TexasHSFootball will be live from Granger tonight, so make sure to check Twitter starting at 7:00 for updates on this 2A non-district showdown.
Holland will make the 12-mile journey down State Highway 95 for a non-district showdown against Granger on Friday night. The Hornets are coming a convincing 40-14 victory over Valley Mills, while the Lions are looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking 36-34 double overtime defeat to Thorndale.
I can’t say in my lifetime that I have seen many 🏈 games that were decided on a Refs call, especially a rival game, that ends in hugging & praying together. 3 TD underdogs, took them to double OT. Didn’t end our way but man am I proud of our Lions! Staff & kids! pic.twitter.com/EMt49SHot8
— Jeni Neatherlin (@JeniNeatherlin) September 3, 2022
Both teams have high hopes for this season with Granger coming off an undefeated regular season and the Hornets coming off a regional semifinal appearance in 2021.
Here’s what to watch for in a big 2A showdown on Friday night.
Granger Lions (1-1)
2022 Results
W 28-6 @ Hubbard
L 36-34 vs. Thorndale
Head Coach: Stephen Brosch (3rd season; 20-5 record)
Granger Key Players:
Friday night will be Granger’s first home game since it took a direct hit from a tornado back in March. It will be a meaningful night as the Lions celebrate the 25-year anniversary of their lone state title, a 40-0 win over Wheeler in the 1997 1A State Title Game.
🔥🦁🏈 pic.twitter.com/4EWvwHyzg7
— Stephen Brosch, M. Ed. (@StephenBrosch) September 9, 2022
On the field for this year’s Lions, DJ McClelland will see a heavy workload offensively. He has rushed for 356 yards and five touchdowns on 56 carries in the first two games.
Alongside him, Nathan Tucker has stepped up at quarterback after the graduation of Johnny Ryder with 128 passing yards and three touchdowns so far this year.
But don’t be fooled, the Lions will look to do the majority of their damage on the ground with McClelland, Tucker, and junior Isaac Lizardo seeing most of the action.
Defensively, McClelland is just a big of a threat from his linebacker position with 17 tackles on the season. Alongside him, Chase Edwards has been another playmaker with 14 tackles and a sack in the first two games.
Look for those two to anchor the defense along with defensive end Michael Selucky, who has nine tackles and a forced fumble in his first two games.
Holland Hornets (1-1)
2022 Results
L 21-18 vs. Burton
W 40-14 vs. Valley Mills
Head Coach: Brad Talbert (11th season; 87-33 record)
Holland Key Players:
Holland loves to run the football too. The Hornets put up 313 yards on the ground last week against Valley Mills.
Ryan Steglich will be one to watch out of the backfield. He had 126 yards and a touchdown against a talented Burton team back in week one.
With the success of its run game, Holland hasn’t had to rely on junior Desi Cantu throwing the ball too much at quarterback, but when it does turn to the junior, look for him and sophomore Christian Michalek to be a dangerous duo in the Hornet passing attack. However, on the ground, Cantu is coming off a big game with three touchdowns against Valley Mills. He’ll be a true dual threat for the Lions to deal with on Friday night.
Defensively, senior linebacker Javier Hernandez and senior defensive tackle Colton Cargill each earned all-district honors a year ago. Look for them to lead the way on a Hornet defense that has held its two opponents to only 17 points per game on the season.
Final Thoughts
This is another good test for Granger as the 2A Division II side plays up a classification against a talented 2A Division I Holland team. Last week, the Lions proved they wouldn’t back down against a talented 2A Division I Thorndale team.
Holland went three rounds deep in the playoffs last year, but expect Granger to take this game to the wire in front of what should be an energized home crowd.
