Another week is upon us. A few off weeks in the mix as teams either rest in the middle of district play or gear up to start district play. So we get a few different teams in the picks this week with the lighter schedule. Divisions I and II look to be very similar to last year, Division III looks to be wide open, and Division IV always fears Shiner St. Paul. Good luck and safe travels on another week.
This Week: (Season: 26-12)
Fort Worth Christian @ Dallas Christian -- The Chargers and Cardinals renew their long standing rivalry that spans all of the TAPPS era and before. In their last 17 meetings DC won 13, but FWC won the biggest in recent memory with the 2015 state title game. The most recent meeting was a 2019 win by the Chargers, 46-21. This season points to a continuation of the trend, with the Chargers entering at 4-1 and Cardinals struggling at 0-4. It hasn't been a blowout stretch for Fort Worth Christian. The largest loss is a 24 point defeat against ESD when was actually the biggest offensive output of the year for the Cardinals. The Chargers rebounded from their lone loss with a win of Fort Bend Christian last week, 35-13. We probably have to assume that the TCA loss was the outlier for the DC defense. If the defense retains its strong form, its hard to see a Cardinals team that scored 8 against Cypress Christian lighting up the scoreboard on the road. Particularly at home, this matchup favors the Chargers. However, rivalry games is always a chance for an upset. The leaning of the the author tells you where the pick is headed. Chargers defense holds strong and DC wins 29-7.
Brownsboro @ Bullard Brook Hill -- The Guard have established themselves as the possible contender for the District 2 title, and they won't see DC on the field until November. A 4-1 start with a lone loss to Longview Spring Hill by just a field goal points toward that 2nd hosting slot in the playoffs. Interestingly, Brook Hill has played 5 games and just 1 time has either team scored 30 or more. The Guard scored 31 against Frisco Legacy and have held every opponent to 28 or fewer. The Bears are just 1-4 on the season, but enter this week after a 55-41 shootout loss to Rusk. The Guard defense should be able to compete well in this matchup and at home you have to favor Brook Hill. The Bears shouldn't get blown out and that isn't really Brook Hill's style anyway. Guard win 28-14.
Tyler Grace Community @ Beaumont Kelly -- The Cougars started in a bad way with just 14 points scored through 3 weeks. A nice win over Tenaha pointed their arrow up, but losing to then 0-4 Frisco Legacy dashes their hopes a bit. Ultimately it will come down to the games with Brook Hill and McKinney Christian for a spot in the playoffs. The Bulldogs had regained form a bit with 6 and 8 win seasons after losing 18 of 19 in 2 years before. COVID derailed things a bit with just a 1-4 season in 2020. A 3-0 start has become 3-2 after being dominated at Cypress Christian last week. The Cougars offense decides this one for me. The team that scored 36 against Tenaha should be a clear winner. The team that couldn't score early this season probably gets beat. Its a bit a trip for the Cougars, but they seem to have righted their ship a bit. Cougars win 35-21.
Frisco Legacy Christian @ Addison Trinity Christian -- The Trojans have posted 3 huge wins in a row. Cistercian, Dallas Christian, and FW Southwest Christian is a nice trio of wins after doing a lot of losing in 2018 and 2019. After an 0-4 start the Eagles found the win column with a 31-30 victory over Tyler Grace last week. The TCA offense is just too good for this one with 57, 46, and 33 in 3 consecutive weeks. It should continue against the Eagle defense. This space also must pick against teams named the Eagles. TCA wins 42-12.
Little Rock Pulaski Academy @ Argyle Liberty Christian -- The only team in Division I District 1 in action this week is the Warriors. They face an interesting opponent from Arkansas in the Bruins. Pulaski Academy is somewhat legendary for the mindset of never punting, constant onside kicks, and some other different takes on the way we conventionally play football. They've also been very successful doing it. Somebody has scored 60 in every Bruins game this season. Three times it was the Bruins in route to a 3-1 record. The Warriors won their opener, but took 3 losses in the following weeks. Holding DC to 7 gives hope for the Warriors. Allowing 41 to All Saints? Not as much. I think Liberty can stay in this one, but ultimately the Bruins prove too much. Pulaski wins 60-42.
Austin Brentwood Christian @ Brownsville St. Joseph -- Our best mascot matchup of the week sees the Bears travel south (very south) to take on the Bloodhounds. St. Joseph is 2-2 coming off a district opening domination of St. Anthony while Brentwood enters 3-1 with a domination of Hyde Park. These two seem to be likely in the top half of District 3. Everyone is chasing Regents, but there is room for 3 others in the playoffs. The Bears have scored 40 in all 4 games so far and the Bloodhounds have seen a few points allowed in their up and down start. This seems to be primed for an offensive display, so naturally we probably get a 10-7 game but I think they'll light the scoreboard up here. Bears travel south and get a high scoring win, 55-35.
Victoria St. Joseph @ Wallis Brazos -- The Flyers 3-1 start points to a chance to challenge for the top spots in District 4. Notably the chance to avoid Regents in Round 1 and maybe all the way to the semis if you could win the district. Last week's shutout of Bloomington is an encouraging sign for future games at Lutheran South, Second Baptist, and Fort Bend Christian. The Cougars are off to a 1-3 start and coming off a low scoring 13-9 loss to Weimar two weeks ago and then an off week. Brazos is likely better than that record, but the big loss to Bay Area Christian in Week 2 does not bode well. Flyers win 38-21.
Quick Hits: (Season: 36-14)
McKinney Christian over Atlas Rattlers
Austin St. Michael's over Corpus Christi John Paul II
Boerne Geneva over Austin Hyde Park
Houston Lutheran South over Hallettsville Sacred Heart
San Antonio Central Catholic over Houston St. Thomas
Dallas Covenant over Waco Reicher
Arlington Pantego Christian over Dallas First Baptist
Dallas Shelton over Tyler T.K. Gorman
Muenster Sacred Heart over Willow Park Trinity Christian
Houston Kinkaid over Dallas St. Marks
No comments:
Post a Comment