3afan
11-18-2005, 08:22 AM
The Top 10 matchups of the weekend
Second round reunites a few rivals
07:02 PM CST on Thursday, November 17, 2005
By TIM MACMAHON / The Dallas Morning News
1. Carter (11-0) vs. Garland (9-2)
6 p.m. today, Texas Stadium
These teams didn't expect a rematch after meeting in the regular season, but Garland was bumped to the Division II bracket when Rowlett earned its first playoff berth. Fans of finesse football should find another game. These teams rely on dominant running games and fast, aggressive defenses.
2. Woodrow Wilson (11-0) vs. Wylie (8-3)
7:30 p.m. today, Kincaide Stadium
This is a test to determine how much Woodrow's program has progressed during running back/linebacker Sergio Kindle's career. Wylie beat Woodrow convincingly in the area round the last two seasons. Woodrow has more talent than Wylie. But will Woodrow be motivated or intimidated by Wylie's recent dominance?
3. Plano (11-0) vs. South Grand Prairie (10-1)
6 p.m. Saturday, Texas Stadium
South Grand Prairie has already ruined Euless Trinity's hopes of an undefeated season. It hopes to do the same to Plano, a traditional power that has returned to prominence after a down cycle. SGP's defense, led by safety Malcolm Williams, could present problems for Plano.
4. Richardson Berkner (11-0) vs. Rowlett (9-2)
2 p.m. Saturday, Mesquite's Memorial Stadium
Both teams are trying to advance to the third round for the first time in school history. This is a meeting of two of the area's top rushing offenses. Rowlett's Andre Pierce has a school-record 2,215 yards and 24 touchdowns on 288 carries. Berkner's brother tandem of Justin and Josh Johnson has combined for 2,692 yards and 31 scores on 388 carries.
5. Hebron (11-0) vs. Terrell (10-1)
2 p.m. Saturday, Mesquite's Hanby Stadium
Hebron silenced any talk about choking by routing Lincoln in the first round. Now, it hopes to get past the second round for the first time in school history. Terrell's tenacious defense will make it tough. The only time Terrell allowed more than 17 points was in a 59-16 loss at Highland Park.
6. Plano East (6-5) vs. Euless Trinity (10-1)
3 p.m. Saturday, Texas Stadium
Watching Euless Trinity's offense against Plano East's defense will be worth the price of admission. Euless Trinity ranks behind only Southlake Carroll in total offense among area 5A teams, with 482.8 yards per game. Plano East ranks sixth in total defense (232.8 yards per game).
7. Allen (9-2) vs. Southlake Carroll (11-0)
Noon Saturday, Texas Stadium
Carroll scored a total of 89 points in playoff wins over Allen the last two seasons. Chase Daniel is gone, but Allen will have its hands full with Greg McElroy (3,039 passing yards, 41 touchdowns). Allen needs a big game from running back Charles Opeseyitan, who sat out the first- round game because of sore ribs.
8. Lake Highlands (8-3) vs. South Garland (7-4)
9 p.m. today, Texas Stadium
A seven-point loss to Garland is the only blemish on South Garland's record in the last six games. Sophomore quarterback Nick Florence has sparked the offense since becoming the starter in midseason. Lake Highlands' only loss in the last eight game was by three points to undefeated Richardson Berkner.
9. Lancaster (8-3) vs. Everman (8-3)
2 p.m. Saturday, Grand Prairie's Gopher-Warrior Bowl
Everman, which had a roller-coaster regular season, suddenly looks like a juggernaut. Its combined score of wins over Midlothian and Brownwood the last two weeks was 100-0. Everman outrushed those foes, 932-158. Lancaster has been shut out twice in the last five games.
10. Ennis (10-1) vs. Waco Midway (8-3)
7:30 p.m. today, Mesquite's Hanby Stadium
Midway's up-tempo style plays right into Ennis' hands. Midway's Jared Ray and Wesley Sauls have combined to pass for 28 touchdowns, but it's usually not a good idea to get into a shootout with Ennis. That's especially true when coach Sam Harrell has one of his sons at quarterback.
