A couple of interesting showdowns this week and as we try to figure how who is getting better and who is rebuilding. At some point there will be a big upset we don't see coming. Will it be this week?
This Week: (Season: 13-3)
Dallas Christian @ Plano John Paul II -- The Chargers dominated the first half last Thursday against Bryan Adams. The second half was more a malaise and then everyone enjoyed not being out in the storm on Friday. The Cardinals have long been the back marker of Division I, breaking a 30+ game losing streak last year and winning just 2 district games since their first varsity season in 2006. Last year though was a better year, but still led to just 2 wins. A 2-0 start stands as the best in program history for the Cardinals and winning at Brook Hill last week certainly gives notice that there will be no guarantees in facing John Paul this year. The Chargers malaise of the 2nd half last week will almost certainly get them beat, particularly on the road. The team that ran off 28 points in the 3rd quarter against Westbury would be favored in this one. I don't think the Cardinals have quite reached Chargers but the gap is narrowing. However, the author may not be totally objective. Chargers win 35-10.
Fort Worth All Saints @ Trinity Christian - Cedar Hill -- The Saints fell at home to the Regents regular season juggernaut. The Tigers dominated a Florida school on ESPNU after opening with a win over Bishop Lynch. In returning home the Tigers find an opponent that appears to be having a disappointing start. Going into the year I had All Saints as a definite contender for the title in Division I and losing to Regents certainly dosen't mean they can't be in the mix, but it certainly wasn't what I saw coming. The Saints were 11-0 last year before Prestonwood turned the tables on them in Round 2. Trinity would seem to have the upper hand at home here especially having beated Regents in last year's title game. Its still early and there is much to be figured out among these teams, but I'll take the Tigers 35-20.
Tyler Grace Community @ Parish Episcopal -- The Cougars have run off 138 points in 2 weeks and Parish would appear to be the strongest test so far. The Panthers were rained out against ESD last week and haven't played a Division II opponent since the opener last season (a loss to Regents). If Grace runs off another 60 points I don't see where Parish finds that kind of firepower as they couldn't last year. The Panthers have never been a pushover after their first varsity season and certainly won't be this week. I really don't have a good feeling either way here. On one side, Parish should be a very good team but we just haven't seen it this year or last. On the other, Grace's offense looks strong but the quality of the defenses the points were scored on is unknown. I barely know where Redwater is let alone how good their defense is. Give me Parish at home 30-27.
Tenaha @ Tyler T.K. Gorman -- The Crusaders have opened with a 2-0 start again and while not scoring as many as Grace have been sterling on offense including putting 54 points up on Fort Worth Christian. The trouble for TKG is they've allowed 83 points in 2 games. The Tigers dropped their opener to Troup despite scoring 39 points but responded with a 14-2 (yes 2) win over Lovelady in their 2nd outing. For long term success this season the Crusaders defense will have to improve especially with three road games to follow. The Tigers fell in the 2A D2 state final last year and should a difficult task for TKG. However, the results through two weeks suggest the Tigers may not out class the Crusaders as much as they would have a year ago. The Crusaders offense is good, but I don't think they're defense will have enough this week. Tenaha wins 42-37.
Bullard Brook Hill @ Huntington -- The Guard travel to take on a struggling program in Huntington. The Red Devils won just a single game a year ago, but have already matched that win total this year. Brook Hill dropped last week's home contest against Plano John Paul, allowing 48 points in the process. The game also included a tweet from a reporting indicating the referees signaled a PAT good just before half and then called the press box at half to correct it to no good. Sounds exciting. The Red Devils were beaten soundly 55-0 last week and the Guard should be able to get things back on track this week. Brook Hill wins 40-14.
Wall @ Midland Christian -- The Mustangs take on a Hawks team that bested them 40-21 and reached the 3rd round of the playoffs. Interestingly, Wall lost that playoff game to Brock who MCS defeated in the regular season. The Hawks have played just once so far this year losing 27-21 to the Mason Punchers (I had to work in Punchers). MCS has defeated two good El Paso schools despite scoring just 42 points between the two games. If the Mustangs find their offensive stride they should be quite dangerous heading to November, but they will need that offense in this game and going forward. I don't think that 20 points is going to be enough to win this one or many once we reach district play. This should be a good West Texas battle, and I think the Mustangs win at home. MCS 30-25.
Plano Prestonwood Christian @ Trinity Christian - Addison -- The Lions and Trojans line up as opponents for the first time in a non-district matchup. The Trojans have started 1-1 after a 3 point win over ESD and a 3 point loss at China Spring. The Lions have opened 2-0 with wins over Wylie and Greater Atlanta Christian. The Lions offense has long been the calling card taking the state title last year while scoring 42 or more in all 4 playoff games. Prestonwood also produced some great defensive outings including a stretch of 11 straight games last year where the opposition scored 20 or less. One of those teams was TCA who was held to just 7 and 15 in two meetings with the Lions last year. I can't see where the Trojans find enough offense to run down Prestonwood. Probably not a laugher, but Lions win handily. I'll say 42-14.
Fort Worth Trinity Valley @ Austin Regents -- The Knights secured a big win over All Saints last week storming (pun intended) to a 20-0 lead in Fort Worth. 34 straight regular season wins is the streak for Regents. Since 10-16-15 the Knights have lost just 3 games, one semifinal and two state championship games. The Trojans were dispatched easily by Grapevine Faith before putting Southwest Christian in their rear view. With a trip to Austin in the cards, I can't see how the team that defeated All Saints and the most recent Division III champion falters here. Knights run away and hide, 42-6.
Quick Hits: (Season: 14-4)
Grapevine Faith Christian over Caddo Mills (I really wanted to get the Foxes in but could not)
Fort Worth Christian over Valley View
McKinney Christian over Fort Worth Temple Christian
Frisco Legacy Christian over Willow Park Trinity Christian
Dallas Shelton over Flower Mound Coram Deo
Colleyville Covenant over Dallas First Baptist Academy
Brock over Argyle Liberty Christian
Dallas Bishop Lynch over Frisco Centennial
Desoto over Dallas Bishop Dunne
Shiner St. Paul over Austin Saints
Celina over Fort Worth Nolan
No comments:
Post a Comment