2A Weekend Preview: Two battles of undefeateds highlight schedule

11/27/2009

2A-I Region I:

Amarillo River Road (9-3) vs. Brady (12-0), 6 p.m. Friday, Odessa's Ratliff Stadium
Can River Road pull off its third consecutive playoff upset? And at what point is a River Road win no longer an upset? With wins over Muleshoe and Littlefield, River Road has established that it's a legitimate contender. But unbeaten Brady still has to be the favorite thanks to an outstanding running game that has allowed the Bulldogs to win all but one game this season by at least 14 points.
Prediction: River Road 28, Brady 27
Jerry Forrest's pick: Brady by 3

2A-I Region II:

Pilot Point (12-0) vs. Godley (12-0), 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Saginaw HS
This is arguably the marquee matchup in Class 2A, with two unbeaten powerhouses facing off for the Region II title. Pilot Point RB Jarman Johnson is simply one of the most electric players left in the playoffs, and he has played his best in the biggest games, including a 300-yard game in the regular-season finale against Aubrey. Godley counters with an awesome defense that has pitched four shutouts. Godley has won every game this year by at least 17 points.
Prediction: Pilot Point 34, Godley 28
Jerry Forrest's pick: Godley by 1

2A-I Region III:

Arp (12-0) vs. Kirbyville (10-2), 6 p.m. Friday, Huntsville's Bowers Stadium
Arp has fabulous RB/DB Lavocheya Cooper to make plays on both offense and defense. He's a big reason why Arp has pitched four shutouts this season and scored 50 points or more five times. But Kirbyville is a legit contender despite its two losses. Since losing back-to-back games against Jasper and West Orange-Stark, Kirbyville has won nine consecutive games, including an impressive regular season finale against Newton. Kirbyville has a powerful ground attack led by junior LeFrederick Ford.
Prediction: Arp 38, Kirbyville 34
Jerry Forrest's pick: Arp by 10

2A-I Region IV:

Comfort (7-5) vs. George West (12-0), 1 p.m. Saturday, San Antonio's Heroes Stadium
In terms of overall records, this is the most lopsided matchup in the state. Comfort is one of a handful of five-loss teams left in the playoffs, while George West is unbeaten. Comfort actually started the season 0-4 but has gone 7-1 since then to surprise everyone by reaching the regional final. George West, meanwhile, was supposed to be here. George West has an excellent ground attack with multiple weapons and has used the traditional formula of running the ball and playing good defense to post an unbeaten record. George West should roll on at least one more round.
Prediction: George West 31, Comfort 17
Jerry Forrest's pick: George West by 5

2A-II Region I:

Bushland (12-0) vs. Henrietta (12-0), 2 p.m. Saturday, Wichita Falls' Memorial Stadium
Bushland has rolled through its first 12 games, winning every game by at least 26 points. But QB Sawyer Cornelius was injured last week and his status is uncertain. Any slippage against undefeated Henrietta could spell disaster, because Henrietta also has blown out just about everybody on its schedule. But we've had our eyes on Bushland all year and the Falcons are still our pick to win the Region I title.
Prediction: Bushland 35, Henrietta 28
Jerry Forrest's pick: Bushland by 20

Crane (11-1) vs. Cisco (12-0), 7 p.m. Friday, San Angelo Stadium
Crane QB Jordan Cavazos is a run-pass threat with more than 1,000 yards rushing and passing. Crane's only blemish is an early-season loss Muleshoe, and the Golden Cranes have rolled throught their schedule since then. Cisco has all the signs you'd expect from an undefeated team that has handled every type of opponent. The Loboes have a versatile ground game with multiple running threats, they're dangerous throwing the ball as well, and they have a stout defense that does a good job forcing the offense away from what it wants to do.
Prediction: Crane 35, Cisco 30
Jerry Forrest's pick: Crane by 1

2A-II Region II:

