ET Football: Zone Previews: A look at East Texas games on tap Friday night

Published 2:45 pm Thursday, October 15, 2020

Tyler Legacy’s Trent Adams looks for a receiver during Friday’s October 9, 2020, game against Longview. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo)

Gilmer (5-1, 1-0) vs. Pittsburg (0-5, 0-1)

When/Where: 7:30 p.m. tonight, Pirate Stadium, Pittsburg

Keep an eye on

Gilmer: Brandon Tennison (104 of 164, 1,793 yards, 19 TD, 9 Int; 72 carries, 372 yards, 5 TD) … Davion Smith (35 carries, 264 yards, 5 TD) … Marshae Spraglin (11 catches, 249 yards, 4 TD) … Mason Hurt (17 catches, 337 yards, 1 TD) … Dylan Fluellen (20 catches, 405 yards, 7 TD) … Rohan Fluellen (27 catches, 443 yards, 4 TD; 16 tackles, 4 interceptions)) … Jett Jones (64 tackles) … Luke Watson (38 tackles) … Matthew Burton (38 tackles, 6 sacks) … Triston McKeehan (4 sacks)

Pittsburg: Jaxson Ramsey (44 of 105, 334 yards, 2 TD, 4 Int) … K.J. Williams (75 carries, 287 yards) … Rickey Duffey (13 catches, 122 yards, 2 TD) … Christian Bates (48 tackles, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries)



Quick hits: After scoring 22 points in a loss to Jefferson to open the season, Pittsburg has scored 22 points combined in the last four games. Gilmer, meanwhile, has scoring games of 73, 59, 56 and 55 to its credit so far this season

Up next: Liberty-Eylau at Gilmer; Pittsburg at North Lamar

Palestine (4-3, 2-1) at Henderson (2-3, 1-1)

When/Where: 7:30 tonight, Lion Stadium, Henderson

Keep an eye on

Palestine: QB De’myzjean Martin (14 of 34, 247 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT) … RB Jakaryon Conley (139 carries, 1,000 yards, 9 TD; 4 catches, 75 yards) … Shedrick Dudley (63 carries, 375 yards, 6 TD) … D’marius Session … Elvin Calhoun … Daelen Williams … Tawalan Cook

Henderson: D’Cameron Walker … Donovan Davis … Tobaius Jackson … Jacob Taylor

Quick hits: Palestine has won two straight district games, averaging 49 points per game in that contest … Palestine attempted just two passes in last week’s win against Chapel Hill — one a 29-yard touchdown pass from Martin to Cook … Henderson hasn’t allowed more than 34 points in a game this season and has a shutout victory.

Up next: Athens at Palestine; Henderson at Kilgore

Tatum (3-1, 1-1) vs. Atlanta (1-6, 1-2)

When/Where: 7:30 p.m. tonight, Rabbit Stadium, Atlanta

Keep an eye on

Tatum: Kendric Malone (51 of 91, 854 yards, 7 TD, 3 Int; 34 carries, 98 yards, 4 TD) … Tylin Hollins (22 carries, 180 yards, 3 TD) … Daymien Smith (23 carries, 236 yards, 4 TD) … Decartiyay Allison (30 carries, 260 yards, 4 TD; 12 catches, 194 yards, 1 TD) … Kendall Williams (17 catches, 257 yards, 2 TD) … Quiston Sheffield (8 catches, 183 yards, 3 TD)

Atlanta: Justin Pierce … Kameron Dickerson … Keith Kinney …

Quick hits: Don’t let Atlanta’s record fool you. Their six losses have come to teams with combined records of 25-8, including four Class 4A teams who are a combined 14-5

Up next: Jefferson at Tatum; Atlanta at New Boston

Daingerfield (5-1, 2-0) vs. Redwater (1-5, 0-2)

When/Where: 7:30 p.m. tonight, Dragon Stadium, Redwater

Keep an eye on

Daingerfield: Zaylon Jeter (59 of 119, 1,110 yards, 11 TD, 5 Int; 52 carries, 299 yards, 4 TD) … Dee Lewis (39 carries, 303 yards, 5 TD; 4 catches, 48 yards, 2 TD; 54 tackles) … Jayden Wallace (53 tackles) … Martez Allen (29 carries, 197 yards, 2 TD; 7 catches, 110 yards) … Braxton Jimmerson (17 catches, 392 yards, 3 TD) … Coby Wright (18 catches, 358 yards, 3 TD) … Ishmael Allen (55 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries) … J.T. Hayes (53 tackles, 3 sacks) … Jayson Barron (3 sacks) … Jakevian Rodgers (2 interceptions)

Redwater: Preston Davis … Skeet Roberts …Travor Swink

Quick hits: Since scoring 24 total points in the first two games of the season – a win and a loss – Daingerfield’s offense has found its groove, scoring 35, 26, 36 and 57 points in the last four games.

