By Robert Morgan | Published Thursday, November 1, 2007
Thanks to Bridgeport's shocking win and Chico's disappointing loss, I went 4-2 in covering the winners last week. My miss on the Bulls' upset of Argyle is one I can live with, but missing the Dragons hurt. I'm sure I'm not the only one hurting after that one.
Thanks to Bridgeport's shocking win and Chico's disappointing loss, I went 4-2 in covering the winners last week. My miss on the Bulls' upset of Argyle is one I can live with, but missing the Dragons hurt. I'm sure I'm not the only one hurting after that one.
As strangely as week 8 of the season played out, Halloween week just might be creepier. We've got Decatur needing a win over Argyle if it does not want Bridgeport to sneak in and grab the 8-3A title and Paradise must win or basketball season is just nine days away.
That is just the beginning of a huge week. Boyd is playing for the 10-2A championship, while Alvord is fighting for its thin playoff chances and Chico and Northwest are playing for pride alone.
After last week's tough road, I still moved to a respectable 39-10 for the season. We have seven games this week for the first time in a month, so it's time for me to lace up the tennis shoes and get after it.
Hold on.
Boyd vs. Cisco
Everyone has had this game pegged as the district championship game ever since the Loboes beat the Yellowjackets last season. Neither team has disappointed those prognosticators as Friday night will decide the best team of 10-2A.
Last year's teams were pretty even. This year, however, there might be a small difference in the two. Cisco is playing better than it had all last season despite working in a new quarterback.
Boyd, for the first time in several years, is lacking the passing game that was vital in its run to the 2004 state title. With a defense as nasty as the Loboes, I don't see how this game can go any other way
Cisco by 21
Decatur vs. Argyle
The District 8-3A championship comes down to this battle of the Eagles. If Decatur can contain the air show for quarterback J.J. Harp and company, it will finish first for the sixth straight year. An Argyle victory will likely create a tri-championship along with Bridgeport.
Bridgeport delivered a reality check to Argyle last week in holding the highly-touted spread offense to just 10 points. Now Harp gets to take his frustrations out on a DHS secondary that has been saved several times this season by the opponents' dropped passes.
Which flock of birds want this game more than the other? Argyle will go from first and finish third with a loss, and the title stays at DHS with a win. How can you go against tradition?
Decatur by 4
Alvord vs. Holliday
Olney did not do Alvord a favor by beating previously undefeated Holliday last week. Any sting that the Eagles are still feeling from the upset will be taken out this week.
The Bulldogs have the defense to beat any team in this district. They are not big and do not strike fear into too many teams, but they are quick and know how to play defense.
Offensively, however, Alvord will need to bring a lunch to get through this tough task. Holliday also knows how to play some defense and it will take on a Bulldog offense that has had its ups and downs.
Holliday by 14
Paradise vs. Godley
The Panthers' fate all comes down to Friday night - win and they will likely be in the 2007 state playoffs. A loss will leave next week's game as the season finale pride game.
Paradise, which has faced rebuilding all season with a young crew, has never found its rhythm this season. As would be the case with any small school, injuries have played havoc on the team all year.
Godley, meanwhile, is a little bit healthier and remembers losing out on the third playoff spot last year to Paradise.
That is enough motivation for the Wildcats to sneak away with this one.
Godley by 7
Chico vs. Nocona
If I still had some high school eligibility left I would suit up for coach Pete Hart in a minute. His Dragons are limping through a coach's nightmare as season-ending injuries continue to mount his group.
Wichita Falls City View won its first game in four years with a 41-7 win over Chico last week. That wasn't the worst news for Chico. After losing the starting quarterback and safety two games ago, last week Chico lost its running back and back-up quarterback.
This is too much for any team to overcome regardless of classification.
Nocona by 28
Northwest vs. Haltom
A pair of 1-7 teams will play for a little more than pride this week as the loser will likely finish at the bottom of District 5-5A.
The Texans, however, have yet to play like a team winless in district. They gave unbeaten Grapevine all it could handle; should have beaten Keller; had chances to beat Colleyville last week and posted 450 yards of offense on Southlake.
Northwest went 0-4 in those ball games. This is the week for this group to break out of its offensive funk. There is going to be lots of real estate collected for both teams in this showdown. I like the team with Drew Ashley.
