Another week of district play will undoubtedly see a few blowouts and a few barnburners. The downhill stretch run starts next week. Who will position themselves to lead the pack into the final run to the playoffs? The picks are surging after an undefeated week in the top section in Week 5.
This Week: (Season: 25-10)
Fort Worth All Saints @ Dallas Christian -- The Chargers took a big victory 35-17 to open district play against Tyler Grace. The loss of Tyler All Saints from the district slate opens up this slot on the schedule to slide in a different All Saints. The Saints have staked their claim to a de facto District title by beating Prestonwood, TCA, and Nolan to open the season. Bishop Lynch will have plenty to say about that in the playoffs, but backing those wins up with a victory at Midland Christian certainly stamps All Saints as a Division I contender. The Charger defense is where they have won games in recent years, and last week's early stops put Grace in a hole, and then they never led in the game. The lead is critical for the Chargers in this one. The Saints offense is likely to score more than a few every time they take the field, averaging 47 points a game. Trying to run them down from behind seems to be a fool's errand. The author of the picks has a reputation to uphold. Chargers win 42-39.
Trinity Christian - Cedar Hill @ Tyler Grace Community -- The Cougars took a tough road loss to open district play at DC last week. The Tigers sat on a bye before opening district play this week. The Cougars defense has struggled so far this season in Grace's 1-4 start allowing 28 in every game and more than 42 in weeks 2 through 4. The Tigers promising start hit a bit of a bump with a loss to Brock. Early returns suggested some offensive prowess that last year's 5th place squad did not possess. All signs point to a high scoring contest. An 0-2 start for Grace would put them in a tight spot to stay out the possible 4th place trip to Midland or in danger of missing the playoffs entirely. There is probably more on the line for the Cougars in this one, and the game is in Tyler. I'll take Grace 42-39.
Bullard Brook Hill @ Carrollton Prince of Peace -- The Eagles were not able to stick with TKG as they did last year but played reasonably well in 2 non-district wins. The Guard had an up and down 2-2 non-district slate to lead into their district opener. An 0-2 start for POP would make it very difficult for them to reach the playoffs with DC and TCCH still to play. Brook Hill scored 40+ in its two wins and 21 or less in the two losses. The Eagles rushing attack makes the lead critical to success or failure for both them and their opponents. Will the Guard be able to squash the Eagles rally early or will the Eagles hold the Guard offense in check as they did a year ago? Brook Hill managed just 7 points in last year's home defeat but still reached the playoffs. If the Guard score 30 in this one, they win easily. If the Eagles keep them in range, they will probably surprise us again as they did last year. Brook Hill finds its offensive stroke and wins 38-16.
Fort Worth Nolan @ Bishop Dunne -- The Falcons took their worst defeat since a shutout playoff loss in 2013 last week at Bishop Lynch. The Vikings are off to a better start than recent seasons including a dominant victory over Parish Episcopal last week. Nolan's defense allowed just 15 points in their two wins but 108 in their two losses. Can the Vikings hold the Falcons in check the way Lynch did? Unlikely that the Nolan defense is up to that standard. A win here for Nolan would get them a 2-0 start in district and a home game with JP2 next week. A prime playoff seeding seems to await the winner with Lynch already out of Dunne's way and Nolan poised for a 3-0 start. The Dunne offense I think responds at home following last weeks drubbing. Falcons win 35-20.
Parish Episcopal @ Prestonwood Christian -- The Lions offense was held to just 14 points by a potent Liberty defense to open district play. This after non-district outings of scoring 50, 48, and 41. The 50 came against All Saints who we feel is a definite contender for the title while the jury may still be out on Liberty. The Panthers defense allowed 45 to Nolan in last week's road defeat. Two road games provide a tough start to any district schedule, but even more so in District 1. The Panther's offense is going to have to be much better to outpace Prestonwood. Replicating Liberty's defensive performance in Plano would appear to be too difficult a task for Parish. Prestonwood runs away with this one 42-7.
Lubbock Trinity Christian @ Willow Park Trinity Christian -- The Lions have begun to make inroads on the football scene after years of basketball prowess. A strong early defensive showing before last week's loss to Lubbock Christian indicates the strength for Lubbock. The Eagles of Parker County dominated Lake Country to open district play and look again to be one to figure into the late playoff picture in Divisions III or IV. Willow Park's offense has scored at least 46 in 4 of 5 outings. I do not think the Lions defense has reached the heights needed to take this road challenge. Eagles win 43-14.
Frisco Legacy Christian @ Austin St. Dominic Savio -- The Legacy Eagles travel to Division V opponent Savio after starting 1-3. The three losses have come by just 14 points though. The Savio Eagles (really people stop choosing Eagles for the mascot) opened 0-3 including two losses to Division III opponents. Both teams have been unable to produce significant offensive outputs except for their blowout wins. Neither has appeared to be a sieve defensively, and that makes this for an intriguing pairing. Legacy needs to show some signs of improvement to find a district win and a playoff spot, while Savio needs to score some wildcard points to reach the Division V playoffs. Savio takes this one at home 22-20.
Quick Hits: (Season: 37-13)
Fort Worth Christian over TACA
Fort Worth Southwest Christian over Colleyville Covenant
San Antonio St. Mary's over Austin Hyde Park
Argyle Liberty Christian over Plano John Paul II
Bishop Lynch over Trinity Christian - Addison
Arlington Oakridge over Fort Worth Country Day
Houston Christian over Episcopal School of Dallas
Tomball Concordia Lutheran over Houston Lutheran South
Austin Brentwood Christian over Hallettsville Sacred Heart
Houston Northland Christian over The Woodlands Christian
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