3afan
12-21-2006, 09:25 AM
haven't seen this yet, so .................
3A Division II Title Breakdown
12/21/2006
Division II Finals
Celina (15-0) vs. Liberty Hill (12-2)
4 p.m. Saturday, Waco's Floyd Casey Stadium
Way back in August, we included Celina's move to Class 3A as one of our major storylines going into the season.
Though we were wrong on many of our predictions (including the headline on that link), we did predict Celina to win its district. However, another target we missed? Just read the excerpt below from the original story:
"Odds are Celina will still win its district and make a playoff run, but don't bet the bank on an easy run through the playoffs."
As our readers often point out to us (some more kindly than others), we missed the boat on this prediction. We foresaw Celina having a tough time reproducing playoff success at the 3A level. Instead, the North Texas Orangemen have dominated the postseason in the same fashion as last year's run to the 2A Division II crown.
But when you're playing for your state-record 8th state championship, winning becomes engrained in your players, no matter the classification.
Such hasn't been the case for Liberty Hill. The Panthers are playing for their first state championship. The year before current head coach Jerry Vance arrived, Liberty Hill went 3-7. But that's when things changed.
Vance first elevated Liberty Hill to a team to be reckoned with in Central Texas. The progression has now reached the statewide stage, and behind it all -- at least on the field -- is a powerful running game.
Liberty Hill averages 432 yards per game on the ground (its defense only allows around 270 total yards per game). RB Brent Bode already has surpassed 2,000 yards rushing this season, and fullback Doug Allman (1,655) isn't far behind.
The two were at their typical exploits last weekend, combining for 385 yards and 4 TDs in a 35-19 win over Hondo.
Injuries have forced Celina to get more creative with its offense. An injury to Seth Davis (1,316 yards, 15 TDs passing) at quarterback has forced Dru Prosser, regularly a receiver and defensive back, to take a lot of snaps at the position. He's done well, accounting for five TDs over the last two weeks, adding to the kicking game he already presided over.
But more than scoring, Celina's defense has stepped up in the second halves of the quarterfinals and semifinals. Each game, Celina shut out its opponent in the second half.
Against Liberty Hill, doing it in the second half alone won't cut it. Celina has some trouble against powerful teams, so it can't afford to get behind early and have to play catch-up to a team like Liberty Hill.
That may or may not happen. We can't predict that, but we are predicting Liberty Hill will prevent Celina from winning another state championship.
TexasFootball.com says: Liberty Hill 33, Celina 26
3A Division II Title Breakdown
12/21/2006
Division II Finals
Celina (15-0) vs. Liberty Hill (12-2)
4 p.m. Saturday, Waco's Floyd Casey Stadium
Way back in August, we included Celina's move to Class 3A as one of our major storylines going into the season.
Though we were wrong on many of our predictions (including the headline on that link), we did predict Celina to win its district. However, another target we missed? Just read the excerpt below from the original story:
"Odds are Celina will still win its district and make a playoff run, but don't bet the bank on an easy run through the playoffs."
As our readers often point out to us (some more kindly than others), we missed the boat on this prediction. We foresaw Celina having a tough time reproducing playoff success at the 3A level. Instead, the North Texas Orangemen have dominated the postseason in the same fashion as last year's run to the 2A Division II crown.
But when you're playing for your state-record 8th state championship, winning becomes engrained in your players, no matter the classification.
Such hasn't been the case for Liberty Hill. The Panthers are playing for their first state championship. The year before current head coach Jerry Vance arrived, Liberty Hill went 3-7. But that's when things changed.
Vance first elevated Liberty Hill to a team to be reckoned with in Central Texas. The progression has now reached the statewide stage, and behind it all -- at least on the field -- is a powerful running game.
Liberty Hill averages 432 yards per game on the ground (its defense only allows around 270 total yards per game). RB Brent Bode already has surpassed 2,000 yards rushing this season, and fullback Doug Allman (1,655) isn't far behind.
The two were at their typical exploits last weekend, combining for 385 yards and 4 TDs in a 35-19 win over Hondo.
Injuries have forced Celina to get more creative with its offense. An injury to Seth Davis (1,316 yards, 15 TDs passing) at quarterback has forced Dru Prosser, regularly a receiver and defensive back, to take a lot of snaps at the position. He's done well, accounting for five TDs over the last two weeks, adding to the kicking game he already presided over.
But more than scoring, Celina's defense has stepped up in the second halves of the quarterfinals and semifinals. Each game, Celina shut out its opponent in the second half.
Against Liberty Hill, doing it in the second half alone won't cut it. Celina has some trouble against powerful teams, so it can't afford to get behind early and have to play catch-up to a team like Liberty Hill.
That may or may not happen. We can't predict that, but we are predicting Liberty Hill will prevent Celina from winning another state championship.
TexasFootball.com says: Liberty Hill 33, Celina 26