Last year, I was down 5 weather cancellations and this year just 1. I guess the weather is getting better this year, but not by much. Congratulations to all Division I and IV teams on securing their playoff spots this week.
This Week: (Season: 25-7)
Kemp @ Dallas Christian -- The Chargers used a strong defensive effort, including 2 defensive touchdowns to take a handy 42-13 victory over Trinity Christian - Addison and reach 4-0. Not every victory has been "clean" but its been a nice start for sure. Certainly many difficult tests await for the Chargers with TCCH and Grace ahead on the district schedule. The Yellowjackets scored their first points of the season last week in capturing a 29-24 victory over Commerce. Kemp reached the second round of the playoffs a season ago after taking a 40 point defeat against the Chargers. The Yellowjackets seem to be up against it this year, having lost 128-0 in the first 3 weeks. This seems to be a far cry from the 2017 team that reached the state semifinals. The Chargers have a clear edge on paper but strange things do happen. Chargers win 42-7.
Tyler Grace Community @ Center -- The Cougars responded from being blown out by Parish with a 42-17 win over Wills Point. Only a 21-17 lead at the half was cemented with a shutout 2nd half to guide the Cougars to victory. The Roughriders reached the playoffs last year, but have started the season just 1-3. It was a similar setup last year, and the Roughriders took a 61-42 victory over Grace in a visit to Tyler. Center has seen 30 or more points posted against them in each of their four games thus far which should setup well for the always potent Cougars offense. The Cougars defense has been improved this year, but allowing 38 to Redwater is still a concern. The Grace defense will need its best to win this week, and if they find it they could be set up well for district play. Roughriders slide by at home. Center wins 37-35.
Trinity Christian - Cedar Hill @ Houston St. Thomas -- The Tigers blowout of Melissa definitely turns some heads, but just further cements their place at the top of Division II. Parish's defeat of TCCH and subsequent loss might give a little hope to the 2nd tier though. Division I St. Thomas is off to a 2-2 start after beating Kinkaid and Stafford the last two weeks. The road trip gives me a little pause in assuming a Tigers victory, but I can't see the Eagles slowing down Sanders and company enough to win this one. If the Eagles can hold the Tigers under 21 they stand a great chance at springing the upset, but I don't see it happening. Tigers win 35-18.
Fort Worth Christian @ Midland Christian -- A 2-2 start for the Mustangs is a bit misleading with the losses to 6A El Paso Americas, having one of its best years ever, and state title contender Wall. They backed that with a blowout of Monahans last week that appears to put them back on track. The Cardinals enter at 3-1 having dropped a visit from San Antonio Cornerstone. Its hard to know if Country Day, Valley View, and Maypearl are better wins than El Paso Chapin and Monahans. This should be a good measuring game for Division I and II, and then matching the results with San Antonio Cornerstone's difficult schedule will further the lines of comparison. The road trip looks to be the challenge here, but 2nd only to the Mustang defense. If MCS held Wall to 20 they should keep the Cardinals offense at bay. Mustangs win 28-14.
Grapevine Faith Christian vs. Canadian @ Vernon -- The Lions find themselves with an interesting non-district neutral site Saturday game. The Wildcats are a strong UIL 3A side with multiple state titles in the last decade, reaching the state final last year. The Wildcats only other loss in 2018 was to the Lions and Faith is the only loss in the regular season since Week 3 of 2016. Canadian is off to a 4-0 allowing just 36 points total across the four games and entering this one off back-to-back shutouts. The Lions have also started the season 4-0 with a strong defense and an offense that is beginning to catch fire with a 49 point output last week. This is a long ride from Grapevine to the barren lands of West Texas, but they overcame it last year. This should be a good game with great measurement for TAPPS football. Last year Faith answered the bell and the offense posted 41. If they do it again Lions win. I'll take Faith 40-30.
Austin Regents @ Wimberly -- The Knights are off to their usual strong start at 3-1 and enter off a shutout of the Central Catholic Buttons last week. The Texans are off to a big 4-0 start including 40+ points in 3 of their wins. The Knights defense should slow the Texan attack, but it will take a good performance to get their 4th win. Regents should be in position to win this one if the game stays relatively low scoring, but a track meet could be trouble. Last year, the Knights posted a 48-13 victory and while Wimberly has improved I think the result holds. Regents wins 38-21.
Dallas Bishop Dunne @ Fort Worth All Saints -- The Saints appear to have reversed last year's trend with a 3-0 start, culminating in last week's upset of Parish Episcopal. After allowing 47 points to Boerne Geneva, I just couldn't have seen taking down Parish coming. Now that they have that win it vaults them among the contenders in Division I. The Falcons fell to San Antonio Cornerstone last week 26-23. A big turnaround for the Warriors from last year's 48-0 loss. The Falcons may be a tad down from last year's state champion, but no reason to think they are not a strong squad. I would expect the Red Swarm defense to rebound this week, but its not clear that will be enough. Saints score another surprise (or is it a surprise if I pick them). All Saints wins 21-14.
Quick Hits: (Season: 29-10)
Carrollton Prince of Peace over Lubbock Trinity Christian
Frisco Legacy Christian over Colleyville Covenant Christian
Bullard Brook Hill over Flower Mound Coram Deo
Fort Worth Country Day over Fort Worth Southwest Christian
Plano Prestonwood Christian over Houston St. Pius X
Plano John Paul II over McKinney Christian
Dallas Parish Episcopal over Trinity Christian - Addison
Argyle Liberty Christian over China Spring
San Antonio Holy Cross over Austin St. Michael's
Houston Christian over Houston Westbury Christian
Shiner St. Paul over Weimar
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