Previews and predictions for notable Week 9 Dallas-area high school football games

A look at notable games around the Dallas area heading into Week 9 of the Texas high school football season.

Hot ticket

Denton Guyer at Allen

Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Allen’s Eagle Stadium

Allen picked up a statement 31-7 win over McKinney last week and now controls its destiny in District 5-6A. With a win over Denton Guyer, Allen would be one step closer to a district title.

Guyer, which beat Denton Braswell 56-28 last Friday, starts a tough two-week stretch at Allen this week and will play McKinney in Week 10.

Allen’s offense has largely relied on its ground game this season. Amir McDowell leads Allen rushers with 545 yards and 11 touchdowns. Micah Ellis has posted 433 yards and seven touchdowns. Meanwhile, Guyer quarterback Isaac Harney has passed for 933 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Taylor’s pick: Allen 45, Denton Guyer 30

Spotlight on

Longview at McKinney North

Where: 7 p.m. Friday at McKinney ISD Stadium

McKinney North will attempt to knock off state power Longview this week. They are the only two teams in District 7-5A Div. I with undefeated district records.

After dropping its second game of the season to Justin Northwest in a 3-point loss, McKinney North has been on a five-game winning streak. Longview, a state semifinalist last year ranked second in the state among Class 5A Division I teams, has won six straight after losing 23-21 to McKinney in Week 1.

Taylor’s pick: Longview 38, McKinney North 20

Desoto at Cedar Hill

Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Cedar Hill’s Longhorn Stadium

Already having surpassed its win total from last season, Cedar Hill enters its game against reigning Class 6A Division II state champion DeSoto on a two-game winning streak.

Six Cedar Hill players rushed for touchdowns and the defense forced four turnovers in victories over Mansfield and Skyline. DeSoto quarterback DJ Bailey has thrown for 1,307 yards and 18 touchdowns with no interceptions. Wide receiver Daylon Singleton has been his main target with seven touchdowns and 457 yards on 21 receptions. Running back Marvin Duffey has posted 583 yards rushing yards and 10 ground scores.

Taylor’s pick: DeSoto 59, Cedar Hill 30

Rockwall-Heath at Mesquite Horn

Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Mesquite’s E.H. Handy Stadium

Mesquite Horn seeks a needed district win over Rockwall-Heath on Friday. Horn lost 10-7 to Tyler Legacy last week and has fallen in close losses to North Forney and Rockwall.

Michael Tuesno has starred for Heath on the ground with 730 yards and six touchdowns. Caleb Hoover has passed for 737 yards and eight touchdowns. Horn’s sole district win came against Mesquite. Legend Bey rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns in that game. Levon Morton rushed for 115 yards and three scores.

Taylor’s pick: Rockwall-Heath 33, Mesquite Horn 26

Lewisville at Flower Mound Marcus

Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Flower Mound’s Marauder Stadium

Both locked in at 3–1 in District 6-6A play, Lewisville and Flower Mound Marcus will play a decisive district game. Lewisville enters the contest on a two-game winning streak, with its most recent win being a 42-10 victory over Plano. Flower Mound Marcus beat Plano West 46-14 last week.

Karic Grennan leads Marcus receivers with 633 yards and six touchdowns, but four other receivers have caught passes from quarterback Dane Parlin. Leading rusher Isaiah Keliikipi has 714 yards and four touchdowns.

Lewisville quarterback Ethan Terrell has passed for 986 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jaydan Hardy, an Oklahoma commit, has caught 14 passes for 232 yards and seven touchdowns. Running back Viron Ellison, a Tulsa commit, has rushed for 717 yards and eight touchdowns. Ellison also has nine receptions for 174 yards and five touchdowns.

Taylor’s pick: Lewisville 38, Flower Mound Marcus 17

North Crowley at Hurst L.D. Bell

Where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bedford’s Pennington Field

As it competes for a playoff bid, Hurst L.D. Bell welcomes undefeated North Crowley this week.

