Examining the Episcopal Football Showdown

Nobody has been able to slow down ESD this season, and the Eagles are in the driver’s seat for the SPC South Zone regular-season title.

But their most important test on the schedule comes this week, when the Eagles host Bellaire Episcopal in a showdown between the only two unbeaten teams in the divisional standings. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday at Jones Family Stadium.

With three games remaining before the start of the SPC playoffs, the game could be the primary obstacle between ESD and an undefeated regular-season campaign.

The Eagles have surpassed the 40-point barrier in five of six games, led by Thomas Fitts, who has thrown for 1,933 yards and 19 touchdowns, and Jack Johnson, who has rushed for 16 scores. Winston Guillory is approaching the 1,000-yard mark in receiving.

But the ESD defense has been equally stout, allowing the Eagles (6-0, 2-0) to build big first-half leads in almost every one of its games, including a 41-21 road victory over Houston St. John’s last week.

The Knights (4-2, 2-0) scored an impressive 48-21 win last week over neighborhood rival and defending SPC champion Houston Kinkaid.

 

Other key games this week:

Irving (0-5, 0-2) at Jesuit (3-2, 1-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Jesuit couldn’t slow down the high-powered Skyline offense in a 56-30 loss last week, but the Rangers remain well positioned for a playoff berth. Bo Schneider has passed for 1,325 yards and 21 touchdowns. The winless Tigers have scored a combined 29 points in their past three games.

 

FW Trinity Valley (4-3, 1-3) at St. Mark’s (3-3, 2-2)

7 p.m. Friday

The Lions rallied from an early 14-point deficit to win a key SPC divisional road game last week against Arlington Oakridge, with Justin Jones rushing for 193 yards and four touchdowns to lead a shorthanded offense. The Trojans have dropped their last three games by lopsided margins.

 

Hillcrest (4-1, 1-1) at Bryan Adams (2-3, 1-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday at Forester Stadium

Carrollton Creekview handed the Panthers their first loss last week in a defensive struggle, and now Hillcrest and dual-threat quarterback Arico Evans travel away from Franklin Stadium for the final time this season against the inconsistent Cougars, who shut out Conrad 45-0 last week.

 

Trinity Christian (2-3, 0-2) at FW Nolan Catholic (1-4, 0-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday

This matchup of struggling traditional TAPPS powerhouses could be critical for potential playoff hopes on both sides. Last week, Christian Hutzler returned the Trojans and threw for 349 yards in a loss to Midland Christian. The Vikings saw a late rally fall short against Bishop Dunne.

 

Sunset (1-4, 0-2) at W.T. White (3-2, 1-1)

7 p.m. Thursday at Loos Stadium

The Longhorns will prepare for a difficult stretch run with a must-win game. White held off a late R.L. Turner rally last week for its first 9-6A win behind dual-threat quarterback Jackson Fults. Running back Deron Warren leads the Bison, who have dropped four straight games.