Celina vs. Argyle

[Twirling Time]

Celina has never advanced to the state game without beating Argyle, even if that game was in the regular season.

2009 — lost to Argyle, lost to Kennedale in area round

2012 — lost to Argyle, lost to Henderson in region semis

2013 — lost to Argyle, lost to Gainesville in 2OT in bi-district

2014 — lost to Argyle, lost to Gilmer in state semifinals

2015 — BEAT Argyle, went to state game (lost to WOS after QB broke his arm on opening drive)

2016 — lost to Argyle, lost to Gilmer in region finals

They haven't beaten Argyle since 2015 and their postseason fortunes reflect that. (Of course they haven't beaten Gilmer since then either, but Celina's not playing Gilmer on Friday.)

[d0tc0m]

In recent-ish memory, it's certainly meant something for Celina to beat Argyle. The Bobcats dominated the rivalry in the early going, but the Eagles have owned the series for a little while now. That 2015 game was a good one, and wasn't even as close as the score appeared. And of course, that was one of the better Celina teams in recent memory, too. In fact, I'd say the Bobcats were far and away the best team in all of 4A that year. And had Pingleton not broken his arm on that opening drive, Celina would have nine state titles.

I said going into this year that THIS Celina team had a very similar feel to that 2015 team. So far, that feeling has held up. The Bobcats have beaten two pretty decent state-ranked Div. I teams to open the year. The defense has flashed some moments of greatness, and the potential to be great. The offense has shown it can score lots of points, and just needs a bit more consistency. It's hard to forget, Noah Bentley is only going into this 9th start at QB on Friday.

Celina was pretty banged up going into the Paris game, and then lost the entire RB depth chart along the way AND out stud receiver. If The Bobcats are healthy going into Friday's game, then there's a legitimate chance Celina can knock off Argyle. If we're down to our (literal) 6th string RB and don't have Urich back at receiver, it could be a really tough road. Hard to make a prediction without knowing those things, but either way, I hope the Bobcats come out really fired up and focused and stamp themselves as legitimate title contenders.

[Celina8]

I am just hoping for a good solid performance from the Bobcats as Argyle has so many weapons and from their performance last Friday it does not look like the Eagles have taking a step back from last years State Champion team . The Bobcat defense will have to play lights out as Argyle seems to score on every possession and before you know it or by the start of the second quarter they have a 21 to 0 or 28 to 0 lead on you and you just cannot recover. This game is a huge challenge for the Bobcats and I am hoping they are able to perform to meet that challenge . Good Luck Bobcats!

[d0tc0m]

I am just hoping for a good solid performance from the Bobcats as Argyle has so many weapons and from their performance last Friday it does not look like the Eagles have taking a step back from last years State Champion team . The Bobcat defense will have to play lights out as Argyle seems to score on every possession and before you know it or by the start of the second quarter they have a 21 to 0 or 28 to 0 lead on you and you just cannot recover. This game is a huge challenge for the Bobcats and I am hoping they are able to perform to meet that challenge . Good Luck Bobcats!


If the Bobcats are healthy, they've got the dudes and the team to go toe-to-toe with the Eagles this year. But I'm not sure of the status of some of those key playmakers.

[Celina8]

If the Bobcats are healthy, they've got the dudes and the team to go toe-to-toe with the Eagles this year. But I'm not sure of the status of some of those key playmakers.

Thanks d0tc0m, I am excited for the Bobcats this year and I hope it is a great season for these young men.

[briandumith*]

I think the Bobcats have the ability to get it done this season. So far it has been proven correct. This game is not a make or break. It should not be treated as such. I would love to see both coaches throttle down and think about the big picture. Both teams can win their respective divisions but not on Friday. Play safe fun ball. Don't try to kill each other. This always seems to be a good match up. I will watch the game with popcorn in hand, good stuff. These are my 2 picks for 4A titles this season....

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[jason]

Pigskin Prep says Argyle -11

[d0tc0m]

I think the Bobcats have the ability to get it done this season. So far it has been proven correct. This game is not a make or break. It should not be treated as such. I would love to see both coaches throttle down and think about the big picture. Both teams can win their respective divisions but not on Friday. Play safe fun ball. Don't try to kill each other. This always seems to be a good match up. I will watch the game with popcorn in hand, good stuff. These are my 2 picks for 4A titles this season....

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Well, I'd be perfectly alright if both your 4A picks prove correct, brian!

As far as this match up, I know Coach Elliot will not push any of his players whose health might be in question, because you're right, this game is not a make or break. Both teams have already beaten a pair of state-ranked opponents, and I'd say both teams have a pretty good idea already of who they are and what they can reasonably accomplish this year. I think that takes the pressure off this game, and frees it up to just be a fun, hard-hitting grudge match.

Overall, a win probably does more for Celina than it does for Argyle, just because of the current stature of the programs. But I don't think a loss does much to either side, in all honesty. Both teams should still be playing football in December.

[d0tc0m]

Pigskin Prep says Argyle -11


That's probably not a bad starting line.

[jason]

Pigskin Prep says Argyle -11
harris poll says argyle -15

[d0tc0m]

harris poll says argyle -15


Maybe they know more about the health/status of the Bobcats.

[jason]

Maybe they know more about the health/status of the Bobcats.
Pretty sure it's all based on numbers.
Pigskin traditionally has a larger spread than Harris so this one is interesting.

[Matthew328]

Pretty sure it's all based on numbers.
Pigskin traditionally has a larger spread than Harris so this one is interesting.

