Published: November 18, 2009 05:19 pm      

Area HS Football Playoff Previews

CLASS 2A DIVISION II

Area



Callisburg (9-2) vs. Melissa (9-2)

Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Lobo Stadium

Little Elm



CALLISBURG OUTLOOK - The Wildcats are coming off an impressive 46-19 win over Jacksboro in the bi-district round last Saturday. In that game, Callisburg had 415 yards rushing. Quarterback Bobby Dorman carried the ball 15 times for 274 yards, while Langston Jones had 10 carries for 140 yards. Receiver Kevin Bartley caught two passes for 79 yards and both receptions went for touchdowns.

MELISSA OUTLOOK - The Cardinals defeated Prairiland 7-6 in the first round of the playoffs last week. Their two losses were to 3A Lucas Lovejoy and undefeated Gunter. They are a very physical team with a good defense and solid running game. Melissa went 9-2 a season ago and lost in the bi-district round of the playoffs. In fact, they have won nine games for four-straight years. Like his counterpart at Callisburg, Melissa quarterback Aaron Bush was a receiver last season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH - Callisburg: QB Bobby Dorman (6-2, 180), LB Chase McCage (5-10, 200), WR Kevin Bartley (5-9, 160); Melissa: RB Cody Morgan, QB Aaron Bush, LB Nick Palmer.

COACHSPEAK - “Our offense played the best three quarters of football as a team since I have been the coach here. It was a total group effort.” -- Callisburg coach Jerry Bomar on his team’s offensive performance last week that included 415 yards on the ground.



CLASS A DIVISION I

Regional



Collinsville (6-5) vs. DeLeon (7-3)

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Newsom Stadium

Mansfield



COLLINSVILLE OUTLOOK - The Pirates pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the state in the first round of the playoffs when they knocked off previously undefeated and No. 3 ranked Quinlan Boles 56-21. Collinsville had a 21-0 lead just four minutes into the game.

DELEON OUTLOOK - The Bearcats had a bye in the first round of the playoffs. They will be similar to Collinsville. They run their offense out of the I-formation and the wishbone. They use a 5-2 and 4-3 scheme with man coverage on defense. They have a bunch of hard nosed players that will get after it. The school has a rich tradition in football. They were 10-1 a year ago and advanced to the regional semifinals. Linebacker Hayden Lewis had 111 tackles last year as a freshman.

PLAYERS TO WATCH - Collinsville: OL Turner Coulson (5-10, 225), LB Scott Ragsdale (5-11, 180), LB Chase Medler (5-10, 170); LB Hayden Lewis (5-6, 151), DE Alex Rorie (6-0, 178), DE Calvin Caraway (6-3, 183).

COACHSPEAK - “I feel our team has the confidence they can play with anyone if we take care of the ball and not turn it over. We are not good enough to make mental mistakes and still win.” -- Collinsville coach Danny David on his team’s confidence level after defeating the No. 3 ranked team in the state.



CLASS A DIVISION II

Area



Lindsay (10-1) vs. Tolar (8-2)

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Birdville ISD Stadium

North Richland Hills



LINDSAY OUTLOOK - The Knights opened the playoffs last week with a 48-14 win over Cumby. Lindsay actually trailed 14-7 late in the second quarter, but the Knights scored 41 unanswered points. The turning point may have been a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Josh Mueller to open the second half and gave Lindsay the lead for good. The Knights rushed for 230 yards and had 336 yards of total offense. Ryan Haverkamp carried the ball 14 times for 84 yards and scored three touchdowns. Dax Fleitman was almost perfect passing, completing 7 of 9 passes for 106 yards. Robert Arend intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. He also had 10 tackles. Will Taylor added eight tackles and Frankie Cornett recovered a fumble. Receiver Ross Jones is still questionable. He has missed most of the second half of the season with an injury.

TOLAR OUTLOOK - The Rattlers had a bye last week in the first round of the playoffs. They were 3-7 a year ago, but turned things around to go 8-2 this year. One of their losses was to Archer City, a team Lindsay defeated this season, but Tolar’s quarterback was hurt in that game. They have a quality win over Hico. They feature a big offensive and defensive line.

PLAYERS TO WATCH - Lindsay: QB Dax Fleitman (6-2, 165), RB/DB Robert Arend (5-8, 155), RB/LB Frankie Cornett (6-0, 190); Tolar: RB Cameron Lance (6-0, 168), RB Randal Stewart (5-9, 195), WR Chase Campbell (5-9, 160).

COACHSPEAK - “In the second half we played hard.” -- Lindsay coach Cody Bounds on the biggest difference between the first half and second half last week.



