Week 2 Picks 2021

Week 1 went about as well as we can expect given the times. A few common opponents already to try and get a feel for how November and December will look. Bishop Sycamore will not be featured in the picks this week. Though my standards are pretty low for inclusion, I might recommend the TCAL consider severing that membership. Stay cool out there for a hot Week 2. 

This Week: (Season: 6-2)

Houston St. Pius X @ Dallas Christian -- The Chargers start the season with a 2nd home game against a Division I foe. Last week Bishop Lynch had a 14-6 late into the 1st half before DC tied it just before half and then leaned on the Friars in the 2nd half, in route to a 42-14 victory. Penalties would have been the story if DC had not produced a better 2nd half. I suppose a bit of sloppiness can be forgiven in Week 1. The Panthers dominated Lutheran North last week to open their 2021 campaign. Not sure we can draw many conclusions from that one. Last season ended in a home playoff loss for St. Pius, falling 64-28 to Midland Christian. A 4-4 season a year ago makes us think the Panthers are ahead of Bishop Lynch this season and shouldn't be quite so pushed around by the Chargers. The trip north to the always interesting confines of Wheeler Field present a unique challenge for the Panthers. If the St. Pius can force the turnovers and penalties that Bishop Lynch did they should be in this game to the end. I'm not going to change my usual procedure for these picks, but I think this one is close into the 4th. Chargers win 35-25.

Argyle Liberty Christian @ Frisco Legacy Christian -- The Jason Witten era begins at Liberty Christian. With his kids already in school there, I'm sure he'll learn to dislike Midland Christian quick enough. The Warriors did not play last week, instead scheduling Pulaski Academy from Arkansas into the district bye week to reach 10 games. Last season Liberty finished just 2-7, but did win a playoff game and did not go easily in the regional round. The Eagles (always another Eagles) started the season getting blown out by Prestonwood, 56-10. Last year Legacy went just 3-6, though did soundly defeat semifinalist Southwest Christian. The challenge for Legacy in Division II has been scoring. Frequently they've been in games before a couple of quick turnovers or special teams miscues have put the number out of reach. A year ago I think Liberty is the better team, but not by a large margin. Both took similar defeats at DC for example. Not much to go on for this year, but I think the larger squad in Liberty is the way to go here. Warriors win 30-14.

Bullard Brook Hill @ Longview Spring Hill -- The Guard were supposed to travel to Garrison, but COVID strikes again. So this game was assembled this week on short notice. Brook Hill opened the season with a 26-3 victory over Wills Point. The strong defense of the Guard has served them well over the years, and this year appears similar. They won 4 of their first 5 last year before limping home at just 4-3, losing to Grapevine Faith in the playoffs just 14-7. The Panthers come into this one having lost the opener to Sabine. Spring Hill finished just 5-6 with a couple of COVID forfeits in there too. Falling in the playoffs to the Mexia Black Cats (had to work them in). I think these two should be pretty even, so we'll take the home team. Spring Hill wins 24-10.

West @ Tyler Grace Community -- The Cougars traveled to Austin to take on defending champion Regents, and took a big loss. Things do not get any easier with a Trojans team that went 9-3 last year and dominated Lexington in Week 1 to avenge one of those losses from 2020. The Cougars offense has been the strength for many seasons. With just last week's blowout to look at its hard to know if that will still be the case. This is a big ask for Grace, but they do get the game at home. Trojans win 38-21.

Fort Worth Christian @ Dallas Bishop Lynch -- The Friars return home after last week's short trip to Mesquite. Bishop Lynch hasn't won a game since 2019, a playoff win over All Saints. With a 14-14 tie at the half, it seemed like the Friars had a chance at a road win, but really struggled in the 2nd half that went 28-0. The Cardinals went to Houston and took a 23-8 loss to Cypress Christian to open the season. I do not think either has enough points in their opener to win this one. I think the Friars offense has enough to produce a win here and just 8 points in the opener concerns me here. Friars win 31-20.

El Paso Franklin @ Midland Christian -- The Mustangs opened the season with the always tricky 4:00 game in El Paso. They passed the test with flying colors, winning 42-7. The Cougars enter from a loss to Cleveland, NM, 35-32. I'm not sure there is much we can do in picking this one. The Mustangs are a strong side this year and historically El Paso schools have struggled. Eastwood did defeat Americas last year and so should be just a bit closer this week, but it seems like to big a mountain to climb. Always go with home teams where you can. Mustangs win 35-10.

Cedar Hill Newman International vs. Dallas First Baptist Academy @ Dallas Christian -- Play your game at Dallas Christian and you make the picks. The Saints dominated Inspired Vision last week, 49-0. This will be there "home" opener and with new turf being installed at the Saints Athletic Complex they will travel to DC to host this one. The Warriors won their opener in a real shootout, 48-42 over Life Oak Cliff. Newman last scored a win over a TAPPS opponent in Week 1 of 2019, besting Prince of Peace by a point. They were very competitive with Dallas Covenant last year as part of a 4-4 season in the TCAL and shouldn't be a pushover here by any means. Saints win at "home" 42-28.

Victoria St. Joseph @ Karnes City -- The Flyers know how to get in the picks, but having interesting mascots and scheduling interesting mascots as opponents. The Flyers travel up US 181 to take on the Badgers (had to look up both the highway and mascot). The Badgers took an 18-13 loss in Week 1 against Kenedy while St. Joseph will open their 2021 season. The Flyers posted a 3-4 season last year, but defeated Brentwood in the playoffs. Things have been looking better on the coast after some tough seasons. Karnes City posted a 4-6 season last year and struggled to keep teams out of the endzone. I think this one should see lots of points. We like home teams and fun mascots, so Badgers win 44-35. 

Quick Hits: (Season: 5-5)

Austin Brentwood Christian over McKinney Christian
Grapevine Faith Christian over Dallas Inspired Vision
Houston St. Thomas over Plano John Paul II
Colleyville Covenant over Arlington Oakridge
Austin Regents over Pflugerville Connaly
Fort Worth Southwest Christian over Fort Worth Country Day
Arlington Grace Prep over Flower Mound Coram Deo
Shiner St. Paul over Houston Cypress Christian
Episcopal School of Dallas over Addison Trinity Christian
Houston Second Baptist over Houston Christian