Gloom, despair and agony on me
For those of you too young to remember, that's from an old comedy sketch show. For others who are just a little bit older, you know exactly what we're talking about.
Like a quarterback who never saw the oncoming rusher come after him from behind, we were absolutely blindsided by the results of this past week. They looked like good picks. We felt good about what could happen. And then very few of it happened.
To put it kindly, we stunk. We went 4-7.
Haltom and Euless Trinity were the biggest shockers when they lost. We didn't show enough faith in Northwest V.R. Eaton, as it pulled out its first district win in school history when the Eagles beat Azle. We're not surprised Keller Central beat Keller Fossil Ridge. But it's good to know the frustration of picking Central games, a traditional thorn in our side, has returned.
As good as we have enjoyed it this year, this past week definitely humbled us. So we just have to move on and put it behind us.
More postseason berths will be clinched this week. For now, we congratulate Southlake Carroll, Justin Northwest and Richland for punching their tickets to the tournament.
Here we go for Week 10. Haltom has the bye.
Last week: 4-7
Season/Percentage: 77-21 (.786)
Keller (1-7, 1-3) at Abilene (7-1, 4-0); 7 p.m. Thursday, Shotwell Stadium, Abilene: The Eagles are coming off their District 3-6A bye and have a chance to clinch at least a tie for the district championship. This has been a difficult season for the Indians, who just have not found a way to get it going. This shouldn't be close.
Prediction: Abilene 45, Keller 17
Weatherford (2-7, 1-4) at Keller Fossil Ridge (5-3, 2-2); 7 p.m. Thursday; Keller ISD Athletic Complex, Keller: Keller's situation will impact this game. Should the Indians lose and Fossil Ridge wins, the Panthers will clinch a playoff spot. A Keller loss also puts Keller Timber Creek and Keller Central in the playoffs. The Panthers were sloppy with too many turnovers and it cost them against Central. They will bounce back against the Kangaroos.
Prediction: Keller Fossil Ridge 42, Weatherford 18
Grapevine (7-1, 4-1) at Fort Worth Eastern Hills (3-5, 1-4); 7 p.m. Thursday; Handley Field, Fort Worth: The greatness of another return to the intimate surroundings of Handley Field for Grapevine. Emotionally, this team should be sky high after finally knocking off Colleyville Heritage in the Battle of the Red Rail. They may let down a little Thursday. But they'll still handle the Highlanders and clinch their playoff berth.
Prediction: Grapevine 56, Fort Worth Eastern Hills 7
Northwest V.R. Eaton (2-6, 1-4) at Saginaw (1-7, 1-4); 7 p.m. Friday, Rough Rider Stadium, Saginaw: Eaton's offense had been playing at such a solid level that it was coming. But the fact that the Eagles beat Azle caught most by surprise. Now they're in the playoff race and will definitely have a say if they beat the Rough Riders on Friday.
Prediction: Northwest V.R. Eaton 42, Saginaw 34
Aledo (8-0, 5-0) at Justin Northwest (8-0, 5-0); 7 p.m. Friday, NISD Stadium, Justin: Maybe the biggest game Northwest has ever played. This is for the District 6-5A championship. The good news is that both of these teams are already in the playoffs. Without a doubt, the Texans can hang with the state's No. 1 team. Their size across the trenches is that good. Northwest, though, has to show it can handle the moment. The Texans can. This may all come down to just a couple of plays.
Prediction: Aledo 48, Justin Northwest 45
Fort Worth Carter-Riverside (1-4, 3-5) at Colleyville Heritage (5-3, 4-1); 7:30 p.m. Friday, Mustang-Panther Stadium, Grapevine: Well, there are some emotional scars for the Panthers following their loss to GCISD rival Grapevine. But they have to move on. They will get well against Carter-Riverside and clinch their playoff berth.
Prediction: Colleyville Heritage 56, Fort Worth Carter-Riverside 7
Fort Worth Polytechnic (1-7, 0-5) at Birdville (2-3, 4-4) 7:30 p.m. Friday, Birdville FA/AC, North Richland Hills: The Hawks are pretty much on the outside looking in on the playoffs after they fell to Fort Worth Dunbar last week. To give themselves a chance to stay in the District 8-5A race, they have to win this game. They will.
Prediction: Birdville 35, Fort Worth Poly 10
Northwest Byron Nelson (2-6, 2-3) at Flower Mound Marcus (5-3, 3-2); 7:30 p.m. Friday, Marauder Stadium, Flower Mound: This is the game where the Bobcats have something to play for next week or not. They have to win this. The Marauders are a very either/or team. Either they're really good (at home) or really suspect (on the road). The Marauders running game makes the difference.
Prediction: Flower Mound Marcus 37, Northwest Byron Nelson 26
Southlake Carroll (7-1, 5-0) at Hurst L.D. Bell (3-5, 1-4); 7:30 p.m. Friday, Pennington Field, Bedford: The Dragons have to deal with the season-ending injury to their most dynamic player in Robert Barnes. But it's all about bringing the next man up. Players have to put the disappointment in the history books. A district championship is still at stake. Kudos to the Blue Raiders for that very impressive win at Lewisville last week.
Prediction: Carroll 35, Hurst L.D. Bell 17
Euless Trinity (5-3, 2-3) at Flower Mound (3-5, 2-3); 7:30 p.m. Friday, Neal Wilson Stadium, Flower Mound: It's pretty stunning how the Trojans have gone from state power to seemingly ordinary in a matter of four weeks. There is a sense of urgency with this program, because it has Flower Mound Marcus next week. Trinity may be good enough to win this, but it's going to be tough.
Prediction: Euless Trinity 24, Flower Mound 23
Keller Central (4-4, 3-1) vs. Keller Timber Creek (6-2, 3-1); 7:30 p.m. Friday, Keller ISD Athletic Complex, Keller: By the time these teams take the field, they likely will know their playoff fate. They will be in the postseason with a Keller loss. They will also be in the Division I bracket. This game will be about playing for the top Division I seed. We'll give the edge to the Chargers because their defense is just a little different. But this will be a fun game.
Prediction: Keller Central 45, Keller Timber Creek 34
Richland (8-0, 5-0) vs. Fort Worth Dunbar (3-5, 3-2); 1 p.m. Saturday, Clark Field, Fort Worth: With a playoff berth secured, the Rebels can clinch at least a share of the district championship. They should have this wrapped up by halftime or the early part of the third quarter with a date with Colleyville Heritage next week. This loss won't hurt Dunbar, because all the Wildcats have to do is beat Poly next week to clinch.
Prediction: Richland 56, Fort Worth Dunbar 17
Let's win them all!
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