With the 2021-22 Texas High School Football dwindling down to the last games of the regular season and playoffs right around the corner, there are so many great games to keep your eyes on on Friday nights! VYPEDFW has the top five games that you should be paying attention to in Week 10 of the regular season:
Nolan Catholic vs. Parish Episcopal
Fort Worth Nolan Catholic vs. Parish Episcopal School - Friday, October 29 at 7 p.m.
Nolan Catholic Vikings (3-5, 3-2)
Nolan Catholic was putting up quite the season until they were forced to forfeit three district wins after a bit of controversy. Despite the forfeits, the Vikings have continued to fight and show that they are the real deal when it comes to TAPPS football. Last week, the Vikings defeated a Jason Witten led Argyle Liberty Christian in a statement 38-2 victory.
Junior quarterback Cole Matsuda has led the team in passing with 12 touchdown passes, 861 passing yards, and a 59% pass completion rating. Junior DK Smittick and senior TJ Williams have been strong on the ground for the Vikings as they lead the team in rushing. Smittick has tallied 10 rushing touchdowns and 631 rushing yards on 90 carries while Williams has recorded nine rushing touchdowns and 597 rushing yards on 65 carries. It goes without saying that the Vikings offense is just as strong as they were last year. Nolan Catholic's defense has also proven to be just as strong- holding their opponents to a combined 170 points on the season.
Parish Episcopal Panthers (7-1, 5-0)
The Panthers have proven that they are dominant when it comes to TAPPS football. The team has won the state title for the last two seasons in a row and is hungry for a third-consecutive state title run. This season the Panthers have posted an undefeated district record with only one loss in their overall record. Their loss came early in the season in a very close 44-42 matchup against Austin LBJ.
Freshman quarterback Sawyer Anderson has stepped into the quarterback role and has very nicely filled the cleats of now SMU quarterback Preston Stone. Anderson has recorded 19 passing touchdowns with over 2,000 passing yards on the season while completing 64% of his passes. Anderson has also recorded one rushing touchdown on nine carries. Senior Andrew Paul has led the charge on his feet with 19 rushing touchdowns and 998 rushing yards on 144 carries. Paul has also caught two touchdown passes on 10 receptions. The team has been a force to be reckoned with for three seasons in a row; fans should expect to see them turn up the volume against Nolan Catholic.
What To Expect:
This is a big game. Not only is it a rematch of last year's TAPPS Division I State Championship game where the Panthers defeated the Vikings by a score of 42-28, but there are playoff seedings on the line. It's going to be a battle from start to finish and likely one of the best TAPPS matchups this season yet- if not one of the best high school football matchups in the state this season. Expect big offense from both teams, but especially the Panthers as they strive to continue their reign. The catalyst will be whether or not Nolan Catholic's defense can put a stop to a team who has proven to be strong through the air and on the ground.
▲Justin Northwest vs. Fort Worth Brewer
Justin Northwest vs. Fort Worth Brewer - Friday, October 29 at 7 p.m.
Justin Northwest Texans (6-2, 5-0)
The Texans enter Friday's game with an undefeated district record. The team has posted strong wins over the likes of Abilene Cooper, Arlington Heights, Saginaw, and more to include last week's strong 66-14 win over Granbury. So far this season, the Texans' defense has played a major role in their successful run towards playoffs. In four of their five district wins, the Texans' defense has held their opponents to two touchdowns or less.
Junior quarterback Jake Strong has played a big role offensively for the Texans. Strong has thrown 23 touchdowns with 1,829 passing yards and a 64% pass completion rating. Strong has also scored six rushing touchdowns for the Texans on 79 carries. Fans can expect a big game from Strong.
Fort Worth Brewer Bears (7-1, 5-0)
Also undefeated in district play, the Bears have only one loss to their name as they enter Friday's matchup. The Bears' defense has been strong in every game this season holding their opponents to a combined 189 points on the season as they have defeated the likes of North Forney, Saginaw, Crowley, Abilene Cooper, and more. Brewer posted a 42-27 win over Azle last week and will come into this week's game on a six-game win-streak.
Junior quarterback Jalen Spriggs has thrown 11 touchdowns this season with 1,090 passing yards. Senior Montrail Cushionberry has rushed for 13 touchdowns with 1,005 rushing yards on 96 carries. The offense has put in the work this season to be as strong as they can possibly be and fans should see the team make strong plays on Friday night.
What To Expect:
Both teams are fighting for the sole first-place position in their district, so fans can certainly expect to see strong play from both teams. Although the Bears' defense has been almost unmatchable this season, they are going to have to put up an extremely tough battle against Strong and his offense. Fans can expect to see the Texans come into the game ready to put a stop to Brewer's run.
▲Allen vs. Prosper
Allen vs. Prosper - Friday, October 29 at 7 p.m.
