Week 3 predictions: Richland, Haltom renew Metroplex rivalry

In a long-running Metroplex rivalry, one team will remain undefeated after Friday when 2-0 Richland and 2-0 Haltom square off at 7:30 p.m. at the Birdville ISD Fine Arts Athletic Complex.

In 1961, Richland High School opened and the original Birdville High School was renamed Haltom High School. The schools since have met on the gridiron, mostly as district rivals, but this time Haltom enters in Class 6A and Richland in 5A.

Richland has dominated the series of late, winning the past three years and eight of the past 12. Haltom won in 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2012.

The Buffalos defeated Grand Prairie (21-7) and Dallas Sunset (69-0) to start 2-0 for the third time since 2005. Senior quarterback Cole Hays has thrown for 365 yards and three touchdowns, and senior running back JQ Reed is averaging 155 yards rushing per game.

Senior Trae Self has led Richland to wins over Nolan Catholic and Keller Central. He’s thrown for 623 yards and nine TDs while the Rebels are averaging 141 yards rushing per game.

The safe bet is Richland, but it’ll be closer than history suggests: Rebels 35-29

Euless Trinity vs. Coll. Heritage

Another game Friday features former district rivals as Euless Trinity meets Colleyville Heritage at Mustang-Panther Stadium.

In a battle between offense vs. defense, the Panthers’ offense prevails: Colleyville Heritage 35-32.

Northwest ISD Battle

The two oldest Northwest ISD schools, Trophy Club Nelson and Justin Northwest, meet Friday. Although the teams have met only twice, it’s always a big deal no matter the sport when the schools face off. Northwest also plays the newest school, Haslet Eaton, on Sept. 23 in District 6-5A.

The Nelson Bobcats won 28-10 last season while the Texans (2-0) won 38-36 in 2014.

Nelson (0-2) has put up the points (38 a game), but its defense is allowing an average of 59.5.

Northwest (2-0) is led by junior quarterback Prince Mavula, who’s coming off the best game of his career last week when he threw for seven TDs and rushed for two more in a 69-46 win over McKinney North. Mavula is averaging 315 passing yards per game; Syrus Moore leads with 114 rushing yards per game; and Gavin Holmes has 22 receptions for 364 yards and four TDs.

The Texans will improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2013: 51-35.

Briefly

▪ Saginaw Boswell (1-1) and Birdville (1-1) meet, fresh with the memory of Boswell’s 36-33 first-round playoff win last season. Boswell scored with 1:03 left and Birdville missed a 50-yard field goal with 2 seconds left.

▪ The Willie Criss and I.C. Little High School Football Classic takes place Saturday at Wilemon Field with a doubleheader between Fort Worth Dunbar and Arlington Seguin (4:30 p.m.) and Fort Worth Wyatt and Arlington Sam Houston (7:30 p.m.). In the nightcap, head coaching Criss brothers Zachary (Wyatt) and Anthony (Sam Houston) meet.

This story was originally published September 6, 2016 at 8:05 PM with the headline "Week 3 predictions: Richland, Haltom renew Metroplex rivalry."