East Texas Roundup Week Four

ET GAMES OF THE WEEK (FOUR) 09-24

Tatum (3-0) at Pittsburg (4-0)

Maybe at the start of the season this game didn't get the attention it rightfully deserved, but the way things have worked out it is one of East Texas' premier matchups. The Pirates are definitely on a roll the way they have opened the season, but their final non-district test --

against 2A state-ranked Tatum - is formidable. The obvious matchups are

Pittsburg quarterback Mitch Manley and a talented receiving corps against an Eagle defense, allowing 20 points per game, and whether the Pirate defense can slow running back B.J. Allen and a Tatum offense, averaging 47.3 ppg.

Gilmer (2-2) at Daingerfield (4-0)

With Gilmer's 2 losses - to Jacksonville and Tatum -- some of the luster of this matchup is gone, but it shouldn't be. Remember this is a Rivalry game between two of East Texas' best football programs.

Jacksonville (2-1) at Whitehouse (2-1)

This is quite the matchup for a District 14-4A opener. A lot is expected of Whitehouse, coming off a bye week, following its only loss of the season (40-39 against 4A powerhouse Sulphur Springs). The Wildcats' 2 wins against Corsicana and Chapel Hill were impressive. Jacksonville has rebounded from its season-opening loss to then-state-ranked Carthage with victories against Texarkana Texas High and Gilmer.

Longview (1-3) vs. Abilene (3-1)

It doesn't get easier for Longview, which closes out a tough non-district schedule playing defending 5A Division II State Champion Abilene at a neutral site (Kimbrough Field). Abilene's lone loss was to Cocoa, Fla., ranked No. 21 in the nation.

Henderson (4-0) at Liberty-Eylau (3-1)

Lindale (2-2) at Chapel Hill (3-1)

Notes around East Texas: Longview has lost its last 3 games (John Tyler,

Allen, Lufkin) by a total margin of 21 points. … The last time the Lobos

lost 3 during the regular season was 2003, when they were 7-4 overall and

a 5A bi-district finalist…. Going into Friday's game against Jacksonville,

Whitehouse wide receiver Trey Metoyer - an Oklahoma commit, has 29 receptions for 415 yard and 4 touchdowns….Gladewater running back Corey

Davis, who just missed 300 yards rushing earlier this season with 299 in a lopsided win (61-28) against Rusk, has 921 yards and 19 touchdowns going into tonight's non-district finale at home against Arp….Through 4 games, Henderson running back John Polk has rushed for 745 yards on 92 carries for 8 touchdowns…. Leverett's Chapel quarterback Clay White is out with a

torn ACL, which he suffered in last week's 68-18 win against Weatherford Christian. In 4 games he had rushed for 946 yards and 13 touchdowns, and passed for 583 yards and 21 touchdowns.