No big shockers in Week 1, but it just takes one surprise result to get everyone going. Some fun "cross-region" meetings on this weeks schedule. Good luck and safe travels.
This Week: (Week 1: 7-0)
Dallas Christian vs. Ouachita Christian (LA) @ Evangel Christian, Shreveport, LA -- The match of state champions between DC and Fort Bend Christian will have to wait for another year after the Chargers edged the Eagles 32-28 in Week 2 before both schools went on to the title. A new opponent for the long history of Charger football actually brings about some nostalgia, but yet another Eagles for the picks. Former coach of both schools, Larry Richmond, will be honored before the game. DC alum, Steven Fitzhugh, coaches the Eagles from Monroe, Louisiana. This should be a great matchup of State Champions. The Chargers won their 10th state title with the TAPPS Division III title last year. The Eagles won their 8th crown a season ago, taking the LHSAA Select Division IV championship. The Chargers opened the season with a dominant 48-0 win over Bishop Dunne. It wasn't a laugher, but it also was never particularly close. The Eagles will pose a tougher test, but this will be their first outing of the season. Ouachita Christian has lost just 5 games in the last 4 seasons. Previous teams suggest both teams will sport great defenses, but shouldn't struggle offensively either. The Eagles allowed more than 20 points just twice in 15 games a season ago. The Chargers allowed more than 20 points three times last year. One of those was just 21 and another was to the Division II state champions, Fort Bend Christian. Expect a tight contest here on the wider NFHS hashes used in the other 49 non-Texas states, but that won't change the loyalties of the author. Chargers win a nail biter, 22-20.
Austin Regents @ Midland
Christian -- The Mustangs made the first of many long trips on their 2022 schedule to Austin where they never found their offensive groove, falling 37-14 to the Knights. It was the start of a rocky 6-5 season for Coach Cunningham's first season in the Permian Basin. The Mustangs did score a playoff victory before a 1-point loss to FWC in Round 2. Expectations are always high for MCS, and they should be a little better positioned this year. This will be a tough home opener though. The Knights opened 2023 with a 45-14 win over San Antonio Central Catholic and will probably be primed for another run at the title. Regents hasn't lost a district game since 2015 and will be favored in that slate again this year. They haven't taken on many road trips like the trek to Midland though. If the MCS offense gets on track in 2023 they will be a factor in late November. Could even see a path where this is a state final preview. Lots of obstacles for both though before that. Based on last year, Regents should still be better however its certainly close and this space favors home teams. Mustangs with a minor upset win by finding their offense. MCS 42-35.
Dallas Bishop Dunne @ Fort Worth Christian -- The Falcons visit the Tarrant County counterparts of last week's opponent, Dallas Christian. A new press box and stand adorn Barrow Field for this Cardinals home opener. Dunne was dominated by DC in Week 1, 48-0. The Cardinals comfortably dispatched Dublin, 36-13, to open the season. A year ago FWC traveled to Bishop Dunne and took a 34-19 triumph. The Cardinals figure to be about the same squad as 2022 while the early indications are the Falcons may have taken a step back from last year's District winning squad. Particularly with the game in North Richland Hills, Cardinals win handily 42-7.
Episcopal School of Dallas @ Argyle Liberty Christian-- The Warriors are an early possibility for the Division II title and dominating Prestonwood in the opener only further cements that status. Just 2 losses in 2022 for Liberty, but one of those was to ESD. The Eagles won a 20-17 game at home last year and started 6-0. After beating Bellaire Episcopal they figured to be in the SPC 4A title game, but after dropping back-to-back games to Kinkaid and St. Johns wound up outside the top 2 and with no shot at the title. Looking ahead to a revenge tour would probably be a bad move for the Eagles though. The Warriors look to be too much at home in 2023. Liberty wins 35-20.
Bellaire
Episcopal @ Dallas Parish Episcopal -- The non-district murders row continues for Parish as the Knights travel north for a rematch of last season. It was a tough 0-1 start for the Panthers as Aledo was too much in a road contest. A late run closed the margin of defeat to 50-35. Never any shame in losing to Aledo, who has won 14 in a row including last year's state title. The Knights beat Livingston 44-21 to open the season 1-0 again. Episcopal was within 7 points of Parish last year, but the game was in Houston. I see the separation being a bit bigger this year with the game on the blue field. Panthers get back to even in 2023, win 38-16.
Houston Second Baptist @ Plano Prestonwood Christian -- The 3rd Eagles of this week's selections opened the first season under Coach Brydon with a 41-0 shutout of St. Pius. With the big win and a looming meeting with Division II champ Fort Bend Christian on the district schedule its all in front of Second Baptist this season. The Lions got off to a poor start in an odd game in Argyle in Week 1. The 48-19 defeat at the hands of Liberty Christian saw a late start due to the heat and power outage delay. The Lions chances never fared well with any of it in the opener. Week 2 at home seems to set up a bit better given the long trip up I-45 for the Eagles. Slowing down the Second Baptist offense has never been easy though. The Lions won a 31-27 in Houston last year, but the Week 1 showing leaves plenty of doubt. Look for a close one here again. Usually think home teams in close ones, so I'll go Prestonwood 33-30.
Wellington @ Lubbock
Christian -- Our 4th Eagles of the week are the defending Division IV champions. Only Weatherford Christian blemished the Eagles in 2022 and they should be a good squad again in 2023. Lubbock Christian christens a new turf field with this year's home opener after a 30-20 victory of Austin Hyde Park. But they really made the picks this week because their opponent is the Skyrockets. Wellington reached the 4th round of the playoffs last year and seem to do that even in the season they don't win 13 games. Its a tough Week 2 game for the Eagles with the Skyrockets looking to avenge a 28-24 home defeat from 2022. Wellington opened the season much more convincingly than last season, 30-0 rather than 8-6. The Eagles were a little less impressive, 30-20 rather than 52-20. The Skyrockets look a little better and this means we'll pick no eagles to win in "This Week." Skyrockets win 28-20.
Quick Hits: (Week 1: 6-4)
The Woodlands John Cooper over Houston Cypress Christian
Bullard Brook Hill over Dallas Life Oak Cliff
Dallas Covenant over Colleyville Covenant Christian
Fort Worth Lake Country Christian over Plano John Paul II
Fort Worth Southwest Christian over Arlington Grace Prep
Fort Worth All Saints over Addison Trinity Christian
Arlington Oakridge over Frisco Legacy Christian
Tyler Grace Community over Wills Point
Lubbock Trinity Christian over Clarendon
Dallas St. Marks over Irving Cistercian
