The Cooldown: Week Nine
Cover Photo via the Dallas Morning News/ Steve Nurenberg
Halloween is just a week away and the playoff picture is looking scary for some teams in the metroplex. Some districts, such as District 5-6A, have already determined playoff teams and seeding is all that is left to sort out. Other districts races will be decided over the next two weeks. This is when the games matter the most, and there are a few titanic matchups this weekend that will determine district championships. Before we get to that, let’s recap some games from last weekend.
Denton Guyer outlasts Allen
Denton Guyer took down Allen 24-18 on the road to force a three way tie for second place in District 5-6A. The team atop the standings is Prosper at 5-0, the team Allen takes on next week. Prosper closes with games against Allen and McKinney, so the playoff seeding is far from decided.
Denton Guyer quarterback Isaac Harney completed 15 of his 28 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. Josiah Martin received the majority of the attention at receiver, catching eight passes for 168 yards and two scores. The other Denton Guyer touchdown came courtesy of Eli Bowen on a kickoff return following an Allen field goal in the fourth quarter. Ahmed Yussuf led all Wildcat rushers with 11 yards as Denton Guyer struggled to get anything going on the ground.
Allen quarterback Brady Bricker completed 16 of his 32 passes for 180 yards. Micah Ellis led the ground attack with 93 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Amir McDowell added 34 yards and a score on the ground as Allen scored all 18 of its points in the second half. Gavin Atkins led the receivers with three receptions for 57 yards and Messiah Washington caught a 45-yard pass as well.
Allen was driving late, down just six points and needing a touchdown and an extra point to win the game. That drive ended when Bricker targeted a receiver who sat down in space. What Bricker didn’t see was Jayden Collins jumping the route and an interception ended Allen’s shot at pulling off the come-from-behind win.
Lake Dallas defeats Frisco Emerson
Lake Dallas rallied to defeat Frisco Emerson 36-35 in the fourth quarter. The Falcons outscored Frisco Emerson 19-7 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback. Lake Dallas is now tied with Denton for second place in District 3-5A DII behind undefeated Argyle and ahead of 3-2 Frisco Emerson.
Lake Dallas quarterback Cade Bortnem completed 17 of his 30 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns. Bortnem also added 49 yards and a score on the ground. Keonde Henry caught seven passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score, to lead the receivers. Sam McAfee added five receptions for 42 yards and a score. Dylan Brauchle led the ground attack, gaining 83 yards on 25 carries.
Frisco Emerson quarterback Michael Hawkins completed six of his 12 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Ishaqq Bills and Kelton Wafer each caught 52 yard touchdown passes and Matheus Machado caught three passes for 48 yards and a score. Bills led the way on the ground with 75 yards on 13 carries. Kameron Lockhart added seven carries for 43 yards and two scores.
The playoff picture is all but set in District 3-5A DII, with the likely order being Argyle, Lake Dallas, Frisco Emerson and Denton.
Trinity takes down Crowley
Remember the rough start Trinity got off to in non-district play? The Trojans have improved as much as any team over the course of this season. Trinity is now 5-3 (4-1) and in control of second place in District 3-6A. The Trojans took down Crowley 77-34 despite the score being just 7-7 after the first quarter.
Trinity quarterback TJ Tupou completed six of his seven passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns. Jarvis Heimuli led the receivers with two receptions for 115 yards and two scores. Ethan Wright caught two passes for 33 yards and the other touchdown reception. JT Harris had a big second half, carrying the ball six times for 219 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Bell added 18 carries for 166 yards and two scores. Wright, Buddy Leota and Oliver Barnhill all added a rushing touchdown of their own to run the Trinity total to 11 trips to the end zone in one game.
Crowley quarterback Caleb Williams completed 36 of his 50 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns. Williams also led the rushing attack with 11 carries for 51 yards. Antayvious Ellis led the receivers with four receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Derrick Tasby added eight receptions for 109 yards and a score. Jacque Overton added four receptions for 41 yards and a score.
Trinity and Crowley are tied for second place in District 3-6A at 4-1, but Trinity now holds the tiebreaker and Crowley still has North Crowley on its schedule. North Crowley leads the district at 5-0 and beat Trinity 53-31 back in September.
