ScalpemSooners

Friday 8:00 p.m. at Naaman High School in Garland

Monday's make-up games Boys: Jax 55 - PT 52 Girls: PT 36 - Jax 57

http://jacksonvilleprogress.com/sports/x53...be-Bulldog-game Looks like the DEC is going to meet in Marshall on Thursday to make the decision.

J'ville girls beat PT 49-41 on Tuesday night

If it's only computer based, it probably had something to do with the Indians scoring 84 points last week. There may be other reasons, but I wouldn't have a clue as to what they were. I'm not as familiar with this particular poll.

No matter the outcome, this game is great to be happening in week 10 for both teams because it will provide a playoff atmosphere and emotions will be running very high for both teams. There should be some big hits and both teams will be giving it 100% as district championship implications are on the line. Do I expect J'Ville to win? even as a homer, no. But I wouldn't be too surprised if they did; this team is fully capable of playing with anyone when they play smart football and stay up in the turnover differential. I think if the Indians can keep JT within 10 points they will be set up nicely going into a first round playoff matchup against SS or Royce City.

Jacksonville usually plays most of their big dual matches and attends bigger events in the Spring because many of the top players are involved in things like band, cheer, and other sports. They did play a few good local programs (Van, Tyler Lee, Center, Wills Point) in some saturday duals, but when the top two boys and girls are being the mascot, playing in the band, or suited up in pads playing football on friday night, it's tough to make them travel two hours early to play a big name team in the DFW and expect to get a 100% performance from them. The spring schedule usually includes a couple of trips to the DFW area, Corsicana's big tournament and a trip to College Station right before the district tournament to face some top-quality competition. Kilgore is also usually at these tournaments, along with Lindale. Some years they can compete with the kids from the big schools, some years they can't even get one person to win a match. This, combined with playing summer tournaments and ZATs throughout the year, is what grows a program. This is why they and Kilgore have been so dominant in the district races for the past few years, because none of the other schools play outside of the local circuit. Yes, Hallsville earned their right to play in the Regional tournament fair and square, I'm not here to argue that or try to take away from their achievement by any means; they should be proud of what they have accomplished. If they (or anyone else in the district) want to continue competing for these regional spots year in and year out though, they will have to spend some time playing competition outside of the east texas area.

I wish they would take two teams from each region to the state tournament. I think it would make the event much more exciting and it would get some fresh faces to Austin besides HP and the new Braunfels schools. Texas High and several other highly-ranked schools from the Northeast Dallas area could give those other teams a run for their money.

J'Ville won the consolation bracket. Not sure about Hallsville though.

J'ville by 10 Coach Wells isn't going to let the team come out as flat as they did last week, that's for sure.

Hallsville comes to the Tomato Bowl this week for the Tribe's homecoming. The Bobcats would love an upset to help salvage a little bit of their misfortune this season, while the Indians will be looking to move one win closer to a playoff berth. Who you got? Does anyone know which (if any) of Hallsville's players will be returning to action this week that have been injured?

J'ville finally catches a break this week after scratching and clawing their way to a 4-2 (2-1) record though their first six games, all against playoff-caliber opponents. Hopefully some of the starters will get some rest this week and some of the young guys will see some playing time to get some experience under their belts. There is no reason the Indians shouldn't take this game by a wide margin.

WH by 2 TD's

Both teams come into this game with 1-1 district records. J'ville is riding the momentum of an amazing come-from-behind win against Marshall while Kilgore took an easy win from Pine Tree. It will be played in Kilgore. This is a pivotal game for both teams as far as the hunt for playoff spots is concerned. Who you got and why? I'll take the Indians by a touchdown. Kilgore is always tough at home and they will not have the size and the speed of Marshall that Jax struggled with last week.

The Hallsville-John Tyler game will get ugly.

Wow, this has gotten out of hand. Realistically speaking, I don't think anyone would argue that: 1.) J'ville has no one in the secondary who is fast enough to keep up with Trey Metoyer all night. 2.) If Ryan Black is given 3+ receivers to choose from, he is going to find an open man or scramble for at least 5-6 yards because that's what he's been doing in every game he's played the last two years. Every time. 3.) Neither defense has been dominant in any of the games they have played, regardless of how good the opponent was. I expect a very high-scoring shootout through the air and wouldn't be surprised to see both teams score 40+. Whitehouse is statistically the better team, but I can definitely see the Indians winning. J'ville by 7

Lindale's secondary will have a lot of trouble stopping the Bulldogs' QB/WR combo that gave the Indians fits last week. Carthage by 17 at least.

Gilmer vs. Carthage It really wouldn't surprise me if Henderson-Carthage and Henderson-Gilmer were just as good though. Not as much hype as the Gilmer-Carthage game, but Henderson gave the Bulldogs all they wanted last year and will be fielding an even better team this fall.

We'll see. don't get me wrong, I'm excited about that one too. The wildcats have had our number the past few years and it won't be any easier playing in Whitehouse this year. That game didn't make my initial list only because there are three or four quality teams we will be playing that are not usually on the schedule. We blew way too many chances with costly penalties and turnovers last year and will have to drastically improve on that performance. If both teams come to play and with their heads screwed on straight, it should be a fantastic ballgame. I have to admit though, Trey Metoyer wearing crimson and cream after this season is going to bring a big smile to my face :D

I'm excited about a lot of Jacksonville's games this season. I think this will be the best schedule they've played since the Danny Long era. I've got my calendar marked for: vs. Carthage vs. Texas High @ Gilmer vs. Marshall vs. John Tyler Carthage, