By Robert Morgan | Published Thursday, September 6, 2007
Decatur and Paradise high schools were not the only teams that struggled on opening night of the 2007 football season. I, apparently, am going through a little bit of rebuilding as well as I was wrong on four of the five games last week.
Decatur and Paradise high schools were not the only teams that struggled on opening night of the 2007 football season. I, apparently, am going through a little bit of rebuilding as well as I was wrong on four of the five games last week.
I expected better after one week - and I bet Paradise and Decatur did, too. However, I'm going to prove last year's 69-8 mark in covering the winners was not a fluke.
I'm going back to the drawing board and recollecting my thoughts. Another five pounds or so is the only thing I plan on losing this week.
Decatur at Brewer
The Eagles get the chance to forget all about last week's loss to Burkburnett by playing one of the worst teams in the Metroplex. The only thing the Bears have to offer is giving Decatur a chance to grab a big confidence boost.
The defense was somewhat impressive last week. The group spent a bulk of the night on the field while the offense was searching for answers on the sideline.
The Decatur passing game was painful to watch as balls were dropped, overthrown or underthrown and the downfield blocking was sporadic at best.
This is one of only three games this year the Eagles should not have trouble winning
Decatur by 20
Bridgeport vs. Mineral Wells
The Bulls proved last week what I have thought all along - the defense will be better after a three-year hiatus. Bridgeport racked up major yardage against an average Breckenridge team last week.
This week, however, the Bulls are playing a real heavyweight. In fact, they will have a hard time containing the old-school veer offense that the Rams have mastered.
I don't think either team will win a defensive battle as two potent, yet completely opposite styles clash.
This will be Bridgeport's toughest non-district game. A win this week and District 8-3A had better prepare for the Bulls Ö. but I don't see it quite yet.
Mineral Wells by 14
Paradise vs. Henrietta
The Panthers fell flat to a team they routed last year. The offense played as if the ball was a hot potato and the defense looked like hot butter and Van Alstyne was the knife.
This group lost a lot of skilled players, senior leadership and size from last season. One thing it does have is pride and this is the week to show a good defensive Henrietta team that it has not lost that.
This is a match-up of teams that are better defensively than offensively. So, the team that proves it is ready to take a step forward offensively will win this game.
Henrietta by 9
Chico vs. Tolar
Both teams will be hungry for a win this week after last week's disappointments - Chico let the game get away in the second half and Tolar was just plain whipped.
This game, like all of the games for the Dragons, will be decided in the second half. They displayed a dangerous passing game last week and will need a little more of that to keep the Ratters from striking.
Tolar has a bigger chip on its shoulder after get routed last week. They would like nothing more than to take out those frustrations on Chico's small bunch.
Tolar by 5
Alvord vs. Petrolia
The Bulldogs have not settled on a full-time quarterback. Decatur and Boyd are in the same boat and both of those groups lost last week alternating quarterbacks.
That might be the biggest thing going against Alvord in its season opener against an old district foe. The two teams struggled in a defensive battle last year and this could be a repeat performance.
The Bulldogs have all kinds of speed on offense. However, do they have the bodyguards up front to take advantage of it? Yes, but not yet.
Petrolia played last week and I think that makes a difference this week.
Petrolia by 4
Boyd vs. Bowie
These two teams always fill the stands and provide an exciting show. Boyd has won the last two meetings in dramatic fashion.
This year, however, I don't see it happening. Bowie has switched to a "pistol" offense and it is far from scary.
What is scary is facing the Yellowjackets after a rare loss. The Jackrabbits will struggle moving the ball against the best defense in Wise County.
Boyd must get better offensively and the line has to take care of business. Both will happen against a team headed toward a winless season.
Boyd by 21
Northwest vs. Burleson
The Texans are the mystery team of the area as they are unveiling nearly an entire new team. They have just two starters back on each side of the ball.
The good news is that two of those four starters are all-state candidates at tailback and defensive and hands down the best at their position in Wise County.
Northwest will take on a very average Burleson team that has vulnerable defense. That is good news for NHS as it welcomes a new quarterback for the first time in three years.
With Drew Ashley in the backfield and Ricky Broxton hauling in interceptions, I like the Texans' chances.
