Fans of Frisco ISD football have plenty to cheer about as all of their schools are still in the mix for a potential playoff berth. Both Frisco High (2-1) and Wakeland (2-1) have a chance to ascend the standings this week, and another win would send Centennial to a 4-0 start. Even Liberty and Heritage (both 1-2) can remain alive in the hunt with a win this week.
Frisco Centennial (3-0) VS. Frisco Wakeland (2-1)—Thurs. 10/17, 7:00 PM @ Toyota Stadium
Lifestyle Frisco’s Week 7 Game of the Week has all the makings of an instant classic. Centennial looks to keep pace atop District 9-4A while Wakeland could move into second place with a win.
The Centennial Titans’ offense is loaded. Headlined by QB Kelly Cordova (1,670 yds, 18 TDs) who is second in the area in passing yards and touchdowns, Centennial is averaging 449.8 yards per game—making it no surprise that they put up an average of 40 points per week.
The thing with Cordova is that he is nearly as dangerous outside of the pocket as he is inside, as he has rushed for 355 yards and 5 TDs. RB Kamari Burnett is an elite runner as well, as his 613 yards of total offense can attest. WRs Devin McCord (586 yds, 5 TDs), Jackson Grimes (343 yds, 5 TDs) and DJ Jackson (340, 7 TDs) will keep Wakeland’s pass defense—surrendering an average of 130 yards per game—busy.
The Wolverines have some offensive firepower too. QB Jackson Lamb (804 yds, 6 TDs) and his favorite target, Justice Williams (19/359, 2 TDs) can move the chains in a hurry. RBs Brent Altieri (587 yds, 6 TDs) and Alex Marr (406 yds, 8 TDs) lead an excellent backfield—one that averages 222 yards per game.
Both Wakeland and Centennial can be spotty on defense at times. The Titans defense has allowed 335 yards per game (1,005 passing/996 rushing) with the Wolverines giving up 343 ypg (1,262 passing/796 rushing). Sounds like the recipe for a high-scoring game that should be all kinds of fun to watch.
Frisco Heritage (1-2) VS. Little Elm (0-3)—Thurs. 10/17, 7:00 PM @ Frisco ISD Memorial Stadium
The fact that the Coyotes are 1-2 is a testament to the toughness of the district as they have one of the area’s best running backs in Caleb Chapman (1,154 yds, 6 TDs). For Heritage this season, their woes have been brought about by a defense that has allowed 35.7 points per game—even more alarming when considering their offense has averaged just 29 ppg.
That being said, Heritage does have several offensive weapons. QB Malik Walker has thrown for 1,274 yards with 14 TDs, and has rushed for 294 yards with seven TDs. WR Keaton White (445 yds, 7 TDs) has game-changing ability and a nose for the end zone.. RB Sean Jones (354 yards, TD) is very talented and and a capable playmaker in his own right.
Frisco High (2-1) VS. Frisco Liberty (1-2)—Fri. 10/18, 7:00 PM @ Toyota Stadium
The Raccoons, to a certain extent, are a tough luck 2-1. After all, they have thus far given The Colony their biggest challenge this season—as they lost 14-20 during Week 5.
The key for Frisco this week will be to contain option-QB Connor Robison (779 total yards of offense, 11 TDs) and RB Chris McPhaul (318 yds, TD). This shouldn’t be too tough for a Raccoons defense that is allowing just 285.8 yards of offense per game.
For the RedHawks to make a go, they will need to exploit the Raccoons’ somewhat porous rushing defense, which has allowed nearly 200 yards per game. The real test will be if the RedHawks’ defense can stop Frisco’s fierce running back Max Steitle (733 yards, 6 TDs) and QB Jake Battaglia (676 yds, 6 TDs). Liberty’s defense has been especially susceptible to the pass. Look for Battaglia and his favorite targets, T.J. Keys (7/181 yds) and Dayton Bush (7/183 yds 3 TDs) to have a big night.
3A
Frisco Lone Star (0-1) VS. Celina (1-0)—Fri. 10/18, 7:00 PM @ Frisco ISD Memorial Stadium
On paper, it looked like the Rangers were all set to start off 1-0 in district against the Chaparals. However, a late rally by Aubrey, and Lone Star found themselves on the wrong side of a 28-17 game, and sitting at 0-1 in District 10-3A.
There is no doubt that the Rangers will seeking to avenge last week’s stunning loss. This is a battle between two of 3A’s top offenses—Lone Star checks in at second, averaging 475.1 ypg, with Celina fifth at 419.9 ypg.
The Bobcats offense is led by QB Nathan Elliott (84/154, 1269 yds 19 TDs) who can really sling it. Elliott has plenty of help too, as the Bobcats’ offense features three running backs with over 300 yards rushing on the season—Deshawn Davis (321 yds, 5 TDs), Jarren Alexander (317 yds, 5 TDs), and Collin Schmid (301 yds, 4 TDs). WRs Cash Conder (372 yds, 6 TDs) and Luke Reeder (243 yds, 3 TDs) are Elliot’s chief targets.
The Rangers’ numbers are even gaudier than the Bobcats’. Whereas Celina uses a troika of runners to put up big ground gains, Lone Star has all-purpose RB Ramon Harris (1,010 total yards, 15TDs) which is similar to having three players packed into one. The Rangers also feature three of District 10-3A’s best WRs in Jordan Jones (40/511 yds, 6 TDs), Austin De Leon (29/417 yds, 2 TDs) and Michael Bordes (15/357 yds, 4 TDs). And oh yeah, a QB duo in Chase Moake and Jason Shelley that have combined for 1,666 yards passing with 17 TDs…
Yet for all of the offensive fireworks promised by these two high-scoring schools, this matchup should come down to which defense is the most resilient. Celina is tenth in area in total defense, allowing 272 ypg. Lone Star currently resides in 20th—surrendering 349.7 ypg.
TAPPS/Private
Frisco Legacy Christian (1-0) VS. Gainesville State School (0-1)—Fri. 10/18, 7:30 PM
Week 1 of DIII-2 TAPPS started off with a bang for Legacy Christian, as the Eagles overwhelmed Flower Mound Coram Deo Academy to walk away with a 50-6 laugher. As we learned from last week’s 3A upset, won/loss records aren’t the best predictor of future outcome; that being said, look for a big win from the Eagles over winless Gainesville State School this Friday night.
Can’t make it to the games this week? No problem, Lifestyle Frisco has got you covered. Follow @TMurrayHowell for scoring updates and check back on Tuesday for a re-cap of all of this week’s hard-hitting action.
