GAMES
RANKINGS
DFW Football: What We Learned Week 10/Week 6
9-6A Setting Up for Another Fun Finish
A week after taking down upstart Garland, Sachse found itself on the losing end of an upset with a loss to rival Rowlett. Rowlett now leads 9-6A at 2-0 in district play with four teams - Garland, Lakeview Centennial, Naaman Forest and Sachse - all chasing with 2-1 district records. Last year had a wild ending within this district and it's likely to happen again this year.
Frisco Lone Star is Still the Team to Beat
After two close losses in non-district play, Frisco Lone Star has asserted itself quite profoundly in its two district games, including a 28-point win over Frisco Reedy, which entered the game 3-1 and 2-0 in district play.
From the jump, it was all Frisco Lone Star as Jaden Nixon scored three different ways for Lone Star - rushing, receiving, punt return. Garrett Rangel only completed five passes on the night, but connected for three touchdowns in the romp.
Gutsy Win for Guyer
In a close loss against crosstown rival Denton Ryan, Denton Guyer opted not to lean on its 4-star quarterback. With mere seconds remaining and trailing on the road to Prosper in a matchup of state-ranked teams, Guyer hitched a ride on Eli Stowers' broad shoulders to pull out the win and stay atop the 5-6A standings.
It should be a huge confidence boost for Stowers as well as the entire Guyer team, which didn't play particularly well the week prior against McKinney and found itself in a dogfight against Prosper.
Argyle Keeps Chugging Along
It was another blowout win for the state's No. 1-ranked 4A DI team with a 48-7 throttling of Kaufman. It marked the fifth straight game Argyle scored 45 points or more and was the fourth game this year the defense allowed nine or less points. Tito Byce only had 10 rushing attempts but found the endzone three times. Argyle scored on four of its first five possessions to roll to the easy win.
We Need Another Parish Episcopal-Plano John Paul II Meeting
Parish Episcopal, led by SMU-commit Preston Stone, mounted a second half comeback in a 2019 TAPPS DI state championship rematch with Plano John Paul II. The teams traded the lead early in the second half and then PJP held 45-35 and 51-43 leads in the fourth quarter before Stone connected with Blake Youngblood with 17 seconds remaining in regulation - and needed a 2-point conversion to force overtime. After gaining the lead in the first overtime, and interception sealed the victory for Parish to move to 6-0 on the season.
Regardless of the outcome, it seems these two teams need meet again - hopefully in the state championship. If the first game is any indication, a second straight state title meeting could prove just as exciting.
Grandview-Glen Rose Lives Up to Hype
After having this game rescheduled, the long-awaited Top 25, interclass matchup lived up to its billing as Grandview survived a second-half rally from Glen Rose after building a 21-7 halftime lead. Glen Rose rattled off 21 straight points to hold a 28-21 lead in the fourth before Grandview tied it and then got a field goal to regain the late lead. Grandview needed a turnover on the game's final play to seal the win in what was an entertaining non-district matchup in the middle of district play.
6A Preview Part 3: 9-6A, 10-6A & 11-6A
It's finally here. After a lot of worry and wonder, the big schools are ready to kick off their delayed seasons. For this week, we'll be breaking down three 6A schools at a time going through 3-6A through 11-6A in three installments.
Previewing 9-6A
Last year, this group of teams beat and battered one another where it became a running joke as to which team would be in first place this week and then which one would take the reigns the next. A lot of what was expected didn't turn out so, and other teams came from nowhere as pleasant surprises.
Wylie and Sachse shared the district crown but have quite a drop in returning starters this year, paving the way for the other two playoff teams - Naaman Forest and Lakeview Centennial - to make a push to the top of standings. Naaman Forest returns 18 starters on offense while Centennial is looking at 11.
Camar Wheaton is the big offensive name, who bust onto the scene as a 5-star freshman. More big numbers are expected from him and he could lead Lakeview Centennial to a district title.
Projected 2020 Playoff Teams:
Naaman Forest
Lakeview Centennial
Sachse
Rowlett
Previewing 10-6A
Out is Longview (down to 5A) and in is Skyine in this district. Everything else remains the same for a district that was a 2-horse race between Rockwall and Longview. And it looks to be another 2-horse race, this time between Rockwall and Skyline.
Both teams enter the 2020 having gone 6-1 last year in district play and return plenty of talent to contend again. This includes Rockwall quarterback Braedyn Locke, who came out of nowhere to put up gaudy numbers. Coach Roddy Webb (move to Denton Guyer) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (graduated) are gone but there are still plenty of options at Locke's disposal.
Third and fourth place seem to be a 3-way race between Tyler Legacy, Mesquite and Rockwall-Heath.
Projected 2020 Playoff Teams:
Rockwall
Skyline
Mesquite
Rockwall-Heath
Previewing 11-6A
Cedar Hill, DeSoto and Duncanville are three of the premier 6A programs in the state and they all reside in 11-6A for the next two years. Throw in Waco Midway, and it would seem this district's playoff representatives are already a lock.
Duncanville is vying for a third shot at a state title, and according to some prognosticators, it's very possible it is back again. The defense is salty once again, but the big key is going to be quarterback. It transferred out a stud freshman but transferred in a former dual-threat TAPPS QB.
Cedar Hill will look to shake off the terrible loss it suffered in the playoffs, giving up a 27-7 halftime lead as Guyer made an improbable comeback.
Projected 2020 Playoff Teams:
Duncanville
Cedar Hill
DeSoto
Waco