We have reached the end of a long season, but as always it comes too soon. When I played, I always found going out to warm-up when it was already dark for the first game after the time change a different tone setter for that week. 2018 will always be one of the wettest season in memory, lets make it a memorable finish.
This Week: (Season: 60-14)
Dallas Christian @ Tyler Grace Community -- The Chargers head east for the 2nd time in district play, and actually head to the same field they visited the first time. Perhaps it will be a drier visit to the Rose City. The DC defense has led the charge allowing only 7 points combined in their three district wins. The offense has been up and down, last week's 56 points was an up. Scoring just 21 at home against Brook Hill or 16 against TCCH were downs. The Cougars have had a curious campaign that sees them at just 5-4, but a win would likely get them into 2nd place in the district standings. In Grace's nine games, both teams have scored at least 28 in seven of them. One game saw the Cougars post a 21 point victory yet still allow 54, then the same team that scored 54 managed just 8 against TKG. The Cougars of course then beat TKG to position themselves to reach 2nd place possibly. The Cougars offense will probably keep them in this to the late stages, but they will have to find the big stops to win. While they've shown they can get those I think the Chargers run their series win streak to 7 in a row. DC wins 35-24.
Trinity Christian - Cedar Hill @ Bullard Brook Hill -- The Guard will welcome the defending state champs to Herrington Stadium with their own chance to climb into a tie for 2nd. They could also land in a 3-way tie for 3rd where one team will be out of the playoffs. In a game you need to win, seeing the 9-0 Tigers across the way is certainly not ideal. In four district games the closest an opponent has been at the end is 21 points and the Guard lost to both DC and TKG who TCCH controlled in their respective meetings. TCCH has only been held under 40 by DC, Melissa, and Bishop Lynch. The Guard may still reach the postseason out of the tie for 3rd, but I can't see where they get enough points to reach the playoffs by any other path. If you only scored 19 against TKG how are you going to post 40 against the Tigers. Tigers reach 10-0 with a 42-14 win.
Tyler T.K. Gorman @ McKinney Christian -- The Crusaders have to win this road tilt to have a chance at the playoffs. A win and losses by Grace and Brook Hill would leave the Cru in a 3-way tie for 3rd and their dominant win over Brook Hill would likely be favorable. A win and a loss by only Brook Hill would definitely put the Cru in the playoffs. The Crusaders are just 5-4 after starting a promising 4-1 including a win over Fort Worth Christian. District play was not kind to TKG scoring just 6 points combined against stalwarts DC and TCCH and dropping a 2 point decision at Tyler Grace. The Mustangs have struggled in their first season in Division II, coming in with just a 2-6 record following a 56-0 shutout against DC. They did have a promising showing against Brook Hill posting 20 on the scoreboard. The Mustangs will have to find a new offensive gear to keep pace with the Crusaders. TKG wins 42-14.
Grapevine Faith Christian @ Fort Worth Christian -- The Lions travel to North Richland Hills as Division II's other undefeated team. Faith also enters well rested, having played just 3 games since October 1st. The Cardinals enter at 6-3 with two losses to Division I squads and the previously mentioned loss to TK Gorman. Both Faith and FWC have punished the district opposition with the lowest offensive output between the two being 40. The Cardinals have been less impressive with really just 2 blowouts on the season over Legacy and Prince of Peace. The Lions meanwhile have at least 41 in their last 5 games, and have an impressive showing besting Canadian in a neutral site clash. If FWC can keep the game in the 30s they have a great chance, especially at home. I think the Faith offense is too much and the potential showdown with TCCH looms on the playoff horizon. Lions win a close one 44-38.
Houston Second Baptist @ Houston Lutheran South -- The Pioneers had a memorable year last year for all the worst reasons after Hurricane Harvey. This season is a memorable one for much better reason as LSA has gone 8-1 and sets up for a district title game at Pioneer field. Only a 2 point loss to Concordia Lutheran blemishes the Pioneers season thus far. The Eagles should provide the strongest test since that loss. Second Baptist brings their own 8-1 record to this district title game, but didn't get to play last week when Fort Bend Christian forfeited. Both teams struggled to put away a Westbury squad that has yet to post a district win. The Pioneers needed OT and the Eagles scored just 22. This should be tight contest with ample points, but probably not a true shootout where the total exceeds 100. SBS beat Concordia Lutheran while LSA lost to them, so I'll go with the Eagles 35-32.
Dallas Bishop Dunne @ Plano Prestonwood Christian -- The Lions appeared to be an obvious favorite in Division I with an 8-0 record, a high powered offense, and an excellent defense. With wins over Liberty, Parish, and St. Pius already posted who was going to beat Prestonwood this year? The answer was Bishop Lynch who posted 50 on the home side of the scoreboard last week at Roffino Stadium, and could actually still finish 5th in the district. The Falcons bested that Bishop Lynch squad 21-13 the week prior and enter this district title clash off a bye week. Dunne lost their matchup with St. Pius but held the high powered SPX offense to just 17. No one has reached 20 against the Falcon defense this season, but the record is just 6-3. So the game hinges on how well the Dunne defense can control the Prestonwood offense. If the Lions post 40 like they did in last week's loss to Lynch they will beat the Falcons. If the Falcons can keep the Lions in that 21-27 area they will have a chance to push past the Lions. Prestonwood wins at home, but its going to be tight one. Lions win 30-26.
Tomball Rosehill Christian @ Beaumont Legacy Christian -- The Eagles head for the coast to settle Division IV District 4 in a matchup with the Warriors. Rosehill enters at 8-0 with having tossed 7 shutouts this season. They've not allowed a point since September 7th, 6 consecutive shutouts. Legacy is just 5-4 but started 0-3 before hitting their stride. They will have to find the scoring touch against the Eagles to secure the district crown and they have reached 30+ in their last 3. The Eagles defense should be a tougher unit than they've seen lately, and this should position Rosehill for a deep playoff run after securing the first round bye. Eagles win 24-0.
Quick Hits: (Season: 75-24)
Dallas Parish Episcopal over Argyle Liberty Christian
Midland Christian over Fort Worth All Saints
Fort Worth Nolan over Trinity Christian - Addison
Bishop Lynch over Plano John Paul II
Houston St. Pius over Houston St. Thomas
San Antonio Holy Cross over Brownsville St. Joseph
Flower Mound Coram Deo over Willow Park Trinity Christian
Boerne Geneva over Waco Reicher
The Woodlands Christian over Houston Northland Christian
Shiner St. Paul over San Antonio St. Gerard
Hallettsville Sacred Heart over Temple Central Texas Christian
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