2017 WEEKLY SCORES AND SCHEDULE
5A D1 Region 2 Bi-District
Wakeland Wolverines (7-4) @ Prosper Eagles (9-2)—14-38
The Prosper Eagles struck first on a one-yard run, but then the Wolverines reeled off a 14-0 run to give them the lead in the second quarter, with just over eight minutes remaining. Unfortunately, that would be the last time Wolverines’ offense would find the end zone, as the Prosper Eagles’ highly-touted defense tightened the screws in the second half and Kaleb Adams (245 yds, 3 TDs) took over on offense.
Coming in, Prosper understood that a key to avenging their loss at the hands of Wakeland a year ago would be in stopping their running game and keeping the pressure on QB Dylan Cadwallader (274 yds., 2 TDs). The Eagles’ game plan was executed to perfection as they held the Wolverines’ stout rushing attack to just 30 yards—less than one-yard per rushing attempt (0.7).
WRs Tre Adams (118 yds, 2 TDs), Easton Reeves (64 yds) and Peyton Reinersten (54 yds) contributed nearly all of Wakeland’s 285 total yards, while Adams’ two TD grabs were the only points put on the board by Wakeland.
McKinney North Bulldogs (8-3) VS Centennial Titans (4-7)—14-56
When the Titans came oh-so-close to defeating the McKinney North Bulldogs in their Week 2 matchup earlier this season, it was due in no small measure to the running expertise of their star running back, Hunter Williams. However, after tearing his ACL in Week 11’s win over the Heritage Coyotes, the senior would have to miss out on his last chance at a state championship as a Titan.
Although his leadership and presence ere missed, it wasn’t a lack of offense that stymied the Titans, rather than a much-improved Bulldogs defense that suffocated the Titans seemingly at every turn.
Unlike their early, regular-season matchup, this time the McKinney Bulldogs dominated both sides of the ball, leading the Centennial Titans by 35 points at halftime. Down 42-7 to start the third quarter, Brock Floyd (93 yds rushing, TD) scored on a 21-yard run to bring the Titans within 28 points, but the Bulldogs scored again immediately to put even the faintest glimmer of hope to rest.
Along with Floyd’s 93 yards on the ground, RBs Justin Smith (102 yds) and BJ Wilson (62 yds) were able to produce 257 of the Titans’ 319 total yards of offense. The Bulldogs’ dual-threat machine, Cameron Constantine accounted for 5 total TDs and 311 total yards, a whopping 173 of which was gained on the ground. RBs Lamar Lucas (132 yds, TD) and Emmanuel Moore (103 yds, TD) also played a big role in the Bulldogs’ win.
5A D2 Region 2 Bi-District
Reedy Lions (9-2) VS Lake Dallas Falcons (7-4)—34-37
Oftentimes in a team’s first playoff appearance, everything is magnified and this in and of itself can be a challenge to overcome. The lights seem brighter, the opposing fans louder and the emotions run higher.
This certainly wasn’t the case for the Reedy Lions during their first-ever postseason contest against the Lake Dallas Falcons. The Lions showed none of the jitters that occasionally accompany postseason newbies. In fact, they had plenty of opportunities to keep their magical 2017 season alive, but it was perhaps the Lake Dallas Falcons’ playoff savvy due to their recent postseason success that enabled them to keep it close and pull the trigger on a win late.
Well that, plus QB Ryan Depperschmidt.
The Falcon signal-caller (313 yds., TD) was an impressive 27/33 on passing attempts (82%), but it was his legs that did the most damage, as he scored four rushing TDs, in spite of an anemic three yards per carry—but he didn’t even really get into hyperdrive until the second half.
Early on, it looked as though the Reedy Lions were poised for their first playoff win, as they led 14-0 with just over ten minutes left in the second quarter. But the Falcons flew back into the game thanks to Depperschmidt’s first two rushing TDs.
Then, to start off the second half, it appeared that the Lions had squelched any first half Falcons’ momentum, as they were back up by two possessions once again, 28-16, thanks to a 64 yard pass-and-catch from Josh Foskey (453 yds, 3 TDs 2 INTs) to Logan West (132 yds, TD). But just a few minutes later and Depperschmidt did it with his feet once again, as his 10-yard brought the Falcons within five points.
Then to close out the third quarter, Depperschmidt aired it out to Ky’lee Smith for a 97 yard TD—his only passing TD on the night—that gave the Falcons their first lead of the game. But once again, Reedy rumbled down the field and regained the lead in the fourth quarter thanks to a Justin Gipson (37 yds, 2 TDs) one-yard run.
But once again, it was Depperschmidt who struck again, this time for his fourth and final rushing TD of the game, that put his Falcons on top for good, and into the Area Round of this week’s UIL playoffs.
5A D2 Region 1 Bi-District
Lone Star Rangers (10-1) VS The Colony Cougars (7-4)—41-16
If you glance at this boxscore, it’s easy to dismiss it as an easy win. Another 40-points put up by Lone Star, ho-hum, they do that all the time. But just like that old dude on the softball field that stills hits dingers, looks can be deceiving.
The Rangers started off slowly, meandering into halftime up 14-9, as The Colony’s defense did a great job of stopping—well, as much as possible—Lone Star’s near-nuclear level offense.
In the postseason you are rarely going to find a subpar team that “sneaks” into the playoffs. And one thing that separates the good teams from the great ones is their ability to adapt and change their game plan when needed. Lone Star did just that at halftime, as their key adjustments led to a 20-point third quarter.
Of course, without playmakers and overall talent, you can make all the adjustments you want and it won’t matter. And as we are well aware, the Rangers have plenty of talent. The second half they came alive thanks to two of their best players, QB M.J. Rivers (6 TDs, 2 passing, 4 rushing) and WR Marvin Mims (188 yds, 2 TDs) got into their normal dominant groove.
Now, for the Rangers, truly the “Lone” Frisco team left in the hunt for a championship, it’s on to the Area Round for a showdown with the red-hot Lovejoy Leopards.
