Week O: Marquee Matchups

Allen Eagles @ Longview Lobos

This game pits the #2 ranked team in 5A against the #1 ranked team in 4A. This is easily the game of the week in the entire state. The Eagles won the game last year 21-7 en route to a championship season. The Lobos went on to finish in the state finals as well. The Lobos return a ton of starters including quarterback Aaron Johnson. The Eagles are ranked by rivals.com as the #3 ranked team in the nation. Longview runninback Tyler McCray is questionable and may not play in the opener. This is one heck of a game to kick off the 2009 football season in East Texas.

Paul Pewitt Brahmas @ Arp Tigers

The #9 ranked Paul Pewitt Brahmas will be without the services of their all-state fullback D.J. Burleson due to an offseason knee injury. But quarterback Jordan McFarland still has weapons at his disposal, including multi-talented Jerome Whetstone. The Arp Tigers won the game in Pewitt last year 33-21 and come into the season ranked #2 in the state. The Tigers' Levocheya Cooper is the guy to watch on offense, defense and special teams. This should be a great 2A matchup.

Newton Eagles @ Corrigan Camden Bulldogs

Corrigan-Camden went to Newton last year and beat the Eagles 26-20 on their home field. Speedster JoCourtney Johnson looks to lead the Bulldogs to another victory over the Newton Eagles. But Newton returns a solid backfield in Halston Flanigan and La Ray Alfred. You can bet legendary Newton coach Curtis Barbay will have the Eagles ready to play.

Jefferson Bulldogs @ Pittsburg Pirates

Mitch Manley, Ted Burns and the rest of the Pirates host Destin Mosley, Clarence Lee and the Bulldogs in what should be a very entertaining matchup. Pittsburg won 7-6 in Jefferson last year. The Bulldogs have a lot of talent and are bent on revenge, but they will have to get it done in Pittsburg. This game should come down to the wire.