The Mineola Yellowjackets return to action Friday night when they host the Rains Wildcats following a bye week. Mineola enters the contest with a 2-4 overall record and an 0-2 mark in district play.
The Yellowjackets’ two district losses have come against fourth-ranked Malakoff, which is 7-0, and Mount Vernon, which entered the week with a 5-1 record. Following the Rains game, Mineola will face seventh-ranked Winnsboro, Commerce and Eustace to close out the regular season.
Mineola’s offense has produced several of the district’s statistical leaders. Quarterback Braxton Moore has passed for more than 1,000 yards this season, while running back Aidan Shepherd has rushed for 1,471 yards and added 391 receiving yards.
Braelyn Geremonte has contributed 250 receiving yards, while Beckham Bowker and Carson Sullivan have also been among the Yellowjackets’ receiving targets. The four players rank among the district’s top 10 in yardage in their respective categories.
Shepherd leads the district with 17 total touchdowns, including 15 rushing and two receiving. He averages 245.2 yards of rushing per game, while Moore has averaged more than 200 passing yards per game.
Rains enters the contest following a 54-24 loss to Mount Vernon last Friday night. The Wildcats are averaging 27.7 points per game on offense but have struggled defensively, allowing 309 points in seven games, an average of 44.1 per contest.
The Wildcats have shown the ability to put points on the scoreboard, including a 63-14 win over Rice and a 57-29 district victory over Eustace.
Rains’ losses include a 69-12 defeat to Life Oak Cliff and a 55-14 loss to Grand Saline. The Wildcats also suffered a 57-2 loss earlier in the season to Malakoff before falling to Mount Vernon.
Junior quarterback Major Wallace and running back Devin Hamilton lead the Rains offense.
Defensively, three sophomores have contributed to the Wildcats’ efforts. Linebacker Derek Toliver leads the team with 65 tackles, while Cooper Combs has recorded two sacks and Kaleb Slaymaker has an interception.
Both teams will look to improve their district standings when they meet Friday night in Mineola.