GAME OF THE WEEK

Lake Travis vs. Aledo, 7:30 p.m. Friday

This matchup ranks as one of the best in Texas this season — the defending Class 4A state champions meeting with Lake Travis' 48-game winning streak on the line. A year ago, the Cavaliers finished 16-0 while winning the 4A, Division I title. Aledo put up a 15-1 mark, defeating Brenham 35-21 in the 4A, Division II championship game.

Junior QB Matt Bishop has thrown for two touchdowns and run for two more scores to help Aledo to victories over Stephenville and Weatherford. The Cavaliers' Michael Brewer, a Texas Tech recruit, has accounted for 702 yards of offense, but Lake Travis had to rally to defeat Westlake (32-21) before hanging on to top Hendrickson (34-24). Aledo RB Johnathan Gray rushed for 210 yards and five TDs against Weatherford while Griffin Gilbert has become the Cavaliers' top receiving threat with Conner Floyd lost to an injury.

Aledo has allowed only 16 points this season. Last week, Hendrickson running back Kenny Williams ripped off 268 yards on 22 carries against Lake Travis. The Cavaliers might have the edge if the game comes down to a field goal: Stephen Pyle kicked two short field goals against Hendrickson and he hit a 40-yarder against Westlake. Aledo has missed two extra points and has yet to make a field goal.

Five more worth watching

1. Leander at Cedar Park
2. McCallum at Hutto
3. Rockdale at Cameron Yoe
4. Burnet at Marble Falls
5. Regents at Hyde Park Baptist
   

Note: all games at 7:30 p.m. Friday

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jordan Jaquez, QB, Austin High

In Austin High's incredible 66-63 shootout victory over Belton on Friday night, no player stood taller than Maroons senior Jordan Jaquez.

Making only his second start as a varsity quarterback, the 5-foot-9-inch senior completed 30 of 41 passes for 410 yards and seven TDs as the Maroons prevailed in overtime. For good measure, he rushed for a 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime.

Jaquez's touchdown passes covered 20, 16, 28, 12, 9, 15 and 8 yards. In two games this season he has passed for 762 yards and nine TDs.

GAME BALLS

David Ash, QB, Belton

The University of Texas-bound senior passed for 450 yards and six touchdowns in the 66-63 overtime loss to Austin High. He also ran for two touchdowns and had 48 yards on the ground.

Michael Brewer, QB, Lake Travis

The Texas Tech recruit passed for 300 yards and led his team with 70 rushing yards in a 34-24 victory over Hendrickson.

Dalton Etkie, QB, Texas School for the Deaf

He completed 17 of 27 passes for 412 yards — the most by a Central Texas passer this season — and four touchdowns in a 56-23 victory over St. Dominic Savio.

Brandon Hamilton, RB, Copperas Cove

Raced 99 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring in the first quarter before finishing with 198 yards rushing on only 14 carries — including three touchdown runs — in a 49-27 victory over Waco.

Cayleb Jones, WR, Austin High

In the 66-63 victory over Belton, the Maroons junior caught 13 passes for 178 yards, including touchdown catches of 28, 12, 9 and 8 yards.

David Morgan, WR, Marble Falls

Caught nine passes for 139 yards and four scores as the Mustangs rolled past Medina Valley 41-21.

Walker Netherton, RB, Regents

Rushed for 242 yards on only 19 carries while also scoring five touchdowns as the Knights rolled past St. Andrew's 62-20.

Jack Rhoades, QB, Cameron Yoe

Threw for 354 yards and two TDs on 19-of-25 passing, helping Yoemen to a 33-22 victory over Waco La Vega.

Kedrin Sheppard, RB, Caldwell

Ran for 185 yards and five touchdowns on just 13 carries in a 63-0 victory over Crockett. So far this season, he has rushed for nine TDs.

Dennis Smith, RB, Wimberley

The Texas A&M-bound junior rushed for 145 yards and three touchdowns, caught four passes for 80 yards and recovered a fumble on defense as the Texans rolled over Dripping Springs 33-14.

Kenny Williams, RB, Hendrickson

The senior rushed for 268 yards and two TDs on 22 carries and returned a fumble 50 yards for another touchdown in a 34-24 loss to Lake Travis.

BEST OF THE BLOGS, VARSITY NEWS

From Danny Davis' "Prepped and Ready" column on Statesman.com, which runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday:

It must be a good time to be a Vista Ridge Ranger. The football team is 2-0 and former quarterback Taylor McHargue started for Rice on Saturday against Texas.

Breathe easy Lake Travis fans, Michael Brewer will play this week as the Cavs put their 48-game winning streak on the line against Aledo. Instead of health issues, I'd be more concerned about an offense that has Brewer as its main running threat. We know the Cavs can pass, but they'll need to find a way to effectively run the ball this season, too.

Is it possible for the fourth-ranked team in Central Texas to be flying under the radar? Cedar Park has had no trouble with Westwood or Ellison, and quarterback Brian Hogan is beginning to look like a star.