Gainesville Callisburg (10-2) vs. Caddo Mills (10-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Denton's C.H. Collins Athletic Complex
Fans who go to this game could get a double treat: A great football game and a state record breaking individual performance. Caddo Mills RB Nathan Jeffery is two touchdowns short of the career TD record owned by Lamar Consolidated's Jacquizz Rodgers (136). Considering he averages four touchdows per game, there's a pretty good chance he'll pass Rodgers in this game. Callisburg counters with a strong rushing attack, led by QB Bobby Dorman, and an opportunistic defense that forced three turnovers in last week's win over Melissa.
Prediction: Caddo Mills 34, Callisburg 28
Jerry Forrest's pick: Callisburg by 2

Aubrey (11-1) vs. McGregor (12-0), 2 p.m. Friday, Mansfield's Newsom Stadium
OK, we get it: G.A. Moore Jr. can really coach some football. We knew that before this year because of Moore's 400-plus victories and eight state titles. But what he's done at Aubrey is stunning: A five-win team a year ago, Moore has worked his magic and led them to the regional semifinals. Aubrey is known for a stout defense that has produced six shootouts and allows 6.4 points per game. McGregor is harder to categorize; the Bulldogs have won a game 50-48 and won another one 13-7. But the key is that they've won every game on their schedule. RB Julian Young has 1,183 rushing yards to lead a versatile offense.
Prediction: Aubrey 20, McGregor 10
Jerry Forrest's pick: Aubrey by 8

2A-II Region III:

Daingerfield (11-1) vs. East Chambers (9-2), 8 p.m. Saturday, Lufkin HS
Daingerfield is another team with a bunch of shutouts (5) and a bunch of blowouts (10 wins by 14 points or more). The Tigers have been No. 1 in our Class 2A rankings all season because of their size, speed and strength. QB Tyler Boyd is a playmaker whether running or passing, and the Tigers have more playmakers all over the field. East Chambers is making its first ever trip to the regional semifinals. East Chambers counts on QB Hank Jones to make plays running and passing, and the Bucs also have a solid defense.
Prediction: Daingerfield 35, East Chambers 14
Jerry Forrest's pick: Daingerfield by 36

Linden-Kildare (8-4) vs. Newton (11-1), 2 p.m. Friday, Carthage HS
Newton coach Curtis Barbay is the second-winningest coach left in the playoffs behind Aubrey's G.A. Moore. So you can be sure that Barbay will have his team ready to play against an overachieving Linden-Kildare squad. Both teams have outstanding rushing attacks with multiple running threats. Linden-Kildare QB Kenneth Harrison has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season, and teammate Greg Gaston is getting close. Newton's Jeremy Jackson and Brent Spikes combined for 319 rushing yards against Buna.
Prediction: Newton 35, Linden-Kildare 20
Jerry Forrest's pick: Newton by 9

2A-II Region IV:

Blanco (11-1) vs. Vanderbilt Industrial (11-1), 6 p.m. Friday, San Antonio's Alamo Stadium
This game will pit strength against strength. Blanco RB Layton Dworaczyk is a dangerous runner who already has 2,278 yards and 35 touchdowns for the season and averages 9.1 yards per carry. Industrial counters with a stout defense that has shutouts in two of its past three games and allows only 11.6 points per game for the season. These same teams met last year in the playoffs, and Blanco emerged with a 42-21 win. The difference could be Blanco QB Tanner Rodgers, who can make a defense pay for focusing too much attention on Dworaczyk. Rodgers has throws 16 TD passes this season.
Prediction: Blanco 24, Industrial 16
Jerry Forrest's pick: Blanco by 8

Altair Rice (10-1) vs. Refugio (12-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday, El Campo HS
Two talented offense meet up to see which one can outscore the other. Refugio has a traditional ground-based attack that has produced 4,603 total yards (384 per game). Rice relies a bit more on the pass because of the talents of QB Myles Dumont (1,719 passing yards, 17 TDs) and WR Mario Hull (1,076 yards, 11 TDs). Refugio specializes in blowouts; it has won all but one game by 14 points. Altair Rice's games have been much closer, including four wins by 10 points or less.
Prediction: Refugio 31, Rice 20
Jerry Forrest's pick: Refugio by 9