High School Football: Week 1 capsules for Abilene's Class 5A teams
GAME OF THE WEEK
BROWNWOOD AT ABILENE WYLIE
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Hugh Sandifer Stadium, Abilene
Records: Season opener for both teams
Series: Wylie leads the all-time series 13-6, including 4-1 since the Bulldogs made the move from Class 4A to 5A in 2018. The first meeting was in 2006.
Broadcast: Audio/Streaming— Bulldogs Sports Network on the Wylie Bulldogs Athletics app or wyliebulldogs.com.
What to know — Wylie, which beat the Lions 30-24 last year in Brownwood, will have a new starting quarterback — either Keegan Anderson or Bryant Meng. WR Braden Regala had a breakout season last year for the 10-4 Bulldogs, who reached the Region I-5A D-II finals. DB Hayden Wright led Wylie with nine interceptions last year. Brownwood, which went 10-3 and three rounds deep in 4A D-I last year, returns nine starters on defense, including standouts DL Quinten McCarty, LB Sam Kallman and DB Morsello Hooker. QB Ike Hall (1,837 yards, 17 TDs passing/948 yards, 12 TDs rushing) is the only returning starter on defense.
More: High School Football Abilene Kickoff 2023: A closer look at Abilene's Class 5A football programs, players to watch
More: High School Football High School Football: Abilene High offense impresses in Abilene Wylie scrimmage
ABILENE COOPER AT KELLER
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Keller ISD Athletic Complex, Keller
Records: Season opener for both teams
Series: Cooper is 3-3-1 all-time against Keller, 3-2 in season openers.
Broadcast: Audio — AISD Live (live.abileneisd.org or the AISD mobile app); Streaming — AISD Live and AISD Live’s Facebook page.
What to know — Cooper, 31-20 all-time in season openers, has lost its last three openers, including the last two against Keller — both in Abilene. The Cougars began the year 0-2 after last year’s loss against Keller. Cooper’s last season-opening win came in a 21-20 decision in Keller in 2019. Cooper DE Dycin Davis already has an offer from Texas Tech despite being a sophomore. Keep an eye on the Coogs’ quarterback battle between Austin Cummins and Cayden Garcia. Both are trying to replace Chris Warren, who threw for 2,469 yards and 22 TDs last year.
ABILENE HIGH AT ODESSA PERMIAN
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Ratliff Stadium, Odessa
Records: Season opener for both teams
Series: Permian leads 19-37-2.
Broadcast: Audio — AISD Live (live.abileneisd.org or AISD mobile app); Streaming — AISD Live and AISD Live’s Facebook page.
What to know — Two former Little Southwest Conference rivals meet in a series that dates back to 1959. Permian snapped a two-game losing skid in the series last year, beating the Eagles 17-3 in Abilene in the first season opener between the two. AHS is 70-31-3 all-time in season openers but has lost the last seven. RB Juztyce Lara (1,170 yards, 24 TDs) returns from a Panther team that went 9-2 and lost in the first round of the 6A D-I playoffs. AHS, which struggled offensively at times last year, especially early, lit up Wylie in last week’s scrimmage. Keep an eye on QB Brayden Henry and RB Antoine Rashaw, while the defense — led by DB Beckham Paul and LB Bryce Neves — promises to be solid as always.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Week 1 capsules for Abilene's Class 5A football teams
