This week’s big games

Posted Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009 Comments   (0) Print Share Share Reprints
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Star-Telegram staff writers Tobias Xavier Lopez and Carlos Mendez sound off on this week’s big games, including the game of the week: Haltom vs. Richland. Video highlights from the game can be seen Saturday at www.dfwvarsity.com. Lopez will also talk about this week’s games in a live chat today at 5 p.m. at www.star-telegram.com/highschools.

Game of the week

Richland (6-3, 3-2) vs. Haltom (4-5, 3-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday, BISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex

Tobias: So here we go with the 46th anniversary matchup between the old rivals. So what makes this one special? It’s simple — hard to believe — but Richland must win to assure itself a playoff spot. The Buffalos have already punched their ticket and nothing would make them happier than to shred the Rebels’ bus pass as well. Give Haltom coach Scot Hafley credit for returning Haltom the playoffs, but with so much riding on a victory, Richland will pull this one out.

Carlos: This should be Richland’s game, all right. The Rebels have handled Haltom in the past, and they’ve got an advantage at quarterback with Tyler Cotton. But how heavy does last week’s loss to Abilene hang? Did the Rebels ever imagine they’d have a must-win game at this stage of the season? The Rebels wouldn’t mind seeing Old Mo on their sideline early in this one.

Grapevine (5-4, 5-1) vs. Colleyville Heritage (7-2, 5-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday, Mustang-Panther Stadium

Tobias: So the "Miracle Mustangs" not only grabbed a playoff spot but now can finish second behind Euless Trinity. Grapevine gets the chance to knock off its little brother, which has in recent years been the more powerful brother. The Panthers struggled with turnovers last week when they squeaked by Keller. A repeat might prove fatal against the quick-strike potential of Grapevine.

Carlos: Well, the only sure thing about this game — 90 percent sure — is that points will be scored. So the quarterbacks will be mighty important. You’re right about the turnovers, T-Lo. The defenses will need to catch a break from one of these quarterbacks.

Arlington Lamar (6-3, 3-2) vs. Arlington Martin (5-4, 3-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday, Cravens Field

Tobias: For the Warriors it is simple: They must win to get into the playoffs, whereas Lamar can clinch a spot today if Mansfield Summit loses to Arlington Bowie. I feel like I’m beating a dead fax machine here but once again Lamar RB Ja’Terian Douglas is the key to this game, especially after last week’s big game. The Warriors’ defense must stop JT or they’ll be watching next week.

Carlos: Actually, JT can be stopped. It’s happened a couple of times this year. One of the best ways to do it is to keep him off the field, and Martin’s got the style for that. The Warriors kept Arlington off the field and unable to do its normal damage in a meeting last month. This feels like the same kind of game.

Mansfield Timberview (5-4, 3-3) vs. Mansfield Legacy (6-3, 4-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday, Vernon Newsome Stadium

Tobias: C-Los, this is a goofy one; winning isn’t enough for Timberview here. The Wolves not only must win but they’ve also got to do so by 9 points or more, otherwise Timberview is out. This is a statement game for Legacy, which will have to endure the asterisk-badgering from Timberview should the Broncos slip in with a loss. My thoughts are that the tough, turnover-producing Legacy defense proves to be the deciding factor here in keeping Timberview from the postseason.

Carlos: Legacy’s a pretty tough team, all right. Mentally, not just physically. The Broncos lost close and won close early. Then they lost big twice and really didn’t look like a playoff team. Timberview will come out like a tornado, but if it doesn’t shake Legacy early, this game goes all the way to the last play.

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