alaskacat
12-18-2008, 11:34 PM
Celina vs. Carthage preview
02:39 AM CST on Thursday, December 18, 2008
By DAMON L. SAYLES / The Dallas Morning News
dsayles@dallasnews.com
3A DIVISION II STATE FINAL
CELINA (12-3)
Playoffs: d. Van Alstyne, 54-13; d. Kennedale, 54-21; d. Tex. Pleasant Grove, 52-21; d. Kaufman, 50-6; d. Liberty Hill, 40-12.
On offense: Expect a heavy dose of running, led by RB Troy McCartney (1,692 yards, 19 TDs) and QB Cody Worrell (1,039 yards, 14 TDs).
On defense: Junior LB Caleb Lavey has played well in the playoffs, as have LB Jay Perez and DL Sawyer Levit.
Special teams: K Alex Juarez has made 25 extra points in the playoffs.
Notable: Celina, after a 4-3 start, has won eight in a row.
CARTHAGE (13-2)
Playoffs: d. Tatum, 62-20; d. Lorena, 49-14; d. Rockdale, 55-28; d. Gilmer, 31-28; d. Giddings, 41-14.
On offense: RB Dwight Smith (2,549 yards, 38 TDs) has set the school season rushing record. QB Si'Darius Blackshire (2,577 passing yards, 35 TDs) is a playmaker.
On defense: LBs Caleb Pope, Kyle Deaton and Kendall Thompson have combined for nearly 450 tackles.
Special teams: K Chris Dickerson has made 33 of 35 extra points.
Notable: Carthage will play in its second state final, the first since 1991.
Staff predictions
Keith Whitmire: Celina is just a different animal in the playoffs. With apologies to John Lennon, the No. 9 Dream becomes reality. Celina 42, Carthage 35
Damon L. Sayles: Celina is playing like a team possessed. If it plays anywhere near how it played against Liberty Hill, this one won't be close, and the Bobcats will win a ninth state title. Celina 35, Carthage 21
Matt Wixon: Celina is playing in a state championship game for the fourth straight year. The Bobcats are experienced, tough and motivated by a season that looked destined for disappointment two months ago. Celina 35, Carthage 28
Randy Jennings: Celina caps a run of playoff devastation with its ninth state title. Celina 38, Carthage 27
02:39 AM CST on Thursday, December 18, 2008
By DAMON L. SAYLES / The Dallas Morning News
dsayles@dallasnews.com
3A DIVISION II STATE FINAL
CELINA (12-3)
Playoffs: d. Van Alstyne, 54-13; d. Kennedale, 54-21; d. Tex. Pleasant Grove, 52-21; d. Kaufman, 50-6; d. Liberty Hill, 40-12.
On offense: Expect a heavy dose of running, led by RB Troy McCartney (1,692 yards, 19 TDs) and QB Cody Worrell (1,039 yards, 14 TDs).
On defense: Junior LB Caleb Lavey has played well in the playoffs, as have LB Jay Perez and DL Sawyer Levit.
Special teams: K Alex Juarez has made 25 extra points in the playoffs.
Notable: Celina, after a 4-3 start, has won eight in a row.
CARTHAGE (13-2)
Playoffs: d. Tatum, 62-20; d. Lorena, 49-14; d. Rockdale, 55-28; d. Gilmer, 31-28; d. Giddings, 41-14.
On offense: RB Dwight Smith (2,549 yards, 38 TDs) has set the school season rushing record. QB Si'Darius Blackshire (2,577 passing yards, 35 TDs) is a playmaker.
On defense: LBs Caleb Pope, Kyle Deaton and Kendall Thompson have combined for nearly 450 tackles.
Special teams: K Chris Dickerson has made 33 of 35 extra points.
Notable: Carthage will play in its second state final, the first since 1991.
Staff predictions
Keith Whitmire: Celina is just a different animal in the playoffs. With apologies to John Lennon, the No. 9 Dream becomes reality. Celina 42, Carthage 35
Damon L. Sayles: Celina is playing like a team possessed. If it plays anywhere near how it played against Liberty Hill, this one won't be close, and the Bobcats will win a ninth state title. Celina 35, Carthage 21
Matt Wixon: Celina is playing in a state championship game for the fourth straight year. The Bobcats are experienced, tough and motivated by a season that looked destined for disappointment two months ago. Celina 35, Carthage 28
Randy Jennings: Celina caps a run of playoff devastation with its ninth state title. Celina 38, Carthage 27