THURSDAY

Jefferson (0-3) vs. Lee (2-1) at Heroes Stadium, 7 p.m.

The road is getting longer for Jefferson in the pursuit of its first 2013 victory. The Mustangs now must face an angry Lee team, still smarting from its 31-7 loss to Southwest last Friday.

When the series began in the early 1960s, these were two of the most powerful teams in San Antonio. It resumed last year after a 13-year break. Jefferson hasn’t defeated the Volunteers since 1989 and trails 29-5 overall.

Jefferson lost 43-13 last Friday to a Kennedy team coming off a bye week. Although the Rockets didn’t put up huge yardage numbers, they didn’t help the Mustangs’ points-against average. Jefferson has allowed 43.7 points a game while scoring an average of 13.3.

So, they were right about at those averages last week. But Jefferson will need to do better to have a chance to win against its Class 5A opponent.

The Volunteers blasted Holmes 44-13 and squeaked by Marshall 17-16 in their first two games. The Dragons’ defense limited Lee to just 136 total yards and 23 rushing yards. Southwest also kept quarterback Freedom Salas 45 yards under his average at 130 passing yards and an interception  out of the spread offense.

Jefferson scored on an 85-yard kickoff return from Phillip Hudspeth and a 50-yard run from Jesse Flores against Kennedy, while mustering a respectable 240 yards. Flores finished with 114 yards on 11 attempts.

The offense is showing week-to-week improvement, but still surrendered three interceptions against the Rockets. Jefferson was winless in non-district season last year and still made the playoffs. So, the Mustangs may not be overly concerned about their record, but continued improvement is important. 2012 score: Lee 49, Jefferson 35.

South San (0-3) vs. Burbank (1-2) at SAISD Sports Complex, 7 p.m.

South San won its first game in 2012 against Burbank, and the opportunity for a first victory of the season exists again.

The Bobcats will need to put a 42-13 loss to Victoria West behind them. South San played McCollum tough in a 14-5 loss during Week 1, so the Victoria West result came as something of a surprise.

The Warriors limited South San to 101 total yards (for the second-straight week) while romping to 42 first-half points, culminating with a blocked punt return. Victoria West totaled just 203 yards against the Bobcat’s improved defense.

Developing a more effective passing attack to keep defenses honest has to be a priority for South San. More production from back Christian Morales, who has been solid, also will be a key if the Bobcats are to pull this one out.

South San has won the last eight games in the series, dating to 1986, but Burbank has a chance to end that streak. The Bulldogs are two weeks removed from a 34-6 win over Pearsall.

Like South San, though, Burbank needs to put last Friday’s 48-6 loss to Harlandale in the rear-view mirror. (for comparison’s sake, Harlandale defeated South San 31-13 in the Bobcats’ opener.)

The big plays the Bulldogs produced in the first two weeks were absent against the Indians. Burbank’s only touchdown was the product of a fumble recovery.

Burbank also will need to gets its passing attack back on track, after completing just one of 13 throws against Harlandale. Quarterback Jeremy Sanchez continued to be a running threat, though. 2012 score: South San 35, Burbank 14.

 

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