Previewing the top Week 2 high school football games in the Wichita Falls area
FRIDAY’S SPECIAL
DECATUR at RIDER
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium
Live updates: Follow @Hull_TRN and @Naomi_TRN on X (formerly Twitter). Watch a live stream on WFISD’s YouTube Channel. Listen on RohoSportsNetwork.com.
Records: Decatur 0-1; Rider 1-0.
Last game: Anna 37, Decatur 30; Rider 41, WFHS 13
Last meeting: Rider 30, Decatur 24, OT (2022); Rider leads all-time series 1-0.
Players to watch: Decatur, Nate Palmer (RB, Sr.), Landon Felts (WR, Sr.), Wyatt Vinzant (LB, Sr.); Rider, Kenji Johnson (RB/K, Jr.), Tyrone Morgan (RB/WR/DB, Sr.), Jailyn Gibbs (TE/DL/LB, Sr.).
Why it’s tasty: Last season’s matchup provided one of the wildest finishes in recent memory, including Rider overcoming a 15-point deficit in the final 4:37 of regulation to win in overtime. Kenji Johnson made a 35-yard extra point, due to a personal foul after a touchdown, tying the game at 24. Rider scored on the first overtime possession but missed the extra point. Decatur star running back Nate Palmer scored on a 14-yard run on fourth-and-long, but the touchdown was called back due to a holding penalty at the 2-yard line. On the next play, Rider’s Tyrone Morgan intercepted a pass in the end zone to seal the win. … Palmer is a four-star prospect, according to 247sports.com, and committed to TCU. He rushed for 196 yards and two TDs on 21 carries in a losing effort last week against Anna. … Rider opened the season by winning the final matchup with rival Wichita Falls High, using a stout defense and impressive ground attack.
PigskinPrep.com says: Rider by 2.
More: After a fitting sendoff to a great rivalry, what's next for Rider and Old High?
PREMIUM ENTREES
HIRSCHI at BROCK
When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Eagle Stadium
Live updates: Watch on NFHSNetwork.com/brock-high-school-brock-tx/football.
Records: Hirschi 1-0; Brock 0-1
Last game: Hirschi 34, Clint 0; Texarkana Pleasant Grove 10, Brock 7
Last meeting: Hirschi 37, Brock 30, OT (2022); Hirschi leads all-time series 1-0.
Players to watch: Hirschi, Javian Frazier (RB/DL/LB, Sr.), Jimmell McFalls (QB, Jr.), Payton Cherry (DL, Jr.); Brock, Camden Harris (TE/DL, Sr.), Brett Tutter (RB, Sr.), Carson Finney (WR/DB, Sr.).
Why it’s tasty: Last season’s Brock-Hirschi matchup at Memorial Stadium was arguably the best football game involving a team from the TRN Sports coverage area. The game was tied at 30 after regulation. Hirschi scored on a 17-yard TD run by A’Marion Peterson on the first OT possession. Brock’s fourth-down pass attempt in the end zone was tipped and picked off by Isaiah Flores, ending the game. … Like last season, Brock is playing an intense non-district schedule mostly against opponents in higher classifications. The Eagles lost to Texarkana Pleasant Grove, 10-7, last week. The Eagles started the year 0-4 playing this schedule a year ago, but still made a run to the state title game, losing 17-14 to Franklin. … Hirschi opened the season with a 34-0 victory against Clint, using big plays to overcome Clint’s ball-control offense.
PigskinPrep.com says: Brock by 7.
More: Knox City jumps to the top of the TRN Top 10
JIM NED at HOLLIDAY
When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Eagle Stadium
Live updates: Follow @trnsports on X (formerly Twitter). Listen on 103.9 FM.
Records: Jim Ned 1-0; Holliday 1-0
Last game: Jim Ned 34, Hawley 12; Holliday 18, Iowa Park 7
Last meeting: Holliday 41, Jim Ned 19 (2022); Holliday leads all-time series 1-0.
Players to watch: Jim Ned, Brayden Shipman (RB, Sr.), Gray Beasley (QB, Jr.), Jake Whitley (OL, Sr.); Holliday, Cooper Turner (OL/DL, Sr.), Grant Cox (QB, Sr.), Collin Hays (RB/LB, Sr.).
