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The Time is Now: Local teams start their quests for state titles with start of football playoffs
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
(For more on each local playoff game, please visit our website at www.scntx.com)
For several local teams, one goal has been achieved in qualifying for the 2012 playoffs.
But, the ultimate dream is still out there, and they will begin their quest this week as the postseason gets underway.
Mesquite and Horn each return to the playoffs out of District 12-5A. That is also the case in 11-5A, where Rowlett and Sachse are both back in the mix.
West Mesquite is headed back for the seventh consecutive season in the Class 4A playoffs, while Poteet returns after a one-year absence.
And then there is Dallas Christian, which is undefeated and competing in the TAPPS Division II division in its quest for a ninth state championship.
Class 5A Division I Bracket
Who: Mesquite vs. Sachse
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wildcat-Ram Stadium
Records: Mesquite-10-0; Sachse-8-2
Mesquite has been playing football for more than 100 years. Sachse has been playing for less than a decade.
But none of those past pedigrees will make a difference on Friday when the two teams line up in a Class 5A bi-district game.
The Skeeters have run roughshod over the competition, with no game being decided by less than 14 points. Mesquite has scored at least 50 points in the last three games. Sachse started 5-0 and has bounced back from a couple of setbacks with two straight wins.
The teams have put up similar numbers on offense and they are impressive.
Mesquite quarterback Alex Cooper has been among the best in the state, hurting opponents with pinpoint accuracy and with his running ability. Cooper has completed 77 percent of his passes for 2,804 yards and 25 touchdowns compared with only two interceptions. He has also rushed for 477 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Sachse quarterback Kent Myers has thrown for more than 2,500 yards and 28 touchdowns compared with only six picks. He also leads the team in rushing with 972 yards and 13 scores.
Rashard Higgins is the biggest threat on the outside for Mesquite with more than 1,000 yards receiving, but there are plenty of other options, including Jordan Bracy, Dameon Gamblin and Dezmon Jackson.
The Mustangs feature a trio of top pass-catchers with Bruce Brookins, Tyrique Edwards and Austin Williams.
Junior Session powers the Skeeter run game while Devine Ozigbo has developed as the main running back option for Sachse.
Both defenses also feature playmakers, including Charles Grant, Chris Thompson and Marlin Simmons for Mesquite and Isaiah Smith and Austin Bush for the Mustangs.
"Their quarterback (Cooper) is as good as I have seen this year. He is outstanding throwing on the run, he is just so precise that even when you think you have him in trouble, he can still make plays," Sachse head coach Mark "Red" Behrens said. "They are explosive, but so are we. I think the team that can make the most stops is going to win."
Who: Horn vs. Garland
When: Saturday, noon
Where: Allen's Eagle Stadium
Records: Horn-7-3; Garland-6-4
Horn and Garland will meet for the second time this season.
The Jaguars pasted the Owls in a 42-0 victory in the second week of the season, but that was two months ago and both teams understand that.
"We understand that it is zero to zero when we kickoff and not 42-0," Horn head coach Rodney Webb said. "Garland is a much better team than they were the last time we played, but I think we are, too."
Horn has won four consecutive games since a loss to Mesquite. The Jaguars have a dual-threat quarterback in Destri White, who has thrown for 1,600 yards and has avoided big mistakes, throwing 22 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
Treyvon Marsh led 12-5A with 19 touchdowns and has rushed for more than 1,000 yards, while Brian O'Bannon has been the key threat on the outside.
D.J. Green and Colton King are among the defensive stalwarts for Horn.
Garland lost its first four games but has won six straight since then. The Owls have battled through injury problems, but V.J. Gates had one of best games of the season at quarterback last week and Ja'Taveon Green is a threat at quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
Class 5A Division II Bracket
Who: Rowlett vs. Longview
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Kincaide Stadium
Records: Rowlett-4-6; Longview-7-3
Rowlett and Longview are both back where they expected to be before the season began, but neither took a route they were used to.
The Eagles are in the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season, but it took victories over Naaman Forest, North Garland and Lakeview in their final three games to overcome a five-game losing streak to make it back.
Rowlett has a quarterback in Carson Hyles that has improved as the season has progressed. Hyles has thrown for more than 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding six scores on the ground.
The Eagles are battling some injury issues.
Jalen Rhodes, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, has already been lost for the season and backup Derrick Imade is also banged up. However, Nigel Hasty has a solid game last week against Lakeview and is more than capable about stepping in.
There is a similar issue at receiver, where Tyler Hogan is questionable. The cupboard is not bare, though, as Chris Heath has 47 catches for 763 yards and Jonathan Williams has come up big in district play.
The defense has played their best ball of late, with lineman Cedric Johnson anchoring the front and playmakers Jerek Capdeville and Grant Dotsy leading the back seven.
Longview has been a perennial playoff team but suffered unexpected stumbles with district losses to Mesquite and Horn.
The Lobos had to deal with quarterback Bivins Carraway to a season-ending injury but have relied on a strong running game, led by Tory White.
"Longview is a very good football team," Rowlett head coach Kiff Hardin said. "They are athletic and talented ... they have made the playoffs 12 straight years and have made some runs and that is where we would like to be.
"It is going to be a battle, but we are excited about it."
Class 4A Division I Bracket
Who: West Mesquite vs. Frisco Centennial
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Kimbrough Stadium
Records: West Mesquite-8-2; Frisco Centennial-9-1
West Mesquite is riding high after a victory over crosstown rival Poteet last week. The Wranglers have rebounded well from a midseason loss to Highland Park and feel they are playing their best football of the season going into the playoffs.
"I'm real happy where we are," West Mesquite head coach Mike Overton said. "We know it is going to be a good challenge in Frisco Centennial, but if we play the way we have been lately, I feel good about it."
Chason Virgil has followed up where he started after his freshman season was cut short by injury. The sophomore has thrown for more than 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Raashaan Reason is averaging nearly seven yards per carry and has 10 scores, while William Stanley, Akilian Butler and Christian Mitchell are just part of a deep receiving corps.
The defense has also been stout in recent weeks, led by Kameron Miles, Nick Akins, Nathaniel Roseburrow, Andre Thompson and Cedric Butler.
Frisco Centennial has only one blemish this season, a two-point loss to Prosper.
Class 4A Division II Bracket
Who: Poteet vs. Little Elm
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Standridge Stadium
Records: Poteet-8-2; Little Elm-5-5
Poteet is coming off a 45-31 loss to West Mesquite last week, but Pirate head coach Randy Jackson has been pleased with the way his team has bounced back in practice this week.
The Pirates played well in building a 31-17 lead last week but could not maintain it late.
Tanner Ramsey has been a scoring machine, accounting for 34 combined touchdowns rushing and passing.
James Swindle and Jaylen Smith have provided a 1-2 punch on the ground, while Rodney Douglas and Verkedric Vaughns are among the numerous playmakers also on the offense.
Little Elm is coming in on a hot streak after winning its last two games to make the playoffs. The Lobos are largely one-dimensional, but it is a good one behind running back Ke'aun Kinner, who is averaging better than 200 yards per game.
"They have a big offensive line and obviously they have a very good running back who has rushed for more than 300 yards four times this season," Poteet head coach Randy Jackson said. "That is going to be a big key is to get some three-and-outs and keep their offense off the field."
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