By Robert Morgan | Published Thursday, September 27, 2007
It is time to put up or shut up for some area football teams as three squads begin district play this week. The wins and losses take on new meaning this week for a few, while others get one last tune-up game before the results become a little more important.
It is time to put up or shut up for some area football teams as three squads begin district play this week. The wins and losses take on new meaning this week for a few, while others get one last tune-up game before the results become a little more important.
I'm not quite sure all of our teams are ready for league play yet, but I'm moving into postseason form. I got four out of five picks right last week and have nailed 10 of my last 12.
Hopefully, some of our local teams are in good form this week as well. Chico, Alvord and Northwest are stuck in eight-team districts so they have to open district play Friday night. Decatur, Bridgeport, Boyd and Paradise, meanwhile, have one more week to make things better.
Bridgeport is the only local team that appears ready to get down to business. The other six teams could use a few more tune-ups, but that isn't happening.
Bridgeport vs. Iowa Park
The only thing I don't like about this match-up is that the Hawks are not good enough to get the Bulls ready for their next game - the Decatur Eagles.
This is the type of game that Bridgeport has struggled with in recent years. The Bulls have a tendency to play down to the level of competition and come out on the losing end.
Not this time. This team has one game left to prepare for District 8-3A and it has a message to send to its next five opponents - fear the Bulls.
Bridgeport by 21
Decatur vs. Glen Rose
The Eagles played their best football of the season last week in a 23-21 loss to state-ranked Vernon. They have only made the playoffs one other time in Kyle Story's nine years after losing three regular season games.
Decatur finally got its passing game on track in Tim Metts' first complete game as the starting quarterback. The good news for the Eagles is that they have been in position to win their last two games despite 10 turnovers. This will be a tough team to beat if, or when, they eliminate those simple mistakes.
Decatur by 17
Paradise vs. Aubrey
The short-handed Panthers were run over by Pilot Point last week. They have just seven days to get things right before Aubrey tries to do the same thing with another stingy running game.
Paradise needs to stay healthy and work on some problems both offensively and defensively this week.
It appears the second and third playoff spots behind Cisco are wide open. That is more important than this week's loss. Paradise stays healthy but loses the game.
Aubrey by 7
Alvord vs. Nocona
The Bulldogs' aggressive defensive performances are not enough to make up for the offensive problems. Consistency and protection will have to improve to take this team from a pretender to a contender.
District starts this week and Alvord has to leave the effects of a frustrating 16-12 loss to Lindsay behind. I don't think it can happen because Nocona is bigger and better than the Knights.
If the Bulldogs have any bite left after two close defeats, it's time to start barking.
Nocona by 14
Boyd vs. Argyle
The Yellowjackets were torched by Bridgeport's passing game Friday. It gets much tougher this week as Boyd has to face the Metroplex's best 3A aerial attack.
Argyle dismantled Whitewright last week 63-7 and made it look easy. Boyd needed a second-half touchdown to sneak by the same team 20-12 a couple of weeks ago.
Boyd has not been crisp on offense all season. However, Argyle does not have a defense that strikes fear into too many teams which is good news for the Yellowjackets.
The bad news is that the Eagles will score more.
Argyle by 17
Chico vs. Jacksboro
The Tigers are better than some expected. They are 2-1 and playing their best football in two years.
Chico, however, is in the same position as it has been for a few years now. The group has talent but just not enough. Football is a numbers game and CHS has fewer.
What the Dragons lack in depth, however, they make up for in heart and desire. Unfortunately those two qualities don't put points on the board. Quarterback Klent Selz and his offense will score a couple of times but the Tigers own the second half.
Jacksboro by 24
Northwest vs. Keller
The Texans were picked by every media outlet to lose to a good Mansfield Timberview team last Friday. It didn't happen.
This 5A squad showed vast improvement on both sides of the ball. This week they get a chance to make more progress towards earning one of four playoff spots as District 5-5A starts.
The Texans held on to beat Keller 56-48 last year in a game that featured more than 100 points scored and nearly 1,100 yards of offense. Neither team is good enough to make that happen again but Northwest is still one touchdown better.
