The Cooldown: Week Eight
Cover Photo via the Dallas Morning News/ Stewart F. House.
Allen takes down McKinney
Normally Allen beats McKinney isn’t an eyebrow raising statement. Instead, the Eagles made a statement by taking down McKinney 31-7 in what was easily its best game of the season. Allen out-gained McKinney 333-204 and outscored the Lions 28-0 over the final three quarters. Allen and Prosper are the last two remaining undefeated teams in District 5-6A play.
Allen quarterback Brady Bricker completed 10 of his 13 passes for 85 yards in the win. Bricker also made an impact on the ground, gaining 53 yards and scoring a touchdown on 10 carries. Micah Ellis led the rushing attack with 105 yards on 16 carries and Amir McDowell added 73 yards and two scores on 14 carries. Donnell Gee led the receivers with two receptions for 30 yards. Brayden Nelson was perfect on three field goal attempts to add nine points to the Eagles total.
McKinney quarterback Godspower Nwawuihe completed four of his nine passes for 113 yards and the Lions lone touchdown of the night. That pass was more of a handoff to Xavier Filsaime, who took it 69 yards for a touchdown. Nwawuihe led the way on the ground with 42 yards. McKinney struggled to get much going on offense outside of a few chunk plays.
Allen still has to face Prosper on the road in two weeks, and that game should decide which team wins District 5-6A. McKinney (3-1) and Denton Guyer (3-1) are still lurking, and those four teams will be the playoff representatives from District 5-6A. The order of those teams is anyone’s guess, but Allen has a leg up on McKinney after the big win. Check out the Dump on Friday night at midnight and I am sure Professor Diggs will give you his opinion on the playoff seeding in this district.
Argyle defeats Frisco Emerson
Argyle took control of the District 3-5A DII race with a 34-27 win over Frisco Emerson. It was really only a two team race, and the Eagles remaining district games just so happen to come against the bottom three teams in the district standings. It looks as if Argyle will finish the season undefeated in district play after a rough non-district schedule. What is important for both the Eagles and the Mavericks is that each team improves quite a bit as the season progresses. Both teams could make deep playoff runs, but Melissa has looked like the best metroplex area team in 5A DII so far this season.
Argyle quarterback Maguire Gasperson completed 22 of his 35 passes for 314 yards and two total touchdowns. Gasperson had it working with Lane Stewart, who caught eight passes for 152 yards and a touchdown, and Will Krzysiak, who caught seven passes for 100 yards. Jake Krekeler led the rushing attack and finished several drives in the end zone, finishing with 109 yards and three scores on 29 carries.
Frisco Emerson quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. completed 12 of his 20 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown. Hawkins added 79 yards and a score on the ground. Ishaqq Bills carried the ball 12 times for 132 yards and a score, and Kameron Lockhart supplemented the rushing attack with six carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Cameron Newton caught three passes for 63 yards and Kylen Evans finished with three receptions for 43 yards and a score.
Like Argyle, Frisco Emerson finishes the regular season out with manageable games against Lake Dallas and Frisco Independence. The Mavs need to play well in those games and establish a rhythm going into the playoffs.
Forney holds off Lancaster in Overtime
Forney may not win District 7-5A DI, but a second place finish is within reach with a critical game against McKinney North remaining to decide second place. The Jackrabbits beat Lancaster 21-20 in overtime to improve to 3-1 in district play, trailing Longview and McKinney North at 4-0. Lancaster dropped to 1-3 in district play and is currently on the outside of the playoff picture in fifth place. Wins against West Mesquite and North Mesquite over the next two weeks should put the Tigers in a good spot to claim the last playoff spot over a Tyler team that is 2-2 in district play but lost to Lancaster.
Forney jumped out to a 14-7 with around two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Lancaster didn’t answer that score to tie the game until the end of the fourth quarter. A missed extra point in overtime was all that separated a loss and a chance at a second overtime for the Tigers.
Forney quarterback Kyle Crawford completed 10 of his 23 passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Kofi Eduful led the receivers with seven receptions for 76 yards and two scores, including the game winning touchdown reception. Javian Osborne led the rushing attack with 94 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.
