Week 2/6 Picks 2020

Well we made it to a 2nd week. Unfortunately the stops and starts of a 2020 football season continued this week. At least 3 TAPPS games called off this week. Hope to see, 6 feet away at minimum, everyone out at a game this week. 

This Week: (Last Week: 4-2)

North Dallas @ Dallas Christian -- Well my initial plan to talk about the history of DC vs. FWC has been thwarted. So lets instead talk about the rich history between Dallas Christian and North Dallas High School. Well that was brief. I'm not going to say the two have never played, but its been a long time if they have. The Bulldogs have had tough decade or two winning just 30 games in the last 17 seasons according to MaxPreps. To further complicate matter for North Dallas, they are in 4A in the UIL so despite being in one of the largest school districts in the state their potential opponents in 4A could start practice on the August 3 while they did not start until after labor day. That means the Bulldogs are playing their season opener while others in 4A are playing their 6th game this week. The Chargers opened the season with a 2nd half domination of Argyle Liberty, ending at 56-14. I think its going to be a season full of results like that where you look the score and think "that's strange." I do not really think the gap between DC and Liberty is that wide, but it was in Liberty's opener. I suspect this could have similar effects. The Bulldogs were supposed to be playing Alvarado and then Farmersville. The Chargers were supposed to play Fort Worth Christian. They would up with each other. The Bulldogs seemed to be improving a year ago winning 3 games and only suffering ugly blowouts twice. I can't see it being enough in their opening game when the opponent has already played. Chargers win 44-14.

Beaumont Kelly Catholic @ Tyler Grace Community -- The Cougars opened this odd 2020 campaign with a handy victory over Frisco Legacy Christian. The offense continues to be a potent unit for Grace with an opening display of 42 points. The Bulldogs were a state champion in the largest classification in 1998 and played a very competitive title game in 2011 against a Nolan squad that was winning 3 titles in 4 seasons. After that Kelly won just 16 games in 7 seasons, before responding with an 8-win season last year. The Bulldogs bested Tomball Christian Home School 27-19 in their opener. Notably it was their opponents 5th game of the season while being the Bulldogs opener. It seems that Kelly may be cycling back into a more competitive cycle, but I think the road trip here is just too big of an ask. Grace puts up enough points to win, 42-21.

Dallas Bishop Dunne @ Fort Worth Southwest Christian -- A couple of years ago I would have been stunned to see this game on the schedule. It would have pitted one of the top contenders in Division I against a struggling Division II program. The Falcons never recovered from the 12 OT loss to John Paul last season, losing the last three by at least 28 points. This season did not start much better with Grapevine Faith posting a 56-0 drubbing. I think Bishop Dunne is better than that, but admittedly this early in a strange season it mostly a hunch. The Eagles were a playoff team a year ago, but that that meant they were the opening round sacrifice for TCCH. They did beat eventual SPC champion FW Country Day last year and pounded Prince of Peace in this season's opener, 56-7. This will provide us some early information about the balance between Districts 1 and 2. I would've expected preseason for the Falcons to be in the mix for the top spot in District 2, but if they are then it appears District 1 is way ahead with last week's blowout. The Eagles draw Faith in their district opener next week too. I like picking home teams in this modified season, but I think Dunne is still good enough for this win. Falcons win 36-20.

Plano Prestonwood Christian @ Fort Worth All Saints -- Well in 2020 Week 2 means district play gets underway. With the brackets out this week, we know the goals for District 1 teams. Don't finish last. The 7 will make the playoffs with a bye for the district champion. Given the unknowns of this season, everyone but Parish figures to be in the mix for a home playoff game for finishing in the top 4. Parish should be clear of the group, but who knows. The main reason I say "who knows" is the Saints were the team that defeated eventual champion Parish Episcopal last year. Then injuries made them a non-threat in the playoffs. Both squads have been long known for putting up impressive offensive totals. In the Saints case, that comes in 2 different leagues. Then this is where I learned the game was cancelled and considered a no contest. Those district standings are going to be fun to explain at the end of the season. COVID wins 1-0.

Dallas Parish Episcopal @ Argyle Liberty Christian -- Instead will talk about the rest of District 1. Most notably the defending champions, Parish Episcopal. The dominant non-district win over Bishop Lynch, 43-7, stamps the Panthers right back at the top of the list of contenders. The Warriors suffered an ugly 2nd half in which DC scored repeatedly in a 56-14 pounding. For their first outing of the season, I thought Liberty played than that score. Its hard to overcome that through. The Panthers do have to travel up to Argyle in this one and that should help Liberty a bit. It won't be close to enough though. Parish wins 44-20.

Plano John Paul II @ Dallas Bishop Lynch -- The Cardinals were the shocking state finalist last season after being a perpetual doormat in Division I. Last week's opener against Lucas Lovejoy did not go well, with Lovejoy beating up JPII 58-20. The Friars saw a dominant Parish Episcopal start their title defense with a 43-7 victory over them. It seems both teams may need to rely on their defenses to help the offense. Last year the Cardinal scored a 21-13 home victory last year in district play to make us think they could compete the playoffs and not be the same ole' Cardinals. Coach Teague deserves a ton of credit for changing the culture at John Paul, the players probably deserve more. This should be a game similar to last year, with points hard to come by. I suspect the Cardinals start to regain their form from last year. Cardinals win 28-21.

