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. 

Be sure to check statesman.com this weekend for coverage of Week 8 Central Texas high school football action.

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.

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

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. 

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 

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.  

Expect Pflugerville athlete Breland Hill to have an impact. 

Gordon’s pick: Pflugerville 45, Liberty Hill 42

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. 

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

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)

Rouse at Killeen Chaparral: Rouse — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina; Chaparral — None

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

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 

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

McCallum at Connally: McCallum — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina; Connally — Plotkin 

Regents at Brentwood Christian: Regents — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin, Tijerina; Brentwood Christian — None