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The Top 10 List: Eagles, Cowboys set for state-ranked showdown

BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com

Published: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 12:41 PM CDT

A simple look at Coppell's statistics shows some staggering numbers.

Cowboys quarterback Colby Mahon has completed nearly 71 percent of his passes for 787 and 12 touchdowns against zero interceptions.

Yet it isn't necessarily a pass-based team No. 2 state-ranked Allen is anticipating it will see at 7:30 p.m. Friday when it travels to No. 9 Coppell.

"Coppell is very effective with the pass, but we dang sure better stop the run," said Tom Westerberg, Allen head coach. "They had some quarterback injuries last year and had to go to the spread, but that's not really their style. Coppell is a physical team and they want to run the ball."

Allen can sympathize with that tactic as the Eagles lead the Metroplex with an average of 314 yards rushing per game. Senior running backs Jeff Harris and Marcus Ward along with senior quarterback Oliver Pierce and sophomore quarterback Kyler Murray account for the overwhelming majority of that total.

"We have pretty much just run the football," Westerberg said. "And that game plan has worked well for us for the first four games."

Both teams can be proud of their game plans heading into the Week 4 collision as Allen and Coppell are each 4-0 with the former winning games by an average of 25 points and the latter by an average of 29 points.

Coppell also likes to attack on the ground, but with fewer options.

The Cowboys have gotten multiple touchdowns from Charles West and Luke Jenner, but their primary back is Gavin McDaniel. The younger brother of Notre Dame's Cam McDaniel has 395 yards and two touchdowns on the ground this season.

As is the case with Allen, the offensive line contributes heavily to Coppell's success.

"Their line has done very well," Westerberg said. "They are good on the block and do well getting a body on someone."

The effectiveness of the run has allowed Coppell to open up its passing game.

Mahon has thrown touchdown tosses to Jenner, Josh Self, Jacob Logan and Cameron Smith this season. Logan has only caught six passes, but three of them have been for touchdowns, while Smith is clearly the Cowboys' top aerial target with 18 grabs for 395 yards and seven touchdowns.

That will put some pressure on Allen's defensive backfield of senior cornerback Michael Jacob, junior cornerback Mayomi Olootu, senior safety Cameron Hartsfield and junior safety Chad Adams.

"Coppell can really open up the pass with their play action," Westerberg said. "And they're quarterback is pretty good and very accurate out of the spread."

Whatever offensive difference the teams have will be severely lessened on defense.

That's because the Eagles' 3-4 defensive scheme is based on the system the Cowboys use. Westerberg and former Allen defensive coordinator Terry Gambill talked with several different coaches in switching to a 3-4 in 2008, including Coppell head coach Joe McBride, who was at Frisco Legacy at the time.

"The systems are definitely similar because of that," Westerberg said, "but you have to adjust because of the athletes you have and what they can handle, so you will still see some differences Friday night."

Both have been effective with the Cowboys yet to allow more than 14 points in a game and the Eagles yet to surrender more than 20. A big part of that is based on dueling defensive lines that are quick and apt to provide plenty of pressure.

"Coppell is very athletic up front," Westerberg said, "so that is going to be another challenge for our offensive line."

In addition to Class of 2014 Division I prospect Solomon Thomas, Coppell's defensive line features William Udeh, who has committed to New Mexico. Allen counters with a rotation that heavily features senior Byron Bonds, who is committed to Baylor, senior Stone Drulman, juniors Lance Williams and Marcus Davis.

Friday is the last stop for both teams before district.

"Obviously we'd like to win this game and build some momentum going into the bye," Westerberg said. "And this game should be a blast. We are going over to Coppell, and you know that is going to be a great atmosphere, and our kids usually do well in situations like that."

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