The playoff formats for this year rob us of some of the stretch drama, but there is still plenty to learn as we start the biggest month of high school football. Can anyone push TCCH off the top? Are Parish and Nolan clearly the best in Division I or will someone have a playoff turnaround? Just 2 of many questions to be answered in the last 6 weeks.
This Week: (Season: 52-15)
Dallas Christian @ McKinney Christian -- The Chargers fell for the 4th straight time in the showdown with TCCH. The DC offense has repeatedly struggled in these matchups yielding scores of 14, 0, 16, and 16. While the DC defense has done a decent job limiting the Tigers, not stopping them by any means but not getting run over like so many have. The DC offense will need to find top form in the next few weeks if there is to be a rematch and any chance of a reversal. The Mustangs have improved in their 2nd season in Division II, but it has turned tough sledding in recent weeks. A 4-0 start has given way to 4-4. They turned a 54 point showing by Tyler Grace in 2018 into just 33 this year. The Mustangs however, failed to score in the last two weeks against Brook Hill and TCCH. The Chargers need a good offensive showing to start to build toward the playoffs. DC wins 38-7.
Trinity Christian - Cedar Hill @ Tyler Grace Community -- The Tigers defense squashed DC at most every corner last week in securing their most important win of the season so far. DC did close to 20-16 after the 1st play of the 2nd half, but the Tigers swamped the Chargers from that point forward. In some ways the Tigers have looked a bit more vulnerable this season. In others, the Tigers have been more impressive. The blowouts of Melissa and Cornerstone most notably. The Cougars have not really looked great in their 5-3 season so far. Allowing too many points on too many occasions has been the biggest problem for the Cougars. Honestly, if Grace can only hold Brook Hill to 33 then I'm not sure how they slow down TCCH. Tigers win handily, 40-12.
Carrollton Prince of Peace @ Fort Worth Christian -- The Cardinals were blanked in the 2nd half against Frisco Legacy last week to fall to 1-1 in district play. FWC concludes its run of 3 district games against Eagles with what has become the most important given the loss to Legacy. A win will put the Cardinals in the playoffs with a chance to move into the top 2 with a win over Faith next week. A loss may put the Cardinals on the outside of the playoffs completely. The Eagles suffered a 20 point defeat against Southwest last week. The same squad that FWC beat 19-16 two weeks before. The Eagles have been making strides in the right direction, but still struggle to get over the hump in Division II. Last year's match went in the Cardinals favor 47-8. Though the Cardinals may be a little down from a season ago, I don't see a 39 point turnaround here. FWC wins 38-16.
Grapevine Faith Christian @ Fort Worth Southwest Christian -- The Lions figured to be a leading contender for District 1 and have not disappointed so far. At 6-1 with the only loss being to Canadian, a UIL power. The Faith offense has scored 35 or more in 5 of their 7 outings thus far. This will be a very difficult test for the Eagles. Southwest needs a win to avoid a 1st round clash with TCCH, certainly something everyone in District 1 will want to avoid. The Eagles dropped a tight game with Legacy two weeks ago, falling 38-34. Its not an encouraging sign for them that the same Legacy squad did not manage a point against Faith. If Faith reaches their usual 35 then I can't see Southwest closing the gap enough to turn a 48-7 decision from a year ago. Lions win 40-14.
Dallas Bishop Lynch @ Plano Prestonwood Christian -- The Lions have met every challenge as the defending state champion, putting up bundles of points in the last 4 weeks particularly. Perhaps Parish scoring 24 last week is sign of weakness, but more likely its just that they are one of the best opponents seen thus far and Prestonwood still held all the cards in the result. The Friars are probably a better squad than a 3-4 record would suggest, given the largest margin of defeat on the year is 8. The dominant win over Nolan on Oct. 5 suggests that the top 4 teams in District 2 might all win District 1. The Friars defense is probably the best the Lions have seen in a while, and maybe even the best of the season. A trip to Roffino Stadium makes this a little more difficult for the Lions, but I think they'll still get over the hump to 9-0. Another close loss for the Friars 35-21.
Trinity Christian - Addison @ Argyle Liberty Christian -- The Trojans actually had one of the better games played against Prestonwood this year, but its come undone in a bad way since, winning just once in eight tries. The Warriors are out at 4-4, but have won big district games the last two times out. A win here would assure Liberty of the 2nd slot in District 1 and they'll be heavily favored to achieve that. The usually strong Liberty defense has been showing weakness in recent weeks, allowing 34 and 36 in their last 2. The Warriors won both games though. In simpler terms, Liberty beat All Saints 49-36 while TCA lost 20-7. Warriors win on the road, 35-21.
Plano John Paul II @ Dallas Parish Episcopal -- The Cardinals are still in the middle of their best season in school history. Breaking the decade long district losing streak has to be a weight off the Cardinals. This is a stiff ask for John Paul though taking on the highly ranked Panthers. Parish has already notched notable victories over TCCH, Bishop Dunne, and Bishop Lynch on the season. Their lone loss is a bit of a head scratcher given the struggles All Saints had against teams Parish dominated. The Panthers can secure the district title and 1st round bye with a win this week before finishing the season against San Antonio Cornerstone. Only All Saints has held the Panthers under 30 points. John Paul shouldn't get totally destroyed, but on the road I'm not sure how they stop the Parish attack. The Cardinals will attempt to reverse a 49-28 decision from a year ago, and give them their own chance at a district title. Not enough this year for the Cardinals. Panthers win 42-20.
Fort Worth All Saints @ Fort Worth Nolan -- The Vikings are the lone private school undefeated in the DFW area and would virtually assure themselves of the top spot in District 1 with a win. The Saints scored the huge upset of Parish in their 3rd game but then suffered some injuries and struggled in losses to Dunne and Prestonwood. All Saints only bested winless TCA by 3 before seeming to regain form in a 45-7 blowout of Liberty. The Vikings are coming off a 28-13 win out on the Permian Basin that included a scoreless 2nd half. Nolan's defense has been the strong unit, only allowing 20 points once in 8 games. That game was still a 48 point Vikings win. If the Saints can manage 28 points they may can keep the Vikings offense off the field enough to spring the upset, but that is a tough ask for the team that scored just 2 against Bishop Dunne. With the game at home, I suspect Nolan gets to 9-0 leaving only a winless squad between them and an undefeated regular season. Vikings win 35-14.
Quick Hits: (Season: 72-18)
Bullard Brook Hill over Houston Pro-Vision Academy
Austin Brentwood Christian over Austin Hyde Park
Austin Regents over Austin St. Michael's
Houston Lutheran South over Houston Cypress Christian
San Antonio Central Catholic over Tomball Concordia Lutheran
Austin Texas School for the Deaf over Waco Reicher
Shiner St. Paul over Hallettsville Sacred Heart
Arlington Grace Prep over Tyler All Saints
Episcopal School of Dallas over Dallas St. Marks
Fort Worth Country Day over Fort Worth Trinity Valley
No comments:
Post a Comment