Photo by Lucas Moore
By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
Another week down and this one was a weird one. Thanks to the weather, not a single game was played on Friday. Every single game was moved to Thursday, except for Weatherford and Springtown, whose games were already scheduled for Thursday, and Perrin-Whitt who had a bye week.
However, it was a very telling week, as five teams have now officially clinched a playoff spot, four teams are eliminated, and three are still fighting to play into November. When Thursday night came to an end, Parker County stood 7-4 when the dust settled. It is time to break it all down.
DISCLAIMER: This is all my opinion and analysis based on results of the games played in the past weekend, and is not meant to be any kind of ranking, or slam piece on any particular team. It is simply an observation through my eyes.
FINALS:
Weatherford 46, Mansfield Lake Ridge 63
Aledo 72, Richland 10
Azle 35, Granbury 13
Springtown 62, FW Western Hills 0
Brock 66, Burkburnett 7
Peaster 24, Ponder 8
Millsap 49, Valley View 0
Perrin-Whitt BYE
Willow Park TCA 7, FW Lake Country 53
Weatherford Christian 14, FW Covenant Classical 63
Azle Christian 52, Waco Valor Prep 98
Weatherford Grace Christian 57, Haslet Heritage 19
Just for fun, this week I will work from the smallest schools on up, which means we’re starting off on a good note!
Grace Christian, in its first season in league play, has clinched a spot in the semifinals to be played in two weeks! Next week is the big one to see just how good the Colts are as they face the reigning state champions at Irving Faustina. A win clinches a district championship and the number one seed for the semifinal matchup. Mathematically, they will not be knocked out of the playoffs with a loss, but it will mean they have to play the champion from district two. If they pull the upset, it is reasonable to think that GCA could be a favorite for the state title. Hats off to Austin Norman and Sammie Ellison for the team they have pulled together this season, and good luck to the infant program in the county!
On the eastern border, Azle Christian was unable to pull off the upset against Valor Prep which would have put the Cru in great position for the district title. Yes, they got 45’d but there is no reason to get discouraged, especially because a rematch could be on the horizon, and as the old saying goes “It’s hard to beat a good team twice.” Well The Cru is a good team! They only have one game remaining on the schedule against Wichita Christian. A win puts them in the playoffs, a loss ends their season. Next Friday will be interesting in Wichita Falls.
Weatherford Christian took the loss this week to the powerhouse Covenant Christian, but it was not as bad as it could have been. Just like a few weeks ago when the Lions pulled out the win, I am starting to see signs of life from the once great program. Injury has hurt them this season, but for the first time in a while, the program is being run as one from junior high to high school. Brighter days are on the horizon for WCS, but unfortunately they are among the schools who have been eliminated from postseason play.
Willow Park TCA’s struggles continue after a rough loss to Lake Country. They join Weatherford Christian among the teams that have been eliminated from playoff contention. I will say though, after seeing this team two weeks ago, I do believe in what Scott Campbell is building. It is going to take some time, but I encourage Eagle fans to stay strong because it will pay off in time.
Up to the UIL, Perrin-Whitt got the bye week after a very tough test from Bryson in which the Pirates barely escaped. In the last two weeks of the season, they have Knox City and Vernon Northside. Both should be wins as Knox City has struggled all season and Northside just got 45’d by Newcastle in ugly fashion. Now that the two toughest games are behind them, I see Perrin making the postseason. However, they must win out to secure that spot in the playoffs. One slip up, and it could all go away, as we saw last year.
As expected, Valley View had absolutely nothing against Millsap. However, that is nothing new. Valley View has only scored six points all season. That game said more about Valley View than it did about the Bulldogs. It will be the next two weeks that determine Millsap’s season. City View next week will likely be a loss, especially after the Mustangs just upset Holliday. It will be Week 11 against Henrietta that will be the de facto playoff game to officially reach the postseason.
After a weather delay, despite moving the game to avoid the weather, Peaster took down Ponder thanks in large part to a fourth quarter touchdown by Walker Lacy that put the game on ice. The Greyhounds absolutely need to clean up the turnovers. That was a big reason that Ponder was still in this game so late. That was exactly what tripped them up against Paradise, and if they are not more careful, it could get them against Vernon in two weeks. However, before the big one with Vernon, they get one last tune up next week against Boyd.
As expected, Brock went up to Burkburnett and took care of business, also despite a weather delay. This one was expected to be a tune up, and this coming week is the big one. The Eagles will play Graham on Friday night for the third time in two years with a district title on the line. Though the Eagles got their revenge in the playoffs last year, they have not forgotten what happened in Young County last year. With the Steers only returning four overall starters, expect Brock to play with a lot of emotion and potentially send a massive statement this week.
For the final time, I can say that we did not learn much about Springtown this week because of their opponent. A 62-0 win over Western Hills is nothing to throw a parade about. However, we have finally reached the week we have been waiting for all season! This next Friday is the Fight on 51 against Decatur! The district title is on the line, and so is pride in such a heated rivalry! Last year, the Pines took the win in double-overtime. Who knows what we are in for this year?
Amazingly, Azle still has not been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. However that will likely end up being the case this week, as one more loss dooms the Hornets. Bad week to draw Aledo on the schedule. However, after a rough start to the season, I will end this on a positive note as defeating Granbury was very much needed for this team and they got it done. Hats off to Azle for pulling out the win.
Aledo has officially quelled all of my fears from earlier this season, and there is one player to thank for that, Lincoln Tubbs. It appears Aledo has finally found its number one quarterback after a fantastic breakout performance from Tubbs. This offense is his now, and that should bring plenty of confidence to a Bearcat offense that has struggled at times this season. Barring any freak upset against Azle or Denton High, the district winning streak will live on to see another season, and Aledo is the district champion for the 18th consecutive season.
It is official. The loss to Lake Ridge has mathematically eliminated the Kangaroos from postseason contention. Even if Weatherford were to pull upsets against Boswell and Mansfield, the rest of the district is too far ahead. I will say though that the Kangaroos fought tooth and nail trying to take down the Eagles. Weatherford is always fighting to the very end and they keep coming up just short. They are not far off from being a playoff team, it just has to come together on gameday.
One more week and then we have reached November! It has been a fun season and for most of the teams in the county, it could be coming down to an exciting finish. Thanks for reading the ramblings of another random sports fan, and I will see y’all next week!
Thursday night I will be in Irving as I see Grace Christian for the first time in the district championship against Irving Faustina. Then, on Friday it is my Game of the Year! I will be in Springtown for the Fight on 51 between the Porcupines and Decatur!
