Friday night delivered a strong opening to the 2026 high school football season across the Brownwood area, with 10 local teams earning victories. Zephyr, Blanket, Brookesmith, Comanche, Coleman, Goldthwaite, Cross Plains, Richland Springs, Rising Star and Sidney all began the season 1-0.
The most prominent matchup involving Brown County schools ended with Zephyr defeating May 40-18 in Zephyr. It was the first meeting between the two schools since 2019. The Bulldogs built a 26-8 lead after one quarter, watched May cut the margin to 26-18 by halftime, then shut out the Tigers in the second half.
Zephyr, Blanket and Brookesmith post high-scoring wins
Zephyr produced 265 yards of total offense, splitting that total between 135 passing yards and 130 rushing yards. Ethan Prochaska completed 5 of 9 passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns. Reid Hamm caught two touchdown passes, covering 40 and 29 yards, while Jetson Gowin had three receptions for 65 yards and a score. Chayden Woodcock rushed for 67 yards and two touchdowns, Slade Butler added 48 yards and Brazos Miller scored on an 8-yard run.
Prochaska also led the Bulldogs with 10 tackles, including three behind the line of scrimmage. May's statistical information was not available.
Blanket opened with a 72-26 road win over Panther Creek in Valera. The Tigers rushed for 391 of their 482 total yards, led by Leo Valdes' 316 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Alex Valdes added 43 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while AC French completed 8 of 11 passes for 91 yards and three scores.
Brookesmith defended its home field in an 82-70 shootout with Trent. The Mustangs finished with 439 total yards, including 396 rushing yards. Addy Heard ran for 262 yards and seven touchdowns, completed 2 of 3 passes for 28 yards and two more scores, and recorded six tackles and a fumble recovery. Jase Julien added 107 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Comebacks and close games highlight the night
Comanche defeated Breckenridge 28-6, avenging the loss that kept the Indians out of the playoffs in 2025. Comanche generated 383 yards, including 248 on the ground and 135 through the air. Quarterback Cooper Welch threw for 135 yards and two touchdowns, while Zaden Tello caught a 64-yard touchdown pass and led the team with 82 rushing yards.
Coleman began the Zach Edington coaching era with a 16-12 road win over Grape Creek, a Class 3A Division II playoff team in 2025. Hunter Edington's fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Jayden Smith completed the comeback. Coleman forced two takeaways and held Grape Creek to 164 total yards, all rushing.
Goldthwaite defeated Junction 59-27 in a matchup of preseason Class 2A Division II Top 15 teams. The Eagles totaled 502 yards. Landry Sanderson ran for 132 yards and four touchdowns, while Hayes Greenway added 72 rushing yards and completed 12 of 21 passes for 219 yards and three touchdown throws.
Cross Plains needed overtime to beat Bruceville-Eddy 27-26. Bruceville-Eddy scored first in overtime but missed the extra point. William Albrecht then threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Hagen McLean, and the successful extra point gave the Buffaloes the victory. Cross Plains was outgained 317-279, and both teams committed three turnovers.
Richland Springs, Rising Star and Sidney also start 1-0
Richland Springs defeated Lometa 64-24 in head coach James McIntyre's debut. The Coyotes amassed 478 yards, with Evan Deeds rushing for 175 yards and three touchdowns and completing 9 of 11 passes for 179 yards and three more scores. Brice Roesler caught five passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns, and Deeds intercepted two passes.
Rising Star beat Forestburg 56-28 after producing 372 total yards. Pacey McGinn rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns, Junior Reyes added 113 yards and a score, and Chance Wells ran for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Reyes also threw a 22-yard touchdown pass and returned a kickoff 57 yards for another score.
Sidney closed the reported local victories with a 25-22 road win over Rochelle, a 2025 playoff team. Jerry McDaniel scored four touchdowns, while JD Pounds connected with Sam Elam for an extra-point pass. Additional Sidney statistics were not available.
Next week's schedule includes Zephyr at Baird, May hosting Strawn, Blanket meeting Rocksprings, Brookesmith hosting Rising Star in a game moved to 7 p.m. Thursday, Comanche visiting Cisco, Coleman hosting Big Spring Pathway Academy, Goldthwaite traveling to Granger, Cross Plains visiting Hico, Richland Springs traveling to Gustine and Sidney hosting top-ranked Cherokee. San Saba, which lost 40-7 to De Leon, will travel to Eastland.
Other reported scores were Veribest 48, Santa Anna 0, and Three Way 54, Mullin 8.