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12-5A FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Horn faces tough test in John Tyler
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
Horn cruised through its first two games, winning by a combined score of 80-20, but ran into trouble last week with a 36-33 loss to Duncanville.
The Jaguars won the stat sheet, outgaining their opponents by more than 100 yards, but it was the other numbers that concerned Horn head coach Rodney Webb.
The Jaguars did not have any takeaways while turning the ball over twice themselves, including once at the Panther 1-yard line.
Horn returned to the field this week ready to look ahead to the next challenge in Tyler John Tyler. While the Jaguars are leaving the Duncanville loss in the rear view mirror, though, that hiccup might help them out this week.
"The kids haven't lost focus all season long. I thought we played a good game, we just didn't do what we needed to at the end, but I think it did bring them back down to Earth a little bit," Webb said. "But we also told them that that was not for a state championship, it was a non-district game and all you want to do is get better; our ultimate goal at this point in the season is to get better every week."
Horn has not had trouble scoring thus far, averaging 37.3 points per game. Destri White has thrown for 494 yards and seven touchdowns, while adding 187 yards on the ground.
Treyvon Marsh is averaging 100 yards per game on the ground while also grabbing 10 catches, while Brian O'Bannon has nine receptions for 158 yards and two scores.
Webb said that production would not be possible without the offensive line, led by Erick Wren, Jonathan Alvarez and Taylor Flowers.
The defense has also been solid as expected. Jorian Clark has stepped up his play from the free safety position, while Kalan Elia has made a nice transition to the linebacker spot.
On Friday, Horn will get perhaps its toughest test yet in Tyler John Tyler. The Lions were ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Class 4A state poll before dropping a 26-21 decision to Lancaster in a game in which they were missing several key players.
John Tyler has since rebounded and moved back up to No. 4 in the state poll after a dominating 21-0 win over crosstown rival Tyler Lee last week in which they yielded only 139 yards.
"They are unbelievably athletic and talented. They are a very impressive group of athletes to watch on tape," Webb said. "They have a winning tradition and they expect to win every night, so we are going to have our work cut out for us, but at the same time, the kids are excited about the challenge."
MESQUITE (3-0)
With a victory on Friday, Mesquite would improve to 4-0 for the first time in 11 years. That, of course, was the 2001 Skeeter team that would finish with a perfect 15-0 record and the school district's only state football championship.
This team's goal is more modest for right now. If they can defeat Plano West on Friday, they will have achieved what they set out to do.
"It is all about getting better every week, that is the focus," Mesquite head coach Robbie Robinson said.
The Skeeters have one of the more potent offenses in the area up to this point. Alex Cooper is completing 81 percent of his passes and averaging better than 300 yards per game. Dameon Gamblin, Rashard Higgins and Jordan Bracy each have at least 12 catches, while Junior Session is gaining eight yards per carry on the ground.
But the outcome might hinge on how Mesquite is able to handle Plano West's offense.
The Skeeters have been stingy, allowing only 14.3 points per game. Robinson said the group has played well top-to-bottom.
There was concern when shutdown cornerback Anthony Canady was lost for the season with an injury, but Quincy Peyton has stepped in and done a nice job, with Chris Thompson locking down the other side of the field.
The Wolves offer some unique problems. In the opener Travis Korry was effective through the air in a season-opening win over Flower Mound Marcus.
The next week, Korry was injured, and Plano West rotated a pair of sophomores in Zach Norris and Colton Hepp, who were each effective, but it was not enough in a loss to Lake Highlands.
Korry returned last week but attempted only four passes, as the running duo of Sotonya Jamabo and Auston Anderson each rushed for more than 100 yards to lead them to a win over South Garland.
That gives Mesquite several different things to prepare for going into Friday's contest
"It is going to be physical, they have some big guys, they have an impressive front and they run right at you," Robinson said. "They have (Anderson) who is a fast kid and they have (Jamabo) who is big and physical, so it is going to be a tough game."
NORTH MESQUITE (1-2)
North Mesquite led for much of last week before getting stunned by Lakeview in a late loss. Now the Stallions, who also lost to Rowlett in the season opener, get a third crack at a team from 11-5A when they face South Garland on Friday.
The Colonels (1-2) got beat up on the ground in a 31-21 loss to Plano West last week and that is good news for North Mesquite.
Ta'Varius Luke has rushed for 403 yards and is averaging nearly 10 yards per carry, while Corey Hunt has 271 yards and five touchdowns.
If that duo once again has success, it opens up the play-action passing game where quarterback Cody Williams did show promise last week in completing 8-of-11 throws.
South Garland was without the athletic Trey Porter at quarterback last week, meaning North Mesquite's main concern defensively will be shutting down Marquel McNac. That is easier said than done, as despite getting plenty of attention, the hard-nosed McNac has still rushed for 486 yards and four touchdowns on 74 carries.
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