Midland Christian @ Fort Worth Nolan -- The Mustangs were very impressive in a 41-6 rout of UIL contender Wall. The Vikings saw their first game cancelled due to the virus. Once again in 2020 we do strange things like start a season with district play. The Vikings will no doubt be ready to get the season going after ending last season with a stunning blowout defeat against John Paul II. The defense drove Nolan to a district title and 11-0 start allowing more than 20 points just once in those 11 wins. What does this season bring? Expect the unexpected. MCS has largely struggled in Division I, but has never been an easy out in the playoffs. Things would seem to set up decently for them. All Saints cancelled due to COVID. Nolan will play its opener while the Mustangs ride high. Lynch and JP2 were blown out in Week 1. It could be the Mustangs and Parish in contention for the top spot, but they can not afford to look ahead to next week's home game in the Permian Basin against the champs. Mustangs offense is going to well for the Vikings to overcome. MCS wins 35-21.

San Antonio St. Anthony @ Austin Regents -- The Knights dominated St. Michael's to start the season and seem primed for another run at the title game. The Yellowjackets did not draw an ideal opponent to start this challenging season. A 5-5 season that lacked a noteworthy win is not really the jumping off point you'd be looking for in a return to a regular TAPPS schedule. The confines of the Austin area forest hosts this one where Regents is nearly impossible to beat. When you rarely lose regular season games, you lose even fewer at home. On the road in their first game of the season, I can't see this being St. Anthony's day. Now if the game was at Lang Field we might have a different story. Knights win 40-10.

Brownsville St. Joseph @ Austin Brentwood Christian -- Our search for the best mascots can not miss this game. The Bears will host their district opener after an OT win over Waco Reicher to start the season. The Bloodhounds, despite having one of the best mascots in TAPPS, have been unable to achieve much success in the playoffs. Even when hosting 1st round games the postseason has been a struggle for St. Joseph. Having to open with district play probably does the Bloodhounds no favors, and the 5 hour bus ride on construction riddled I-35 wouldn't be my first choice either. The Bears were not particularly impressive in defeating Reicher, but should have the upper hand given the circumstances here. Bears win 30-20. 

Quick Hits: (Last Week: 4-6)

McKinney Christian over Carrollton Prince of Peace
Grapevine Faith Christian over Nevada Community
Frisco Legacy Christian over Trinity Christian - Addison
Boerne Geneva over Austin Hyde Park
Houston St. Pius X over Tomball Concordia Lutheran
Arlington Pantego Christian over Dallas Shelton
Colleyville Covenant Christian over Lubbock Trinity Christian
Dallas Covenant over Tyler All Saints
The Woodlands Christian over Houston Westbury Christian
Shiner St. Paul over Temple Central Texas Christian

Week 1/5 Picks 2020

The challenges of 2020 may never end, but we will play football in TAPPS this week. I'm sure we'll have our fits of stops and starts, but we will press on as best we can. I'll use the slash in the weekly thread titles since plenty of non-TAPPS schools started play 4 weeks ago. It will be a confusing year, but at least the picks did not get stuck on 0-0 for the season. It may be a challenge to make sure that I get games included here that actually happen, so please let me know if you see me picking a game that isn't happening. If you're new to this space, please know that the biases of the author are on display and while objectivity is a goal in these write-ups it is not the factor that influences the selections. These influences also effect which games are featured here. There are some other biases. The committee of one does not like mascots that are Eagles or some other common animals and will favor unique team names.

Now without further ado, we've had plenty of that, on to the picks.

This Week: (Season: 0-0)

Argyle Liberty Christian @ Dallas Christian -- A new season starts for the Chargers after falling in Round 2 for the 2nd year in a row. This time Grapevine Faith did in DC. The Warriors have not visited Mesquite for a varsity football game since 2004. There was a state final victory for the Warriors in 2007 and a playoff victory on a final play kick return in 2009. So in recent past there isn't much to be found between these two. Last season the Warriors struggled to just a 3-8 record though against a difficult schedule and lost by just 5 in a road playoff game. So probably a little better than that record would suggest. Of course with it being September 25th and each team's first game its hard to know what we'll see. The Chargers have rarely lost the opener. Dropping consecutive years to Bishop Dunne for the only opening losses since 2003. The Warriors won the last 3 against Chargers but its also been a decade since they met on the field. I think we can anticipate where the author is leaning, but I expect a close finish. Chargers win 28-21.

