KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m., Bobcat Stadium, Hallsville
LAST WEEK: The Tigers scored fast and early on their way to beating Greenville, 45-19.
GAME FACTS: Despite winning last week the Tigers dropped from seventh to eighth in the Associated Press 5A poll. Texas High has already earned a playoff berth, and they wrap up an undisputed District 16-5A championship and top seed with a win this week. THS will play West Mesquite in bi-district, the fourth-place team in 15-5A. Hallsvlle coach David Plunk is in his 12th season as head coach for the Bobcats, after serving as defensive coordinator under Roger Adams for eight years at Hallsville. The Bobcats' best college prospect is lineman Cody Rogers (6-5, 260). Senior wide receiver Quan Hampton continues to be the leading receiver in the Texarkana Gazette coverage area with 55 receptions for 918 yards and 8 TDs. Senior QB Cade Pearson has completed 113 of 163 passes for 1,818 yards and 20 TDs.
COACHES' COMMENTS: Texas High's Barry Norton-"The big thing in the matchup is not going to by symatics, but the intensity of play. Hallsville is backed into a corner in regard to the playoffs, so we're going to get their best effort. We know what they're going to do offensively and defensively. They've been the same defensively for years, and they're really sound and good at it. Three or four years ago they came in and blitzed us out of the ordinary, something they hadn't done forever.
"I think our intensity and execution will be the key to our play. We know each other and our programs. We'll have some different things in our offense, and a few more looks defensively. They're going to want to run the football and control the clock. We've got to stop the run, or get out in front early to get them out of that. I thought we played better last week, and I look for us to play better this week."
Hallsville's Plunk-"We've been playing Texas High for the last 10-12 years. I know I've been at Hallsville longer than Barry has been at Texas High. Most of our games have been defensive games, and I think that's because we know each other so well. Both offenses have had trouble moving the ball. Scheme wise we're similar in what we do. This year's matchup is a little bit different. This is the best offensive team I've seen Texas High have since they had Sorenson and Cobi Hamilton and that crew. I think they're more balanced than they have been in the past, or at least more explosive.
"We've got to control the ball and keep their offense off the field as much as possible. We've got to be able to run the football, they're too skilled on the backend. We'll try to make some big plays and get lucky. Texas High is not as big as they have been in the past on the offensive and defensive lines."
RADIO: KTXK 91.5 FM. KCAT, 104.9 FM.
TONIGHT'S LINEUPS
(Numbers in parentheses)
TEXAS HIGH OFFENSE: LT-Dylan Raley (75), 300; LG-Jey Shon Hawthorne (66), 250; C-James Tarantino (64), 265; RG-Elian Bustos (68), 270; RT-Kameron Arnold (79), 310; TE-Ladd Preston (43) 220; QB-Cade Pearson (10), 200; FB-Deshawn Harris (44), 225; TB-Devuntay Walker (5), 190, and Markese Martin (20), 215; WR-Tevailance Hunt (9), 175; WR-Quan Hampton (2), 165; PK-Isidro Hernandez (31), 190.
TEXAS HIGH DEFENSE: DE-Leonard Parks (19), 225; T-Jaylin Franklin (48), 255; NG-Jonathan Allen (39), 215; DE-Dejonta Harper (24), 220; LB-Timothy Noble (32), 170; MLB-Davon Williams (40), 210; LB-Xzavier Hopkins (41), 200; CB-Deteryon Hunter (15), 160; SS-Eric Sutton (3), 160; FS-Javel Jones (29), 180; CB-Jaqualen Brown (7), 175; PNT-Kyle Choate (34), 170.
HALLSVILLE OFFENSE: TE-Brett Parks (35); WR-Quincy Harris (16); WR-Conner Bailey (1), 175; WR-John Michael Carter (22), 162; T-Dylan Russell (75), 250; G-Cecil Johnson (65); C-Cody Rogers (79), 250; G-Blake Trainor (53), 300; T-Slade Brown (61), 270; QB-Payton McGarvey (10), 195; RB-Jamal Davis (2), 165.
HALLSVILLE DEFENSE: E-Drew Johnson (82), 225; E-Branson Emerson (20), 195; T-Chase Cushenberry (41), 250; T-Tanner Morris (58), 242; LB-James Nelson (45), 210; LB-Blair Fernandez (5), 190; OLB-Michael Hawes (3); FS-Ty Meissner (12), 165; CB-Tye Smith (7); CB-Thelious Branch (25).
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