Second round reunites a few rivals
07:02 PM CST on Thursday, November 17, 2005
By TIM MACMAHON / The Dallas Morning News
1. Carter (11-0) vs. Garland (9-2)
6 p.m. today, Texas Stadium
These teams didn't expect a rematch after meeting in the regular season, but Garland was bumped to the Division II bracket when Rowlett earned its first playoff berth. Fans of finesse football should find another game. These teams rely on dominant running games and fast, aggressive defenses.
2. Woodrow Wilson (11-0) vs. Wylie (8-3)
7:30 p.m. today, Kincaide Stadium
This is a test to determine how much Woodrow's program has progressed during running back/linebacker Sergio Kindle's career. Wylie beat Woodrow convincingly in the area round the last two seasons. Woodrow has more talent than Wylie. But will Woodrow be motivated or intimidated by Wylie's recent dominance?
3. Plano (11-0) vs. South Grand Prairie (10-1)
6 p.m. Saturday, Texas Stadium
South Grand Prairie has already ruined Euless Trinity's hopes of an undefeated season. It hopes to do the same to Plano, a traditional power that has returned to prominence after a down cycle. SGP's defense, led by safety Malcolm Williams, could present problems for Plano.
4. Richardson Berkner (11-0) vs. Rowlett (9-2)
2 p.m. Saturday, Mesquite's Memorial Stadium
Both teams are trying to advance to the third round for the first time in school history. This is a meeting of two of the area's top rushing offenses. Rowlett's Andre Pierce has a school-record 2,215 yards and 24 touchdowns on 288 carries. Berkner's brother tandem of Justin and Josh Johnson has combined for 2,692 yards and 31 scores on 388 carries.
5. Hebron (11-0) vs. Terrell (10-1)
2 p.m. Saturday, Mesquite's Hanby Stadium
Hebron silenced any talk about choking by routing Lincoln in the first round. Now, it hopes to get past the second round for the first time in school history. Terrell's tenacious defense will make it tough. The only time Terrell allowed more than 17 points was in a 59-16 loss at Highland Park.
6. Plano East (6-5) vs. Euless Trinity (10-1)
3 p.m. Saturday, Texas Stadium
Watching Euless Trinity's offense against Plano East's defense will be worth the price of admission. Euless Trinity ranks behind only Southlake Carroll in total offense among area 5A teams, with 482.8 yards per game. Plano East ranks sixth in total defense (232.8 yards per game).
7. Allen (9-2) vs. Southlake Carroll (11-0)
Noon Saturday, Texas Stadium
Carroll scored a total of 89 points in playoff wins over Allen the last two seasons. Chase Daniel is gone, but Allen will have its hands full with Greg McElroy (3,039 passing yards, 41 touchdowns). Allen needs a big game from running back Charles Opeseyitan, who sat out the first- round game because of sore ribs.
8. Lake Highlands (8-3) vs. South Garland (7-4)
9 p.m. today, Texas Stadium
A seven-point loss to Garland is the only blemish on South Garland's record in the last six games. Sophomore quarterback Nick Florence has sparked the offense since becoming the starter in midseason. Lake Highlands' only loss in the last eight game was by three points to undefeated Richardson Berkner.
9. Lancaster (8-3) vs. Everman (8-3)
2 p.m. Saturday, Grand Prairie's Gopher-Warrior Bowl
Everman, which had a roller-coaster regular season, suddenly looks like a juggernaut. Its combined score of wins over Midlothian and Brownwood the last two weeks was 100-0. Everman outrushed those foes, 932-158. Lancaster has been shut out twice in the last five games.
10. Ennis (10-1) vs. Waco Midway (8-3)
7:30 p.m. today, Mesquite's Hanby Stadium
Midway's up-tempo style plays right into Ennis' hands. Midway's Jared Ray and Wesley Sauls have combined to pass for 28 touchdowns, but it's usually not a good idea to get into a shootout with Ennis. That's especially true when coach Sam Harrell has one of his sons at quarterback.