We near the end of our regular season journey with just 2 weeks to play. The nature of the TAPPS playoffs these days removes some intrigue as most of the qualifiers are already pretty evident. Nolan's forfeits change things a bit, combined with the messed up bracket in Division I and 5th might be the best place to finish in District 1. Will this week feature the big upset or will it have to wait for the playoffs?
This Week: (Season: 48-20)
Tyler Grace Community @ Bullard Brook Hill -- The Guard returned to field after 2 weeks away and secured a 56-35 victory over McKinney Christian. The Brook Hill defense has been the strong unit all year, and them in position to get the 2nd seed in District 2. Last week's performance not being the ideal way to head into the key district games. The Cougars have struggled all season to a 1-7 mark. However, as I said last week its still in all in front of them. A win here could set up a 3-way tie scenario with each of Brook Hill, Grace, and McKinney Christian at 2 losses. I assume Brook Hill would not be put behind them just because Bishop Dunne couldn't play. The offensive struggles leave a lot of doubt about if the Cougars and spring the road upset. Will the Guard be looking ahead to Dallas Christian next week and a shot at the district title? With two teams familiar with each other, don't expect a blowout. The Guard and better and at home though. Brook Hill wins 28-14.
Dallas Bishop Dunne @ McKinney Christian -- The Falcons returned to the field in a non-district game after 2 cancellations, falling 22-7 to DasCHE. The 4-3 mark for the Bishop Dunne is an improvement over last year where they lost all 4 games they played and fail to score on the season. The Mustangs continue to improve in Division II and still have a path to finishing in the top 2 in District 2. The record is just 3-5 this season, with the struggles coming on defense. 120 points allowed in 2 weeks against the top of the district. The return to the lesser district opponents should do the Mustangs well. It should be a better contest than last year's 56-0 Mustang blowout, but MCA is still the favorite here and should slide into at least 3rd in District 2. Mustangs win 44-20.
Fort Worth Christian @ Flower Mound Coram Deo -- The Cardinals have had a miserable 1-7 campaign, but just need 2 wins in the last two weeks to host the 1st round of the playoffs. While Tyler Grace has not looked very dangerous en route to 1-7, FWC is the opposite. Just a 2 point loss to Brook Hill and a 10 point defeat at DC, point to a record that is worse than the quality of the Cardinals. In the first big district test last week, the Cardinals struggled to just 7 points and a tidy 29 point loss to Southwest Christian. The Lions are 5-3 on the season, but the loss to Bishop Dunne doesn't send a lot of confidence into their chances this week. They did take down McKinney Christian and have shown some offensive firepower, posting 64, 55, and 49, in 3 games this season. They also scored just 6 against Grapevine Faith. Last season saw FWC win 48-33. All signs point to a high scoring game and with a narrow path to 2nd still there for both teams a highly competitive contest. Even at 1-7, I think FWC is better but this is close to the end. Cardinals win on the road, 45-44.
Fort Worth Nolan @ Dallas Parish Episcopal -- The Panthers and Vikings figured to settle District 1 in this one, but the Nolan forfeits changed that. The Vikings can still get into the home game mix with a couple of wins. They need at least one to be safely in the playoffs, and honestly 5th and 6th may have slightly easier paths in the playoffs than 3rd and 4th. The Panthers have won the last 2 state titles and all signs point in their direction so far this year. Both teams have been dominant in the district slate so far with Nolan holding two different teams to just 2 points. With far and away the best teams on the field this season in District 1 this should be a good one. I think the Panthers offense is just too much, particularly at home on the blue turf. Parish wins 33-28.
Plano Prestonwood Christian @ Midland Christian -- The Lions head west trying to cement a spot in the home game or bye half of the district standings. The Mustangs have a leg up with the forfeit win over Nolan and a home game in the Permian Basin gives theme a great chance. Strange as it is, these two didn't actually play in 2020. Given the distances there isn't a ton of great comparison points. Both squads have been strong defensively this season. MCS limited Parish to just 28. Prestonwood held All Saints to 14. There is plenty of reasons to like both teams, so lean toward the home team. Mustangs win 27-22.
Argyle Liberty Christian @ Dallas Bishop Lynch -- Its a battle of two teams that haven't been able to find the needed district wins this season. The pathway to 6th place goes through this game between two teams with just 4 wins combined (and one of those was a forfeit win). Despite being 1-7, the Warriors can get two wins to close the season and make the playoffs. 6th place in District 1 stands a great chance against District 2 3rd place in round 1 as well. Coach Witten needs to figure out how to get offense and defense in the same game. Two of their best defensive outings, against DC and Prestonwood, saw the offense score just 6. 24 points against All Saints, 20 points at Midland, and the Warriors couldn't keep the opposition under 40. The Friars have 3 technical wins on the year, but just 2 on the field. They've lost big and close, but they've allowed a lot of points on the season. 5 of 8 opponents scored 38 or more. Both teams need the win and probably a close matchup. Lean home team in that case. Friars win 28-21.
Sugar Land Fort Bend Christian @ Houston Lutheran South -- The Eagles have seen the bottom of District 4 so far and boatraced them all, scoring 169 points en route to a 3-0 district mark. That leaves the frequent top 2 in recent years of Lutheran South and Second Baptist to play. The Eagles offense should have them in this to the end. The Pioneers have the better record coming in at 6-2, but struggled at Victoria St. Joseph before being blown out by Second Baptist. The best opponents have scored plenty against LSA this season, and that points to a great chance for the Eagles. I do not think the Pioneer defense is up to this task, but they should keep it close on offense. Eagles inch by, 42-40.
Lubbock Trinity Christian @ Fort Worth Lake Country Christian -- Another Eagles sees the relative newcomers from Lubbock visit this week. Lake Country is 4-4 this year, but has flown by many district mates. Holding their first 3 October opponents to just 14 points combined. Colleyville Covenant did score 28 last week, but still a good outing for the Eagles. The Lions offense scored 36 against a Colleyville Covenant squad that held Lake Country off the scoreboard completely. The road trip makes me worry for Trinity, but I think the offense should hold. The wind could make things interesting this week, but being from Lubbock should leave them well acquainted with the weather. Lions win 35-21.
Quick Hits: (Season: 70-20)
Fort Worth Southwest Christian over Cedar Hill Newman International
Grapevine Faith Christian over Frisco Legacy Christian
Austin Brentwood Christian over Boerne Geneva
The Woodlands Christian over Victoria St. Joseph
Fort Worth All Saints over Plano John Paul II
San Antonio Antonian over Tomball Concordia Lutheran
Houston St. Pius X over San Antonio Christian
Addison Trinity Christian over Houston The Village
Houston St. John's over Houston Kinkaid
Episcopal School of Dallas over Dallas St. Mark's
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