The numbers have been turned in, so that means it's time for everyone's favorite part of high school football...Realignment Talk! Ok, not this week but coming in October we get to find out who will be publically shamed for being the largest in their division. In more current matters, we inch closer to district play for most with the usual dotting of big games. Also, want to give a shout to Plano John Paul II for breaking their 33 game losing streak. Feels only right to credit them when I've dealt a fair amount of abuse out over the past couple seasons. Good luck and safe travels to all!
This Week: (Season: 7-6)
Dallas Christian @ Fort Worth Christian -- The Chargers head to Tarrant County for the always big game with Fort Worth Christian. Both teams come into the season expecting to have a big year and ranked in the top 5 in the TAPPS poll. Both teams only played once thus far. A dominant victory for the Cardinals over Country Day and a handy victory for DC over Houston Christian. So both teams have done a lot of practicing and not a ton of playing in competitive situations. Last year the Cardinals came to Dallas dropping a close one 24-20. The DC defense dominated Houston Christian and will look for more of the same. When last we saw FWC against a TAPPS opponent they allowed 56 points to Tyler Grace in a 1st round playoff game. It would seem that the Chargers should score enough in this one but remains to be seen if the defense is actually the dominant unit it was in the opener. I, of course, have a reputation to uphold and will pick the Chargers to win 35-28.
Brock @ Grapevine Faith Christian -- Both teams enter off losses to Division II opponents. The Lions fell at home to TCCH a week ago, and look to bounce back. The Eagles (really? another one?) struggled mightily offensively in Midland last week. A year ago Faith traveled to Brock coming away with a 42-35 loss before winning the state title in December. When the Lions held the opposition under 40 last season they won. Looking ahead if the Faith defense allows too many in this one it does not look promising taking on MCS later in the season. Does the Eagle offense return to the form that won its first 13 last season? Can the Faith defense put together a better 2nd half than last week? I'll take Lions to bounce back 38-30. (Though it might have to do with my bias against schools using Eagles for their mascot)
El Paso Americas @ Midland Christian -- The Mustangs are off to a very different start than a year ago. Last season MCS headed to El Paso at 0-2 and took another loss allowing 41 points. In contrast, the Mustangs have just 40 points scored against them in 2 games this season. The Trail Blazers (now this is a mascot) enter at 1-1 but with the distance involved to the Mountain Time Zone I have no idea what losing to Rio Rancho from New Mexico by 32 really means, but they were a New Mexico state champion last year. Trail Blazer results suggest they aren't quite as good a last year and Mustangs results suggest they are better than a year ago. Mustangs go to 3-0 with a 42-20 victory.
Fort Worth Nolan @ Fort Worth All Saints -- The Vikings are off to a better start even with the drubbing by Richland to open the season. A win over Joshua hopes to start the momentum for them. The Saints have scored 112 points in two weeks and look to cement their place as a de facto District 1 champ with a 3rd win over district opponents. Does the Nolan defense continue its shutout form from the Joshua win? That will be the question. Based on recent seasons it is hard to see the Vikings scoring a bunch of points on the road in this one, but if their defense can keep them in it things could be interesting and add even more intrigue to the always delicious District 1 slate. I think All Saints will score plenty to win, taking the game 50-28.
Ore City @ Tyler T.K. Gorman -- Speaking of scoring plenty, The Crusaders and Rebels return to the field to rematch last years 91-71 TKG victory. Yes, 71 for Ore City in a 20 point loss. The Crusaders QB sees an opponent that last saw him throw 10 TD passes in a 13 TD explosion for the Crusaders. The defense has been TKG's undoing for a number seasons including 64 and 83 allowed in their last 2 playoff games. Where does this leave the Rebels? With only 34 points scored in two weeks, I don't see where the offense can keep pace with the Crusaders. TKG wins 50-30.
Tyler Grace Community @ Waskom -- The Cougars came up with a big victory a year ago over the Wildcats. Announcing its presence with a 52-20 win over what was believed to be a top 3A contender in Waskom. The Wildcats have fallen back after a state championship in 2015. Waskom sees an 0-2 start to this season and will try to find its form against a Cougar squad that has scored 30 in its two outings thus far. How will this one unfold against a Wildcat defense that has held both opponents under 30 in its 2 losses? Look for the Cougars to struggle against the Wildcat defense, but for Waskom to be unable to consolidate it on offense. Cougars win on the road 29-17.
Beaumont Kelly @ Austin Regents -- The coach working the phones for Regents deserves immense credit for filling these games one after another on short notice. Three different opponents for the 1st three games when compared to last season. The Bulldogs likely have the longest TAPPS losing streak now at 14 entering what has become their season opener. Their own hurricane recovery obviously makes playing football a difficult, and many times, unimportant matter, but it's great to see all these schools getting back to the field (including incredibly hard hit Rockport-Fulton last week). The Knights have won 15 regular season games in a row and fell by only a point in the state final last year. Great to see Kelly out there playing this Saturday, but it looks like a hard road to a victory. Regents wins 42-7.
Trinity Christian - Cedar Hill @ Houston St. Thomas -- The circumstances surrounding the Evangel Christian cancellation is odd, to say the least. The film reason seems flimsy to then go ahead and schedule someone else, but I suppose everyone has their reasons and to be honest it's probably not as interesting a story as the media coverage makes it feel like. Anyway, on the field, the Tigers somehow managed to find an Eagles to replace a scheduled game against the Eagles (because there can never be enough Eagles). St. Thomas hasn't played yet this year with Hurricane Harvey's impacts. The Tigers have two nice victories over ESD and Grapevine Faith, particularly last week's squeezing of Faith in the 2nd half. Expect the TCCH defense to be ahead of the Eagle offense in this one and for the Tigers to score enough for a road victory. TCCH wins 33-18.
Quick Hits: (Season: 13-7)
Fort Worth Southwest Christian over Pantego Christian
McKinney Christian over Carrollton Prince of Peace
Frisco Legacy Christian over Dallas Conrad
Bullard Brook Hill over Houston St. John's
Prestonwood Christian over Lake Dallas
Fayetteville (AR) over Bishop Dunne
Bishop Lynch over Kaufman
Fort Worth Trinity Valley over Cistercian
Waco Reicher over Bosqueville
Shiner St. Paul over Flatonia
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