At the conclusion of Week 9 of the 2013 season, the Frisco HS football playoff picture came into clear focus. All four playoff spots are now spoken for, with three Frisco ISD schools laying claim. Here’s a breakdown of how Week 9 went down.
W Frisco High School (4-2-) @ Frisco Heritage (3-3)—35-27
Up 21-6 at the halfway point, it appeared as though the Raccoons were on their way to a rout of the Coyotes. On the brink of playoff contention elimination, Heritage staged a sizable second half comeback—by outscoring Frisco High 21-14—and trailed just 28-27 with 1:52 left in the game. However, a Max Steitle touchdown put the Raccoons ahead for good, and pushed them into a playoff spot.
As is their MO, the Raccoons managed to run the ball at will and wear down the Coyote defenders. RB Matt Nollman (173 yds) paced the attack that managed a total of 395 yards rushing. Max Steitle (75 yds), Lucas Reynolds (44 yds), and Austin Shaw (24 yds) all found the end zone for the ‘Coons.
Heritage got another big game from RB Sean Jones (129 yds, TD) and QB Malik Walker (205 total yards, 2 TDs).
W Frisco Centennial (5-1) @ The Colony (5-1)—21-20
When the district’s two most potent offenses lock horns, it is only natural for the scoring to get started—by a safety? But those two points would prove precious, as a late rally by the Titans guided them into a two-way tie for first place.
Coming into the Lifestyle Frisco Game of the Week, The Colony Cougars seemed in danger of losing their first game of the year. After all, they would be forced to play their first full game without their star RB Bryan Hammond, who was lost for the season due to an ACL tear.
But thanks to the excellent efforts of District 9-4A’s finest defense, and a big night from RB Khalil Banks (109 yds), the Cougars led 21-9 over the Titans with just five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
With the clock ticking and the opportunity to move into a first-place tie fading, Titans QB Kelly Cordova took control. Cordova hit DJ Jackson with a 63-yard pass to bring the Titans back from the dead, 15-20. Then, just over a minute later, it was Cordova again—this time to Stoney Hawkins for a 27-yard score—that put the Cougars on ice, sending them to their first loss of the season.
W Frisco Wakeland (4-2) Vs. Little Elm (0-6)—20-17
The Wolverines showed the rest of District 9-4A that they were the real deal after shutting shutting out the potent Centennial offense in Week 7, handing the Titans their lone loss in district play. During last week’s matchup with the last place Lobos, the Wolverines held on for the three-point win despite a late Little Elm rally.
Leading 13-3 at the start of the fourth quarter, it appeared that Wakeland had all but punched their ticket to the playoffs after Jordan Scott scored on a one-yard run. But then a quick score on a one-yard run by the Lobos’ Edgar Khan, followed by a Caleb Chapman three-yard run, and the Lobos were within a field goal of forcing OT, and a TD away from an improbable win. However, it wasn’t meant to be, as the Lobos simply ran out of time.
Chapman led the Lobos—as he has all season—with 258 total yards and one touchdown. Noah Anderson paced the Wolverines offense with 155 yards on just 13 carries.
W Frisco Lone Star (1-3) Vs. Carrolton Ranchview (0-3)—34-20
After three straight district losses (dropping their last two by an average of 40.5 points), the Rangers nipped Ranchview to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Thanks to an explosive 17-point second quarter that started with a Ramon Harris (228 yds, 3 TDs) two-yard score, and ended with a 52-yard Cameron Scott field goal, the Rangers cruised into halftime up 24-6. QB Jason Shelley (209 total yards, TD) added some insurance late in the fourth quarter to make it a two-possession game.
With the regular season complete, the Rangers will have to wait and see if the Aubrey Chaparrals can beat Ranchview in Week 10. A Ranchview loss would mean that the fourth and final playoff spot would land in Lone Star’s hands.
Be sure to check back this Thursday, as Lifestyle Frisco brings you the Week 10 Preview including the Game of the Week—Frisco Liberty Christian Academy (3-0) Vs. Colleyville Covenant Christian (3-0).
