Laredo United South Seizes Control of Laredo in 2019

Laredo United South used a punishing running game and an opportunistic defense to seize control of the District 29-6A race with a 35-28 win over Laredo United on Thursday. Brian Benavides, who has torn through defenses in South Texas all season, had another big night rushing for 250 yards and three touchdowns while toting the mail 34 times. But it was the USHS defense that was the story early helping the Panthers build a 21-0 lead in the third quarter on the strength of two key fumble recoveries to snuff out Longhorn scoring chances. Laredo United made a furious late rally, but the Panthers lead was too much to overcome and now United South looks to not only be ready to take home a district title, but host a bi-district playoff game as well.

Coaching Milestones

Highland Park needed overtime to get the job done, but the Scots got it done in a 42-35 overtime win over an outstanding Lancaster squad to give head coach Randy Allen career victory No. 400 as a head coach. Allen joins some incredibly elite company in that list as only Phil Danaher and G.A. Moore have reached those lofty heights in the history of Texas High School Football. Speaking of Phil Danaher, the Corpus Christi Calallen head coach can accomplish something no man has done in history next week and that’s win 400 games at one school. The Wildcats won’t have an easy task ahead of them Friday night as they will visit state-ranked Port Lavaca Calhoun in a game that will decide the 15-5A Division II title.

Plano West Losing Streak Comes to An End

Plano West had been close a couple of times this year, but Friday night the Wolves broke through and ended a 34-game losing streak with a 36-35 win over rival Plano East. The Wolves rallied from a 35-17 deficit with 7:36 left by scoring the game’s final 19 points. QB Danny Davis tossed two touchdown passes to Wyatt Johnson and ran for another score in the incredible rally. Trailing 35-24 with 49 seconds left, Davis’ seven-yard touchdown run made it 35-30. Plano West recovered the ensuing onside kick and Davis found Johnson with 23 seconds left for the game-winning score. Congratulations are in order for first year head coach Tyler Soukup and the entire staff and kids at West for ending the streak.

Greenville First Playoff Appearance Since 2003

The Greenville Lions ended 16 seasons of misery on Friday night in emphatic fashion, clinching their first playoff spot since 2003 with an impressive 51-3 win over Forney. The Lions were led by Miles Denson who had four touchdowns and nearly 200 yards of total offense in the win. “We are really excited. It’s been a long time since Greenville has been in the playoffs and we had a nice celebration last night. The town is fired up,” Greenville HC Darren Dukes told Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, via telephone on Saturday. GHS is likely to be the fourth seed out of 8-5A Division II, but if they can upset Ennis next week they could potentially move up to the third seed.

FW North Side Ends A Nearly 40 Year Playoff Drought

Fort Worth North Side had to rally on Saturday afternoon, but the Steers did what many thought was unthinkable and clinched their first playoff appearance since 1979 with a come-from-behind 21-20 win over Fort Worth Polytechnic. The Steers trailed 20-7 at the half, but two fourth quarter touchdowns from Da'Wain Lofton one on the ground and one receiving lifted North Side to the victory and the playoff appearance.

Manvel Survives Another Test

For the second week in a row Manvel had to work much harder than expected to get a win and remain unbeaten. A week ago, the Mavericks held off a game Houston Sterling squad in a 44-26 win. This Friday, they were pushed to the limit in a 49-41 win over Fort Bend Willowridge. The Mavericks trailed 41-35 with less than five minutes remaining but Jalen Paxton’s touchdown catch and Donovan Eaglin’s touchdown run down the stretch lifted the Mavericks to the win and a district title. But there’s got to be at least a little concern for Manvel heading into what will be a very tough Region III bracket in Class 5A Division II.

Chaos in 1-4A Division II

The one thing we do know in 1-4A Division II is Midland Greenwood is the district champion. The Rangers wrapped up a dominating regular season with a 49-7 win over Monahans to improve to 10-0. We’ve got quite the log jam after that. Snyder and Pecos, who both sit at 3-2, are taking on the role of party crashers as neither team was projected to be in the playoff discussion at the start of the year. Those two will play next week for the district’s second seed, while the loser is likely to get thrown into a tiebreaker scenario as Fort Stockton, Sweetwater and Monahans all sit at 2-3 going into Week 11. Sweetwater and Monahans play next week with the winner improving to 3-3 and advancing to the playoffs IF Fort Stockton is upset by winless Lamesa next week. If Fort Stockton wins and improves to 3-3, they’ll get thrown into a tiebreak situation as well.

Whitney Ends Grandview Winning Streak

Defending 3A-Division I state champion Grandview saw its 19-game winning streak come to an end Friday night against upstart Whitney in a surprising 26-21 loss. WR Kolby Tanner caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Whitney quarterback Garrett Peacock with 48 seconds left to cap a thrilling second half rally for the Wildcats. GHS took a 21-7 lead in the third quarter on a Dane Jentsch touchdown pass to Austin Boyd, but Whitney rallied as Devin Wilson scored on a 10-yard run to make it 21-14. Peacock would haul in a 34-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to cut the lead to 21-20, but the PAT failed and Whitney still trailed by a point. After forcing a Grandview punt, Whitney’s offense would march down the field to set up the game winning score.

Diboll Upends Franklin in Top 10 Showdown

In what was billed as a big-time showdown in Class 3A-Divison I, instead turned into a coming out party for state-ranked Diboll, who erased any doubts about its ability to contend for a state title with an impressive 34-7 win over Franklin. It was the Lumberjacks’ first district title since 2000. Their brute strength just wore down the smaller Lions. RB Daris McMillan, who weighs 230 pounds, ran for 168 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way for DHS.

Post Blasts New Deal

Typically, matchups featuring two top 10 teams don’t devolve into absolute blowouts, but we had that on Friday night in New Deal as No. 9 Post absolutely sent a clear message to Region I that it was a force to be reckoned with in a 53-0 win over sixth-ranked New Deal. It was complete and total domination from the Antelopes who outgained NDHS 383-88. The Antelopes forced three turnovers and got plenty of balance from their offense. Ashton Jefferson led the way with 190 yards rushing and three touchdowns, while QB Slayden Pittman was lethally efficient throwing for three touchdowns in the win. This victory and the margin of the win certainly vaults Post from the sleeper role into the role of Region I favorite as the playoffs draw near.

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