Week 8 Games to Watch in the DFW Metroplex

 

Haslet Eaton Eagles(3-3) @ Aledo Bearcats(6-0)

The defending state champions chase history yet again as they face the Cinderella story, V.R. Eaton. Aledo defeated the Azle Hornets last Friday 50-0 to tie the all-time consecutive district win streak, which was previously set in 2002 by Austin Westlake. The Chaparrals went after twelve seasons without a district loss. Aledo’s last district loss came in 2007 against the Everman Bulldogs by a score of 35-28.

Since that game, Aledo has defeated 24 different district opponents including V.R. Eaton in 2016. Jake Bishop, the sophomore Bearcat quarterback, will be looking to win the game through the air after throwing for 149 yards on 12 completions and two touchdowns.

But Eaton is not a team to be taken lightly. After an impressive win over Justin Northwest, the Eagles were a blocked field goal away from defeating undefeated Saginaw Boswell but fell 15-14. Now after defeating Chisholm Trail 58-15, Eaton seeks to upset Aledo and burst their way on the scene. The Eaton backfield is very talented with quarterback Riley Taylor who had 241 total yards against Chisholm Trail and three total touchdowns. However, the one thing Aledo will have to worry about is Dawson Pell. The junior running back ran for 202 yards and three touchdowns in Week 7

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Last Meeting(2016): Aledo 59, Eaton 14

Flower Mound Marcus Marauders(4-2) @ Southlake Carroll Dragons(4-2)

After suffering a heartbreaking loss to Lewisville Hebron, the Marauders look to bounce back with a key matchup against a talented Dragon team. Marcus was held to a season low, 182 yards of total offense against Hebron. “We had to take away the passing game and that made us a little light in the box,” Coach Kevin Atkinson told Star Local Media in Carrollton after the game. “I actually thought we held up pretty well. Where we didn’t hold up was offensively. When you leave the defense on the field as much as we did in the second half it’s not so good.”

Southlake Carroll is coming off a blowout win over Lewisville High by a score of 51-0. Quarterback Will Bowers led the Dragons to victory with 187 yards and four touchdowns. Each of the four touchdowns were thrown to a different receiver. Bowers has totaled 1,173 yards on 80 completions and 14 touchdowns through six games. It should be interesting to see how long the Marcus defense can hang around with the high powered Carroll offense.
Last Meeting (2016): Southlake Carroll 33, Marcus 21

Highland Park Scots(5-1) @ Mesquite Poteet Pirates(3-3)

The last District 15-5A playoff spot is up for grabs, and Poteet desperately needs a win. The Pirates have not missed the playoffs since 2011, and their postseason dreams are on the line in this pivotal matchup. Junior quarterback Dalton Dale will be a key player in this matchup. The dual threat quarterback leads the team in passing and rushing. In the 40-28 week 7 loss to North Forney, Dale completed 13 of 28 for 202 yards and two touchdowns.

Highland Park on the other hand is looking to clinch a playoff spot for the 30th consecutive season. They can do that as soon as Friday if they can pull off a win. The Scots are coming off an impressive win over West Mesquite where they looked like they were in postseason form already. John Stephen Jones completed 15 of 18 for 220 and three touchdowns in the 38-17 victory. Jones has thrown for 1,549 yards and 18 touchdowns through six games. It should be a big struggle for the Poteet defense to slow down.
Last Meeting(2016): Highland Park 40, Mesquite Poteet 29

Richland Rebels(6-0) @ Grapevine Mustangs(5-1)

A potential district championship is on the line and the Mustangs want it badly. Grapevine has their two toughest district games in back to back weeks as they face Richland on Friday, and face Colleyville Heritage next week. The Mustangs are coming off a 62-3 win over Fort Worth Carter-Riverside where the Mustangs scored over 60 points for their fourth straight game. Coach Mike Alexander, who was promoted from defensive coordinator, wants this win more than anyone. After an early season loss to Abilene Cooper, the Mustangs will be trying to prove themselves as contenders.

Richland will not give in easily though. After a 64-6 win against Fort Worth Polytechnic, the Rebels look to build on their 6-0 record. Running back Rylee Johnson is the core of the Richland. He has rushed for 737 yards and 12 touchdowns so far on the year. The Rebels will have to utilize his breakaway speed and open field moves against a Grapevine defense that is used to seeing the opposing offense pass. If Richland can run the ball, they should be able to come out of this one with another win.
Last Meeting(2016): Richland 38, Grapevine 35

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