All games District 19-6A

Thursday

Mayde Creek (2-3, 1-2) vs. Cinco Ranch (3-2, 2-1), 6:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium

Last year: Cinco Ranch 65, Mayde Creek 7

• Cinco Ranch and Mayde Creek will play each other this week in an important game where Cinco looks to stay among the top four in district and Mayde Creek tried to battle back towards a playoff spot. This game was a trouncing last year, but with huge turnover on the Cinco Ranch squad and improvement from Mayde Creek, it could be an interesting matchup.
  Cinco comes off a big win over Morton Ranch where they got huge performances all over the field. Sophomore quarterback Davis Roup threw for 388 yards and six touchdown, while the wide receivers were strong. Gavin Beavers caught nine passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, Matthew Courtios had 72 yards and a touchdown, Scott Eckel had 63 yards and Taytum Johnson had 49 yards and two touchdowns. The Cinco defense also stepped up in big moments, forcing a turnover at the end of the game to seal the win. But the Cougars did give up 258 yards through the air.
  Mayde Creek on the other hand, had a rough time trying to get things going in a loss to Katy, but there were some positives. Cole Jensen was efficient on the day, completing 10 of 20 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown but also throwing an interception, while freshman Chad Nelson caught six passes for 57 yards and a score. The Mayde Creek defense allowed 59 points.
  Cinco will need to be better in their pass defense and tackling, especially against a team that likes to throw underneath and try to make big plays. Mayde Creek will look to get back on track by being efficient in the pass and run game and cleaning up some things on defense.

Tompkins (2-3, 1-2) vs. Taylor (2-2, 2-0), 7:15 p.m. at Legacy Stadium

Last year: Tompkins 49, Taylor 14

• In one of the most intriguing matchups of the week, Tompkins and Taylor will play each other in what is increasingly looking like it could have the makings of an incredibly right game.
  It’s an incredibly important game for Tompkins, especially after dropping their first two district games of the season. Tompkins bounced back last week with a big win over Seven Lakes, gaining momentum and putting together strong performances on both sides of the ball.
  Tompkins was led by Caleb blocker on offense. The senior ran in two touchdowns and rushed for 159 yards, while catching one pass for 17 yards and another score. Defensively, the Falcons held Seven Lakes to under 200 yards of offense, turning the Spartans over three times and looking like a very strong unit.
  Taylor got a much needed bye last week and was able to get some rest and hopefully some players healthy as the Mustangs were hampered their first two weeks of district. Despite that, they managed two straight wins to start off district and are in a good spot heading into this week. Dante Archie has been a huge weapon for the team, while players from around the team have stepped up in a variety of ways and the defense has been strong against every team they have faced.
  This will be a game won by one of the teams defenses, which both the Falcons and Mustangs take huge pride in. Both teams will try to pound the run game offensively and whoever is stronger in the trenches could very well come out on top.

Friday

Morton Ranch (1-4, 1-2) vs. Seven Lakes (1-3, 0-2), 6:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium

Last year: Morton Ranch 41, Seven Lakes 28

• Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes head into this week’s game with both needing a win to get back on track, after both came up short last week.
  Morton Ranch comes off a very hard fought game against Cinco, where they came up just short of a win in what was a game all the way until the final drive. Mike Gerald was a force for the Cougars in the game. The senior threw for 258 yards and a score while rushing for 58 yards and another touchdown, Gerald also played very goo corner and returned multiple kicks for huge gains to put the Mavericks in good field position. Ryan Hall also was good in the game, rushing for 59 yards and three scores, while Markel McNeal kept up his good performances with 133 yards receiving and a touchdown. The Mavericks though, struggled on defense, allowing 388 yards through the air for Cinco, but holding the Cougars in the ground game.
  Seven Lakes meanwhile, comes off a loss to Tompkins. The Spartans leaned on the run game and it was efficient. Barrett Hudson had 72 yards on the ground and Jake Farris had 55. Throwing the ball was more of a struggle, as Shaan Patel was efficient, completing nine of 18 passes, but threw for 28 yards. Defensively, Seven Lakes wasn’t able to slow down much with the Tompkins offense. The Spartans allowed 234 yards on the ground as the Falcons used the run game all day.
  This has the makings of a good game. Seven Lakes will look to be stronger against a good Morton Ranch run game and clean things up defensively, while Morton Ranch will have to lock in against a very good Seven Lakes run game and will again try to have a good day through the air.

Jordan (4-0, 2-0) vs.Katy (4-1, 3-0), 7:15 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium

Last year: Katy 70, Jordan 21

• The game of the week and the game that will shake up the top of the district standings will be between Jordan and Katy, two undefeated teams at the top of district along with Taylor.
  Jordan comes into the game fresh off a strong performance against Paetow where they got a good tune up for the week. The Warriors had a balanced offense, gaining 188 yards on the ground and 230 through the air and getting a number of players involved. The biggest thing for Jordan though was the defense. The Warriors completely limited the Paetow offense, barely allowing 100 yards in the game while only allowing one score. It was a confidence booster and exactly what the Warriors would have wanted coming into the week.
  Katy had the same type of game against Mayde Creek. The Tigers dominated the game, scoring 35 points in the first quarter and 52 points in the first half on the way to a 59-9 win. Tremayne Hill led the way with three rushing touchdowns, while Chase Johnsey added two scores on the ground and both Tadi Zambe and Gunner Nelson scored rushing touchdowns. The Katy defense also stepped up, limiting Mayde Creek to under 200 yards in total even with backups in for the majority of the game.
  It will be two very different games when the two teams have the ball. Jordan is a high flying offense that will try and get the ball out quick to their talented skill position players and eliminate Katy’s advantage on the line. The key for the Tigers defense will be the secondary stepping up, making plays and forcing Jordan to not play in its comfort zone. Katy’s offense on the other hand, will ground and pound away at the Jordan defense, as the Tigers offensive line should have an advantage in the game. Jordan will have to be strong against the run and be ready for the Tigers play action fakes which are also a big part of the game plan.