Up next: Paul Pewitt at Daingerfield; Redwater at Prairiland

DeKalb (5-1, 1-1) vs. Paul Pewitt (3-2, 2-0)

When/Where: 7:30 p.m. tonight, Sam Parker Field, Mount Pleasant

Keep an eye on

DeKalb: Jamar Vaughn … Amar Love … Ty Olson … Conrad Crouch

Paul Pewitt: Deiontray Hill (97 carries, 631 yards, 6 TD) … Kadrien Johnson (43 carries, 372 yards, 3 TD) … Tanor Mines (39 tackles, 7 TFL) … Rhys Kelley (graded out at 95 percent with 6 knockdowns last week)

Quick hits: The team that plays keep away best wins this one. Paul Pewitt must find a way to stop Vaughn, who has rushed for 347 yards and five touchdowns the past two weeks. DeKalb, meanwhile, needs to keep a grind-it-out (419 rushing yards last week) off the field

Up next: Hooks at DeKalb; Paul Pewitt at Daingerfield

Waskom (4-0, 2-0) vs. Queen City (5-1, 2-1)

When/Where: Smith-Wall Stadium, Queen City

Keep an eye on

Waskom: QB Cole Watson (12 of 18, 347 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT; 26 carries, 243 yards, 6 TD) … RB Tesean Hamilton (40 carries, 356 yards, 6 TDs) … RB DJ Feaster (22 carries, 467 yards, 5 TD; 3 catches, 139 yards, 3 TD) … FB Kye Willet (13 catches, 166 yards, 3 TD) … WR Paxton Keeling (3 catches, 97 yards, 2 TD) … DL Markus Gonzalez (50 tackles, 7 TFL) … DB Zay Thomas (31 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 INT) … DT Detrich Byrd (36 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks) … DL Mikaeal Cooper (41 tackles, 12 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery)

Queen City: Justin Lance … Josh Davis … T’angelo Neal … Cedric Davis

Quick hits: This year has been an improvement for a Queen City squad that went 0-10 last year. The Bulldogs have two Ws on their district resume, one of which came last week as Ore City forfeit. Expect the Wildcats to run the ball, control the clock and remain undefeated on the year.

Up next: Harleton at Waskom; Queen City at Hughes Springs

West Rusk (2-3, 2-0) at Winona (1-5, 1-2)

When/Where: 7:30 tonight, Wildcat Stadium, Winona

Keep an eye on

West Rusk: QB Andon Mata (37 of 78, 502 yards, 4 TD, 4 INT) … ATH Jimmie Harper … WR James Greenlach (74 carries, 384 yards, 5 TD) … WR Omarion Anthony (15 catches, 215 yards, 2 TD) … LB Jeremiah Edwards (47 tackles, 3 FF, 2 FR) … DL Torami Dixon (44 tackles, 12 TFL) … Noah Murphy (29 tackles, 2 INT) … Ty Harper (29 tackles)

Winona: LB Peyton Snow … WR/DB Ashton Smith … RB/LB Jermichael Akins … WR/DB Arimon Ford … LB Jeric Sirles … QB Zach Halbert … OL/DL Manny Garcia … RB Quinn Johnson … WR/DB Nick Garrett

Quick hits: Murphy and Harper, who have combined for 58 tackles for West Rusk, are both freshmen … After scoring 28 total points in three non-district losses, West Rusk has opened district with point totals of 43 and 42 points.

