Week 8 Football Outlook

Cameron Yoe (6-1/3-0) Vs. Rockdale (5-1/2-0)

The Battle of the Bell game will once again take center stage as the biggest contest in 3A division one for week eight.  Cameron is coming off a 46-0 shutout win over Jarrell.  It wasn't exactly the performance you would expect in the playoffs, but Cameron did exactly what they needed to in order to remain undefeated in district play.  The Tigers did score 49 last week, but gave up 35 and had to pull away late from Troy.  To me, this game will come down to who has the better defensive performance.  Rockdale has a good amount of speed, particularly from QB David Franklin, RB Davion Ford and WR JaQuayln Crawford.  Cameron’s offensive is very difficult to stop, but at the end of the day I believe this team will go as far as the defense will take them. 

Josh's Pick: Cameron Yoe by 14. 

Around Milam County

Round Rock Concordia (1-4) Vs. Buckholts (1-4)

The Badgers are coming off arguably their toughest loss of the season.  Buckholts had a 44-27 lead over Fayette County at the half, but gave up 52 points in the second half to lose, 79-62.  This week should be another highly competitive game.  Concordia has a win over Our Lady of the Hills (73-28) but all the other games have not been close. 

Josh's Pick: Concordia by 7.

Moody (3-3/1-0) Vs. Thorndale (2-4/1-0)

The Bulldogs struggled in non-district play, but will look to improve to 2-0 in the games that count when Moody comes to town on Friday.  The Bearcats were impressive in their district opener, pulling away from Rosebud-Lott for a 49-22 victory.  In last year's contest Moody won, 37-20.  

Josh's Pick: Moody by 14.

Milano (2-4/1-0) Vs. Granger (5-1/1-0)

If Milano was going to have a shot at making it back to the postseason in 2016, a victory over a struggling Bartlett team was a must.  The Eagles passed that test rather easily with a convincing 45-8 win.  Granger, which is 5-1 after starting 1-5 last year, appears to be better than last year's team that beat the Eagles. 

Josh's Pick: Granger by 14.

Around 10-3A

McGregor (2-4/0-2) Vs. Jarrell (1-6/0-3)

McGregor nearly pulled off a shocker last week over Franklin.  The Bulldogs were up by 15 in the fourth quarter.  The lead had shrunk to just three with 1:35 left in the game.  McGregor had a 3rd and 10 from their own 40, but decided to throw the ball and it was intercepted (at the McGregor 40).  Franklin scored three plays later with just second’s left on the clock.  This week, frustrations will probably be taken out on a struggling Jarrell team. 

Josh's Pick: McGregor by 28+

Troy (3-4/1-1) Vs. Little River Academy (4-2/1-1)

The loser of this contest will more than likely be eliminated from the playoff conversation while the winner will still control their own destiny.  Though the Trojans lost last week, they showed that they could compete with the best in the district.  Troy lost to Rockdale (49-35) while Academy also lost to the Tigers (56-13). 

Josh's Pick: Troy by 14. 

Around the State

La Vega (6-0/1-0) Vs. China Spring (6-0/1-0)

Though Cameron/Rockdale is the biggest game in 3A, this is the biggest game in Texas for week eight.  Last year, these two teams played twice, with the Pirates winning both en route to their first ever football state championship.  Both games were highly competitive.  Many Cameron fans know just how good China Spring is this season.  The Cougars get excellent offensive line play and that could be the difference in this one. 

Josh's Pick: China Spring by 14. 

Hempstead (3-3/1-0) Vs. Hitchcock (4-2/1-0)

Both of these teams should be heading to the playoffs next month.  The positioning out of 12-3A is what will be up in the air.  Hempstead picked up a big win over East Chambers (21-15) while Hitchcock overwhelmed Anahuac (48-0) in week seven.  There is a decent chance that Cameron or another team from 10-3A could see one of those two teams in the second round of the playoffs. 

Josh's Pick: Hitchcock by 17.