Games to Watch
Thursday, October 26
Frisco (6-2) @ Frisco Lone Star (7-1)
Frisco Lone Star is the last remaining undefeated team in District 6-5A DI at 6-0. Frisco is 6-1 and took its first loss in district play last weekend in a 45-3 loss to Frisco Reedy. The Raccoons district schedule is backloaded with Heritage, Reedy, Lone Star and Wakeland to close the season. Frisco is 1-1 halfway through that gauntlet, but I think Lone Star cruises to a win in this one.
Arlington Lamar (3-5) @ Arlington Bowie (6-2)
Arlington Bowie is the District 8-6A co-leader at 4-0 while Arlington Lamar is clinging to playoff hopes at 2-2. Bowie is coming off close wins over Arlington and South Grand Prairie, but closes the district schedule with Lamar and co-leader Arlington Martin. Lamar could use a win this week with South Grand Prairie still on the schedule. I’m going with Arlington Bowie in a close one.
Friday, October 27
Duncanville (7-0) @ DeSoto (7-0)
The two 2022 6A State Champions go head-to-head in district play. Fans around the metroplex have waited all season to see these two teams square off, and the game is finally here. Duncanville and DeSoto have looked like the only two truly dominate teams in the metroplex at the 6A level this season, at least in my estimation. I can’t wait to see how this one plays out, but I can’t pick against that dynamic Duncanville offense. Give me the Panthers.
Southlake Carroll (8-0) @ Byron Nelson (8-0)
If you live on the Fort Worth side of the metroplex and can’t make it to DeSoto by kickoff on Friday night, consider going to this game instead. These two teams aren’t quite as good as Duncanville and DeSoto, but these teams are close to the next best two teams in the metroplex. Added benefit: there is a Buccee’s right down the road from the stadium, if you’re into that kind of thing. Byron Nelson and Southlake Carroll have dominated District 4-6A, but I can’t pick against the Dragons in this de-facto district title game.
Allen (5-3) @ Prosper (7-1)
Allen has road a bit of a rollercoaster the last two weeks with a big win at McKinney and a close loss to Denton Guyer. Now the Eagles get Prosper on the road. Prosper is 5-0 in District 5-6A with a win over Denton Guyer, but has yet to play Allen and McKinney. This should be a good game, but I am taking Prosper in a close one.
McKinney (7-1) @ Denton Guyer (6-2)
Speaking of McKinney and Denton Guyer, those teams also square off on Friday night. The Lions survived a scare from Prosper Rock Hill last weekend and need to find something on offense against the Wildcats. Denton Guyer hasn’t lost a game since a 31-28 heartbreaker to Prosper in the district opener. These teams seem to be evenly matched, but Denton Guyer has played better football as of late. I will take the Wildcats in this one.
Frisco Heritage (6-2) @ Frisco Reedy (8-1)
This is the regular season finale and the final tune up before the playoffs for Frisco Reedy. Frisco Heritage needs a win as it fights with Frisco Wakeland (4-2) and Frisco (5-1) for the final two playoff spots in District 6-5A DI. Frisco Reedy has been rolling ever since a district opening loss to Frisco Lone Star, so I am taking the Lions big over Frisco Heritage.
Offensive Player of the Week
My Offensive Player of the Week is Denton Guyer receiver Josiah Martin! Denton Guyer’s big win over Allen was due in large part to Martin’s performance! He finished with eight receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns, which accounted for 74% of all the yards the Wildcats accumulated against the Allen defense! Denton Guyer QB Isaac Harney would be smart to find Martin early and often this weekend against a tough McKinney defense.
Defensive Player of the Week
My Defensive Player of the Week is Lewisville defensive back Tony-Louis Nkuba! Lewisville beat Flower Mound Marcus in the Battle of the Axe 14-3! Nkuba finished with 12 tackles, a tackle-for-loss, two pass breakups, a sack and a forced fumble in the win! Holding a team to three points is never easy, but it certainly helps to have a talent like Nkuba to suffocate an opposing offense.
Cover Photo of Denton Guyer receivers Josiah Martin and Corbin Glasco courtesy of the Dallas Morning News and Special Contributor Steve Nurenberg.