Up next: Harmony at West Rusk; Winona at Arp

Troup (3-3, 2-1) at Harmony (4-2, 2-0)

When/Where: 7:30 tonight, Eagle Stadium, Harmony

Keep an eye on

Troup: QB Trevor Padia (52 of 105, 724 yards, 8 TD, 10 INT; 69 carries, 404 yards, 5 TD) … WR Bracey Cover (22 catches, 431 yards, 6 TD) … LB Kaden Mahoney (79 tackles, 5 TFL) … Marco Argueta (59 tackles, 4 TFL) … Jovany Zavala (54 tackles, 10 TFL) … David Hall (52 tackles, 13 TFL) … WR Brayden Vess

Harmony: QB Caleb McNeil (35 of 52, 480 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT) … Michael Everett (54 carries, 387 yards, 8 TD; 12 catches, 200 yards, 4 TD) … Boston Seahorn … Aron Bell … Braxton Baker … Chris Arellano

Quick hits: Harmony picked up a win via forfeit last week against Quitman … Troup has won two straight games. The Tigers are holding opponents to 5 points per game in its wins and allowing 41.6 points per game in its losses.

Up next: Grand Saline at Troup; Harmony at West Rusk

Rains (4-2, 1-2) at Winnsboro (5-1, 2-0)

When/Where: 7:30 tonight, Red Raider Stadium, Winnsboro

Keep an eye on

Rains: QB Luke Sheppard (26 of 50, 563 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT; 76 carries, 795 yards, 4 TD) … RB Mason Songer (79 carries, 643 yards, 9 TD) … WR Drake Hurley (12 catches, 248 yards, 2 TD) … ATH/QB Audie McAree (14 of 28, 298 yards, 3 TD; 50 carries, 422 yards, 4 TD; 7 catches, 148 yards, 1 TD) … LB James Hinch (69 tackles, 9 TFL, 3 FF) … RB/WR Kendrick Burns … Bobby Dell 63 tackles, 18 TFL)

Winnsboro: RB Dominique Allen … RB Zeb Fulmer … DL Kid Cole … TE Jed Carroll … RB Tayshun Runnels … RB Lakeedrian Jones … DB Rance Brown

Quick hits: Allen had 11 carries for 311 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s win over Bonham … Playing QB last week, McAree was 8 of 10 for 165 yards and three touchdowns. He carried the ball 13 times for 151 yards and two scores.

Up next: Commerce at Rains; Winnsboro at Mount Vernon

Mexia (2-4, 1-0) at Van (3-3, 0-0)

When/Where: 7:30 tonight, Van Memorial Stadium, Van

Keep an eye on

Mexia: QB Le’marion Miller (21 of 45, 439 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 70 carries, 391 yards, 4 TD; 36 tackles, 3 TFL) … RB Jarrell Wiley (89 carries, 548 yards, 9 TD) … WR Trey Holdman (42 carries, 428 yards, 5 TD; 13 catches, 303 yards, 5 TD; 49 tackles, 2 FR)

Van: WR Javonta Thomas (32 catches, 371 yards, 6 TD; 35 carries, 267 yards, 6 TD) … QB Jackson Rainey (59 of 98, 805 yards, 9 TD, 5 INT; 35 carries, 145 yards, 1 TD) … QB Grant Lloyd (19 of 28, 218 yards, 1 TD) … DB Manny Moore … RB Zion Dunn (51 carries, 197 yards) … WR Luka Koshev … WR Brayden Bradshaw … LB Beau Barton; Garrett Florey … LB Mauricio Herrera

Quick hits: Mexia is coached by Triston Abron, who led Paul Pewitt to the state championship game last season … Van hasn’t won two straight games yet this season. The Vandals defeated Liberty-Eylau 35-14 before a bye week … Van has finished with between 28 and 35 points in five of its games this season.

Up next: Mexia is off; Van at Bullard

Pottsboro (5-1, 3-0) at Mineola (5-1, 2-1)

When/Where: 7:30 tonight, Meredith Memorial Stadium, Mineola

Keep an eye on

Pottsboro: QB Braden Plyler (71 of 111, 1,107 yards, 13 TD; 53 carries, 318 yards, 12 TD) … RB Jett Carroll (70 carries, 329 yards, 2 TD) … WR Titus Lyons (24 catches, 439 yards, 5 TD) … Colton Creswell (60 tackles) … Landon Dunaway (55 tackles)

Mineola: RB/LB Trevion Sneed (141 carries, 1,202 yards, 15 TD; 67 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 INT) … RB/LB Dawson Pendergrass (53 carries, 518 yards, 5 TD; 23 catches, 420 yards, 6 TD; 32 tackles, 2 INT) … QB TJ Moreland (25 of 47, 412 yards, 6 TD, 4 INT; 2 INT on defense) … LB Hunter Wright (63 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 FF) … LB Kobe Kendrick (55 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks) … OL/DL Jackson Anderson (3 sacks)

Quick hits: Pottsboro advanced to the state title game last season … This will be Mineola’s second consecutive ranked opponent. Last week, the Yellowjackets fell to Class 3A Division I No. 7 Mount Vernon 23-20. Pottsboro is ranked No. 3 … Pendergrass has 23 of Mineola’s 27 receptions this season.

