5 thoughts from bi-district round: Upsets around the state; state contenders dominate
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Here are five thoughts from the bi-district round of Texas high school football playoffs.
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Upsets around the state, D-FW powers escape
One of the headline results on Friday night was A&M Consolidated upsetting Richmond Randle, 28-24, in Class 5A Division I, putting an end to Landen Williams-Callis' stellar high school career.
A pair of D-FW powerhouses that avoided similar results were Waxahachie and Duncanville. Waxahachie was in a fight with Copperas Cove through the first half, only leading 7-3. Thankfully for Lawrence Williams’ team, they checked into gear in the second half, eventually winning in dominant fashion, 42-10.
Duncanville had its hands full at McLane Stadium against Waco Midway. Midway led 42-35 at the start of the fourth quarter before four-star receiver Trenton Yancey took over the game late scoring four touchdowns to eventually lead his team to a 63-42 win.
State contenders dominate
While some contenders struggled, others flexed.
Which dominant effort was your favorite in the bi-district round? Was it Frisco Lone Star’s 66-21 win over Birdville? What about Allen’s 73-0 win over Hebron? DeSoto’s 72-6 win over North Mesquite? Maybe you’re someone who’s into Mansfield Timberview’s 77-6 win over Waco or North Crowley beating Lake Belton 55-0.
It may have been topsy-turvy for some contenders, but if you’re wondering whether or not you’ll be able to catch any of these powerhouses sleepwalking early into the postseason, think again. All looked prepped and ready to make a run for AT&T Stadium and a state championship.
Oh and don’t forget about South Oak Cliff’s 46-7 win over Whitehouse. We tend to forget about the reigning 5A Division II champions over the course of district play, but they proved they’re still a force as well.
Droughts snapped
Lincoln won its first playoff game in 13 years Thursday night.
By beating Fort Worth Southwest, 45-0, Lincoln won its first bi-district championship since 2013 when Zarnell Fitch, currently the defensive line coach at USC, was leading the program.
Senior running back Ta’lan Beachum and senior quarterback Jastin Hampton combined for over 180 yards rushing and four touchdowns in the win. The Lincoln defense also forced three turnovers.
Denton also ended its playoff drought, winning its first playoff game since 2015 beating O.D. Wyatt, 34-28. Lastly, Wilmer-Hutchins, in Leon Paul’s first season, beat Fort Worth Eastern Hills, 33-28 to win its first bi-district title since 2020.
District 10-6A sweep
All four teams from District 10-6A swept District 9-6A, the two biggest surprises perhaps being Rockwall-Heath (6-5) and North Forney (6-4) both beating Sachse (9-2) and Wylie East (9-2) respectively.
Heath clung to the final playoff spot in the district but bested Sachse, 37-33, thanks to Prosper Neal’s 400-yard passing night. It marks Casey Dick’s first playoff win as Heath head coach.
North Forney looks like a totally different team from the one that started the season 0-3 and Friday night’s 49-7 win over Wylie East may be the most impressive win yet. Donte Woodard led the team with 164 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Lake Highlands defensive streak
Quietly one of the best defenses in the area over the last month has been Lake Highlands. The team has only allowed more than 20 points twice since October and thoroughly held a dominant Haltom rushing attack to just five yards per carry in a 35-13 win.
Junior quarterback John Cothern is going to guide the offense enough to where if this team’s defense continues to be this stingy, look out for a dark horse player in the region.
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