CLASS A DIVISION II

Area



Muenster (8-3) vs. Perrin-Whitt (5-5)

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Springtown Stadium

Springtown



MUENSTER OUTLOOK - The Hornets beat Wolfe City 46-28 in the first round of the playoffs last week. Muenster raced out to a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter thanks to three touchdown passes by Levi Trubenbach and a 70-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Dalton Koelzer. Wolfe City came back to get within 12 late in the game, but they couldn’t get any closer. Trubenbach, who was injured in the second quarter but came back and finished the game, had 311 yards passing. Eric Hellman caught six passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns, while Jason Luke had the other two TD catches. Scott Porter intercepted a pass for the Hornet defense, which held Wolfe City to zero yards passing.

PERRIN-WHITT OUTLOOK - The Pirates fell back this year to a 5-5 record after going 8-3 last year. They had a bye in the first round of the playoffs last week. Perrin-Whitt’s five losses have been to City View (35-6), Millsap (42-0), Valley Mills (34-19), Tolar (29-7) and DeLeon (34-7). They have two common opponents with Muenster. Both teams lost to Millsap and both defeated Santo. They run a multiple offense and a 4-3 defense. They graduated all their skill kids from last year’s team.

PLAYERS TO WATCH - Muenster: QB Levi Trubenbach (6-2, 190), OL Jeremy Lutkenhaus (6-0, 270), WR Jason Luke (5-8, 130); Perrin-Whitt: DE Wesley Rice (5-10, 160), OT Casey Brock (5-10, 260), LB Bryce Cameron (5-10, 190).

COACHSPEAK - “With Wolfe City we had an early 28 point lead and the lead never got under 12 points. I feel that we did a good job of continuing to score and limiting their scores. Our main focus is still on limiting turnovers. That was a major portion of points by Wolfe City.” -- Muenster coach Allen Cross on Wolfe City’s mini comeback after the Hornets took a 28-0 lead.



TAPPS DIVISION IV

Regional



Sacred Heart (8-3) vs. Bryan Brazos Christian (7-4)

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Alvarado HS Stadium

Alvarado



SACRED HEART OUTLOOK - The Tigers started the TAPPS playoffs with a 31-8 home win over Irving The Highlands last Friday. Sacred Heart shut out The Highlands until the last five minutes of the game. The Tigers were outgained 257-209, but several big plays helped them to the easy win including a pass and lateral for a score, a 75-yard fumble return and a 50-yard TD pass. Matt Hesse finished with 135 yards passing and John Krawietz had 77 yards receiving. Hesse added 11 tackles on defense. Running back Clay Hogan is nursing a banged-up knee but could play this week.

BRYAN BRAZOS OUTLOOK - The Eagles defeated Galveston O’Connell 35-7. They finished third in their district behind Shiner St. Paul and Halletsville Sacred Heart. Bryan Brazos is a running team that features both size up front and speed in the backfield. The are a power football team. The Eagles return 13 starters from last year’s 7-6 team.

PLAYERS TO WATCH - Sacred Heart: WR John Krawietz (6-4, 170), QB Matt Hesse (5-8, 170), DL Gene Yosten (6-1, 200); Bryan Brazos: RB Daniel Ordanez (5-11, 175), OT Jordan Lightfoot (6-0, 235), FS Luke Wigley (6-2, 170).

COACHSPEAK - “I think we’re going to win, but I think we’re going to have to play outstanding team defense.” -- Sacred Heart coach Dale Schilling on what his team needs to do this week against Bryan Brazos Christian.



SIX MAN DIVISION I

Regional



Saint Jo (7-3) vs. Richland Springs (10-1)

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Hico Stadium

Hico



SAINT JO OUTLOOK - The Panthers had a bye in the first round of the playoffs. They have not played since Nov. 5 when they defeated Waxahachie Advantage 63-12. Saint Jo has not lost since Oct. 16. During their last three wins, the Panthers have outscored their opponents 207-44. Saint Jo has scored at least 50 points seven times this year and have hit the 70-point mark three times. The Panthers are as healthy as they have been all year. Only Shaden Clark, who broke a collarbone back in week four, will miss the game.

RICHLAND SPRINGS OUTLOOK - The Coyotes beat Gustine 54-8 in the first round of the playoffs in a game that was called at the half due to the mercy rule. They are currently ranked No. 8 in the state. They also went 10-1 last year. The predominately use a passing game with their speedback, Haustin Burkhart, the head coach’s son. According to coaches, they create big plays better than any team Saint Jo has faced this year. Defensively they are sound, but Saint Jo hopes to have success throwing the ball.

PLAYERS TO WATCH - Saint Jo: RB Jake Ellingwood (6-0, 180), DE Joey Lindenborn (5-9, 160), NG Richard James (5-10, 195); Richland Springs: QB Haustin Burkhart (5-8, 175), LB David Veitch (5-7, 190), RB Tommy Hollon (5-6, 155).

COACHSPEAK - “I do not like having the first-round bye, but we try to take advantage of the extra time to fine tune some of our offense. We also get to work on tightening up any problems we have seen recently in our defense. The kids have a hard time focusing, but we try to make it relevant.” -- Saint Jo coach Chad Tallon on his team having a bye in the first round of the playoffs last week.