Euless Trinity, Southlake Carroll ready to tussle yet again
Euless Trinity versus Southlake Carroll — yes, it’s that time again.
Round 5 — the rubber match, with each team alternating wins since 2012. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Dragon Stadium in Southlake.
The first two years of this matchup started in the playoffs. Carroll beat Trinity 16-7 in the third round in 2012. Trinity got payback in the same round a year later, with a 42-38 victory.
In 2014, the UIL put Trinity and Carroll in the same district for the first time. A defensive battle that year resulted in the Dragons squeezing out a 10-6 win.
Trinity again got revenge in 2015, winning 37-35.
The winner the past two years has gone on to win the district title, which should be the case again for District 5-6A.
Carroll (3-1, 1-0) has always been the pass-happy team. Senior quarterback Mason Holmes has thrown for 976 yards in four games, but the Dragons have 14 rushing touchdowns this season, led by seven from Audricke Gaines.
Trinity (4-0,1-0) is the ground and pound team with 75 percent of its yards coming via the run. Running back Courage Keihn leads with 496 yards and five scores.
I took Trinity, with its No. 3 ranking in The Associated Press state poll, to win the district, which means Trinity will win Friday 17-14.
Birdville vs. Richland
It’s been a long time since this matchup was talked about — that’s because both teams are true playoff contenders this season in District 8-5A.
Richland (4-0, 1-0) takes on Birdville (3-1, 1-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Birdville Fine Arts/Athletic Complex.
The Richland Rebels look in prime position not only to make the postseason for the first time since 2009, but also to be a district title dark horse.
Richland quarterback Trae Self leads 8-5A passers with 1,095 yards and 16 touchdowns, but Birdville is allowing only 75.8 yards per game through the air.
On the run, the Hawks are first in the district with 236.5 yards per game while the Rebels are allowing 77.8 yards per game.
The Rebels will continue to trump the doubters with a 45-35 victory.
Cleburne vs. Burleson Centennial
It’s homecoming week for Burleson Centennial, and the Spartans are angry and hungry.
The Spartans (3-1, 0-1 District 9-5A) took their first loss of the season against Crowley in Week 5, which surprised most people. They’ll have to play big as they face an explosive team in undefeated Cleburne (4-0, 1-0).
Dual-threat quarterback Tre’Von Bradley leads 9-5A in passing and rushing and has scored 24 total touchdowns in just four games — versus 33 all of last season.
Cleburne leads the district in nearly every offensive category while Centennial is allowing just 23.3 points per game and is first in pass defense.
Like Richland, Cleburne is another 5A dark horse and continues its streak, 31-28.
Arlington vs. Mansfield
With Arlington Bowie’s 4-0 start, it’s starting to look like this game showcases squads who are fighting for second place in District 4-6A.
Arlington (2-2, 1-0) has plenty of offense when the Colts are all on the same page. Quarterback Caelan Day has thrown for 10 touchdowns. Running back Kenland McCray is second in the district in rushing with 720 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Rashad Anderson is first in receiving.
For Mansfield (2-2, 1-0), it’s all about Kennedy Brooks, who has run for 100 or more yards in 18 consecutive games. Brooks has gone for 200 or more 13 times in that span, and has three 200-yard games already this season to go along with 12 touchdowns.
A lot of offense goes down at Newsom Stadium on Friday as Arlington and Mansfield are No. 1 and No. 2 in 4-6A in total offense and scoring offense.
Mansfield edges Arlington in a shootout, 51-45.
This story was originally published September 28, 2016 at 12:11 AM with the headline "Euless Trinity, Southlake Carroll ready to tussle yet again."