4A Region II Bi-District Insider

TOC Playoff Insider Week 1 Class 4A Region II

DIVISION 1

Frisco Wakeland (8-2) vs. Wylie (7-3) Friday 7:00pm Poe Stadium, McKinney: There aren't many teams playing as well as Wylie as of late. The Pirates have won four of their last five games with the one loss a three point defeat against Highland Park. QB Nicholas Ramirez has been a huge part of the Wylie late season surge and the Wylie offense will need to throw up points against a very good Wakeland offense. QB Tyler Kirkindoll who threw five touchdown passes last week will be heavily counted on in this one. On paper, Wylie appears to have more balance and with 5A numbers in their junior and senior class they'll have a depth advantage. Matt's Pick: Wylie by 12

Dallas Kimball (8-2) vs. Dallas Wilson (8-2) Thursday 7:30pm Forrester Field, Dallas: This may be the most intriguing of the four DISD bi-district matchups. Kimball is a team built around their offense, sophomore QB Traevon Thibedeaux has been outstanding but if the Knights can get consistency from their ground game they'll be tough to beat. Woodrow got off to a strong start to the season, but lost back to back games in district play before rattling off four straight wins to close the season. The Wildcats rely on a strong ground game led by Carl Harris who is one of the more underrated backs in DFW, on defense everything revolves around LB Chad Polk. The x factor is the Woodrow coaching staff which is one of the best in DISD. I think that propels the Wildcats to the area playoffs. Matt's Pick: Dallas Wilson by 6

Sherman (9-1) vs. Marshall (6-4) Friday 7:30pm Memorial Stadium, Mesquite: It's been a banner season for Sherman under second year HC Gary Joe Kinne. The Bearcats have one of the top offensive units in the state led by senior QB Thor Long and senior RB Zach Whitfield. If there's one hole for Sherman its depth, especially on the defensive side of the ball and that depth could get tested if the playoff run is lengthy. The Mavericks boast a speedy offensive attack and they'll throw several running backs at Sherman. When MHS wants to throw the football they'll look to WR Daveon Williams. I look for Marshall to keep up with Sherman early, but the Bearcats offense will simply wear the Mavs down in the second half. Matt's Pick: Sherman by 17

West Mesquite (8-2) vs. Pflugerville Hendrickson (5-5) Thursday 7:00pm Waco ISD Stadium, Waco: This will be a very interesting bi-district matchup. Obviously there is very little familiarity between the two teams so it adds to the intrigue. West Mesquite is paced by a strong aerial attack led by TCU commit Trevone Boykin who has not only thrown for 21 touchdowns, but he's also run for 21 touchdowns. Hendrickson relies on a physical ground game paced by Texas Tech commit Kenny Williams. The Hawks defense has some holes so look for Hendrickson to slow the game down and play keep away from the Wranglers offense. I think that game plan keeps the game close, but in the end West Mesquite is just too powerful on the offensive side of the ball. Matt's Pick: West Mesquite by 10

Carrollton Smith (5-5) vs. Rockwall (6-4) Friday 7:30pm Pizza Hut Park, Frisco: After a dream season in 2009 for Newman Smith the Trojans have had a nightmare in 2010. Yet this difficult season has shown just how far their program has come as even in a rough season Newman Smith has managed to advance to the playoffs. Injuries and grades have been the main culprits for NSHS but do not count them out in this game, they've got young talent with plenty of big play ability and they'll test Rockwall's defense. Speaking of tests, Rockwall has gone to an air oriented attack since the injury to their leading rusher and its' paid off with Alan Reed putting up some big time numbers. However, last week Rockwall showed they can still have some balance in their 42-35 win over Richardson Pearce. Reed ran for 97 yards and RB Alex Ntchobo put up 109 yards rushing and a touchdown. If Rockwall can even sniff that kind of balance they should advance to the area playoffs. Matt's Pick: Rockwall by 9

