WHITEHOUSE — Rusk's Tatum Goff started the game and delivered three scoreless innings and later came back in to close out her own victory with a scoreless ninth as the Red defeated Blue 8-4 Friday in the Fifth Annual Northeast Texas Fellowship of Christian Athletes Heart of a Champion All-Star Softball game held at Whitehouse complex.
The Red never trailed, scoring five runs in the second inning and remaining in control throughout. West Rusk's Makana Morton led the way offensively, going 2 for 3 with two singles, a double an RBI and two runs scored.
Also notching RBIs for the Red team were Grand Saline's Zoe Deatherage, Frankston's Trinity Boggs, Hughes Springs' Marisol Kennedy, Grand Saline's Brooklyn Bolin and Elkhart's Makayla Walker.
After looking at the public school football playoff bracket, here are the projections to get out the Region and into the State Final Four.
COULD NORTH SHORE BE IN TROUBLE?
Could the North Shore Mustangs have the toughest path out of the Region? The ‘Stangs face Deer Park in the bi-district round. The Deer are not bad. Coach Austin Flynn has a pretty dynamic offense and scrappy defense. They will put up a fight. Then you have Ridge Point in Round 2, led by one of the best QBs in the city in Austin Carlisle. He can do it with his arm and legs. The UH-commit can really run and that could be problematic for North Shore’s defense. The Panthers’ defense will need to really come to play, however. Then they would be on a collision course against Katy… the Katy Tigers, who have a great running game with a dual-headed backfield. Then they would have a rematch with Atascocita, who took them to the wire in the regular season. If it’s not Atascocita, it will be Fulshear, who is as physical as it gets. That is a murderer’s row of playoff opponents. Fasten your seatbelts.
CHECK OUT THE “ON MY WHISTLE” Podcast where Matt Malatesta and Jackson DiPasquale talk the playoffs.
WHO COMES OUT OF CLASS 6A DII?
Summer Creek reached the State Final a year ago. Who can beat them this year? Anyone? I’m waiting. QB Blake Thomas is a solid dual-threat QB with great a football IQ. He’s played a ton of meaningful high school football. The defense is salty with Chad Woodfork leading the way. Does Hightower have enough offense? Is Jordan physical enough? Is Shadow Creek healthy enough? No, no and no. It might be district-mate Kingwood who has the best chance, but coach Kenny Harrison should return to the State Final Four come December.
It all comes down to Duncanville and DeSoto. Can anyone give them a game? Houston’s best representatives would be the Willis Wildkats in Class 6A DII and Bridgeland in DI. Willis fell to DeSoto in Round III and will likely meet again this year. They might be better prepared this season with a stingy defense and a well-balanced offense. Jermaine Bishop Jr. is a game-breaker along with Jalen Mickens, Romel Stevens, Terri Lawrence and Daylion Robinson, but can they dominate the trenches on both sides of the ball? That is the difference. Bridgeland can get to the Region Final but won’t be able to match Duncanville. No shame in that.
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RANDLE IS RUMBLING
The Lions have a tough trip to State in Class 5A DII Region III, much like North Shore. Randle will meet either Brenham or Liberty Hill (in State last year) in the third round and will face Iowa Colony in the Regional Final. The Lions are wildly talented with Landen Williams-Callis running the ball and a stingy defense. Coach Brian Randle has one of the best staffs in the state, so let’s see if they can make school history after opening just a few years ago.
A&M Consolidated is the favorite to come out of Class 5A DI Region III, so who can challenge the Tigers? Maybe Galveston Ball if Jonah Williams is healthy. Maybe College Station or Lufkin, but it’s looking like A&M Consolidated is simply too explosive and will return to the State Final Four and beyond.
