With the season beginning to wind down, here are some previews for District 12-6A games that will potentially shake up the playoff picture:
Oak Ridge War Eagles (6-1, 3-1) vs. Lufkin Panthers (5-2, 2-1)
The Panthers and War Eagles will square off in Lufkin on Friday night in a game that will decide who takes over sole position of second place in the district. Both teams’ defeats so far have come against The Woodlands with Lufkin falling 45-21 on October 6, while the War Eagles were defeated 49-14 last week. Meanwhile, the Panthers are coming off a dominating 50-7 win over West Brook. They have averaged 34.9 points per game through seven games so far this year, but will be in for a challenge against a stingy Oak Ridge defense that has allowed only 15.4 points per game. Defensive end Joseph Ossai, who has offers from top schools including Alabama, Texas, and Notre Dame, is a player the Panthers will have to contain to have success. Lufkin has a powerful rushing attack led by running back Isaiah Phillips who rumbled for 135 yards and two touchdowns last week as the Panthers exploded for 250 yards on the ground. “We must tackle well,” Oak Ridge coach Dereck Rush said in response when asked about the key for stopping the Panthers on the ground. Through the air, the Panthers also have speedy University of Houston commit, Malik Jackson, as well as Breylon Garcia, who both caught touchdowns in the win over West Brook. Dual-threat quarterback, Kewone Thomas, is one to keep an eye on as well as he totaled three touchdowns (two passing and one rushing) last week. On the flip side of things, Lufkin held West Brook to 135 yards, a sharp improvement to a unit that gave up 70 points to the very same team a year ago. “We must be able to protect the football and make first downs,” Rush said when asked about how the War Eagles will find offensive success against the Panthers defense. Wide receiver Tanner Lacy has proven to be a dangerous weapon with touchdowns of 67 yards, 92 yards and 59 yards in their last 3 games. The War Eagles were without starting quarterback Reinard Britz last week. Backup Blane Romero got the nod instead, so the Panthers will have to be prepared to face either quarterback. The War Eagles have gone with a running back committee so far with eight players getting carries two weeks ago against Conroe. The run game is boosted by OL Tyler Johnson, who has offers from Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M, among other elite schools. This game’s result will be crucial in determining district standings as the playoffs slowly inch closer.
Conroe Tigers (1-5, 1-2) vs. The Woodlands Highlanders (4-1, 3-0)
The Woodlands Highlanders square off against a Conroe squad coming off its first win of the season. “Anytime you are fortunate enough to get a win in district 12-6A, you enjoy it,” Conroe coach Robert Walker said. “This is one of the toughest districts in the entire state.” To pick up another win, the Tigers will have to slow down a potent Highlander offense averaging 40.4 points per game. QB Quinton Johnson has become increasingly comfortable after taking over for the injured Quinn Binney against George Ranch. He scored the go-ahead touchdown against West Brook on a quarterback keeper two weeks ago, and last week, he threw for 286 yards with an 83.3% completion percentage in a 49-14 win over Oak Ridge. Wide receiver Kesean Carter, a Texas Tech commit, is certainly the Highlanders’ most explosive player. He scored five touchdowns against George Ranch in the Highlanders’ second game of the season, three receiving, one on a kick return and another on a blocked kick return. Last week, he returned from an injury coming up with a big 45-yard reception that set up the Highlanders’ second touchdown. Sophomore tailback Bryeton Gilford has thrived as of late, too, with a 116 yard, two touchdown performance against West Brook and an 89-yard, two touchdown turnout against Oak Ridge. Conroe has their own explosive running back in Donaven Lloyd, who is coming off of a 253-yard, three touchdown performance in the Tigers’ 25-10 win over College Park. “Donaven is a multiple threat to defenses, he’s a between the tackles runner as well as a guy that can break a run from the perimeter and take it the distance,” Walker said. Lloyd doesn’t want the focus just on him though. “What impresses me the most about Donaven is he is an outstanding person and puts team before self,” Walker added. The Tigers will need others to complement Lloyd if they are to keep pace with the Highlanders offense. Jalen Allen had 98 yards and a touchdown receiving last week, while quarterback Jordan Black managed the game well, completing 11 of his 18 attempts for 133 yards. The Highlanders will be heavily favored, but if the Tigers can get their run game going, they might be able to challenge the Highlanders’ perfect district record.
Montgomery Bears (3-3, 1-2) vs. College Park Cavaliers (1-6, 0-4)
Montgomery and College Park face off in a game with playoff implications this week. The Bears are coming off a bye-week, which was preceded by a big 48-18 win over Conroe. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, lost to the same Conroe team, 25-10 last Friday. The Cavaliers have struggled offensively so far this year only averaging only 10 points per game. Running back Travis Washburn will be a player to keep an eye on as he scored the lone Cavalier touchdown of the game against Conroe on a 10-yard reception. He finished the night with 120 yards receiving proving he is a threat both on the ground and through the air. Junior quarterback Jake Hunnicut has been settling into the starting quarterback role and threw for 240 yards last week. Defensively, the Cavs have given up 28.6 points per game, which does not bode well for when Montgomery’s powerful offense, averaging 27.7 points per game, comes to town this week. Versatile quarterback Jordan Hood totaled five touchdowns in the Bears win over Conroe, three through the air, one on the ground and another on a reception off a trick play. “What impresses me the most is his ability to make plays by either running or passing when things break down,” Montgomery coach John Bolfing said. “He is not exceptionally fast and does not have the strongest arm, but he is still able to make big plays.” Wide receiver Caleb Campbell is another dangerous weapon the Cavs will be wary of, especially because of his ability to throw the ball as a former quarterback. He has thrown two touchdowns this year, one to Alex Nunn against Oak Ridge, and another to Hood last Friday. In addition to his throwing ability, he is also the Bears’ top receiver, hauling in 155 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns against the Tigers. Defensively, the Bears are coming off a remarkable performance where they forced five turnovers, three by senior cornerback, Noah Delahoussaye. This game is one the Cavaliers have to have if they are to make the playoffs, while a win for the Bears would give them an insurmountable two game advantage over the Cavs in district, putting them in prime position to challenge for the last playoff spot.
