Marquee game
Reagan vs. Johnson, 7 p.m. Friday at Heroes Stadium: Both clubs have already locked up playoff berths, but there is plenty still on the line — most notably, at least a share of the District 28-6A championship.
Johnson (8-0 overall, 6-0 in district) is off to its best start in its 14-year history. Reagan (6-2, 6-0) has won six in a row after starting the season with back-to-back losses to undefeated and state-ranked Brennan and Steele, shaking off injuries to key players such as quarterback Britton Moore and running back Carson Green.
The Rattlers topped Roosevelt 35-7 last week as Green rushed for two scores and the defense put together another stout performance. Reagan is yielding 5.8 points and 190 yards per game during district play.
Johnson is coming off a bye week. The Jaguars held off a late surge in their last game two weeks to nip Madison 42-35. Running back Ben McCreary led the charge with almost 250 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Notable games
Natalia at Poth, 7:30 p.m. Friday: For Poth, winning the District 15-3A-II championship has become old hat. For Natalia, it would be a new experience. The Pirates (7-1 overall, 5-0 in league play) are aiming for their fifth consecutive district title. Natalia (7-1, 4-0), meanwhile, seeks its first league crown since 1989. To accomplish the feat, the Mustangs will have to beat Poth for the first time since 1949.

East Central at Smithson Valley, 7 p.m. Friday: Both teams look to rebound from losses last week in District 27-6A action. Smithson Valley lost to Judson 33-32 on a touchdown pass with 8 seconds left. East Central fell to New Braunfels 31-10. The Rangers (7-1 overall, 4-1 in 27-6A) can secure a playoff berth and remain in the hunt for at least a share of the league title with a win. East Central (5-3, 3-2) can bolster its playoff aspirations with a victory. A loss could potentially leave the Hornets in a logjam for likely the district’s final playoff berth.
Smithson Valley is 10-0 all-time vs. East Central.

New Braunfels vs. Clemens, 7 p.m. Friday at Lehnhoff Stadium: The Unicorns (6-2, 3-2) hit the road for an important District 27-6A encounter vs. Clemens (2-6, 2-3). New Braunfels can lock up a playoff berth with a win. The Buffaloes, hit hard by injuries, need a triumph to not only snap a three-game losing streak, but to remain in the playoff hunt.

Tale of the tape
Judson quarterback Michael Burroughs vs. Steele secondary: Burroughs, a senior and two-year starter, is coming off one of the most prolific passing performances in the Rockets’ storied history. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning 35-yard toss to wide receiver Andre Jones with 8 seconds left, as Judson edged Smithson Valley 33-32. The 341 yards are believed to be the second-most ever in a game by a Judson quarterback. In his last two games, Burroughs has completed 47 of 73 passes for 634 yards and six TDs.
Steele’s defense has recorded 10 interceptions, led by Tevon Cortez’s three picks, and is allowing only 10.3 points per contest.
The rivals meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Rutledge Stadium. Judson (3-5 overall, 2-3 in District 27-6A) needs a win to have any shot at making the playoffs. Steele (8-0, 5-0) can lock up no worse than a share of the league title and a playoff berth with a win.

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1