Why it’s tasty: Both teams are favored to win their respective districts and have been regional postseason threats for several years. … Holliday’s defense was the headliner in last week’s win against rival Iowa Park, which has been the team’s identity for years and hasn’t changed under first-year head coach Kyle Atwood. … Jim Ned is headlined by senior running back Brayden Shipman, who rushed for 169 yards and two TDs last week against Hawley. Quarterback Gray Beasley passed for 115 yards and two TDs and rushed for 101 yards and a score.
PigskinPrep.com says: Holliday by 6.
APPETIZERS
WFHS at HEREFORD
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday, Whiteface Stadium
Live updates: Listen on 100.9 FM or jackwichitafalls.com.
Records: WFHS 0-1; Hereford 1-0.
Last game: Rider 41, WFHS 13; Hereford 34, Amarillo Caprock 20
Last meeting: WFHS 52, Hereford 28 (2022); WFHS leads all-time series 2-0.
Players to watch: WFHS, Eric Powell (RB, So.), Ke’Ondrae Fleeks (WR, Sr.), Ivy Kelley (DB, Sr.); Hereford, Brylyn Lopez (RB, Jr.), Kalub Ramirez (QB, So.), Jeremiah Martinez (DL, Jr.).
Why it’s tasty: This is a potential preview of a first-round playoff matchup with Hereford residing in District 3-4A Division I and Old High in neighboring 4-4A D-I. However, Hereford missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and had its worst record (1-9) since going winless in 1959 last season. … Much like last season’s matchup, the Coyotes are coming off a lopsided loss to rival Rider but expects to get back on a positive trend against the Whitefaces.
PigskinPrep.com says: WFHS by 14.
More: Final Rider-Old High rivalry game provided unique atmosphere
SPRINGTOWN at GRAHAM
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday, Newton Field
Live updates: Follow @CoryHogueSports on X (formerly Twitter). Listen on 100.5 FM (Graham). Watch on Graham High School Steers and Lady Blues YouTube channel.
Records: Springtown 0-1; Graham 1-0.
Last game: Alvarado 48, Springtown 41; Graham 56, Bowie 14.
Last meeting: Springtown 35, Graham 13 (2022); Springtown leads all-time series 7-5-1.
Players to watch: Springtown, Hudson Hulett (QB, Sr.), Yair Hernandez (LB, Sr.), Drake Doggett (RB/DB, Sr.); Graham, Ty Thompson (QB, Jr.), Peyton Kinman (WR/DB, Sr.), Rylan Monsey (RB, Jr.).
Why it’s tasty: The Porcupines and Steers are traditionally competitive programs, expecting to make deep playoff programs. Springtown is coming off its first losing season (3-8 in 2022) since going 5-6 in 2015. The Porcupines had previously won at least 10 games in three consecutive seasons. … Both teams have experienced quarterbacks running its offense. Senior Hudson Hulett, son of head coach Brian Hulett, has been Springtown’s starter since he was a freshman. Graham junior Ty Thompson holds the same designation and threw for more than 400 yards last week against Bowie.
PigskinPrep.com says: Graham by 22.
FULL MENU
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Friday unless noted. Schedule is subject to change.
Decatur at Rider, 7 p.m.
Hirschi at Brock
WFHS at Hereford, 7 p.m.
Krum at Burkburnett, 7 p.m.
Springtown at Graham, 7 p.m.
Vernon at Gainesville, 7 p.m.
Bridgeport at Bowie, 7 p.m.
Jim Ned at Holliday
Millsap at Henrietta
Frederick at City View
Jacksboro at Boyd
Nocona at Quanah, 7 p.m.
Petrolia at Olney, 7 p.m.
Archer City at Anson, 7 p.m.
Memphis at Electra, 7 p.m.
Lindsay at Seymour, 7 p.m.
Wichita Christian at Forestburg
Loraine at Crowell, 6 p.m.
Motley County at Knox City
Newcastle at Woodson
Bryson at Blanket
Throckmorton at Highland
Harrold at Rotan, 7 p.m.
Lingleville at Gold-Burg, 7 p.m.
Chillicothe at Northside
McLean at Benjamin, 7 p.m.
Munday at TLCA-Abilene, 2 p.m Saturday
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Decatur-Rider, Hirschi-Brock 2023 high school football previews
