Tonight’s area football games

Here is a look at the games for the Nixon-Smiley, Shiner, St. Paul and Luling football teams.

Stockdale (3-2, 1-1 in 15-2A-DII) at Nixon-Smiley (0-5, 0-2 in 15-2A-DII)

7:30 p.m. today at Mustang Stadium, Nixon

Outlook: Both teams are looking to keep their postseason hopes alive tonight in this rivalry between schools located along U.S. Highway 87. The Mustangs are also seeking their first win of the season.

Nixon-Smiley showed improvement in many areas in last week’s 41-15 loss at Dilley. The Mustangs gained more offensive yards (271) than the Wolves (214) and also had more first downs (12-10).

The Brahmas come into tonight’s contest fresh off of a 48-14 whipping of Natalia. Stockdale’s top offensive weapon is running back Matt Valadez – the team leader in rushing (96-790, 8 TDs) and receiving (10-91, TD).

Stockdale won a year ago, 50-29.

Shiner (5-1) at Kenedy (4-1)

7:30 p.m. today at Lion Stadium, Kenedy

Outlook: While both teams come in to tonight’s contest with one loss each, they both won a week ago in completely different fashion. The Comanches edged Weimar, 33-32, and the Lions crushed SA Hawkins, 62-12.

Tonight’s contest also happens to be the 15-A-DI opener for both teams. The teams met a year ago in the Class A-DI state playoffs with Shiner claiming a 35-6 victory.

Kenedy operates out of the spread on offense and 3-3-5 on defense. Quarterback Roland Zepeda has passed for 362 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 167 yards and two scores, while running back Cedric Mejia (48-274, 3 TDs) is the leading rusher and Weston Hallmark (18-186, 2 TDs) is the leading receiver.

Although the Comanches won a year ago, Cerny said his team has to “come prepared.”

New Braunfels John Paul II (1-3) at St. Paul (3-2, 1-0 in TAPPS 5-DIII)

7:30 p.m. today at Comanche Stadium, Shiner

Outlook: The Cardinals are coming off of a 19-18 victory over Brazos Christian a week ago in the TAPPS District 5-DIII opener for both teams, while the Centurions suffered a 19-0 setback at the hands of Austin Eastside Memorial. While tonight’s contest will be St. Paul’s second district contest, it will be JPII’s first.

The Centurions are young with just one senior on the roster, but Cardinals’ coach Jake Wachsmuth said his opponent is “fundamentally sound.” Wachsmuth also said JPII is “building the program the right way.”

The Centurions operate out of the wing-T on offense and a split-6 cover-3 on defense. The leading rusher for JPII is quarterback Michael McCabe (48-368, 7 TDs).

Luling (3-3, 2-0 in 15-2A-DI) at Jourdanton (2-3, 0-1 in 15-2A-DI)

7:30 p.m. today at Indian Stadium, Jourdanton

Outlook: Both teams are coming off of contests against Goliad, albeit Jourdanton’s was two weeks ago as opposed to last week like Luling’s. The Indians lost to Goliad, 21-20, Sept. 28 on a Hail Mary pass on the game’s final play, while the Eagles ran past the Tigers, 27-10, last week.

Jourdanton operates out of the wing-T and is led by fullback Brandon Pacheco (78 carries, 432 yards, 5 TDs) and quarterback Chase Harrison 44-293, TD). Harrison has also passed for 172 yards and three touchdowns with four interceptions.

The Indians’ base defense is the 4-2-5 with cover-3 or cover-1 looks. Luling coach Colby Hensley believes tonight’s game will be a “physical game with lots of good hits.”