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10-13-2006, 10:44 AM
Numbers don't add up in 7-3A
By Nathan Sanders / sandersn@reporternews.com
October 13, 2006
Three playoff spots. Four teams who made the playoffs in 2005.
How will it all shake out? The District 7-3A mystery begins to unravel tonight, and it might not come completely into focus until somewhere around 10 p.m. on Nov. 10.
Here's how things look going in:
THE FAVORITES
Sweetwater (5-1) - The Mustangs were supposed to be superb this fall, and they haven't disappointed. The only blemish on their record is a 40-26 loss to state-ranked Decatur. Beating Brownwood required a last-second 44-yard field goal by James Beckwith, but the Mustangs' other four victories have been by double digits, including a 35-0 pasting of Borger last week.
Wylie (4-2) - Don't doubt the Bulldogs. A team that basically started from scratch in August is hitting its stride at the perfect time. Last week's 34-15 loss at defending 3A Division I state champ Wimberley snapped Wylie's four-game winning streak, but the offense showed tremendous progress. Couple that with a stingy defense, and an eighth consecutive district title is within reach.
THE CONTENDERS
Breckenridge (5-1) - Last Friday's 21-13 road loss to a 2-3 Vernon team dropped the Buckaroos out of the ''Favorites'' category, though they did rally from 12-0 down to take a 13-12 lead. Yes, the Buckaroos were unbeaten going in, but two of those victories came against teams that remain winless (Bridgeport and Bangs). Still, 11 returning starters from a district title team make Breckenridge formidable.
Clyde (3-3) - The Bulldogs haven't seen the postseason since 1996. Could this be the year? Clyde does have 10 returning starters and a new coach (Craig Slaughter) with experience in turnarounds, but the Bulldogs have lost three of their last four games, the only victory in that span coming against an 0-5 Class 2A school (Bangs). Their ''Contender'' status is certainly iffy.
THE LONGSHOT
Comanche (2-4) - History suggests the Indians will be in the hunt (they have made the playoffs five of the past six years). Recent history, however, says otherwise. Comanche has lost three straight, the most recent a 38-20 defeat at the hands of an Iowa Park team which Wylie dominated on Sept. 8.
KEY PLAYERS
The entire offensive backfield, Sweetwater - Take your pick. Super-quick halfbacks Skye Green and Joseph Banyard are the big threats, but fullback Auston Davis and quarterback Duone Cunnings have both posted 100-yard games this season as well.
QB Gary Edwards, Wylie - Edwards has few peers as a runner, but he'll need to make some key throws along the way for the Bulldogs to live up to their high standards.
RB Curtis Kevil, Clyde - The Bulldogs aren't a one-man team, but they're pretty close. Kevil will have to come up huge against defenses geared to stop him if Clyde is to contend.
QB Blaine Vick, Breckenridge - The converted running back rushed for 104 yards and rallied his team at Vernon. The Buckaroos will need more of that in 7-3A play, though he'll have help from running back Mike Hayworth.
KEY GAMES
Wylie at Clyde, tonight - Is Clyde a playoff team? This battle of Bulldogs on 7-3A's opening weekend should be an indicator.
Sweetwater at Wylie, Oct. 27 - The option-based Mustangs can run, but one-dimensional teams don't frighten the Bulldog defense (see last year's game in Sweetwater).
Breckenridge at Clyde, Oct. 27 - The winner will take a firm grip on the disrict's third playoff berth.
Breckenridge at Sweetwater, Nov. 10 - Season-enders like this are usually critical in a five-team district. This could be a must-win for the Buckaroos.
NATHAN SANDERS' PREDICTION
1. Wylie; 2. Sweetwater; 3. Breckenridge; 4. Clyde; 5. Comanche.
By Nathan Sanders / sandersn@reporternews.com
October 13, 2006
Three playoff spots. Four teams who made the playoffs in 2005.
How will it all shake out? The District 7-3A mystery begins to unravel tonight, and it might not come completely into focus until somewhere around 10 p.m. on Nov. 10.
Here's how things look going in:
THE FAVORITES
Sweetwater (5-1) - The Mustangs were supposed to be superb this fall, and they haven't disappointed. The only blemish on their record is a 40-26 loss to state-ranked Decatur. Beating Brownwood required a last-second 44-yard field goal by James Beckwith, but the Mustangs' other four victories have been by double digits, including a 35-0 pasting of Borger last week.
Wylie (4-2) - Don't doubt the Bulldogs. A team that basically started from scratch in August is hitting its stride at the perfect time. Last week's 34-15 loss at defending 3A Division I state champ Wimberley snapped Wylie's four-game winning streak, but the offense showed tremendous progress. Couple that with a stingy defense, and an eighth consecutive district title is within reach.
THE CONTENDERS
Breckenridge (5-1) - Last Friday's 21-13 road loss to a 2-3 Vernon team dropped the Buckaroos out of the ''Favorites'' category, though they did rally from 12-0 down to take a 13-12 lead. Yes, the Buckaroos were unbeaten going in, but two of those victories came against teams that remain winless (Bridgeport and Bangs). Still, 11 returning starters from a district title team make Breckenridge formidable.
Clyde (3-3) - The Bulldogs haven't seen the postseason since 1996. Could this be the year? Clyde does have 10 returning starters and a new coach (Craig Slaughter) with experience in turnarounds, but the Bulldogs have lost three of their last four games, the only victory in that span coming against an 0-5 Class 2A school (Bangs). Their ''Contender'' status is certainly iffy.
THE LONGSHOT
Comanche (2-4) - History suggests the Indians will be in the hunt (they have made the playoffs five of the past six years). Recent history, however, says otherwise. Comanche has lost three straight, the most recent a 38-20 defeat at the hands of an Iowa Park team which Wylie dominated on Sept. 8.
KEY PLAYERS
The entire offensive backfield, Sweetwater - Take your pick. Super-quick halfbacks Skye Green and Joseph Banyard are the big threats, but fullback Auston Davis and quarterback Duone Cunnings have both posted 100-yard games this season as well.
QB Gary Edwards, Wylie - Edwards has few peers as a runner, but he'll need to make some key throws along the way for the Bulldogs to live up to their high standards.
RB Curtis Kevil, Clyde - The Bulldogs aren't a one-man team, but they're pretty close. Kevil will have to come up huge against defenses geared to stop him if Clyde is to contend.
QB Blaine Vick, Breckenridge - The converted running back rushed for 104 yards and rallied his team at Vernon. The Buckaroos will need more of that in 7-3A play, though he'll have help from running back Mike Hayworth.
KEY GAMES
Wylie at Clyde, tonight - Is Clyde a playoff team? This battle of Bulldogs on 7-3A's opening weekend should be an indicator.
Sweetwater at Wylie, Oct. 27 - The option-based Mustangs can run, but one-dimensional teams don't frighten the Bulldog defense (see last year's game in Sweetwater).
Breckenridge at Clyde, Oct. 27 - The winner will take a firm grip on the disrict's third playoff berth.
Breckenridge at Sweetwater, Nov. 10 - Season-enders like this are usually critical in a five-team district. This could be a must-win for the Buckaroos.
NATHAN SANDERS' PREDICTION
1. Wylie; 2. Sweetwater; 3. Breckenridge; 4. Clyde; 5. Comanche.