Allen Eagles (7-1, 4-0)
Allen is coming into the game with an undefeated district record and only one loss to their name for the entire season. With a strong 35-14 win over McKinney High last week, the Eagles should come into this game with a determination to continue a strong run toward the post-season.
Sophomore quarterback Mike Hawkins has posted an incredible season throwing 11 touchdowns on 1,363 passing yards with a 67% pass completion rating. Additionally, senior Jalen Jenkins has kept the scoring going for Allen. Jenkins has scored 17 rushing touchdowns this season while tallying 1,067 rushing yards on 100 carries. Jenkins has also caught one touchdown pass. In tune with the offense, the defense has been strong all season. Fans can expect to see a tough Allen team on Friday night.
Prosper Eagles (5-3, 2-2)
Prosper has been tough all season. Specifically, Prosper's defense has played a major role for the team this season. The Eagles have held their opponents to a combined 189 points on the season with big wins over Lake Ridge, McKinney, and last week's 38-17 win over Braswell.
Prosper's offense has worked hard all season. Led by quarterback Harrison Rosar, they have been consistent in scoring. Rosar has recorded 19 touchdown passes with 1,757 passing yards as well as four rushing touchdowns on 70 carries. Malik Dailey can also be expected to have a strong game for Prosper.
What To Expect:
Allen is a strong team that has continued to show their dominance time and time again. However, this game is a game that Prosper wants to win after last season's 35-31 thriller where Allen defeated them in the waning seconds of the game. Both defenses can be expected to play strong in Friday night's matchup.
▲Tyler Legacy vs. Rockwall-Heath
Rockwall ISD Athletics
Tyler Legacy vs. Rockwall-Heath - Friday, October 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Tyler Legacy Raiders (5-3, 3-1)
The Raiders have posted a great season so far. The team has defeated the likes of Dallas Skyline, Mesquite Horn, and more to include a 42-20 win over North Mesquite last week. With only three losses to their name, they look to have a strong game against Rockwall-Heath.
Seniors Bryson Donnell and Jamarion Miller have led the team offensively all season. Donnell has scored 12 rushing touchdowns with 682 rushing yards while Miller has scored 11 rushing touchdowns with just under 1,060 rushing yards. We should expect to see a strong game out of this senior duo.
Rockwall-Heath Hawks (7-1, 4-0)
Undefeated in district play, the Hawks are looking to continue their strength headed towards playoffs. Sitting in the number one spot in their district, the Hawks will do nothing less than put on a fight against Tyler Legacy on Friday night.
So far this season, the Hawks have posted impressive wins against Red Oak, McKinney North, Rockwall, and more to include last week's 42-21 win over Mesquite last week. Senior quarterback Josh Hoover has thrown 26 touchdowns this season with 2,190 passing yards and a 65% pass completion rating. Senior Zach Evans has been strong on the ground for the Hawks posting 17 touchdowns and 1,179 rushing yards. It's needless to say that the Hawks have what it takes in all areas of the game this season.
What To Expect:
The Hawks want to continue showing their dominance on the gridiron. We will still see a strong fight from Tyler Legacy, but Rockwall-Heath wants nothing more than to show that they're the team to watch headed into post-season play.
▲Ennis vs. Royse City
Royse City High School Twitter
Ennis vs. Royse City - Friday, October 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Ennis Lions (8-0, 5-0)
The Lions are undefeated on the season and have held all of their district opponents except Crandall to two touchdowns or less; Crandall scored three against the strong defense. Ennis' defense has held their opponents to a combined 147 points all season while the offense has scored more than double that.
Holding strong for the offense is freshman Gracen Harris, the Lions' offense has been explosive. Harris has recorded 10 touchdowns and 1,000 receiving yards on 55 catches. Junior Jackson Gilkey has thrown 17 touchdowns on the season for 1,582 passing yards. Leading the team in rushing is Dee Johnson who has scored eight touchdowns on 627 rushing yards and 105 carries. Devion Beasley has also been a strong force for Ennis scoring nine rushing touchdowns on 199 yards and 32 carries.
Royse City Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0)
Also undefeated on the season, Royse City has posted dominant wins against the likes of Wylie East, Greenville, North Forney, and more to include last week's big 65-63 win over Crandall. The Bulldogs' offense has posted an incredible season so far led by strong athletes.
Senior quarterback Spring Kenneth has thrown 14 touchdowns with 1,435 passing yards on the season while Ahmon Dozier has scored 13 rushing touchdowns on 986 rushing yards and 112 carries. The offense is a strong one that can certainly hold their own against some of the best teams in the state and we will see that on Friday evening.
What To Expect:
Royse City offense is strong. They have been strong all season and we will see a big game in a battle of two of the area's undefeated teams. However, the true test is going to come with Ennis' defense. Their defense has not only been strong all season, but dominant. It's possible that the Lions' defense combined with their strong offense, they will be the ones who walk away from the game unscathed.
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