I forget Harris is still around.....I use Pigskin and Padilla a lot though

[jason]

I forget Harris is still around.....I use Pigskin and Padilla a lot though
we use harris and pigskin as talking points during our radio pre game - surprised to see stephenville at #2 in the pigskin poll this week - saw they made it into the DCTF top 10 too!!
half the DCTF top 10 from just two districts...yikes...

pigskin week 3 poll

1 argyle
stephenville
calallen
midlo heritage
austin lbj
springtown
paris
chapel hill
kilgore
10 la vega
kennedale
huffman hargrave
cc miller
pl calhoun
canyon lake
boerne
lindale
dumas
decaut
20 canyon

[d0tc0m]

we use harris and pigskin as talking points during our radio pre game - surprised to see stephenville at #2 in the pigskin poll this week - saw they made it into the DCTF top 10 too!!
half the DCTF top 10 from just two districts...yikes...

pigskin week 3 poll

1 argyle
stephenville
calallen
midlo heritage
austin lbj
springtown
paris
chapel hill
kilgore
10 la vega
kennedale
huffman hargrave
cc miller
pl calhoun
canyon lake
boerne
lindale
dumas
decaut
20 canyon

That's an interesting poll for sure.

[briandumith*]

Anyone know the streaming situation for this game? ....Asking for a friend....

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[d0tc0m]

Anyone know the streaming situation for this game? ....Asking for a friend....

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Argyle has the stream for tonight's game, since it's at home for the Eagles. You can find the livestream on YouTube, via The Talon News (https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTalonNews). Pregame should start around 7 p.m.

[briandumith*]

Argyle has the stream for tonight's game, since it's at home for the Eagles. You can find the livestream on YouTube, via The Talon News (https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTalonNews). Pregame should start around 7 p.m.Thanks

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[Twirling Time]

Ugly one. Eagles win 23-0. First Celina shutout since a 17-0 playoff loss to Lovejoy in 2010. Before that you had to go all the way back to 1996 and a 17-0 loss to Italy in the playoffs. (Note: Celina eventually avenged both losses in following seasons.)

Last regular-season shutout loss for Bobcats appears to be a 42-0 loss to Southlake Carroll on 10/2/1987. That rematch might be possible after 2030.

[Celina8]

Congratulations again to Argyle (seems like I say that now every year ) as they are the better team and until we can beat them on the field then I will not make any excuse . We had 5 interceptions I think and two fumbles , but those are due to an Argyle defense that puts pressure on you the second that ball moves which creates these types of turnovers . Argyle has a great all around athletic program and no doubt another football team that has a great chance to repeat as State Champs. Bobcats played hard and have nothing to hang your head down about as the Coaches will work on the mistakes made and get the team prepared for the next game.

[briandumith*]

Both D played lights out. The difference was the QB.. He was very very nervous. For good reason but he needs to calm himself. I was very impressed with Celina's D. The 1st half and for the most part the entire game they owned the Scrimmage line. Same could be said for the Argyle D but that was to be expected.. you can't take away the ints.. because the loosing team would call those miscues and the winning team would call those forced.. they were both right. But if you take those away the score would be 10-0 I think. But even with the ints.. It should have been WAY more then 23-0 I-E the PG game... I think Celina will be just fine.... and so will Argyle....

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[d0tc0m]

Both D played lights out. The difference was the QB.. He was very very nervous. For good reason but he needs to calm himself. I was very impressed with Celina's D. The 1st half and for the most part the entire game they owned the Scrimmage line. Same could be said for the Argyle D but that was to be expected.. you can't take away the ints.. because the loosing team would call those miscues and the winning team would call those forced.. they were both right. But if you take those away the score would be 10-0 I think. But even with the ints.. It should have been WAY more then 23-0 I-E the PG game... I think Celina will be just fine.... and so will Argyle....

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This was a great take, brian. I thought both defense showed a championship-caliber ability. I was super impressed with the Eagles' defensive speed and disciplined. They were technically sound on every snap of the football. I was also very impressed with Celina's defensive unit as well. Apart from one blown coverage, the Bobcats were never out of position against Argyle, and if not for those turnovers, the score would have reflected how close of a game it actually was.

My biggest disappointment was how quickly the Bobcats coaches just threw in the towel in the second half, and how few of adjustments were actually made at the break. Celina never changed their route concepts throughout the entire first half, and then after the pick-6 in the 3rd, they didn't attempt another pass at all. I know Bentley's confidence was shaken at QB, but you either have to let the young man work on those things and try and iron out those problems, or you've got to put someone else in there and give them a shot.

Bentley is the guy at QB. I have no doubts about that. But they need to put together some concepts that attack defenses in other ways than trying to go deep every single snap. We hardly ever attack the short field, and we hardly ever attack the middle of the field. That makes coverage assignments much easier for opposing defenses, which then limits your ability to run the football as well.

And last thing I noticed is Bentley needs to trust his legs sometimes and just take off. There were times when everyone was covered up and he had an easy 7-10 yards to gain with his legs, but he held on too long to make that run, or attempted an ill-advised pass. He's athletic enough to make defenses pay with his legs, and all that does it force them to adjust and either bring a guy into the box and out of coverage, or leave those lanes open and dare Bentley to keep using his legs.

[Celina8]

Brian and d0t,

Both very good assessment and it helps me understand the team a little more since I now live in the Austin area . Thanks again !!!