Your Guide to Area Football Games This Week
The head-coaching tenure of Richard Williams at ESD got off to a thrilling start last week, when the Eagles rallied from a 24-point deficit to defeat Houston Second Baptist.
Still riding the momentum from that debut, ESD will return home on Friday for its annual matchup against rival St. Mark’s, which holds a lengthy winning streak in the series. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Jones Stadium.
The Lions have won four straight against ESD since the rivalry was renewed in 2010, including 55-35 last season. This year’s game doesn’t count in the SPC standings since the two schools are in separate divisions. Don’t expect that to affect the intensity either on the field or in the stands, however.
“St. Mark’s is always an important rivalry game for us,” said Williams, who served as offensive coordinator for ESD before becoming head coach prior to this season. “It’s going to be an exciting night.”
Against Second Baptist, the Eagles trailed 24-0 in the second quarter before scoring 42 unanswered points at the Brook Hill Fall Classic in Bullard. Jack Johnson rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns, while Winston Guillory caught seven passes for 155 yards and a 66-yard score in the closing seconds of the first half.
In their opener, the Lions (1-0) held off Cistercian 27-19 behind the arm of Walter Johnson, who threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to William Caldwell. Johnson also rushed for 65 yards.
Other key games this week:
Plano East (0-1) at Jesuit (0-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
In its home opener, Jesuit will look for a defensive turnaround after allowing 872 yards and 11 touchdowns during a 72-49 loss to Arlington Bowie last week. Bo Schneider threw six first-half touchdown passes in the losing effort. Plano East outgained Lake Highlands during an 18-13 loss last week but struggled to score.
Lincoln (0-1) at Hillcrest (1-0)
7 p.m. Thursday
While Hillcrest moved the ball efficiently and spread the wealth among several offensive weapons in routing W.T. White 37-13 in last week’s season opener, Lincoln managed just 42 yards during a 28-6 loss to Fort Worth Dunbar, and scored its only touchdown on a kickoff return. Terrell Haley had 137 yards rushing for the Panthers.
FW All Saints (0-1) at TCA-Addison (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
TCA opens the season looking to gain momentum behind the combination of QB Christian Hutzler and RB Nahshon Ellerbe. The Trojans made the TAPPS state semifinals in 2013. After two straight undefeated seasons that ended with SPC titles, All Saints had a 22-game winning streak snapped last week in a 35-32 loss to Houston St. Pius X.
The Woodlands John Cooper (0-1) at Greenhill (0-1)
7 p.m. Friday
Greenhill enters its home opener with an eight-game skid after a 28-12 loss to Pantego Christian in the debut for Hornets coach Tom Williams. Ryan Bradberry was a bright spot with 150 yards rushing in the defeat. The Dragons, who are competing as an SPC independent, lost 50-20 to The Woodlands Christian in their season opener.
North Garland at W.T. White
7:30 p.m. Friday at Loos Complex
The Longhorns suffered their seventh consecutive defeat last week against Hillcrest, but their home opener is against a North Garland team that has dropped 18 straight, including a 24-21 loss last week to Greenville, which previously hadn’t won in four years. Dual-threat QB Jackson Fults and Nick Mitchell lead the White offense.
