As week 5 begins, many teams across Texas look to face off against their district rivals for the first time.
This week's preview features six teams with winning records hoping to make a statement in their respective districts.
In Hallsville, the undefeated Bobcats will host the 2-1 Pine Tree Pirates with both teams having an extra week to prepare.
Hallsville is undefeated thus far, winning each of their three games by double-digit margins. Two weeks ago, the Bobcats put up their best offensive performance of the season, scoring 62 points against Bullard, including 40 in the first half.
But defense is the bread and butter for this team. Hallsville is allowing only 10 points per game. Last week's 62-14 blowout was also the most points given up by the Bobcats this season. Both of Bullard's touchdowns came in the second half after the game was well out of hand.
Meanwhile, Pine Tree is coming off their second win of the year, two weeks ago, a 38-28 victory over Kilgore. Offensively, the Pirates pounded Kilgore with running back Gabe Nelson, who tallied 169 yards, and quarterback D.J. Freeman who scored four of the Pine Tree's five touchdowns.
However, Pine Tree's defense has struggled, allowing an average of 32 points per game.
Our next game features two undefeated teams in 3A: Mineola visiting West Rusk.
Mineola is coming off a 26-14 victory over Big Sandy. Despite the 12 point victory, it was statistically the worst showing so far by the Yellow Jackets.
Mineola put up 42 points in each of their first two games against Wills Point and Farmersville, compared to only 26 last week. In fact, Mineola briefly led 8-7 in the second quarter before the Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 23-8 lead in the third.
Though undefeated, Mineola will undoubtedly face their biggest test up to this point with the bout against West Rusk.
The Raiders come into game following a 63-27 beat down of Westwood last week. Quarterback LaJavius Harper accounted for 198 yards and four touchdowns through the air and 25 yards on the ground. The Raiders had five different players rush for more than 30 yards and gained more than 330 yards on the ground as team. Tyrell Moore alone ran for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Through four games, West Rusk's offense is rolling, averaging 38 points per game. Maybe most importantly, West Rusk has already been tested with a narrow victories 3-1 Waskom and 2-1 Harmony.
Also in 3A, Alba-Golden (2-1) will visit Harmony (2-1), who is looking for revenge after a close 28-24 loss two weeks ago against the Raiders of West Rusk.
However there were positives for the Eagles. Harmony actually led the game until late in the third quarter. In addition, Harmony's defense held LaJarvius Harper to only five completions and 174 yards. The defense also picked up Harper.
In their two wins against New Diana and Elysian Fields, the Eagles' offense soared to much higher scores of 53 and 42.
Meanwhile, Alba-Golden is only taking the field for the third time this season. Their game against Big Sandy last week was forfeited, resulting in their only loss. They also did not play last week.
In their two games against Hawkins and Honey Grove, the Panthers won by scores of 16-15 and 20-6 respectively.
On offensive, Alba-Golden is led by quarterback Zane Smith, who has 204 yards and two touchdowns on the season, and running back Boedy Baker, who has 137 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Panthers have three turnovers, all interceptions, on the season.
Then, tune into Under the Lights Friday night at 11 p.m. on the CW. The full show will re-air Saturday before coverage of the SEC on CBS. You can catch an abbreviated version Friday night at 10:20 on CBS 19.
You can also watch the full show online on the CBS 19 Facebook page and cbs19.tv