Lancaster quarterback Carter Jones completed 24 of his 39 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown. Ti’Erick Martin caught 11 passes for 85 yards and Emmanuel Choice added four receptions for 84 yards and a score. Kewan Lacy had a big game, rushing for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, including the touchdown to force overtime and the Tigers touchdown in the first overtime. Both of these teams are talented, but the slimmest of margins is the difference between 3-1 and 1-3 in district play. That’s how talented this district is. Lancaster will have to rebound while Forney looks ahead to a big game to secure second place in two weeks.
Games to Watch
Thursday, October 19
Lakeview Centennial (4-3) @ Rowlett (3-5)
Lakeview Centennial may have the better record of these two teams, but it’s Rowlett with the better district record. The Eagles (3-3) currently have the advantage on the Patriots (2-3) in district play. That could flip on Thursday night if Lakeview Centennial wins. The winner will stay in contention for the final playoff spot while the loser likely seals its fate. Sachse (5-0), Wylie (4-1), Wylie East (4-1) and Garland (4-2) currently have a hold on the playoff spots in District 9-6A. I’ll take Lakeview Centennial to win this one and keep its playoff dreams alive another week.
Friday, October 20
Denton Guyer (5-2) @ Allen (5-2)
Allen appears to have new life after a big win over McKinney last weekend. Denton Guyer can get back in the mix for the district crown with a win over Allen. The Wildcats lost a heartbreaker to Prosper 31-28 to open its district schedule, but Allen still has to play Prosper. There is still plenty of football left to play, and this should be a great game. I am picking Denton Guyer to upset Allen on the road and leave Prosper as the last remaining undefeated team in District 5-6A.
Lewisville (5-2) @ Flower Mound Marcus (3-4)
Despite the overall records, these two teams are tied for second place in District 6-6A at 3-1. The lone loss for both teams came to district leader Coppell (4-0). The Battle of the Axe is always a fun one, and this one should be no different. I am picking Lewisville to win a close one on the road.
Mansfield (5-2) @ Waxahachie (5-2)
Duncanville and DeSoto rightfully get a lot of the attention in District 11-6A, but check out the standings behind those two teams. Waxahachie and Mansfield are both 2-2, along with Cedar Hill. Two of those three teams will make the playoffs. Waxahachie beat Cedar Hill and the Longhorns beat Mansfield. That tells me to pick Waxahachie in this one. If that happens, Waxahachie and Cedar Hill are likely to round out the playoff picture.
Celina (7-0) @ Dallas Carter (5-2)
Celina gets its first real test of district play with a road trip to Dallas to take on the Carter Cowboys. Celina closes the season with two of its last three games against Carter (2-1) and Frisco Panther Creek (4-0). The Panthers beat Carter 48-27, though that game was closer than the final score suggests. This should be a great game, but I am taking Celina in a one-score thriller.
Frisco Reedy (7-1) @ Frisco (6-1)
Frisco is still undefeated in District 6-5A DI at 5-0, but Raccoons still have Reedy (5-1), Lone Star (5-0) and Lakeland (3-2) left on the schedule. The only other team with a winning district record is Frisco Heritage (4-2), a team Frisco beat 10-7 last weekend. Reedy closes with Frisco and Frisco Heritage. There will be plenty of titanic matchups in this district over the last few weeks, and this is one of them. Give me Frisco Reedy in a close game that will feature more offense than Frisco will be able to keep up with for four quarters.
Offensive Player of the Week
My Offensive Player of the Week is Argyle running back Jake Krekeler! As outlined above, Krekeler’s big night helped Argyle to a 41-34 win over Frisco Emerson to essentially clinch a district championship. Krekeler finished his night with 109 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Defensive Player of the Week
My Defensive Player of the Week is Seagoville defensive back Brycen Lewis! Seagoville’s 34-6 win over Conrad was never exactly in doubt, but Lewis put up some record breaking numbers. Lewis finished with four interceptions, a school record, and eight tackles on defense. He also caught a touchdown pass on offense just for good measure. That is a DPOW worthy performance every time!
Cover Photo of Allen quarterback Brady Bricker courtesy of the Dallas Morning News and Special Contributor Stewart F. House.