Fort Worth Arlington Heights routs North Side as Yellowjackets secure second playoff seed

Both Arlington Heights (9-1 overall, 6-1 District 4-5A D2) and North Side (6-4, 3-4) came into Thursday’s match-up at Scarborough-Handley Field with something to prove.

The Yellow Jackets wanted to come back strong after last week’s loss on the road against the District Champion Grapevine Mustangs. It ended up being Heights’ night as it beat North Side 49-6.

The Steers would start with the ball deep at their own 18-yard line.

Arlington Heights’ top-tier defense would force a three-and-out and after a tipped punt, the Yellow Jackets gained possession at midfield. The Yellow Jackets would use that to their advantage as minutes later, Brandon Monroe would have his first rushing touchdown of the night with an 8-yard run into the end zone as Arlington Heights took an early lead 7-0 with 6:34 in the first quarter.

North Side wasn’t going down without a fight. With key runs from Brandon Forrest, the Steers forced the pressure back onto the Yellow Jackets defense as the chains kept rolling.

As Marcus Miles fought through defenders, he would find his way into the end zone with a 3-yard run with 1:06 in the first quarter. The score sat at 7-6 with Arlington Heights leading after one quarter of play. Brian Furch, who has been key to Arlington Heights’ success, moved the ball to the goal line after a huge 37-yard run.

Without much hesitation, Furch would find the end zone with a dive, barely breaking the plane for his first touchdown of the night and extending the lead for the Jackets to 14-6 with 6:03 in the second quarter.

Heights was clearly not satisfied yet as it was Eric Orozco’s turn to show off his skills. After throwing for two first downs, Orozco would take the ball himself 35 yards into the end zone for another Jackets touchdown.

Arlington Heights led 21-6 with 4:04 left before halftime.

Heights had a trick play up its sleeves right before halftime. Orozco would fake a run, taking off towards the sideline and instead handing the ball to Tymir Biscoe who, on the reversal, would take the ball into the end zone for six. Following the trick play, the score sat at 28-6 at halftime.

Arlington Heights would take the ball out of the half with strong runs from both Monroe and Furch.

The Steers had no answers for the Yellow Jackets rushing combo as Furch found the end zone for his second touchdown on seven carries and 102 rushing yards. On Furch’s 3-yard rushing touchdown, Arlington Heights would extend its lead to 35-6 with 8:20 left in the third quarter.

Monroe would rush for his second touchdown of the night with a 9-yard rush with 2:12 left in the third quarter.

Making one last statement drive, Orozco would air one out 45 yards to Biscoe for a touchdown with 6:40 left in the fourth quarter. That would be how the game would end as Arlington Heights took this game in a blowout 49-6 as the Jackets head into playoffs as the second seed.

“We are the best team in Fort Worth ISD,” Arlington Heights head coach Phil Young said after the win. “North Side was our last hurdle.”

Arlington Heights will host Frisco Independence next week in the playoff opener.

Brandon Monroe, who led the team in rushing yards with 178 and two touchdowns, talked about his mindset entering the playoffs.

“I am locked in, I am just looking to next week right now,” Monroe said. “Those two touchdowns are in the past.”

This story was originally published November 4, 2022 at 12:34 AM.