Up next: Bonham at Pottsboro; Mineola at Howe

Beckville (4-3, 2-1) vs. Linden-Kildare (1-4, 1-1)

When/Where: 7:30 p.m. tonight, Jack Hetherington Tiger Stadium,Linden

Keep an eye on

Beckville: Ran Harris (86 carries, 796 yards, 12 TD; 27 of 51, 406 yards, 3 TD, 3 Int; 51 tackles, 2 sacks) … J’Koby Williams (71 carries, 728 yards, 9 TD; 10 catches, 137 yards, 1 TD; 39 tackles, 3 interceptions) … Milo Morrison (63 carries, 387 yards, 2 TD) … Keyon Lewis (26 tackles) … Jeremiah Steph (46 tackles) … Bo Hammons (50 tackles)

Linden-Kildare: Mason Johnson … Russell Nance … Vincent Peters

Quick hits: After scoring just eight total points in three losses (the other loss was by forfeit), Linden-Kildare’s offense found a spark in its last game – a 40-30 win over Union Grove before an off week. Beckville had a nice bounce back game last week, knocking off Union Grove, 31-8, a week after falling to Hawkins

Up next: Beckville (open); Linden-Kildare at Big Sandy

Frankston (2-4, 1-1) at Hawkins (7-0, 3-0)

When/Where: 7:30 tonight; Lowrance Field, Hawkins

Keep an eye on

Frankston: QB Brink Bizzell (46 of 93, 736 yards, 8 TD, 6 INT; 63 carries, 630 yards, 10 TD) … WR Cael Bruno (23 catches, 473 yards, 5 TD) … RB K.J.Hawkins (64 carries, 456 yards, 2 TD) … Clayton Merritt (42 tackles, 6 TFL) … Tyler Fridinger (33 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 FF, 1 INT) … Juan Perez (24 tackles, 2 sacks, 10 TFL) … Justin Burch … Jared Cook (46 tackles, 6 TFL)

Hawkins: Braden Adams (73 carries, 545 yards, 8 TD) … Kayden Upchurch (59 carries, 658 yards, 6 TD) … Zach Conde … Jeramy Torres

Quick hits: Since Week 1, Hawkins has allowed 13 total points with four shutouts — two by forfeit.

Up next: Union Grove at Frankston; Hawkins at Carlisle

Overton (1-5, 0-3) vs. Cushing (4-2, 1-1)

When/Where: 7:30 p.m. tonight, J.F. Whitaker Stadium, Cushing

Keep an eye on

Overton: Derrick Ishee … Jaqulyn Brown … Shaun Garcia

Cushing: Cade Willis … Asa Dawson … Jasper Stiles

Quick hits: A struggling Overton offense that has scored just 20 points in its last three games faces a Cushing defense that has pitched shutouts in four of its last five contests

Up next: Overton (open); Cushing at Tenaha

Jewett Leon (4-2, 1-1) vs. Alto (0-6, 0-2)

When/Where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Cam’Ron Matthews Field, Alto

Keep an eye on

Jewett Leon: QB Jacob Robinson (121 of 211 for 1,765 yards, 20 TDs, 2 INTs) … RB Tyson Cornett (Rushing: 33-235, 6 TDs; Receiving: 37-664, 7 TDs) … WR/RB Tito Gonzalez (Receiving: 34-365, 4 TDs) … LB Nicholas Leggett …

Alto: QB Will Dixon (45 of 93 for 543 yards, TD, 7 INTs; has an interception on defense) … Vi’Dareous High (41-238, 2 TDs) … RB Jackson Duplichain (82-312, 2 TDs) … WR Jay Pope (17-181) … DE Landry Smith (7 tackles for loss) … DB Cody Watson (INT) … CB Khalil Reagan (INT) …

Quick hits: Alto is ranked 61 in Class 2A Division II by TexasFootball.com (97 teams) and Leon is ranked No. 30. … High played in the season opener and missed the next three games before returning Oct. 2. Last week against Centerville he rushed for 92 yards on 12 carries as the young Yellowjackets continue to show improvement

Up next: Groveton at Jewett Leon, Oct. 23; Alto at Normangee, Oct. 23.