North Crowley, ranked ninth in the state among Class 6A teams, has not allowed more than 20 points this season and has averaged about 59 points a game. Quarterback Chris Jimerson has passed for 1,621 yards and 19 touchdowns and running back Ashton Searl has rushed for 621 yards and 12 touchdowns.

L.D. Bell boasts a UTSA commit in defensive lineman Tristan Johnson, who has helped lead a relatively taut defense. L.D. Bell has allowed opponents 27 points or less this season and has suffered two close losses to Crowley and Weatherford that were decided by a touchdown or less. On offense, quarterback Maddox Olatunde has passed for 895 yards and seven touchdowns. Olatunde has also contributed 553 yards on the ground and nine rushing touchdowns.

Taylor’s pick: North Crowley 55, Hurst L.D. Bell 27

Euless Trinity at Crowley

Where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Crowley ISD Sports Complex

Improved from last football season, Euless Trinity will play a key district game at Crowley this week. It could be an offensive shootout.

Crowley has outscored opponents by 177 points, thanks in large part to quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams has thrown for 1,822 yards and 24 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 465 yards and five scores.

Euless Trinity is fresh off a 68-13 win over Saginaw Chisholm Trail last week. Running back Josh Bell is Trinity’s greatest weapon on offense this season. Bell has 1,115 yards and 14 touchdowns. He leads a strong Trinity rushing attack.

Taylor’s pick: Euless Trinity 49, Crowley 40

Frisco Reedy at Frisco

Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Frisco’s Ford Center at The Star

Frisco faces arguably its toughest district test of the season against Frisco Reedy on Friday. If not for a 14-13 loss to Burleson Centennial in Week 2, Frisco would be undefeated. Running back Kam Pendergraph has rushed for 456 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jackson Voris leads receivers with 24 receptions for 514 yards and six touchdowns.

Reedy, edged 35-32 by Frisco Lone Star in Week 3 for its only loss of the season, beat Sherman 59-0 last week. Running back Triston Airy rushed for 201 yards and three touchdown, averaging about 13 yards per carry.

Taylor’s pick: Frisco Reedy 35, Frisco 30

Celina at Carter

Where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Dallas’ John Kincaide Stadium

The Dallas area’s top-ranked Class 4A team, Celina visits a solid Carter team vying for its next district win. Carter beat Carrollton Ranchview 54-3 last week.

Celina bested Wilmer-Hutchins 50-7 last week and has outscored opponents by 260 points. Running back Kaeden Landry has starred for Carter with 908 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Taylor’s pickT: Celina 40, Carter 20

Arlington Bowie at South Grand Prairie

Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Grand Prairie’s Gopher-Warrior Bowl

The District 8-6A race is getting tight with four teams sitting above .500. Arlington Bowie is on a four-game winning streak, while South Grand Prairie has won three straight.

Darrion Bowers leads Bowie rushers with 795 yards and 11 touchdowns. South Grand Prairie’s aylon Brooks had passed for 835 yards and nine touchdowns. Brooks has also caught 11 passes for 149 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 46 yards and one score.

Taylor’s pick: Arlington Bowie 30, South Grand Prairie 20

Denton Ryan at Aledo

Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Aledo’s Bearcat Stadium

Up against the undefeated reigning Class 5A Division II state champion Aledo, Denton Ryan confronts a huge test. Ryan has won two straight and has outscored opponents by 167. Aledo has outscored opponents by 315.

In its last game before a bye in Week 8, Ryan beat Burleson Centennial 35-14. Ryan forced three turnovers in the win.

Taylor’s pick: Aledo 45, Denton Ryan 20

Mansfield at Waxahachie

Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Waxahachie’s Lumpkins Stadium

Both Mansfield and Waxahachie look to get their records above .500 in a pivotal district meeting. Mansfield has dropped its last two games, but Waxhachie recovered from its loss to Duncanville in Week 7 with a 38-12 over Mansfield Legacy last Friday.

Quarterback Ramon McKinney Jr. has been dominant on the ground with 502 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Mansfield quarterback Braxton Van Cleave has passed for 1,263 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Taylor’s pick: Waxahachie 40, Mansfield 27

On Twitter: @t_myah

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