MISSOURI CITY, Texas- In what many consider the preemptive district 23-5A championship game, AP No. 2 Manvel (4-0) and AP No. 12 Fort Bend Marshall (3-1) will battle it out Saturday afternoon at Hall Stadium. The winner will more than likely go on to be crowned district champs, something worth noting as the post-season gets closer and closer.
Fort Bend Marshall looks to pound the Manvel defense with their rush game, which includes four running backs with at least 100 yards on the season each totaling for a combined 1000 yards rushing this year.
November 25, 2016 – Fort Bend Marshall receiver Jabari James (18) rushes for yards in the first half during the regional semi-final round of the 5A Div. II playoff game between A&M Consolidated and Fort Bend Marshall at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Image Credit: John Glaser)
Senior dual-threat three-star quarterback and Texas Tech commit Jabari James has been remarkable with his abilities. Needless to say, James is every defensive backs worst nightmare. This was evident last season as the stud quarterback was nothing short of elite status, throwing 20 touchdowns and 4 interceptions for 1385 yards while rushing for another 1082 yards on the ground.
James will have help at receiver with three-star Houston commit Henry Thomas. Thomas, who mostly plays slot due to his 5’11”, 175-pound stature, will use his natural speed to try and defeat Manvel’s defensive backs from covering him. Having already scored four touchdowns on the season, Thomas has established himself as the deadly go-to guy for James and the Buffaloes offense.
Manvel is favorited heavily to pull out the win. Many critics still argue that Manvel would be considered in the AP Top 10 of 6A football had they not been dropped to the 5A classification last year. Through four games, Manvel has outscored opposing teams 174-49; nearly half of those 49 points came from a 24-21 win against 6A powerhouse North Shore in which the Mustangs scored three times.
Even more stunning is the beat down the Mavericks delivered to archrival Pearland earlier this season in a 45-7 rout in which Pearland only gained one first down and 26 yards in the first half. That said, The Mavericks offense carries just as much punch and then some.
Manvel WR Jalen Preston looks to have a big day Saturday against Fort Bend Marshall. (File Photo: Rick Castillo/ TexasHSFootball.com)
Four-star wide receiver and Texas A&M commit Jalen Preston is one of the premier football recruits in the Houston area, if not the state of Texas. Listed at 6’2”, 212 pounds, the beefy wide-out becomes every defense’s number one priority when he comes on the field. As great as Preston is, his production isn’t ridiculous like some other star receivers at other schools.
This is not a bad thing though as Preston has caught 12 passes for 218 yards, averaging 18.16 yards a catch. Fellow slot receiver Kam Scott, a three-star committed to Missouri, has stolen some of James spotlight; catching 6 passes for 187 yards and averaging 31.2 yards a catch. Not to mention, the Mavericks have an experienced quarterback in senior Kason Martin.
Will it be enough? We’ll find out Saturday afteroon.
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