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
Austin, TX
Bike MS Texas MS 150 returns April 25–26 with routes up to 96 miles and Leap Ahead option
Austin, TX — Bike MS: ACC Texas MS 150 is rolling back into Central Texas April 25–26 and it’s bigger, better, and bolder than ever. Sponsored by American Communications Construction, this legendary two-day ride is the largest fundraising event in the Bike MS series and brings riders from across Texas together to fund research and support for people living with MS.
Riders of all levels can find a distance to match their goals. Route distances this year include day-one options of 96, 75, 50 and 38 miles and day-two options of 55 and 82 miles. Plus the fan-favorite “Leap Ahead Route” on Day Two that lets riders skip forward and roll into the finish at Texas A&M’s campus amid cheering crowds.
New for 2026 is a scenic 38-mile option launching from Bastrop and winding through Buescher State Park and the Lost Pines, a tree-lined, single-day alternative for riders who want the full Bike MS experience without the two-day format.
The ride funds the National MS Society’s work. Bike MS has helped raise more than $1.4 billion for research, care and advocacy, funding treatments, navigator programs and partnerships that connect people affected by MS to resources. Your miles and dollars make a direct impact.
One of the largest and most visible teams on the ride is Team Tacodeli, founded in 2004 and proudly sponsored by Austin’s Tacodeli. What began as a dozen riders and roughly $10,000 raised has grown into one of the MS 150’s most successful volunteer-led fundraisers. Team Tacodeli consistently ranks among the state’s top fundraisers and has raised millions for the cause. For team details and how to join or volunteer, visit TeamTacodeli.org.
Team Tacodeli also hosts an annual fundraiser (admission $30; kids 12 & under free) featuring a Tacodeli buffet, New Belgium beer and non-alcoholic drinks (while supplies last), a full cash bar, live music, silent auction, kids’ activities and more , with 100% of proceeds benefiting the National MS Society. Riders for the ACC Texas MS 150 are asked to meet a fundraising minimum (Team Tacodeli minimum: $400).
Want to ride, volunteer or support? Register for the ACC Texas MS 150 or learn more about the event and how funds are used at the National MS Society’s website.
Learn more about Team Tacodeli: https://teamtacodeli.org/
Austin, TX
Texas’ Gorgeous State Park Northwest Of Austin Is A Rustic Haven With Caves And A Stunning Waterfall – Islands
The landscapes around Austin are a natural wonderland for outdoor adventures, from diving into pristine swimming holes to kayaking on the beautiful lakes of the Texas Hill Country. But one destination northwest of the city is a particularly gorgeous escape. Colorado Bend State Park, about two hours away by car, is home to ethereal caves and a 70-foot spring-fed waterfall.
The 5,300-acre park has 35 miles of hiking trails, including one that leads to the park’s most famous feature, Gorman Falls. The rugged 3-mile round-trip hike is considered moderately challenging to difficult, with steep, rocky sections, slippery areas, and little shade from the sun. The trek is worth it for the chance to view the cascades, towering high above the river and fed by a mineral-rich spring. “The falls were beautiful, natural, and peaceful!” said one hiker on AllTrails. If you’re interested in other nearby adventures, be sure to check out all the breathtaking waterfall destinations tourists can find in Austin.
Sometimes the water at Gorman Falls is rushing, and other times the waterfalls are quieter, according to traveler reviews. “This is a beautiful trickling fall that is right out of a storybook about fairies,” said one review on Google. Many agreed that the hike itself isn’t easy. “Very rocky and challenging but worth the effort,” commented another. Several people mentioned that the trail may not be appropriate for beginners, kids, or dogs, that it gets very busy on weekends, and that it’s important to bring more water than you think you’ll need.
Plan an escape to Colorado Bend State Park
Another of the park’s key attractions is its system of underground caves, which visitors can explore on a guided tour with Nichols Outdoor Adventures. The intermediate-level Adventure Tour ($25 per person), billed as “an introduction to what Texas caving is all about,” is a 1.5-hour excursion that takes participants deep underground to crawl through cavernous passageways. “It was a fabulous experience,” said one recent guest on TripAdvisor. “[The guide] did a great job of explaining the topography, how the caves were formed, and answering any and all questions throughout the tour.” The activity is only for travelers ages 8 and up, and though long pants, headlamps, and closed-toe shoes are required, helmets and knee pads are provided. You can book your tour online.
Whether you’re touring the caves or hiking to waterfalls, you’ll need to pay a day-use fee ($5 per person) to access Colorado Bend State Park. It’s smart to reserve your pass online, since the park has a limited capacity and often fills up. If you’re hoping to camp in the park, you’ll want to make arrangements even further in advance. Simple campsites (without hookups) start at $10 per night, while larger group sites start at around $35.
Colorado Bend State Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s less than a two-hour drive from Austin’s international airport. If you love Colorado Bend, consider a detour to the secluded Inks Lake State Park, an idyllic getaway with shady trails and peaceful waters.
While we saw severe weather across parts of the state on Saturday, the bulk of the action happened in North Texas but don’t let your guard down yet. That system will influence our weather in Central Texas throughout much of next week, bringing daily chances for rain and thunderstorms.
Saturday’s cold front has stalled across South Texas, and the next weather feature to watch is a closed system of low atmospheric pressure lingering near the Baja California coast. That system will send several atmospheric disturbances into Texas that will keep rain chances high across the region.
Overcast skies, spotty showers, light north winds, and cooler temperatures will welcome us Sunday morning. Temperatures will be in the middle and upper 50s through mid-morning and then climb about 10 to 15 degrees by the afternoon. Afternoon temperatures will remain closer to climatological normals for early March, in the upper 60s and low 70s.
While we do expect to see some thunderstorms across the region at times on Sunday, severe weather is not on the menu. Rain chances are about 50% with rainfall totals between a half-inch to an inch.
The comfortable temperatures and north winds will not hang around long once low pressure develops to our north and opens the door to winds from a more southerly direction by Monday. We’ll have a small rain chance, about 30% to 40%, on Monday with a few afternoon thunderstorms possible. Temperatures will be warm, though, with the morning near 60s degrees and the afternoon reaching the low 80s.
Rain chances look to ramp up again from Tuesday through Thursday with the potential for some strong and severe thunderstorms.
“For now, it looks like late Tuesday into Wednesday will be favored as a closed low (pressure system) moves across West Texas into Central Texas,” the National Weather Service wrote in a forecast bulletin. “We will likely see some changes in the path of this upper low, but the current latitude looks favorable for a line of convection (storm activity) along a Pacific cold front to accompany the passage of this system.”
“The latest guidance shows a 60 to 90% chance of at least 1 inch of rain for most of our area with a 40 to 60% chance of at least 2 inches for areas north of I-10,” the weather service said. “There is a potential for multiple inches across some areas.”
Once this storm heads east by Thursday afternoon, cooler and drier weather will filter in with temperatures closer to our March normals of 50 degrees and 71 degrees.
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