Week Five Preview

District Play Begins

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

EAST TEXAS – It’s hard to believe, but district play begins this Friday for the area teams as each game takes on a little more importance. The jockeying for the playoffs begins now. You can throw out the records as each team begins with a 0-0 mark.

Grapeland Sandies (3-1, 0-0) vs. Evadale Rebels (2-1, 0-0) – The Sandies hit the road for the first time in two weeks as they travel to Evadale to take on the Rebels. Grapeland is coming off of a 32-21 win over a good Normangee Panthers team.

The Sandies were without BJ Lamb at quarterback but Deco Bryant and Cooper Ward filled in nicely. This week, Grapeland will have Lamb back at his QB position and head into the game fairly healthy.

Cadarian Wiley showed what he could do when the Sandies went to the ground and had a big night as he picked up 236 yards on 22 carries and added two TDs.

Evadale, on the other hand, is coming off of a 54-6 beat-down at the hands of Lumberton. The Rebels have a dynamic running back in Will Farr and if the Sandies want to open the district season with a win, they will need to keep Farr in check.

Crockett Bulldogs (2-1, 0-0) vs. Trinity Tigers (0-4, 0-0) – The Crockett Bulldogs are coming off of a bye week  and will be well-rested by the time they take the field against the Trinity Tigers on Friday.

 Jordan Bedford is playing well at the QB position and has found Shannon Bacon, Cristian Brice and Allen Horace on a consistent basis. Joseph Porter and Demuntreon Bedford have provided a solid 1-2 punch in the running game.

To say the Tigers are having a bad year is an understatement. Trinity has started the season 0-4. Two of their losses have come at the hands of Class 2A schools with Groveton blowing out Trinity, 56-14.

If the Bulldogs can avoid turnovers and play their game, this should be an easy win for Crockett to open up District 11-3A DI.

Lovelady Lions (1-3, 0-0) vs. Burkeville Mustangs (1-3, 0-0) – The Lovelady Lions finally picked up their first win of the season last week as they pulled away from the Leon Cougars to win by a final score of 51-30.   

If the Lions keep on clicking like they did in the second half of their win against Leon they should have an easy time against Burkeville. The Mustangs are simply not that good. Their lone victory came over the San Augustine JV.

The game is scheduled for a Thursday, Sept. 26 kickoff at 7 pm.

Elkhart Elks (3-1, 0-0) vs. Westwood Panthers (1-3, 0-0) – The Elks are coming off their first loss of the season and just couldn’t seem to find a rhythm against the Sabine Cardinals.

QB Cade Starr needs to connect with TE KY Thomas and WR Messiah BIrdow which would soften up the defense for RB RJ Moore.

The Panthers were on the wrong end of a 62-36 loss to West Rusk and need to make some drastic improvements if they hope to compete against the Elks.

Westwood can put up some points, but it probably won’t be enough against the resurgent Elks.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].

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