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THURSDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN ON CW33: Rockwall-Heath vs. Denton Guyer
Thursday night football is back! While that means a lot of things for Texas High School Football in general, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, it also means that Thursday Night Showdowns are back on CW33! This fall, there will be 18 Thursday Night Showdowns featuring some of the best athletes in Texas! Week one features a matchup between two big-time programs that fans are not going to want to miss: Rockwall-Heath vs. Denton Guyer! VYPE DFW takes a deeper look into the games to lay out just what you should expect from these two power house programs.
Denton Guyer Wildcats
Sooner football commit Jackson Arnold, Notre Dame commit Peyton Bowen, and the Wildcats return this fall to finish what they started. Last season, the Wildcats finished second in their district with a 5-1 district record (14-2 overall). Starting the season with a seven game win-streak, the Wildcats knew they had something special as they took down their opponents week after week. Outscoring their opponents by nearly 300 points, the Wildcats finished their season in a State Championship showdown against Austin Westlake. Despite falling 40-21, the team showed that they have strength that continues to run deep in the program.
With a handful of really great returners, the team will be a mostly young team to see the field this season. Graduating plenty of seniors, the team has used the offseason to implement the legacy of Wildcat football into the younger athletes. While there will be a small amount of rebuilding at the beginning of the season, Guyer can be expected to show their dominance on the field this fall.
Rockwall-Heath Hawks
The Hawks continue to put Rockwall on the map. Last season, the team went undefeated in district play (6-0) as they dominated over their opponents. With an 11-2 overall record, Rockwall-Heath defeated the likes of Fort Worth Timber Creek, Red Oak, Rockwall, McKinney North, and more as they found themselves inching closer and closer to the state tournament. Although the team fell 35-21 in the regional semifinal round of playoffs to Tomball, it doesn't diminish the incredible season the team had as a whole.
Hawks, having also graduating key players last season, have rebuilding of their own to do. However, they have a handful of leaders who are sure to get the job done. Brittan Snider returns to the field after having an incredible junior season where he scored eight touchdowns on 106 carries for 837 yards. Caleb Hoover, Fletcher Fierro, and Drew Smith are also returning to the offense where they are sure to have an incredible season for the Hawks. Brady Luff and Bryce President will return to the defense where they are certain to make a big impact.
What To Expect
Both teams left last season unfinished. With the shared goal of being the best in not only the DFW area, but the state, Thursday night is sure to be a battle to the final whistle on both sides of the ball for both teams. Expect to see extremely physical play as both teams want to show their strength as they enter a new season. Rockwall-Heath is going to come in strong defensively, ready to make a name for themselves this season as they try to put a stop to Jackson Arnold. Denton Guyer is going to play fast offensively with athletes ready to set the tempo of the entire game.
Catch the game in person at C.H. Collins Complex in Denton, Texas at 7 p.m. If you can't make it to the game, though, be sure to check it out on CW33!
Rockwall-Heath baseball players celebrate after a run crosses the plate in the 2021 UIL Class 6A State Title game against Keller (2021).
STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Defending State Champs, Rockwall-Heath, is back in the state tournament
It's one thing to be a great baseball team- it's another to make multiple state appearances. Last season, Rockwall-Heath made great strides against Keller in order to become the UIL Class 6A State Champion team. This season, the Hawks have put in the work to make their return to the biggest stage in Texas High School baseball. VYPE DFW takes a look at the team's season and lays out just what fans can expect in the UIL Class 6A State Semifinals.
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A Look Back
This season the Hawks posted an incredible 12-0 undefeated district record (32-6 overall). The team has played strong and kept their same level of strength from last season- channeling bigger moments for the team. So far in playoffs, Rockwall-Heath has battled against Garland, Mansfield Lake Ridge, Naaman Forest, Oak Ridge, and most recently- cross-town rival Rockwall. En route to the state tournament, the Hawks have outscored their opponents by a combined 196 runs.
Who To Watch
The defense has continued to be incredible behind pitchers Baylor Baumann and Johnny Lowe. Baumann has a 9-1 record on the mound this season with a 1.60 ERA while Lowe has an 11-1 record on the mound this season with a 1.24 ERA. In over 153 innings, Baumann and Lowe have combined for 181 strikeouts. Jett Williams, projected first-round draft pick and Mississippi State signee, leads the Hawks at the plate with 13 home runs this season and a .404 average. Williams has scored 53 runs this season. Brady Ladusau (.328), Alex Stowers (.323), and Caleb Hoover (.308) all lead the lineup with powerful hitting.
What To Expect
Rockwall-Heath is on the hunt for their third state title- second in a row. The team has gone 4-0 in their state tournament appearances and will likely not end such a great streak. However, the Hawks are going to face off against an intelligent San Antonio Reagan (32-6-2) sqaud who is known for keeping up with the best of the best. Fans can expect decisive fielding from both teams, but with the power at the plate for the Hawks, it's not likely that we will see Rockwall-Heath bow out of the tournament in the semifinals.
The game is expected to begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 10 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas.