Marquee game
Reagan vs. Madison, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Comalander Stadium: These teams have combined to win six of the last seven District 28-6A championships, with each sandwiching multiple crowns around Johnson’s title run in 2017.

Reagan (3-1, 2-0) won four straight titles (2013-2016) and Madison has won the past two. The winner can assure no worse than a share of first place, while the loser will likely find itself in a logjam of other contenders.
The Mavericks (3-1 overall, 2-0 in district) have won two in a row in the series.

Notable games
Clemens vs. Steele, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Lehnhoff Stadium: The teams are at opposite ends of the District 27-6A spectrum, but not will likely mean little when they meet in another edition of the Battle of 3009.

Steele (2-2, 2-0) is coming off a dramatic 22-21 win last week vs. New Braunfels, decided when quarterback Wyatt Begeal scored on a 1-yard run with no time remaining, then ran in a 2-point conversion.

Clemens (1-3, 0-2) tries to rebound after its second straight loss, a 34-7 setback vs. Smithson Valley. The Buffaloes are as battle-tested as anyone, playing in consecutive weeks Austin Westlake, San Angelo Central, Judson and Smithson Valley.

Boerne Champion at Kerrville Tivy, 7:30 p.m. Friday: These rivals square off again, and as often has been the case, first place in District 15-5A II is on the line.

A state semifinalist a year ago, Champion (3-1, 1-0) appears to have sustained the momentum of its landmark season. Kerrville Tivy (1-4, 1-0) notched its first win of the season last week, opening district with a 17-3 decision vs. Lockhart.

Comfort at Blanco, 7:30 p.m. Friday: Hill County foes meet in a high-stake contest that could have postseason implications. Blanco grabbed its first District 13-3A I, while Comfort lost its second straight league encounter.

Pearsall at Devine, 7:30 p.m. Friday: In one of oldest rivalries around (The first game in the series was in 1921), these two meet for the 99th time and for the 69th straight season. Devine (6-2, 2-1) needs a win to have a shot of possibly grabbing a share of the District 15-4A II title. Pearsall (1-3, 1-2) needs a victory to bolster its playoff hopes.

Sam Houston vs. Brackenridge, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Alamo Stadium: Both teams are playing for the first time because of COVID-19 restrictions. Brackenridge starts its final season under coach Willie Hall, who announced he is retiring after a quarter-century at the school. Sam Houston will play its first contest under coach Quincy Stewart, who was an assistant at Class 6A Division I power Duncanville.

Memorial vs. Kennedy, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Edgewood Veterans Stadium: The annual Salsa Bowl usually is played at the end of the regular season. This year, because of COVID-19 restrictions, it will be in both teams’ first game in District 13-5A I Zone B competition.

Tale of the tape
Churchill QB Christian Smith vs. Johnson defensive linebackers Parker Meza and Justin Kirk: The 6-foot-4 Smith has passed for 241 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 323 yards and three scores for the Chargers (3-1, 1-1). Meza and Kirk each recorded 12 tackles as the Jaguars (4-0, 3-0) shackled Brandeis 19-7 last week.

La Vernia QB Gage Lowry vs. Boerne QB Rashawn Galloway: Two of the area’s top signal-callers face off in a showdown for first place in District 14-4A I. Lowry has thrown for more than 1,800 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Bears (6-2, 3-0), while Galloway has passed for more than 1,400 yards and 16 TDs for Boerne (6-2, 2-0).

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1