Top 5 high school football games to watch around Dallas-Fort Worth in Week 11/Week 7
After a month-long delay, Class 6A and 5A schools, and TAPPS have begun playing football games. There are a ton of heavyweight matches to watch in Week 11/Week 7 of the season.
We dwindled down the candidates to these 5 best games in DFW:
1. DeSoto (4-0) at Cedar Hill (4-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Battle of Beltline has a different twist this season. The two teams battle out in zone play with the winner playing for a district championship next week. The loser is likely out of title contention.
But the game will still have a lot of hype between the two rivals and with a ton of Division 1 talent.
No. 6 DeSoto is led on offense by QB Samari Collier, who has thrown for 1,091 yards and 13 TDs. He threw for five scores last week vs. Mansfield Lake Ridge. Shemar Turner leads the defense. He has offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas and Texas A&M.
Kaidon Salter leads No. 10 Cedar Hill. The 4-star Tennessee commit has accounted for over 1,100 yards and 12 TDs. The Longhorns are averaging nearly 400 yards of total offense. Their defense needs to stop a DeSoto offense that’s averaging over 500 yards per game.
PREDICTION: DeSoto 42, Cedar Hill 35
2. Highland Park (3-0) at Longview (5-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
A matchup between state title teams in recent years. Highland Park won three straight from 2017-19 while Longview won in 2018, snapping an 81-year drought. Now two of the best in the state are lined up in the same district.
Longview has won five in a row since an opening-season loss to Temple at AT&T Stadium. The Lobos are averaging over 40 points per game, 50 points in district play.
The Scots are also averaging over 40 points per game and won their only district game, 41-21 against Sherman last week.
PREDICTION: HP 35, Longview 28
3. Arlington Martin (5-1) vs. Arlington Bowie (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday (Wilemon Field)
The Martin Warriors and Bowie Volunteers play in a District 8-5A showdown for district supremacy.
Martin is 3-0 in district while Bowie is 2-0.
The Warriors, who are coming off a 38-31 overtime win over Lamar, are averaging over 34 points per game. They’re riding a 5-game winning streak.
The Vols last started 4-0 in 2016 when they began 6-0. They earned a 19-13 win in their last game vs. Lamar on Oct. 23. Bowie is allowing less than 13 points per contest.
Martin defeated Bowie 44-19 last season. The Warriors lead the series 19-9 and have won eight of the last 10 meetings.
PREDICTION: Bowie 21, Martin 20
4. Marcus (5-0) at Coppell (4-1)
7 p.m. Friday
4-star LSU commit Garrett Nussmeier leads undefeated Marcus into a District 6-6A showdown with the Cowboys of Coppell.
Both teams are in a 3-way tie for first at 2-0 along with Hebron. Marcus is averaging 55 points in two district games while Coppell is averaging 33 points.
Can Coppell limit the Marcus offense? While the Cowboys are averaging over 400 yards per game, their defense has made eight interceptions.
Marcus edged out Coppell last season, 15-7 in overtime, but don’t expect a close one on Friday.
PREDICTION: Marcus 48, Coppell 31
5. Arlington Grace Prep (4-1) at Pantego Christian (4-0)
5 p.m. Saturday
The Pantego Panthers come in No. 3 in the TAPPS area rankings and with a 2-0 mark in district play. The Panthers have allowed 20 points in four games and almost scoring 50 points per game.
QB Kaden Paladini and RB Myion Hicks have accounted for over 900 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns.
Grace Prep has yet to play a district game, but the Lions have won their last four games. Overall, Grace Prep is averaging over 30 points per game while giving up 15 per contest.
Pantego beat Grace Prep last season, 44-22.
PREDICTION: Pantego 45, Grace Prep 28
