Week 5 Preview

A Storm Is Brewing

By Chris Boothe
Messenger Sports

A storm is on the horizon, as the second part of the high school football season kicks off this week. Non-district is in the rearview mirror, as area teams navigate directly into the storm that is district play. Every game now has playoff implications, as a loss could be the difference between postseason play and watching from the stands. Here is a quick look at this week’s action.

#9 Grapeland Sandies (3-1, 0-0) vs. Evadale Rebels (3-0, 0-0)
Friday, September 28, 7:00 pm
Sandie Stadium, Grapeland, TX

Last season the Grapeland Sandies and Evadales Rebels met in the Area Championship, in what would become an instant classic. The Sandies and Rebels slugged it out for four quarters, with the difference being a missed field goal as time expired. Now the teams will meet in the district opener, with district title implications.

The Sandies are coming off a nice bounceback win. After falling to Crockett two weeks ago, the Sandies stormed into the win column with a 47-18 win over Normangee. The offense was a blur, and the defense was stifling against the Panthers. Now the Sandies will have a physical Rebel team rolling into town this week.

Evadale has grinded out three straight wins to start the season, with their latest being a 20-12 win over Deweyville. Like last year, the Rebels depend on their ground attack, which is averaging 115 yards per game. Will Farr leads the charge there with 224 yards per game this year. No other player is within 150 yards of Farr, as he seems to be the lone weapon in the Rebels ground attack.

Crockett Bulldogs (3-1, 0-0) vs. Trinity Tigers (1-3, 0-0)
Friday, September 28, 7:30 pm
Monte Jack Driskell Stadium, Crockett, TX

Since their heartbreaking loss to Buffalo to open the season, the Crockett Bulldogs have reeled off three straight wins, with their last being a 42-7 win over Tomball Christian. Now the Bulldogs, full of confidence, will being their run through district play. First up is a longtime rival in the Trinity Tigers.

After three straight losses to start the season, the Trinity Tigers were able to bounce back last week and get their first win of the year. The Tigers took down New Waverly 30-0 to end their skid, and give Trinity a new momentum going into district play. Treylin Goodman, Hunter Smith, and Brayden Greer will lead the charge for the Tigers, and will be key players for the Bulldogs to watch.

#7 Lovelady Lions (3-1, 0-0) vs. Burkeville Mustangs (1-3, 0-0)
Friday, September 28, 7:0 pm
Lion Field, Lovelady, TX

 

The Lovelady Lions are off and running like a well-oiled machine. Since falling to Tenaha, the Lions have responded with back-to-back blowout victories. Last week the Lions trounced Leon by a score of 44-0, and give Lovelady all the momentum needed going into district play.

Burkeville is on the other end of the spectrum. In their three losses, the Mustangs have mustered just six points, while giving up 158 points between Hull Daisetta, Cushing, and Mt. Enterprise. With a depleted roster, depth will also be an issue for the Mustangs, with a limited roster midway through the year.

Elkhart Elks (1-3, 0-0) vs. Westwood Panthers (1-3, 0-0)
Friday, September 28, 7:30 pm
Jerry Ives Memorial Stadium, Elkhart, TX

The Elkhart Elks are 1-0 against Anderson County opponents this year, and can remain perfect on the year with a win over Westwood on Friday night. The longtime, cross-county rivals, will square off in Elkhart, looking to get the inside track on a playoff berth.

After the Elks win over Frankston, Elkhart has dropped each of their last two games, including a 45-25 decision to Sabine a week ago. That said, the Elks still put up good numbers rushing with 169 a game. The Elks have two players with over 200 yards rushing four games in, with senior James McMahan and sophomore RJ Moore leading the charge. Quarterback Landry Mays has also shown the ability to run with 190 yards on the ground.

Westwood is also reeling, coming off a 63-27 loss to undefeated and state ranked West Rusk. While a setback, the Panthers feel good going into the playoffs after a challenging non-district slate. Westwood is opposite of the Elks, using an aerial attack to move the ball. The Panthers are averaging 167 yards per game through the air with quarterback Dalton Brooks slinging the pigskin. It is seniors Darius and Jaren Turner with whom Brooks likes to target. The duo has combined for almost 400 yards and three touchdowns through the air this year.

Palestine Wildcats (1-3, 0-0) vs. Crandall Pirates (3-0, 0-0)
Friday, September 28, 7:30 pm
Pirate Stadium, Crandall, TX

Palestine is the only area team that is yet to start district play. While non-district hasn’t been kind to the Wildcats, Palestine has played one of the toughest schedules in east Texas. That doesn’t change on Friday night when Palestine hits the road to face the Crandall Pirates.

After a heartbreaking 17-14 loss to state ranked Fairfield, the Wildcats look confident they can inch closer to .500 before the start of district play. Already this year Tyler Gray has thrown for 579 yards and six touchdowns, with

Marquis Thompson being the leading receiver. Thompson by far leads the team with 15 catches for 303 yards and three touchdowns.

As for Crandall, the Pirates have been impressive through three weeks of play. The Pirates have outscored their opponents 115-44, including a 40-3 thrashing of North Lamar two weeks ago. Last week the Pirates hit the road and pulled off an impressive 35-21 win over Dallas Carter.

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