The Texas high school football season is approaching the halfway point. As part of the American-Statesman’s weekly coverage, our team of sports editor Rich Tijerina, reporters Rick Cantu and Colby Gordon and contributor Jay Plotkin are sharing our weekly picks of the top games in the Austin area. Gordon this week will go into detail on four matchups that he’s really interested in.
Austin, TX
Week 8 high school football staff picks for the Austin area
LBJ wideout Javarlyn Smith (0) picks up yards after the catch against Manor New Tech on Oct. 9, 2025 at Nelson Field in Austin, Texas.
Be sure to check statesman.com this weekend for coverage of Week 8 Central Texas high school football action.
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UIL football: Top Week 8 games in the Austin area
Lake Travis at Dripping Springs
It’s the game of the year so far in Central Texas when these undefeated longtime rivals meet in a District 26-6A contest.
Dripping Springs (7-0, 3-0) is better than anyone thought in the preseason. Quarterback Chase Ames (1,720 yards, 25 TDs passing) is making an early case for newcomer of the year honors, while the defense has only yielded more than 20 points twice.
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Lake Travis (6-0, 2-0) is giving off vibes as a team of destiny. The Cavs have played one close game — a 28-20 win over Rockwall — and don’t appear to have any weaknesses.
A stout Lake Travis defense behind defensive linemen Carter Buck and Ben Duncum and linebacker Braeden Lott should be the difference here.
Gordon’s pick: Lake Travis 38, Dripping Springs 17
Georgetown at East View
The Patriots are the area’s surprise team, and with a victory over their rival, it’s hard not to see them winning District 8-5A Division I.
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East View (5-1, 3-0) has already beaten Cedar Park and Lake Belton, the district’s other two heavyweights besides the Eagles. Patriots wideout Allen Blaylock is the area’s top player the public might not be aware of. Moving to Central Texas during the summer from California, the senior has more than a dozen FBS offers and caught seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 42-38 win over Cedar Park. And when combined with dual-threat quarterback Cormyc Guerrero and running back Jayvion Clater, it gives East View a lethal offense.
Georgetown (5-1, 3-0) has a prolific offense of its own. Running back Jett Walker has returned from an early season injury and last week ran for 194 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-33 win over Rouse. Quarterback Kaleb McDougle and wideout and Texas State commit Xavier Warren lead the Eagles passing attack.
Expect this to be a shootout. Whichever defense produces a second-half turnover could determine the winner.
Gordon’s pick: Georgetown 42, East View 40
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Pflugerville at Liberty Hill
It’s run versus pass in the first game that will go a long way toward determining the District 11-5A Division II title.
Liberty Hill (4-2, 3-0) brings its vaunted slot-T rushing attack, which is averaging more than 440 yards a game, while Pflugerville (5-1, 3-0) will air it out with quarterback Cole Taylor, who has thrown for 1,851 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Both teams still have to face Bastrop. But the winner takes the early lead in the district race.
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Expect Pflugerville athlete Breland Hill to have an impact.
Gordon’s pick: Pflugerville 45, Liberty Hill 42
McCallum at Connally
The playoffs are still four weeks away, but this might as well be a postseason contest for the Knights and Cougars. It’s essentially the play-in game for the fourth playoff spot out of District 11-5A Division II.
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McCallum (3-3, 1-2) hung around for a half with Pflugerville last week and has offensive talent with quarterback Aiden Ilai, wideout Alex Hopper and athlete Cooper Hensley.
Connally (3-3, 1-2) features electric quarterback Jase Watkins (1,177 yards, 12 TDs passing), dynamic wideout Rahsaan Franklin (553 yards, eight TDs receiving) and solid running back Jonah Garcia.
Both teams have struggled at times on defense, so expect a high-scoring game.
Gordon’s pick: McCallum 48-47
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Last week: Cantu 10-5, Plotkin 9-6, Gordon 9-6, Tijerina 7-8
The season: Cantu 75-30, Plotkin 73-32 (-2), Gordon 69-36 (-6), Tijerina 64-41 (-11)
Week 8 picks
Rouse at Killeen Chaparral: Rouse — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina; Chaparral — None
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Lake Travis at Dripping Springs: Lake Travis — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina; Dripping Springs — None
Westlake at Bowie: Westlake — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina; Bowie — None
Hutto at Stony Point: Hutto — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina; Stony Point — None
Cedar Ridge at Vista Ridge: Cedar Ridge — None; Vista Ridge — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina
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Pflugerville at Liberty Hill: Pflugerville — Gordon ; Liberty Hill — Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina
Georgetown at East View: Georgetown — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin; East View — Tijerina
Hays at College Station: Hays — None; College Station — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina
Westwood at Round Rock: Westwood — None; Round Rock — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina
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San Marcos at Judson: San Marcos — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina; Judson — None
Hendrickson at A&M Consolidated: Hedrickson — None; A&M Consolidated — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina
Jarrell at Wimberley: Jarrell — Cantu; Wimberley — Gordon, Plotkin, Tijerina
Leander at Lake Belton: Leander — Tijerina; Lake Belton — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin
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McCallum at Connally: McCallum — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina; Connally — Plotkin
Regents at Brentwood Christian: Regents — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina; Brentwood Christian — None
Join several Austin labor unions and community members to honor Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s life and the countless immigrants who have been impacted by ICE.