Brook Hill (2-0) vs. Anahuac (3-3)

When/Where: 7 p.m. Friday, Kyle White Stadium, Anahuac

Keep an eye on

Brook Hill: WR Carson Richards … OL/DL William Roberts … WR TyJuan Cannon … OL Alessandro Cairati … LB/RB Lane Barter … LB Nick LaRocca … QB Ture Nilsson … RB Casper Engquist

Anahuac: RB Landon Fanus … QB Landon Corbitt … WR Zyon Clark … OL Logan Lotz … OL/LB Kevin Hernandez … TE/DT Wyatt Gates …

Quick hits: This is a non-district game. The game was scheduled when both teams had opponents cancel games. … Anahuac is in District 10-3A Division I. … Brook Hill has won their two home games — 37-34 over Fort Worth Christian and 21-9 over Flower Mound Coram Deo

Up next: Brook Hill at Dallas Bishop Dunne, Oct. 23; Buna at Anahuac, Oct. 23.

Bishop Gorman (0-1, 0-1) vs. Dallas First Baptist (1-2, 0-2)

When/Where: 7 p.m. Friday, First Baptist Athletic Complex, Dallas

Keep an eye on

Bishop Gorman: WR/DB Dozie Ifeadi … QB Anthany Smith … DB Darryl Jones … TE/DE Ariel Llubers … LB/RB Keith Rockwell … OLB/WR Donovan Dodd … ILB/RB Amare Howard … OL Aaron Ekwuruke … REC Donovan Dodd

Dallas First Baptist: QB Josue Preza II … RB/DB Austin Cox … DL Josh Pope … LB Shad Cano …

Quick hits: This is a Division III/IV District 2 football game. … In the TexasFootball.com/PigskinPrep.com computer rankings, BG is rated No. 94 while First Baptist is No. 82 … After having their first two games canceled, the Crusaders lost a heartbreaker to Dallas Shelton 36-34 last week.

Up next: Dallas Covenant at Bishop Gorman, Oct. 23; Dallas First Baptist at Dallas Shelton, Oct. 23.

McKinney Christian (2-1) vs. Grace Community (3-0)

When/Where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Orville Rogers Field at Clyde-Perkins Stadium, Tyler

Keep an eye on

McKinney Christian: QB Blake McGraw … RB Denzel Poulter … WR Hayden Faulkner … WR Hudson Cross … WR Zeke Long …

Grace Community: QB Price Williams … WR Gabe Schuricht … K/OLB Alex Quintero … RB/DL Brooks Bay … WR/DB Josh Murray … DL Grant Melton … LB Smith Pruett … WR Austin Johnson … WR Jaxon Rees

Quick hits: This is the TAPPS Division II District 2 opener … Grace has scored wins over Frisco Legacy Christian (42-21), Beaumont Kelly (55-15) and Cypress Christian (13-10, OT). … In the OT win, Brooks Bays scored on a 4-yard run to give the Cougars the win

Up next: Dallas Christian at McKinney Christian, Oct. 23; Grace Community at Dallas Christian, Oct. 30.

L. Chapel (4-1) vs. U. Hill (6-0)

When/Where: 7 p.m. tonight, Billy Bass Stadium, Bettie

Keep an eye on

Leverett’s Chapel: Jonah Shepherd … Alexis Chavez … Darren Brown … Dequincy Brown … Demarion Brown

Union Hill: Zak Hatcher … Cristian Aguillon … Tre Venters … Lawton Flinn … Ryan Brown … Randy Griffith

Quick hits: Since Leverett’s Chapel blanked the Bulldogs 52-0 back in 2014, the series has all been Union Hill, with UH outscoring the Lions 322-44 over the next five meetings

Up next: Fruitvale at Leverett’s Chapel; Campbell at Union Hill

Willow Bend (2-5) vs. CHCS (1-1)

When/Where: 7:30 p.m. tonight, Sentinel Field, Longview

Keep an eye on

Willow Bend: No information available

CHCS: Trey Stone … Nathan Long

Quick hits: Stone rushed for 259 yards and three touchdowns and passed for one TD to Long in Christian Heritage’s last outing, a 52-28 loss to Tyler King’s

Up next: Willow Bend vs. Tyler HEAT; Longview HEAT at Christian Heritage Classical School (Thursday)