‘Attack, attack, attack’: Argyle Eagles fly past Frisco Independence, secure dominant win

FRISCO -- Two large banners were draped over the fence behind the player benches on the Argyle side of the field. One read “Explosive Offense” and the other “Swarming Defense”.

Those two banners personify Argyle football’s philosophy. And that was clearly evident Thursday night as the Argyle Eagles soared past the Frisco Independence Knights, 63-0, in a 3-5A D2 contest Thursday night at David Kuykendall Stadium.

“Those banners are something we have done on road games as part of our tradition,” said Argyle Head Coach Todd Rodgers. “The kids love them. Makes them feel like they are playing at home.”

Argyle scored early and often as quarterback Maguire Gasperson tossed four touchdown passes and ran for another -- all in the first half -- as the Eagles clinched a playoff berth with the victory.

“Offensively, we like to attack, attack, attack,” said Rodgers. “We executed offensively, and our defense had another great game and continues to get better and better.”

Argyle took the opening kickoff, needing just three plays and 47 seconds to travel 46 yards, that ended with a Jake Krekeler 39-yard touchdown run.

After the stingy Argyle defense forced a quick three-and-out, a 19-yard Nathaniel Bruce punt return set the Eagles up at the Knights 36. Two plays later, quarterback Maguire Gasperson connected with Lane Stewart on two straight pass completions, the latter a 14-yard TD.

On the ensuing Frisco Independence offensive series, Eagle Defensive Lineman Hudson Emeterio recovered a fumble at the Knights 15-yard line. Krekeler, on the first play, rambled in for a 15-yard TD run.

“Great run blocking by our line tonight,” said Krekeler, who also sat out the second half. Krekeler suffered an ankle sprain in the third game of the season, and returned in time for the Lake Dallas matchup two weeks ago.

“Feels great to contribute, and I feel healthy,” said Krekeler.

Another three-and-out by the Eagle defense, then a 23-yard punt return by Bruce left Argyle again with great field position at the Independence 22. On second down, Will Krzysiak hauled in a 17-yard scoring aerial from Gasperson as Argyle exploded to a 28-0 advantage.

A Thomas Irvin 44-yard interception on the next Independence offensive series left the Eagles at the Knights 31-yard line. On the first play of the second period, Gasperson found Braden Bach on a two-yard TD pass, and on the following Argyle offensive possession, Gasperson again hit Bach on a 31-yard TD aerial.

Gasperson then capped a 12-play 62-yard drive, using 4:53 off the clock, late in the second period, scoring on a one-yard plunge -- on a fourth-and-one -- as Argyle held a commanding 49-0 lead at the break. Gasperson sat out the entire second half.

“Our offensive line did a tremendous job blocking,” said Gasperson, whom Coach Rodgers describes as having “tremendous poise.”

“Great job by our offense and defense,” added Gasperson.

After the Argyle defense again forced a three-and-out in the third quarter’s opening possession, backup QB Jarrett Waggoner tossed a 36-yard TD pass to Ethan Fetters.

Chase Bagley rounded out the Argyle scoring with a 10-yard TD run just under four minutes into the final stanza.

No. 9 in the AP current 5A Division II state rankings, Argyle is in the driver’s seat for its second straight 5A district title after moving up from 4A in 2022.

The defense posted its second shutout in the last five games.

“We had a lot of inexperience on the defense coming into the season,” said senior Bud Petter. “But we have gotten better each week, and we have excellent chemistry.”

The win was the fifth straight for Argyle, which began the season with a pair of non-district blowout losses to current Division II 5A state-ranked Melissa and Lovejoy. The Eagles, for the first time in Head Coach Rodgers’ 21-year stint in leading the team, began a season 0-2 after placing No. 3 in the 5A DII pre-season state rankings.

Standout performances

Sophomore Maguire Gasperson, who took over the QB spot after starter John Gailey suffered a season-ending leg injury in the first half against Lake Dallas, continued to impress. Gasperson finished with 131 passing yards on 8 of 11 passing and four TDs, and the one rushing score.

RB Jake Krekeler, a move-in from Colorado, has been a workhorse the last three games. Krekeler totaled 70 rushing yards on just five carries and two TDs, and also sat out the entire second half.

Chase Bagley rushed for a game-high 96 yards on 14 carries and one TD.

Branden Bach had a pair of receiving TDs and finished with 39 yards on three catches. Bach was one of seven different players to catch a pass for the Eagles. Krzysiak, Stewart and Fetters also caught TD passes for Argyle.

The Argyle defense held Frisco Independence to 65 yards total offense, 6 yards rushing and four first downs.

Up next

Argyle (5-2, 4-0), can clinch the district title with a win next Friday night in a home matchup against Denton with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. CT.

Frisco Independence (1-7, 1-3) faces Lake Dallas in a road game next Friday night with a 7 p.m. CT scheduled kickoff.