Dallas Carter (5-5) vs. Dallas Conrad (7-3) Friday 7:30pm Forrester Field, Dallas: After getting off to an extremely slow start, Carter went on a tear to end the season winning their last four games. The winning streak got started with a dominating defensive performance in their win over arch rival Kimball. In the last four games the Cowboys have allowed a total of 17 points. Conrad dropped their regular season finale two weeks ago to Hillcrest, but with two weeks to prepare for this matchup I look for Conrad to throw a few wrinkles at the Carter defense. Skill position wise the teams are evenly matched, in fact I might give the slight edge to Conrad but Carter's depth on the offensive and defensive lines makes the difference in this matchup. Matt's Pick: Dallas Carter by 12

Texarkana Texas (6-4) vs. Tyler John Tyler (9-1) Friday 7:30pm Grimm Stadium, Texarkana: One of the more puzzling teams to get a read on this year has been Texas High, this is a team that on paper looks outstanding and without question passes the eyeball test. However, the Tigers have struggled on the defensive side of the ball and its been their undoing in several games. John Tyler has been one of the top 4A teams in the state despite being one of the youngest teams in the state at the same time. A pair of TCU commits led the way for JT, on offense versatile David Bush leads the way while Chris Hackett leads the secondary which has the majority of the team's senior leadership. With the game being in Texarkana it gives Texas High a chance, but they've been so inconsistent I just don't see them finding a way to get the win. Matt's Pick: Tyler John Tyler by 14

Lancaster (7-3) vs. Pflugerville Connally (9-1) Saturday 1:30pm Waco ISD Stadium, Waco:Despite going 9-1 Connally hasn't exactly been a headline grabbing team in the Austin area, but the Cougars have plenty of talent and have experienced plenty of success at the 4A level . In last week's 42-7 win over Manor Kenny Defee was the key cog with 139 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. You won't run into many teams quite as talented as Lancaster and it starts with freshman QB Nick Harvey who since taking over behind center has been the leader of the offense. Although Lancaster doesn't throw it much, when they do throw the football Cedric Gilbert will be one of the top targets. On defense LB Trey Brown is the top playmaker, but LHS has a talented secondary as well. I look for an entertaining game as there will be a ton of athletes on the field. Matt's Pick: Lancaster by 3

DIVISION 2

Frisco Liberty (10-0) vs. Richardson Pearce (4-6) Friday 7:30pm Kimbrough Stadium, Murphy: The Liberty Redhawks blitzed through the regular season with undefeated record with their closest game being a 28-19 win over Newman Smith in Week 3. Boise State commit RB Jay Ajayi has had a breakout season rushing for 1638 yards and 28 touchdowns in just nine games. He battled an ankle injury late in the season, but after two weeks of rest he should be near 100%. Richardson Pearce as always has been very good on the offensive side of the ball, but the Mustangs have had issues on the defensive side of the ball. Speedy junior RB Corey Coleman is a versatile offensive weapon for the Mustangs and will need to be accounted for by the Liberty defense. Matt's Pick: Frisco Liberty by 19

Dallas South Oak Cliff (9-1) vs. Dallas Lincoln (4-6) Thursday 7:00pm Kincaide Stadium, Dallas: The Golden Bears offense broke out in a big way last week in a 48-24 win over North Dallas accounting for nearly 500 yards of offense in the win. QB Semaj Riley who is an outstanding dual threat leads the offense, but the young SOC defense will be key for a playoff push. Dallas Lincoln despite having some excellent defensive talent has struggled in a 4-6 campaign. A lack of consistency on the offensive side of the football has been the major struggle for the Tigers. I think Lincoln will come out with a good effort and their defense matches up well with the Golden Bears, but SOC looks to be one of the top 4A outfits in DISD and I expect them to pull away in the third quarter. Matt's Pick: Dallas South Oak Cliff by 21

