There have been a number of eye-catching performances by Brazos Valley football teams during the first two weeks of the season. One the biggest numbers is zero, which is how many points Caldwell has allowed in victories over Bellville and Austin Crockett.

Back-to-back shutouts are impressive. It looks like Bellville isn't up to recent standards, but 26-0 wins over the Brahmas are uncommon. View last week's 53-0 romp over Austin Crockett with caution since Crockett was ranked 212th among 242 teams in Class 4A, but the 3A Hornets did play up one classification.

"We're playing at a level that we wanted to play at," Caldwell coach Dale Williams said. "Coming into the season I think there was a lot of people that doubted us because of the kids that graduated last year. We're still a long way from where we were at last year, but we're definitely moving that direction."

Senior running backs Kysan Woolverton and Nelson Scott received much of the attention last season when Caldwell went 9-2 and reached the regional semifinals. The Hornets still have a strong running game featuring Kedrin Sheppard (357 yards rushing, nine touchdowns), but the defense also has been noteworthy.

Caldwell is allowing 151 yards per game, and the end zone grass behind the defenders remains unspoiled.

"We've got some guys doing a great job for us," Williams said. "We ask our kids to run to the football, very similar to what they're doing at Texas A&M with their defense. We demand that the kids have great intensity and play fast."

As you'd expect with a defense that hasn't allowed a point, the Hornets are getting contributions from throughout the lineup. The linebacking corps includes LeDarion Jenkins, Cody Williams and Travis Muzny, a two-way starter who also plays center.

The Hornets count on returning defensive ends Matt Mueller and Zach Greig. The secondary also features proven veterans, with Bryston Burns and Luis Martinez at safety joined by cornerbacks Devin Carter and Colton Pharis.

Caldwell had to replace both tackles, and coaches are very pleased with the way junior Francisco DeLeon has stepped up at one spot. Sophomores Kolby Kahlden and Juan Nunez have effectively shared time at the other tackle.

This week Caldwell will visit an 0-2 Madisonville team that has been struggling to score. Then comes a home game against Waco Connally. If the Hornets return from Brookshire Royal with a victory the following week, Caldwell should bring a 6-0 record into its Oct. 15 showdown at home against Giddings.

The Caldwell coaches would probably say I'm getting ahead of myself, but that can happen when teams don't let the opposition get ahead of them ... or let them score at all.

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Brenham Christian player out of hospital: Brenham Christian coach Matt Tarbutton said junior wide receiver/defensive back Kyle Armstrong is doing well after a scare in Friday's 60-12 win over Tomball Rosehill.

Armstrong was taken off the field on a stretcher and flown to Houston Memorial Hospital. He was released Saturday, still very sore but with no damage to his spine or neck.