HUGHES SPRINGS, Texas-Two teams with a combined 11-1 record face off at Mustang Stadium today.
Hughes Springs (5-1, 0-1) hosts Jefferson (6-0, 1-0) in a District 8-3A, Division I football showdown at 7:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs have posted three shutouts in their last three games for a combined score of 181-0. Jefferson defeated New Boston last week, 63-0.
The Mustangs fell to a good White Oak team a week ago, 56-20, and look to turn things around against the Bulldogs.
"White Oak countered everything that we did on both sides of the ball," Hughes Springs head coach Chris Edwards said. "We just played uncharacteristically and believe we are a better team than we were against White Oak.
"Jefferson has speed, speed, speed. They are very fast. We have to get back to being us, do what we do, and get better at what we do. We need to get back to that to give us a better chance to win."
Hughes Springs has averaged 31.7 points per game and given up 26.2 points. The Mustangs have totaled an average of 334.2 rushing yards per contest.
The Bulldogs average 48.5 points each game, and have given up a paltry 11.2 points. The offensive keys for Jefferson lie within the Ts. That is, quarterback Trey Hodge, running back Tybo Williams and receiver T.Q. Jackson. Each leads the team in their respective categories.
Hodge has hit on 48 of 72 passes for 1,101 yards and 11 TDs, Williams has rushed for 499 yards on just 33 carries and five scores, and Jackson has grabbed 19 passes for 480 yards and four touchdowns.
"We have to minimize the Bulldogs' big plays," Edwards said. "They are too athletic not to have any big plays. We have to tackle well as we didn't do that well last week. We also have to execute better. When we don't execute well on offense, we don't give ourselves a chance."
Taylor Smith leads Jefferson in tackles with 73, while teammate Eric Gipson had made 62 stops.
Northeast Texas Schedule
All kickoffs at 7:30 p.m.
Jefferson at Hughes Springs
New Boston at Redwater
Daingerfield at Hooks
Paul Pewitt at DeKalb
Ore City at Queen City
James Bowie at Quinlan Boles
Rivercrest at Linden-Kildare
Maud at Detroit