Week Seven Preview
Playoff Picture Begins to Take Shape
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
EAST TEXAS – As we enter Week Seven of the 2019 UIL High School Football Season, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape.
In District 12-2A DII, it looks like the Grapeland Sandies and Lovelady Lions are the cream of the crop. Both the Sandies and Lions are coming off of lopsided victories and appear to be headed for a showdown on Oct. 18.
Moving to District 11-3A DI, it appears the Diboll Lumberjacks have staked their claim at the top of the district with a game against Franklin still to play. The Crockett Bulldogs are still in the hunt, however, as a slip-up by Diboll or a win by Crockett over Franklin will keep the Bulldogs hopes for a district championship alive. The Elkhart Elks are also still in the playoff hunt and could surprise a team or two.
This week’s matchups look fairly easy for Grapeland, Crockett and Elkhart as they all hit the road while Lovelady is off.
Grapeland Sandies (5-1, 2-0) vs. Colmesneil Bulldogs (1-4, 0-1) – The Sandies will make the trek to Colmesneil this week to take on a reeling Bulldogs’ team.
The Sandies are coming off of a big win against an undermanned Burkeville team by a final score of 45-22. The score indicates otherwise, but Grapeland played their reserves throughout much of the second half or it could have been a lot worse.
Colmesneil, on the other hand, was slaughtered by Lovelady last Friday by a final score of 51-0. Don’t look for things to get much better as the Sandies should win this one in a romp.
Crockett Bulldogs (3-2, 1-1) vs. Tomball Christian Warriors (1-4, 0-0) – The Bulldogs are coming off of a tough loss to the Diboll Lumberjacks and are looking to bounce back against the Warriors. Crockett kept the score against Diboll close at halftime, but suffered a let-down in the second half. Don’t look for that to happen against Tomball Christian.
The Warriors are coming off of their first win this season, a 53-14 victory over KIPP Sunnyside. Prior to that, however, Tomball Christian had given up 169 points through four games. Look for Crockett to take this one, big.
Elkhart Elks (4-2, 1-1) vs. Trinity Tigers (0-6, 0-2) – The Elks will be looking to rebound against the Trinity Tigers this Friday and should have a fairly easy time of it.
Elkhart suffered a 48-22 loss to the Franklin Lions on Friday and while the scoreboard reflected a different story, the Elks hung with the perennial powerhouse.
Trinity, however, is no Franklin and the Elks should ride roughshod over the Tigers. The Tigers have scored a total of 59 points this season in six games and have yet to find the end zone in district play.
Lovelady Lions (3-3, 2-0) – BYE
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