The community vigil will take place at the Wildflower Church on Saturday, July 11th starting at 6 PM. All are welcome to bring flowers and candles as we honor the loss of life and grieve the separation of families.
Community Vigil Details
🗓️ July 11, 2026 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
🗺️ 1314 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
🚗 Public transit and rideshare encouraged! Limited parking available and overflow parking may be available at Travis High School.
Please consider donating to the family’s GoFundMe if you are able: https://bit.ly/atx4lorenzo
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A report released by the think tank Texas 2036 claims that ten state laws implemented between 2019 and 2025 led to “one of the nation’s most comprehensive strategies for connecting education to careers.”
The report is titled “The Next Generation of the Texas Miracle.” It can be read below.
Mary Lynn Pruneda, Texas 2036’s director of education and workforce policy, said in an announcement accompanying the report that the reforms have been steps in the right direction.
“Texas has a bright economic future ahead of it, but we have to make sure that Texas students are equipped to share in this prosperity,” she said. “Texas needs to double down on improving and investing in high-quality career pathways so that all Texas students can take part in the Texas Miracle. Thankfully, due to the Legislature’s great work over the past four sessions, we are on our way to that critical goal.”
The report gives several data points, such as a 532% increase in high schoolers earning “post-secondary credentials” since 2018, or that community colleges awarded 140,000 “credentials of value” in 2024.
It paints a rosy picture of the future Texas economy, but doesn’t source its data or explain how it reached these conclusions. It’s apparent that the think tank wants further laws related to Texas’ workforce and education.
“Texas 2036 is actively engaged in that process, pushing for data modernization and interoperability reforms that would allow the state to track whether credentials are meeting real employer needs in communities across the state,” said the think tank in its announcement.
Grace Atkins, policy advisor of postsecondary education for Texas 2036, called the think tank’s report “encouraging.”
“The early results are encouraging: more students are earning credentials that can help them move into good jobs, and that is real progress,” she said. “For students and families, these pathways can be the difference between getting by and getting ahead. The next step is making sure more Texans can earn credentials that lead to strong wages, real career options and greater economic mobility.”
AUSTIN, Texas — After Senator Charles Perry vowed to introduce another bill to ban THC in Texas next legislative session, an Austin cannabis shop owner is urging lawmakers to find a middle ground.
Estella Castro owns Austinite Cannabis Co., a family-owned shop that makes and sells cannabis and hemp products.
Austinite Cannabis Co. (Photo: CBS Austin/Audrey Wong)
Her business has faced a potential THC ban before. During the 2025 legislative session, Senate Bill 3 attempted to enact a broad ban on all cannabinoids except CBD and CBG.
Castro says she was most worried for her customers. “It was a big initial hit of like, what are we gonna do? How are we gonna pivot? How are we gonna keep the doors open for everybody to keep their jobs?” she said.
RELATED | Texas state senator plans to introduce new THC ban bill in upcoming session
That bill passed, but was later vetoed by Governor Greg Abbott. Similar legislation failed to pass during the subsequent special session.
However, the possibility of a total ban bill being introduced and passed next session could spell trouble for Austinite Cannabis.
During a hearing Tuesday, July 7, Senator Charles Perry vowed to present such a bill next session as public officials, medical experts, and others discussed THC’s medical uses, effects on minors, and regulation.
Castro says over half of the store’s revenue comes from products that contain THC.
“I would say it’s about a 60/40 split: 60% THC and 40 CBD… So feel like it is a huge number that affects my store in so many ways,” she said.
ALSO | Texas French Bread reopens dining room four years after fire
She feels that a total ban on THC would negatively affect multiple parties.
“Banning it is just hurting the consumer,” she said. “Making the consumer go and find a street dealer… killing any dispensaries… it’s gonna hurt your small business owner.”
If another THC ban bill is written, it will be introduced during the next legislative session, which begins in January 2027.
In the meantime, Castro’s two stores will continue to operate as normal. She hopes lawmakers will think twice about instituting a complete ban on THC.
“I feel like we’re better than that, you know, we’re Texas,” she said. “We need to find some middle ground where it’s not a complete ban, and we can still be able to come together.”
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