Frisco High School Football: Bi-District Playoff Review

The bi-district round of the 2013 UIL playoffs have come and gone, and Frisco ISD schools did remarkably well.  Of the five teams that made it to the postseason tournament, four remain. Here’s a look at how each Frisco school faired during the bi-district round of the playoffs.

W Frisco Centennial (1-0) VS. Carrollton Creekview (0-1)—17-9

After trailing 3-0 after the first quarter, the Centennial Titans’ defense took control, allowing just six additional points through the final three quarters.

QB Kelly Cordova (112 yds, INT) didn’t have his best game passing, but showcased his duality as an upper-tier runner (77 yds, TD).  The Titans’ RB Kamari Burnett (106 yds, TD) had yet another strong game.  However, Centennial is advancing to the Area Round of the playoffs thanks to a stifling defensive effort that held Creekview to a paltry 190 yards of total offense.

W Frisco High (1-0) VS.  West Mesquite (0-1)—30-23

West Mesquite might have drawn first blood, but Frisco High that had the last laugh.  This bi-district matchup came down to two big plays—each of which involved the dynamic duo of RB Matt Nollman (237 yds total offense, 4 TDs) and QB Jake Battaglia (259 yds total offense, 2 TDs).

With the score tied 3-3, Nollman scored on an 11-yard run to put the Raccoons up by six.  Then, a 33-yard Wranglers field goal cut the lead in half.  Shortly after,  Battaglia found Nollman for a 71-yard TD toss.

As time would tell, those two were just getting warmed up.  Right off the bat in the third quarter, Nollman notched another score.  West Mesquite was beginning to show signs of life, as they recorded another field goal and finally found the end zone thanks to a 26-yard run by Le’Billie Hunter (129 yds, TD).  Then, Battaglia called on Nollman’s number once again—this time for a 75-yard coffin nail that sealed the win—and kept the postseason alive for the Raccoons.

L Frisco Wakeland (1-0) VS. Mesquite Poteet (1-0)—2-17

Coming off a regular season finale that saw the Wolverines score 43 points, they were shutdown—and nearly shutout—by a Potent Poteet defense that was perfect save for a second quarter safety.

The Pirates’ defense held Wakeland’s star running back, Brent Altieri, to just 39 rushing yards and limited Alex Marr to a mere 19.  All told, the Wolverines closed out their 2013 season by accumulating just 137 total yards of offense.

W Frisco Lone Star VS. Sanger (0-1)—46-42

The bi-district matchup between Sanger and Lone Star provided more offense than the law should allow, as both teams combined for 1,052 yards and 51 total first downs.

Both teams featured versatile offenses, high-lighted by uber-athletic star running backs. The Indians’ Tre’von Jackson (219 yds, 4 TDs) and the Rangers’ Ramon Harris (280 yds, 2 TDs) certainly lived up to their billing.

Lone Star QB Jason Shelley ran for 133 yards and 2 TDs, and Chase Moake was 1/1 with a passing TD to further highlight an impressive scoring nigh for the Rangers.

W Frisco Legacy Christian (1-0) VS. Fort Worth Calvary Christian (0-1)—42-8

Despite the gaudy final score, the Eagles defense was the quiet difference maker in this bi-district blowout, as they held the Calvary Conquerors to just 133 total yards of offense. The defense that is, with a hat tip to the Liberty Christian special teams unit.

Kyle Luiken blocked a punt in the second quarter, and returned it 30 yards for a quick score.  Then, in the third quarter, Chase Eisenmann (55 yds, TD) returned a punt 50 yards for another quick six.  RB C.J. Encalade led all players in yards with 84 and a TD, and WR Christian Gregory caught a 10-yard pass from Ryan Davis for a score.

Be sure to check back this Thursday for Lifestyle Frisco’s Playoff Preview—as we breakdown the competition and what it will take for Frisco’s finest to make it to Regionals, inching that  much closer to the ultimate prize.