Just three weeks remain in the regular season. The weather has begun to turn, it might not rain this week, times are good in Texas. Good luck and safe travels.
This Week: (Season: 48-12)
Dallas Christian @ Trinity Christian - Cedar Hill -- TCCH continues to be the dominant force in Division II this season. The Week 2 OT loss to Parish has done nothing to stop the thinking that this is a coronation tour for the Tigers. For the 2nd straight year DC enters this matchup at 7-0. Through 6 weeks DC really lacked a signature win, but beating Plano John Paul II looks better every week and last week's OT victory over San Antonio Cornerstone is probably DC's best win since a 2017 playoff win over Fort Worth Christian. That season ended in a TCCH defeat in the semis. The Tigers have maybe been slightly less impressive than a year ago. A chunk of that can be attributed to the quality opposition though. The 41 point destruction of Melissa and the 24-0 halftime lead over Cornerstone suggests that the Tigers have plenty in the tank though. The Chargers do not really have that blowout of a top flight opponent. DC will have to score to get the upset of the defending state champions. The team that buried Cornerstone's offense for 30 minutes might be able to keep the game in range, but its still going to need an offensive performance to pair with it. Maybe a little muddy conditions will slow the Tigers, but its going to difficult to reverse last year's 37-16 win TCCH took in Mesquite. I'm sure most readers understand the policy of the picks column. Chargers with a shocker 28-27.
McKinney Christian @ Bullard Brook Hill -- The Guard secured a big district win over Tyler Grace last week. Scoring the presumed upset for a 2nd straight year. Reaching 1-1 in district sets up the Guard to clinch a playoff spot with a win over McKinney Christian. The Mustangs will likely need a win to have a chance to reach the playoffs. A 4-0 start for the Mustangs showed promise, but will likely be a building block for next year. MCA lost their district opener at Tyler Grace 33-12 and Brook Hill turned around next week and bested the same Tyler Grace squad. It is difficult to see the Mustangs traveling into the Piney Woods and stealing this road win. Its been a season of improvement for the Mustangs, but the road likely ends here. The Guard will need a good outing, but a game like they played last week against Grace should be enough. Brook Hill wins 35-18.
Fort Worth Christian @ Frisco Legacy Christian -- The Cardinals travel up north to Frisco to match with the Eagles. Its been more a struggle this year in North Richland Hills as the FWC is just 4-3 after reaching the state semifinals last year. In fairness though, they were 4-3 at this point last year. Though they had not suffered the blowout defeats that have plagued them this year. Also, the Cardinals were coming off scoring 40 points against Southwest while this year they managed just 19. The Eagles have had an improved season entering at 6-2 improving on last season's 5-5 campaign. The change in bracketing putting 4 district 1 teams in the playoffs this year means the Eagles are in the playoffs with a win this week. Legacy bested one of their Eagle counterparts at Southwest Christian last week 38-34. The improved offense gives the Eagles a real chance to win this one especially at home. However, things like allowing 42 points to Colleyville Covenant does not inspire confidence. I would say if FWC scores in the 30s they will win, but I think Legacy topples them this time. Eagles win at home 28-21.
Austin Regents @ Austin Brentwood Christian -- The Bears have put together a 2nd straight nice season, entering this one at 7-1. Brentwood blew out St. Michael's in their district opener for the 2nd year in a row. The Bears have not had a victory over a program with the pedigree of Regents though. The Knights are the usual stalwart in District 3 having complied a 6-1 record already. The lone blemish was a home loss to FW All Saints who went on to beat Parish Episcopal this season. All Saints is one of only 2 opponents to reach double figures against the Regents defense. Brentwood should stand a good chance at being a bit closer with the game at home, but reversing last year's 34-7 defeat to a victory is a tall task. The lack of a wild card point spot in this year's playoffs makes this a big swing game as both teams will face must wins next week with a loss. However, the Bears will be happy not to have to face TCCH in Round 1 if they make the playoffs. Regents has enough to secure a road win, 26-14.
Fort Worth Nolan @ Midland Christian -- Last year I anticipated MCS reaching this one at 8-0 setting up a virtual district title game and they fell to Liberty at home. This year, the Mustangs are just 5-3 but pounded Liberty in Argyle. The Vikings have pretty quietly raced to 7-0 and will want to put themselves in prime position for that district title. No 1st round bye on offer this year, but many coaches prefer it that way. Nolan enters off a bye week and having just held Lynch and Liberty to 20 total points between them. To be totally honest, if this game were in Fort Worth I would take Nolan to keep the train rolling without too much difficulty. That the game is out west gives me pause. The metroplex teams are certainly less experienced with the longer travel a trip to Midland entails. Surprisingly a non-district schedule that includes Celina is likely the easier lead up to this one. MCS has faced a little more consistent challenge in the early season that should prepare them well for a stiff defense like the Vikings bring. I expect this to be close, but I don't see the Mustangs reversing last year's 42-13 defeat all the way. Vikings win 28-16.
Dallas Bishop Dunne @ Dallas Bishop Lynch -- Bishop Dunne and John Paul got to be the first teams in TAPPS to see the NCAA rule change beyond the 5th OT with the Falcons taking an 11OT loss at home. The Falcons head to Roffino Stadium to a see a Bishop Lynch team that has been in a bit of a transition. A 3-1 start with the only loss a tight 16-13 defeat against TCCH to open the season has given way to a 3 game losing streak with allowances of 50, 37, and 54 on defense. After scoring 35 points in the defeat against Cornerstone, Nolan and Parish routed the Friars with Lynch scoring just 20 points between the two games. The Falcons defense seemed to be ramping up to "Red Swarm" form before seeing Parish and John Paul score 37 each. John Paul's total is slightly inflated given the OT nature of the game, but still not the defensive power the 2018 champions held. All of Division I is really just a prelude to the playoffs since all 15 schools are in already. The Friars have a chance with the game at home, but I'm not sure they can post enough points against the Falcons. Dunne held Cornerstone to 26 in San Antonio a much better performance than Dunne managed. Falcons win on the road, 22-14.
Dallas Parish Episcopal @ Plano Prestonwood Christian -- The Lions have turned into a more run heavy squad with a greater emphasis placed on defense in this year's 6-1 start. Prestonwood has yet to be bested by a team from Texas, including 3 Division I wins in the last 3 weeks where they held the opposition to 0, 17, and 10 points. The bye week and a home game sets the Lions up well for a big district game this week. Parish flopped against All Saints in Week 4, but still has a 6-1 record into the district home stretch. The Panthers have been the high flying offense including boatracing Bishop Lynch last week 54-14. The game should hinge on the Panther offense against the Lion defense. Prestonwood should manage a reasonable 3 to 4 touchdowns as they have most weeks, but if Parish is scoring in the 30s they will have a tough time keeping up. I'll take the Lions to make it happen on defense this week, but the Panthers are not going to be an easy out. This seems like a matchup that might set up for a reversal in the playoffs. Lions get a 4th straight district win over Parish. Prestonwood squeaks by 24-21.
Quick Hits: (Season: 63-17)
Fort Worth Southwest Christian over Carrollton Prince of Peace
Austin St. Michael's over Austin Hyde Park
Houston Lutheran South over Houston Westbury Christian
Victoria St. Joseph over Sugar Land Fort Bend Christian
Fort Worth All Saints over Argyle Liberty Christian
San Antonio Antonian over Tomball Concordia Lutheran
Dallas Shelton School over Arlington Pantego Christian
Lubbock Christian over Fort Worth Temple Christian
Fort Worth Trinity Valley over Irving Cistercian
Katy St. John XXIII over Tyler T.K. Gorman
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