Clear Springs, Clear Falls face must-win district games Friday

Clear Springs and Clear Falls are each 2-2 in District 18-6A play and cannot afford a stumble Friday, Oct. 23, if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Chargers (3-4 overall) host Clear Brook (1-6, 0-4) at 7 p.m. at Challenger Columbia Stadium in League City. The Knights (3-4) travel to face Clear Creek (1-6, 0-4) at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Both opponents are winless in district. For Clear Springs and Clear Falls, these are the kinds of games contenders have to win.

Clear Springs rides momentum into Brook matchup

Clear Springs enters the week on a high after erasing a 13-3 halftime deficit to beat Clear Falls 17-13 on Oct. 16 at Challenger Columbia Stadium, according to the Galveston County Daily News.

Quarterback Kaedyn Hutto went 16-for-19 for 185 yards in that game, connecting with receiver Parker Tramposch on a 27-yard touchdown to open the second-half rally. Running back Darrien Moore punched in a 1-yard score late in the third quarter to give the Chargers the lead for good. The defense shut out Clear Falls over the final two quarters, forcing a fumble and two turnovers on downs.

"The kids kept showing up, working hard, playing hard, and they've stayed the course," head coach Anthony Renfro told the Daily News after the Oct. 16 win.

Clear Brook has dropped six straight, including a 50-34 loss to Clear Lake in Week 8, according to the Daily News' Week 9 preview. The Wolverines did score 34 in that loss, so the Chargers' defense will need to stay sharp.

Clear Falls looks to rebound at Clear Creek

Clear Falls heads to Veterans Memorial Stadium stinging from the second-half collapse against Clear Springs. The Knights built a 13-3 halftime lead on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Reid Jeffrey to Chace Rieman and two field goals from Agustin Loredo, but were shut out after the break.

Clear Creek arrives winless in district after opening 18-6A play against the top of the standings. The Wildcats fell 38-14 at Deer Park in Week 8, 49-6 to Dickinson on Oct. 2 and 65-13 to Barbers Hill on Sept. 25, according to MaxPreps. Creek's closest district result was a 23-21 loss to Clear Springs on Sept. 18.

Head coach Zach Head's Knights have reached the playoffs in each of the past seven seasons. At 2-2 in district, Clear Falls needs wins down the stretch to extend that streak.