The following snapshot is intended to capture a few local High School football powers as regular seasons wind down, and playoff anticipation begins in earnest. It includes a school newly ranked this year.
Southlake Carroll Dragons
There was no interruption in the 2021 march to perfection by the Southlake Carroll Dragons (9-0, 5-0). Fort Worth’s Timber Creek Falcons (3-6, 2-3) became the latest victim on October 29, falling 42-7 to the home field and relentless Division 6A Dragons.
As in prior weeks, Carroll fielded a tight-fisted defensive unit. Seven Falcon ball carriers were tackled for a loss. The Dragons put pressure on their QB, he was sacked three times, hurried five times, Carroll intercepted him once, and deflected another four passing attempts.
As a team, the Dragons have limited 2021 opponents to fewer than 14 points per outing while on offense, putting up a 46 point scoring average. In addition to their remaining in the Lone Star’s #1 ranking, Carroll is considered 11th in the nation.
A superb effort on any team’s part will be needed to derail this squad, and Keller’s Fossil Ridge High Panthers (4-5, 2-3) will be afforded that chance when they host Southlake in a wrap up of regular season play on the evening of Thursday, November 4.
Denton Guyer Wildcats
Denton Guyer Wildcats (9-1, 5-1) kept their engines humming on all cylinders with a home field Division 6 League 45-21 victory over the Lobos from Little Elm (5-4, 1-4). The defeated visitors entered play with close to a 45 point-per-game scoring average.
For its part, Guyer arrived with a 41 points per outing average and surrendered just over 20. With just that single close scoring loss to Allen on the season, the Wildcats hold 4th place in state polling. They now await the identity of their opening-round playoff opponent, as this game marked the end of their regular season.
Duncanville Panthers
Close in line are the 5th ranked Duncanville Panthers, riding a seven-game win streak and posting a 6-0 mark in Division 6A Region 2 competition. They faced the Mansfield Tigers (4-5, 2-4) with an astounding 63-17 victory on October 29.
Asserting their dominance with a 49-10 Halftime spread, the Panthers caged their host’s rushing attack at fewer than 70 yards, and kept Mansfield’s complete game muster to only 278 yards total offense. The Panthers sew up their 2021 regular season with a November 5 home field session against the winless Waco Lions.
Lucas Lovejoy Leopards
Players and coaches of the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards saw to another win last week against the Frisco’s Lebanon Trail Blazers with a decisive 55-7 game. The Leopards 2021 Season thus remains unspotted at 9-0 overall and 7-0 in their Region.
Meanwhile, the overmatched Blazers skidded to 1-8 for their season with a winless at 0-7 in their league. With a single remaining season game set for a November 5 home date visit from the 8-1 Frisco Liberty Redhawks, the Leopards prepare to fight for their continued winning streak.
China Spring High School Cougars
Seemingly from the depths of a deep blue Texas sky have emerged a newcomer to this year’s favored state teams. Slightly to the Northwest of Waco is a Division 4A band of Cougars hoisting China Spring High School to the 23rd spot in Texas polls.
This high school brought football State Championship honors home in 1978 and went on to compete as State finalists in both 1979 and a more recent 2007. Its current slate remained unblemished at 9-0 overall and 4-0 in District matches when, on October 22, it breezed to a 49-7 halftime advantage before jogging to the wire with a 52-21 defeat of the Robinson Rockets.
The rockets are now grounded at 2-7 on the year, 1-3 in the district. Senior All-Star Major Bowden is China Spring’s primary offensive weapon at 212 all-purpose yards per game. The Cougar’s regular season winds down with a November 5 visit to Waco’s Connolly Cadets, 4-4 on the year but a noteworthy 3-1 in their district.