Week 8 storylines: Big games for Saginaw, Northwest, Bowie, Benbrook, Seguin, more
Week eight of the Texas high school football season is here, and district championship and playoff races are starting to come into play for many teams.
Here are a few storylines to watch.
Saginaw to face Paschal with potential title implications
Saginaw (6-0, 4-0) will face Paschal (5-1, 4-0) with District 4-5A D1 championship odds in the balance. The winning team will not clinch the championship just yet but will be a clear favorite moving forward.
Paschal will hit the road to face Saginaw Friday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
The quarterback battle will be captivating, with JaShaun Thomas leading Paschal and Roman Morales leading Saginaw.
The Paschal Panthers are getting closer to clinching a playoff spot and can take a step closer with a win. Paschal hasn’t made the playoffs for more than 28 years. Saginaw, however, is trying to make some history of its own.
Coach Mike Peters and the Rough Riders, ranked No. 10 in the Star-Telegram’s Class 5A rankings, have had quite the season-to-season turnaround. Saginaw is undefeated following years of one-win seasons. On Oct. 10, the Rough Riders defeated Arlington Heights to continue the stellar streak.
An undefeated clash: Southlake Carroll to face Justin Northwest
Justin Northwest, ranked No. 5 in the Star-Telegram’s Class 6A rankings, is undefeated through seven weeks of the Texas high school football season.
That takes talent, regardless of opponents. It’s worth noting, however, that Northwest (6-0, 4-0) has yet to face District 4-6A’s top teams: Southlake Carroll, Byron Nelson and Euless Trinity.
The next three games will show Northwest’s true potential. The Texans will clash with the Southlake Carroll Dragons (7-0, 5-0) on Thursday, Oct. 17, at Northwest ISD Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Southlake Carroll, No. 2 in the 6A area rankings, has outscored its last three opponents 146-42 in its last three games.
A top Class 5A game: Colleyville Heritage and Arlington Seguin
Arlington Seguin (5-2, 3-2) is coming off two losses, both to top 5A teams in the Fort Worth-area: Mansfield Timberview and Argyle.
Now, the Cougars have a chance to get back on track but it won’t come easy. They’ll face Colleyville Heritage Thursday, Oct. 17, at Wilemon Field with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
With a win, Seguin can jump the Panthers (4-2, 3-1) in the District 3-5A D2 standings since Heritage has played one less district game.
Can Arlington Bowie build on the momentum?
Arlington Bowie (3-3, 3-0) stunned District 8-6A with a win over Arlington Martin on Oct. 11. The Volunteers handed the Warriors their first district loss in nearly six years.
Bowie is now on the fast track to a district title after a historic win, but the program won’t have an easy week. The Volunteers will face the Arlington Colts (5-1, 3-0) at Wilemon Field on Friday. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Arlington is also undefeated in district play and are led by SMU commit Isaiah Roberson, a wide receiver.
A Bowie player to watch is running back Darrion Bowers, a nominee for the Fort Worth-area Player of the Week. He rushed for 179 yards and a touchdown against Arlington Martin.
If Bowie wins, the Volunteers will be the favorite to win a district title. That will also be the case for Arlington, but the Colts still need to deal with Arlington Martin down the line.
Arlington is scheduled to face Arlington Martin on Nov. 7 in the regular season finale.
A challenge for Benbrook
Benbrook (6-0, 1-0) has thrived when it matters most this season, winning four games by seven points or less. The Bobcats faced a tough Dunbar team to open district play and secured a 21-14 victory.
A formidable opponent in Godley (3-3, 0-1) will challenge Benbrook at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at Clark Stadium.
Benbrook is No. 9 in the Star-Telegram’s area 5A rankings, while Godley is at No. 10. The Wildcats fell to the Telegram’s No. 5 area team, Glen Rose, and will look to bounce back.
More notable games
Dallas Parish Episcopal at Argyle Liberty Christian, 7 p.m. Oct. 18
Argyle vs. Mansfield Summit, 7 p.m. Oct. 18, Anderson Stadium
South Grand Prairie at Grand Prairie, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18
FW Southwest vs. FW Eastern Hills, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, Scarborough-Handley Field
Euless Trinity at Keller, 7 p.m. Oct. 18
Lancaster at Duncanville, 7 p.m. Oct. 18
Denton Ryan at Azle, 7 p.m. Oct. 18
FW Wyatt vs. FW Arlington Heights, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Farrington Field
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