The Cooldown- Week Eight

Cover Photo courtesy of the Dallas Morning News and Special Contributor Jason Janik.

Believe it or not- just three weeks remain in the 2024 Texas high school football regular season. As we approach Halloween, certain district matchups become much more critical with playoff spots and seeding on the line. I want to take a moment to give a quick shoutout to South Garland for winning its first district game since 2020 with a 26-21 win over North Garland in week eight. With that being said, let’s recap a few of the key games from week eight.

Prosper takes down McKinney

Prosper opened the season with a loss to a good Austin Westlake squad, but the Eagles have been on a roll ever since. That roll continued last Friday night in a 29-17 win over McKinney in a key district game. The win powered Prosper to a 5-0 District 6-6A record, leaving just Prosper and Allen at the top of the district standings at 5-0. Those two will get together at Allen’s Eagle Stadium this Friday night in a game that should determine a District 6-6A champion. Prosper was able to overcome three turnovers in part to a fantastic defensive performance in which it held McKinney to just 17 yards rushing and kept the Lions offense out of the end zone all night. The two McKinney touchdowns came by way of a Ja’Bree Bickham pick-six and Riley Pettijohn recovered a blocked punt in the end zone.

Prosper quarterback Braeden Imhoff completed 12 of his 24 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. The leading receiver for the Eagles was Lathon Latiolais, who caught four passes for 42 yards and also returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Dallas Boozer caught two passes for 19 yards and caught Imhoff’s lone touchdown pass of the night. Jacob Martinez led the rushing attack with 145 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

McKinney quarterback Jeremiah Daoud completed 15 of his 25 passes for 143 yards. Khristian Mackintrush was his favorite target, catching six passes for 103 yards. As I mentioned, McKinney struggled to get much going on the ground. Layne Brown was the Lions leading rusher, finishing with 18 yards on 14 carries. McKinney is currently 3-2 in District 6-6A and clinging to the last playoff spot in the district. The Lions still have games against McKinney Boyd, Plano East and Prosper Rock Hill, three teams below it in the standings, remaining. McKinney Boyd pretty much eliminated at 1-4, but both Plano East and Prosper Rock Hill are 3-3 in district play. McKinney should be able to take care of all three of those teams and clinch a playoff spot.

Anna takes down Prosper Walnut Grove

Anna beat Prosper Walnut Grove 55-41 in a game that likely only impacts playoff seeding and won’t cause either team to miss the playoffs. It’s looking increasingly likely that Frisco Emerson is the team left out of the dance in District 4-5A D-II. The Mavericks take on Melissa this weekend with one last shot at potentially salvaging a playoff spot. Prosper Walnut Grove (4-1) is still ahead of Anna (3-2) in the district standings, but the Wildcats still have Lovejoy and Melissa on the schedule. Anna should have no problem winning its last three district games and finishing 6-2 in district play.

Anna quarterback Ziondre Williams completed 22 of his 31 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns, and also added 89 yards on 12 attempts on the ground. Edward Chumley led the rushing game with 173 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Michael Kennedy led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown. Zadian Gentry chipped in four receptions for 62 yards while Erik Bowen and Roaen Nylander each caught a touchdown pass.

Prosper Walnut Grove quarterback Hayes Hackney completed 10 of his 19 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver John Hutson finished with 40 yards on three catches, but also threw a 45 yard touchdown pass on a trick play. Luke Watkins led the receiving corps with five receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns while Hayden Cooley added five receptions for 120 yards and a score. Cam Newton led the ground attack with 27 carries for 265 yards and three touchdowns.

Prosper Walnut Grove has a pair of big games remaining on its schedule; two more chances to continue to impress after its 6-1 start to its first ever UIL football season. Anna, on the other hand, is 4-3 but should cruise in its remaining three games to finish 7-3 (6-2) on the season.