At last we have cleared the off-season and are kicking of for another season of Texas High School Football. Last year, Bishop Dunne's defense swarmed its way to a title allowing 20 points in a game just once all season. The Trinity Tigers (TCCH) took home their 2nd title in a row and sits on a 23-game win streak to open the season. Willow Park Trinity landed the Division III crown with late score. Shiner St. Paul eventually did what they always do and were great in the playoffs, giving us a rare 8 loss state champion. Who will the new contenders be in 2019? Probably the Eagles just be raw numbers. Will someone south of the I-20 corridor win Division II for the first time this millennium? Does Shiner St. Paul do it again?
Please know the committee responsible for these picks does not necessarily see everyone play and mostly has to go on reputation and common opponents. Its all in good fun and I certainly have a few biases. Namely the user name and a preference for interesting mascots (so not the Eagles). Please feel free to contribute your own commentary and information, we're always interested in good talk about the upcoming games. I also welcome suggestions about games I should include in the future, know that I do more DI and DII games and more in the North as I know more about the teams, but that doesn't mean I'm not looking to expand (interesting mascots always preferred). The next big day will be September 24th when the playoffs brackets are released.
Good luck to all on the road to <insert site here>. (probably Midway/Hewitt/Waco)
This Week:
2015: 94-16
2016: 79-25
2017: 78-32
2018: 88-22
Dallas Christian vs. Houston Westbury Christian @ Houston's Husky Stadium -- The Chargers were ousted by Fort Worth Christian in the regional round a year ago breaking a 6-year run of being eliminated by the eventual state champion. The Wildcats missed the playoffs last season, but lost 4 district games by a total of 25 points. This included two 3-point losses and a an OT defeat against Lutheran South. Last year's match saw the Wildcats travel north and take a 47-13 defeat to make a total score of 99-13 for the last two match-ups with the Chargers. Westbury's football history is less than pretty but has been on an upswing in recent years, but I think they're going to have a difficult time scoring in this game. I do not think the margin will be 52 like it was in 2016, but this should be a handy victory for the Chargers. Strange things happen in the Week 1 though so everyone should be on notice. DC wins 38-7.
Trinity Christian Cedar Hill @ Bishop Lynch -- The Friars turned a middling 3-4 start into a run to the state title game where they had chances to take down Bishop Dunne, but like so many others last years were not able find scoring areas very often in a 13-9 defeat. As mentioned in the open, the Tigers hold a 23-game win streak after finishing last season's championship campaign at 14-0. Their last loss came to Brock on 9-22-17. The pieces of a high powered offense return for TCCH and clearly install them as favorites for a 3rd straight title. Might the Tigers be the first to win three straight titles with 3 different coaches? Last year saw TCCH win 23-19 in the home portion of the matchup. On the road this will be a stiff test to get to 24 in a row. Lynch has it own issues in the coaching area with changes being made at the top as well. The Friars will definitely be in the mix in Division I, but I think the Tigers firepower is too much in Week 1. TCCH wins 30-20.
Midland Christian vs. El Paso Chapin @ El Paso's McKee Stadium -- The Mustangs make their annual trip to the Mountain Time Zone to open 2019. Last season, MCS took down Americas in their trip West after besting the Huskies 20-16 at home in Week 1. Chapin went on to reach the playoffs at 4-6 but played several close games that could have been a 7 or 8 win campaign. This will be a test for the Mustangs for sure. MCS usually strong defense should be enough, but expect a tight one here. Mustangs take their opener 21-17.
Canton @ Tyler Grace Community -- The Cougars offense opened 2018 with massive 63 and 75 point outbursts and then cooled a bit while still showing a strong unit. Grace's defense will need to be better to move deep in the Division II playoffs. With only 5 teams in District 2, the offense gives them a strong chance to reach the playoffs and continue a streak started in 2009. I would think holding the Eagles under last season's 40 point effort would be the starting point for getting off to a good start in 2019. I expect the Cougars to get a 2nd straight win over I-20 counterparts, but it won't be easy. Grace wins 48-38.
Fort Worth Nolan @ Houston Kinkaid -- The Vikings travel I-45 to take on the champion Falcons, but not those champion Falcons. Kinkaid enters having won the last 2 SPC 4A championships and unbeaten in their last 10. Their last loss...was to Nolan to open 2018. The Vikings bested Kinkaid 29-6 last August to kick off a 9-1 regular season earning a bye in the opening round of the playoffs last year. Parish then eliminated the Vikings in round 2. The Nolan defense was only bullied by Bishop Lynch in 11 outings last year and figures to be a key unit again. If the Vikings minimize the Falcons offense as they did a year ago they should be in a strong position to secure a road victory. Week 1 does strange things though. I think Kinkaid gets this one at home to avenge last year's defeat. Falcons win 24-21.
Plano Prestonwood Christian @ Wylie -- The Lions will be wide awake on their visit to Wylie. Last season opened with an 8-1 start but then crashed around them with 3 losses in their final 4 outings. Always one of the contenders in Division I, Prestonwood will no doubt be a strong competitor this year. Last year Prestonwood dominated the Pirates in a 46-6 blowout. The Pirates reached the 2nd round of the playoffs after an 0-4 start. I expect Wylie to get a little closer than 40, but this should still be a Prestonwood victory. As an aside, can anyone tell me why Wylie isn't the Coyotes? Lions win 35-14.
Austin Regents @ Houston Cypress Christian -- The Knights travel across the great void between I-35 and I-45 to meet up with the Warriors. Regents enters as the state runner-up for the 3rd year in a row after falling to TCCH in the title game. The Knights have been the dominant power south of I-20 in Division II dropping only 1 regular season game in the past 3 seasons. The Knights took a 48-7 win over the Warriors last year in Austin. Cypress was a 2nd round playoff team last season and should compete with everyone except 2nd Baptist in District 5 and should be back in the playoffs. Maybe this will just be round 1 of this match-up for 2019. The Warriors should be closer at home, but unable to overcome the Knights in the committee's opinion. Regents wins 40-13.
Grapevine Faith Christian @ Fort Worth Trinity Valley -- The Lions raced to 9-1 last year before falling to TCCH in the Regional round. Faith is the most recent champion of Division II not located on Pleasant Run Rd. and should contend again this year. The Lions bested the Trojans 35-6 to start 2018 to start the Trojans on a 4-5 season. With a top recruit at QB Faith should have plenty of firepower on offense that should push past the home standing Trojans. Faith wins it opener 42-8.
Quick Hits:
2015: 60-15
2016: 103-26
2017: 101-29
2018: 102-28
Bullard Brook Hill over Fort Worth Southwest Christian
Valley View over McKinney Christian
Carrollton Prince of Peace over Arlington Newman International
Fort Worth Christian over Fort Worth Country Day
Trinity Christian - Addison over Episcopal School of Dallas
Melissa over Argyle Liberty Christian
San Antonio Holy Cross over Austin Hyde Park
Dallas Shelton over Fort Worth Temple Christian
Flower Mound Coram Deo over Fort Worth Lake Country Christian
Tyler T.K. Gorman over Dallas Covenant