Frisco Legacy Christian @ Tyler Grace Community -- The Cougars were right with Dallas Christian at the top of District 2 for a number of years. Besting DC on the way to a semifinal appearance in 2010. Since then its been a struggle to get back over the hump and have averaged only 5 wins a year for the last 3 seasons. With TCCH departing the organization it may open a door for the Cougars to get back into a home playoff position. The offense has typically been the banner unit for the Cougars and when they've struggled on that side its been a string of losses. The Eagles came into Division II in 2014 and held leads over every district opponent at some point in each game and went on to win just 1 of the 7 games. They were snake bit that season. Since then its been mostly a struggle for the Eagles in district play. However, last season saw Legacy post an 8-3 campaign that included a 23 point win over Fort Worth Christian and finishing in position to host a playoff game. They did not capitalize on that finish, losing to Brook Hill in round 1. The Cougars have been fast starters, like in last season's opening win over Canton and I think they will be again. Legacy has also won a bunch of early season games in the past few years, but who knows what to expect this year. I'll take Grace at home, 38-26.

Dallas Bishop Dunne @ Grapevine Faith Christian -- The Falcons had big plans for last season and then lost a 12OT game to John Paul II and never recovered, ending the year on a 5 game losing streak. JP2 took that win and made a run to the title game. Bishop Dunne finds themselves in Division II for the first time since TAPPS changed the division names for football. The Lions fell to TCCH in the semifinals and will be thinking this could be a chance for a big run after losing only the mentioned semi and to UIL power Canadian last season. Faith has plenty of players back from that team and figures to be a top choice to win District 1 and they are the last team not named the Tigers to win Division II. The unknowns in District 2 are only stretched by 2020 and the group of DC, Dunne, Grace, and Brook Hill leaves a lot of candidates for the top couple spots. The Falcons should respond to a disappointing season with a good showing in the opener, but I think home team's probably hold too much advantage to start this odd season. Lions win 40-28.
 
Fort Worth Christian @ Bullard Brook Hill -- The Guard had to be thinking they were going to see FWC in the playoffs last year since they figured to be at best 3rd in District 2 behind DC and TCCH. Instead, FWC fell to 3rd after being pushed around by Frisco Legacy. The Cardinals finished just 5-6 and never really punched above their weight. They beat the teams they should and were mostly controlled by teams that were better than them. The Guard will need to be the team that won 8 games and a road playoff game last season. When they got in a big game against DC or TCCH they managed just 10 point in 3 games. Finding that scoring touch would lead to a big early season victory. The Cardinals will quickly see how they fit in Division II this year by opening with Brook Hill and Dallas Christian. I think these defenses will be ahead early in this curious season. Cardinals win on the road, 14-10.

Detroit @ McKinney Christian -- Division II District 2's other team is the Mustangs. Its been an uphill battle for McKinney Christian in Division II after reaching the Division II title game in 2017. Last season's 5-5 record saw the Mustangs shut out in 3 straight games in district play but they did score a handful of dominating victories. The Mustangs should score point against lesser opposition, but they will have to overcome the experience factor in this one as their opponent has already played four times on the season. The good news for MCA is the Eagles are 0-4. With a city name of Detroit to go with a mascot of Eagles is disgraceful. Eagles go to 0-5. Mustangs win 38-14.

Austin Regents @ Austin St. Michael's -- Nothing like starting a season with district play I always say. Actually, I never say that. The Knights continued a steak of 4 straight state final appearances last year. They will not have to see TCCH in the final if they can make it 5. The regular season win streak was broken up last year, but the Knights still posted 11 wins. The Crusaders have moved between Division I and II a couple of times and have been the odd one to have their record get worse in Division II. St. Michael's has won just 10 games in the last 4 seasons including 4 defeats by Regents. The Crusaders have scored just 7 in the last 3 meetings with the Knights. I think road games will be tricky this year, as who knows what locker rooms and other restrictions might look like but its not enough to get the Crusaders over this hump. A 1-0 district play start for Regents, winning 40-10.

Wall @ Midland Christian -- Deep into West Texas we go for the final paragraph of the week as the Mustangs host Wall. MCS will be looking to avenge a 20-14 loss to the Hawks from last season. The only non-district tuneup for the Mustangs presents a unique challenge as not only did Wall run a 10-0 regular season last year, but they've already played 4 games this season. The Hawks are at 3-1 and seem to be on their way to another competitive playoff run. I'm not sure how this one breaks. When MCS has the offense moving they win. They were held to 14 or less in 4 of their 5 losses a season ago. The Mustangs really never get blown out though and they do get a home game here. I think they fall at the end. Hawks win 29-26.

Quick Hits: (Season: 0-0)

Dallas Parish Episcopal over Dallas Bishop Lynch (note this is a non-district game)
Azle over Fort Worth All Saints
Lovejoy over Plano John Paul II
Tomball Concordia Lutheran over Sugar Land Fort Bend Christian
Fort Worth Southwest Christian over Carrollton Prince of Peace
Arlington Grace Prep over Flower Mound Coram Deo
Boerne Geneva over San Antonio Central Catholic
Arlington Pantego Christian over Nocona
Lubbock Christian over Fort Worth Temple Christian
Shiner St. Paul over Tomball Rosehill Christian