offensive line. Central has two receivers — Aaron Wooten and Adam West — who had more than 600 receiving yards last year. Linebacker Gerhig Scott (101 tackles) and defensive back Brock Martin (83 tackles, 3 interceptions) return to lead the defense. "We've definitely got familiarity with these guys because we've played them for the last few years," Cox said. "I'm going to say they're going to be one of the best teams we'll play all season. They've got a great program. Coach (Brent) Davis does a great job. They've got a great coaching staff. They've got good kids. It's definitely going to be a real test for us. They're going to keep doing exactly what they've been doing. They're going to find what this new quarterback does and try to exploit his skills."
Eagles update: Cox said the Eagles were able to address pretty much all of their lineup questions through offseason, spring practice and preseason drills. "Our offensive and defensive lines had some good performances (in last week's scrimmage with Copperas Cove), especially with our (first team). We're feeling good about that. We feel good about our passing game and our defense. We feel good about where we're at. We're not where we want to be, but we've got a good start." AHS returns starters at every skill position, including Smith (1,813 yards, 24 TDs rushing) and Killam (122-190-2—1,518, 10 TDs passing). Linebackers Terrell Franklin (68 tackles) and Dackota Triano (56 tackles), and defensive back Qua'Shawn Washington (56 tackles) are back to lead the defense. The Eagles will be without defensive back Isaac Buenrrostro (ankle). "We've always said if you can avoid injuries, but that's what everybody says at this time of year," Cox said. "It's definitely a concern, but that's part of football. We've created some depth going both ways, which will help us later on."
What the Eagles need to do to win: Take care of business. While the Eagles have a more in-depth game plan this week than last, Cox said the main thing is for the Eagles to concentrate on continuing to improve their own performance. "We're going to prepare for them to make sure we know exactly what they're going to do, let our kids know," he said. "But this is a long process of making sure that we're getting better. We want to make sure that we take care of the football, we get better in the kicking game, we get better in our up-front blocking schemes. It's a matter of us getting ourselves better for the district competition."
Sam Waller's prediction: Abilene High 27, San Angelo Central 24.
ABILENE HIGH (0-0) AT SAN ANGELO CENTRAL (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday * San Angelo Stadium * KTLT 98.1 FM
What's riding on the game: This is the season opener for both teams and the first nondistrict meeting between them since 2005. This will be the 96th meeting in the series, which started in 1910 and is the oldest in Abilene High history. "All the work, the pain and suffering that these guys have gone through since January of getting themselves ready, now they get to reap the benefits of their hard work," AHS coach Del Van Cox said of opening the season. "We're excited about going against somebody different that starts to count."
Last meeting: Despite giving up 432 passing yards — the second most by an opponent in Abilene High history — the Eagles held on for a 41-24 victory last year in the District 3-6A opener at Shotwell Stadium. Abilene High scored three touchdowns in a 5:14 stretch of the second quarter to go up 24-10. Eagles running back Abram Smith and quarterback Peyton Killam combined to rush for 226 yards and three touchdowns for AHS. Killam added 106 passing yards, becoming the fourth quarterback in AHS history to have 100 yards rushing and passing in a game. Eagles defensive back Ray Velasquez scored on a 21-yard fumble return and had a 59-yard interception return.
Scouting Central: The Bobcats return 15 starters from last year's 11-2 team, but will have a slightly different look. Clay Vincent moves from wide receiver to quarterback, replacing Brennen Wooten (TCU), and running back Daven Manning (782 yards, 12 TDs rushing) returns to run behind an experience offensive line. Central has two receivers — Aaron Wooten and Adam West — who had more than 600 receiving yards last year. Linebacker Gerhig Scott (101 tackles) and defensive back Brock Martin (83 tackles, 3 interceptions) return to lead the defense. "We've definitely got familiarity with these guys because we've played them for the last few years," Cox said. "I'm going to say they're going to be one of the best teams we'll play all season. They've got a great program. Coach (Brent) Davis does a great job. They've got a great coaching staff. They've got good kids. It's definitely going to be a real test for us. They're going to keep doing exactly what they've been doing. They're going to find what this new quarterback does and try to exploit his skills."
Eagles update: Cox said the Eagles were able to address pretty much all of their lineup questions through offseason, spring practice and preseason drills. "Our offensive and defensive lines had some good performances (in last week's scrimmage with Copperas Cove), especially with our (first team). We're feeling good about that. We feel good about our passing game and our defense. We feel good about where we're at. We're not where we want to be, but we've got a good start." AHS returns starters at every skill position, including Smith (1,813 yards, 24 TDs rushing) and Killam (122-190-2—1,518, 10 TDs passing). Linebackers Terrell Franklin (68 tackles) and Dackota Triano (56 tackles), and defensive back Qua'Shawn Washington (56 tackles) are back to lead the defense. The Eagles will be without defensive back Isaac Buenrrostro (ankle). "We've always said if you can avoid injuries, but that's what everybody says at this time of year," Cox said. "It's definitely a concern, but that's part of football. We've created some depth going both ways, which will help us later on."
What the Eagles need to do to win: Take care of business. While the Eagles have a more in-depth game plan this week than last, Cox said the main thing is for the Eagles to concentrate on continuing to improve their own performance. "We're going to prepare for them to make sure we know exactly what they're going to do, let our kids know," he said. "But this is a long process of making sure that we're getting better. We want to make sure that we take care of the football, we get better in the kicking game, we get better in our up-front blocking schemes. It's a matter of us getting ourselves better for the district competition."
Sam Waller's prediction: Abilene High 27, San Angelo Central 24.
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