No. 3 Brenham looks to back up opening win in short week

The No. 3 Brenham Cubs made their big statement in last week’s season-opener. This week, they look to back it up with another win.

Brenham will take to the road for the first time this season on Thursday with a matchup against Houston Sterling.

The Cubs are coming off a big 34-13 victory over previously-ranked Huntsville in their home opener. Brenham’s experienced defense shined after allowing the first touchdown early in the second quarter, keeping Huntsville off the board until a touchdown with 1:07 remaining.

In between Huntsville’s two scores, Brenham kept the Huntsville offense at bay. The Cubs held the Hornets to a 33 percent completion rate through the air while limiting dual-threat quarterback Adolphe Zay to 60 rushing yards on 21 attempts.

Linebacker duo Caleb Espinoza and Kristian Prosper did their part with 11 tackles each, sharing the lead among the Cubs. Espinoza also changed the game with a strip-and-score play to give Brenham the lead late in the second quarter. Prosper also was a menace behind the line of scrimmage, earning four tackles for a loss.

Prosper and Espinoza led a balanced effort last week. Nine Brenham defenders earned at least six tackles with six Cubs earning at least one tackle for a loss.

All six of the Cubs with at least one tackle for a loss also earned one sack each. Brenham’s six-sack effort was its best performance since the Cubs put up seven sacks against Lamar Consolidated in Oct. 2022.

After an offseason of trying to figure out how to get to the quarterback better, Brenham coach Danny Youngs was thrilled to see the Cubs’ efforts pay off.

“We put pressure on the quarterback against a really good offensive line, so I was really happy about that,” he said.

Youngs also was pleased about his defense’s balanced production, but also wanted to see his offense take advantage of the many possessions it got early in the game.

Brenham’s offense found its stride late, leading to its positive result. Junior quarterback Hudson Hartstack only completed 10 of his 24 passes, but found three touchdowns to go with 149 passing yards.

Hartstack said after last Friday’s game that his self-assurance will be a big thing for him going forward.

“I am going to remember the feeling of this and myself, I need to be a confident player,”

Hartstack said. “I am going to strive to be confident, be myself and play so we can make it to that 16(th game).”

Youngs said after examining film from last week’s game, he thought Hartstack’s debut as Brenham starting quarterback went well given the high-profile situation he stepped into.

“I think once he got his feet wet in the game and got his feel, I thought he played well,” he said. “He made big plays when it counted, but he has got to get better every week, just like everybody else.”

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He also said in his vast experience coaching football, gauging confidence bumps week to week in new quarterbacks vary depending on opponents.

Hartstack also gave most of the credit Friday night to his receivers for making big plays.

Senior wide receiver Chris Guidry earned 99 yards and two touchdowns to lead a talented receiving corps. He needs just 139 yards to break Brenham’s all-time career receiving record, which is currently held by Hall of Honor member Brandon Collins.

Around Guidry, sophomore running back CJ Glover got off to a great start by making a fantastic catch on a wheel route to the end zone, one of two catches on the night. Glover’s debut as starting running back improved as the night went on as he totaled 149 yards on 20 carries.

The Brenham offense will benefit from the return of senior Xyran Upshaw. He did not play last week due to team policy, Youngs said.

The addition of Upshaw to a solid offensive foundation will give Brenham a do-it-all player capable of playing multiple skill positions, including quarterback.

“It is tough on them, but they have really handled it great and they have been great teammates,” Youngs said of Hartstack and Upshaw.

This week presents a different kind of test as Brenham embarks on a drive to Houston to take on Sterling. The Cubs and the Raiders trended in opposite directions in Week 1 after Sterling lost 49-0 to Texas City in its opener.

Texas City put up points throughout the night, turning a 7-0 game after the first quarter to a 21-0 lead at halftime and a 42-0 advantage after three quarters.

Brenham also found success against Sterling last year. The Cubs defeated the Raiders at home 42-6 in 2024 behind a run-heavy offensive attack and a great defensive effort.

Sterling also has a new head coach this year in Dedreck Carr. He was promoted to the head-coaching position this past spring after serving the Raiders as an assistant coach.

Sterling running back Jayson Hatton, who ran for 94 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries against the Cubs last year, returns for the Raiders. Sophomore running back Ja’Dyn Joubert also returns this season for the Raiders.

Brenham is embracing the short week with players and coaches both enjoying the opportunity to quickly play its second game of the season. Youngs said the three-day break after Thursday’s game will benefit his team, especially early in the season.

Before that break comes, though, Youngs will look for the same intensity from his team as last week to ensure things go smoothly in Week 2.

“I like the short week,” he said. “I really like to play. Our philosophy is we are going to come out, we are not going to change for the other team. Hopefully, we are going to make them adjust and change and the kids like it.”

For a recap of the Brenham-Sterling game, go to brenhambanner.com on Thursday night.