Sulphur Springs (8-2) vs. Jacksonville (7-3) Thursday 7:00pm Rose Stadium, Tyler: One of the better Thursday games in the state will be out in East Texas. Both Sulphur and Jacksonville feature potent high powered offenses, but both teams also have issues on the defensive side of the ball. QB Justin Owens led the way for the Wildcats throwing for 205 yards and 3 touchdowns as SSHS knocked off Royse City 56-22. Jacksonville, made famous by their twelve overtime win in Week 9 against Nacogdoches is led by QB Ryan Black. Last week the Indians played John Tyler close for three quarters but allowed twenty points in the fourth quarter losing 34-14. I expect a high scoring game, but Sulphur Springs has a few more weapons. If you want an entertaining game, this will be it. Matt's Pick: Sulphur Springs by 7

Corsicana (7-3) vs. Bastrop (7-3) Thursday 7:00pm Panther Stadium, Hewitt: One of the hottest teams in the state right now is without question Corsicana. The Tigers have won six straight games and the key has been the balance they've displayed on the offensive side of the football. Thomas McDonald has played both QB and WR and when he's at QB he gives the Tigers a dynamic 1-2 punch in the backfield with consistent RB Cameron Washington. Bastrop had high expectations heading into the season after winning a district championship in Class 5A last year. The Bears are led by dynamic QB Josiah Monroe, but their ground defense has left a lot to be desired and Corsicana should be able to grind out a bi-district win. Matt's Pick: Corsicana by 9

Highland Park (10-0) vs. Frisco Centennial (6-4) Friday 7:30pm Standridge Stadium, Carrollton: It hasn't been a vintage season for Highland Park, but despite some close calls and rotating QBs the Scots still managed to go 10-0 and they seem to have hit their stride as the season came to a close. QB Jake Howeth is the Scots main rushing threat from behind center and I would expect in certain situations he moves to the defensive backfield, where he was a star a year ago. When the Scots need to throw the football they'll put junior QB Brady Burgin into the game and as his playing time has increased the Scots offense has improved. QB Nick Foster has been sensational for Centennial this year throwing 26 touchdown passes against just four interceptions. He'll need a monster game for the Titans to keep this one interesting. Matt's Pick: Highland Park by 27

Dallas Hillcrest (7-2) vs. Seagoville (6-4) Friday 7:30pm Kincaide Stadium, Dallas: Hillcrest has been one of area's biggest surprises rebounding from a 1-9 season last year to finish 7-2 and win the District 12-4A championship. The Panthers have gotten it done with an opportunistic defense that has the ability to not only generate stops, but also score points on their own. Seagoville relies on their stable of running backs to generate offense and grind out yards. Keep an eye on SHS TE Andrew Peterson who is starting to pop up on the recruiters radars. I like Seagoville's skill talent and since they don't throw the ball much, Hillcrest's outstanding secondary won't be as much of a factor. Matt's Pick: Seagoville by 13

Whitehouse (8-2) vs. Royse City (3-7) Friday 7:30pm Eagle Stadium, Lindale: Royse City won three of their last four games on their way to securing a playoff spot, but the Bulldogs will have their hands full containing record setting WR Trey Metoyer of Whitehouse. The Wildcats offense is led by junior QB Hunter Taylor and aside from Metoyer he's got several other serviceable receivers who benefit from all the attention Metoyer draws. Look for Whitehouse to jump out early on the Bulldogs and cruise as I don't think Royse City will have any answers for the Whitehouse offensive attack. Matt's Pick: Whitehouse by 21

Hutto (9-1) vs. Mesquite Poteet (8-2) Saturday 1:00pm Panther Stadium, Hewitt: These two teams have a ton of similarities heading into this matchup. Hutto has been the most consistent 4A team in the Austin area in 2010, this side of Cedar Park and Lake Travis. Mesquite Poteet is another surprise team in Region 2 as after two very difficult seasons first year HC Randy Jackson has gotten it done for the Pirates with an offense that doesn't make a ton of mistakes and a very very quick defensive line. Hutto under first year HC Steve Hale relies on being very physical and running the football, the Hippos served notice last week with an easy 36-7 win over a pretty good Bastrop squad. I think Hutto is putting together a remarkable season and Coach Hale is one of the top young coaches in the state. Matt's Pick: Hutto by 10

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