Arlington does its part to set up potential battle of unbeatens next week vs. Lamar | Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The Arlington Colts moved to within one victory of the District 4-6A championship Thursday night and set up a showdown with crosstown rival Arlington Lamar next week with a 45-16 win over the Sam Houston Texans at Wilemon Field.

The Colts (9-0 overall for the first time since 1988) improved to 6-0 in district. They will host Lamar (8-0, 5-0), which will host Arlington Bowie (6-2, 4-1) on Friday. A Bowie upset and the district could finish in a three-way tie for first should the Vikings defeat the Colts.

Sam Houston (2-7, 2-4) was eliminated from postseason contention with Thursday’s loss. The Texans’ loss also clinched a playoff berth for Arlington Martin (3-5, 3-2).

The Colts won for the 13th time in the past 14 meetings against the Texans. Arlington leads the all-time series 36-13 with three ties. The Colts also improved to 15-8-1 at Wilemon and have won six of the past seven games there.

Arlington scored first on a 4-yard run from Qaklon Fore just 1:41 into the game. It came after the Texans had punt bounce off one of their own players for a 17-yard loss.

The Colts’ Ledominique Davis then recovered an onside kick, and two plays later, Zander Benson raced 51 yards for a 14-0 lead.

By the end of the opening quarter, the Colts had a 31-0 lead, which included a fumble recovery in the end zone by X’Zavion McDonald on a fumbled snap of a punt by Sam Houston.

Game was over when: Arlington’s Trey Cleveland caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jahari Rogers to give the Colts a 31-0 lead late with just over three minutes still to play in the opening quarter.

Play of the game: B.J. Rogers’ 64-yard touchdown run with five minutes left in the first half put him over the 100-yard mark on just his sixth carry and gave the Colts a 45-3 lead.

Offensive player of the game: Rogers carried just nine times for 124 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.

Defensive player of the game: Arlington linebacker Z’Zavion McDonald recovered a fumbled punt attempt in the end zone to give the Colts a 24-0 lead with just over five minutes to play in the opening quarter.

Unsung hero of the game: In a yeoman effort, Sam Houston quarterback Brandon Nash was 8 of 13 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. He also caught an 8-yard pass.

What’s next: Arlington hosts Arlington Lamar, Nov. 8, 7 p.m. Sam Houston hosts Fort Worth Trimble Tech, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m.