Of the four Frisco ISD schools that made it to the Area Round, three advance, with the lone casualty Frisco Centennial. One school managed to advance via a blowout, with the other two relying on defense and clutch play-calling. Here’s a breakdown of how the remaining Frisco Three advanced to the regional round.
W Frisco High (11-3) Vs. Dallas Lincoln (9-5)—24-21
For the second-straight season, the Frisco Raccoons have advanced to the regional round of the UIL State playoffs. But unlike last year’s 42-7 blowout of Dallas Samuels, this time was no easy task.
Forced to play the majority of the game without their leading rusher, and trailing 21-14 at halftime, it wasn’t looking too good for Frisco in their area matchup against Lincoln.
But for a team that’s calling card has been insane depth matched with intestinal fortitude, a one score deficit—even without star running back Max Steitle—was nothing the ‘Coons couldn’t overcome.
In Steitle’s wake, it was sophomore FB Lucas Reynolds (116 yds) who supplied the majority of the yardage, with Jake Battaglia (59 yds, TD), Sean Grogan (52 yds, TD), and Austin Shaw (TD) all finding the end zone.
The second half was all Frisco, as their defense kept Lincoln scoreless, and kicker Luke Wadley supplied the go-ahead score with a 30-yard field goal.
W Frisco Lone Star (10-4) Vs. Princeton (11-3)—35-0
We all knew the Lone Star Rangers were capable of greatness on offense. Thus, in last week’s area round between the Rangers and the Panthers, the question wasn’t if the Rangers could score, it was if their defense could stop the formidable Princeton Panthers from piling on the points.
After all, the Panthers were averaging 41.8 ppg, and had amassed 50 points in their bi-district win over Ferris a week ago. This game was bound to be a high-scoring affair, right?
Nope. The Lone Star Rangers defense just wasn’t having it. And as we’ve come to expect, the offense was more than up to the task too.
QB Jason Shelley (119 yds, 3 TDs) connected on just 4/9 passing attempts, but three of them resulted in scoring catches from ATH Jordan Jones (69 yds, 2 TDs) and WR Kerron Dedrick (40 yds, TD). RB Ramon Harris did the rest with 79 yds rushing on 12 attempts, highlighted by a 10-yard scoring run that put the Rangers up 28-0 in the second quarter. And just like that, it’s on to the regional round for the Rangers.
W Frisco Legacy (12-2) Vs. FW Temple (10-4)—15-12
They say that familiarity breeds contempt. Thus, Legacy Christian was less than a minute away from harboring some deep-seated negativity towards Fort Worth Temple Christian.
Legacy Christian had played FW Temple Christian earlier in the year, and slugged out a 13-3 win. However, the playoffs are a different beast all together, so Legacy knew they would have to be on their game to pull off a win in the TAPPS Quarterfinal.
In their initial meeting, QB Ryan Davis (97 total yds, 2 INTs) had done most of his damage to the Eagles’ defense by connecting on 6/7 pass attempts for 101 yds and a TD. Clearly, FW Temple had done their homework and made the necessary adjustments to shutdown Davis.
In the playoffs the best teams adapt, and Legacy Christian’s calling card has always been about its athletic depth. And depth on special teams is what put the Eagles on the board initially, thanks to a Kyle Luiken PAT block that resulted in two points.
Then Legacy turned to RBs Chase Eisenmann (46 yds, TD) and C.J. Encalade (61 yds, TD) to carry the offense. Encalade’s touchdown was of the game-winning variety as he gave Legacy the lead for the first (and final) time with 47 seconds remaining in the game. Encalade not only put the game on ice for Legacy, but he made sure any derisive thoughts towards FW Temple would have to wait at least another year.
Be sure to check back this Thursday for the Lifestyle Frisco Regional Round Preview!
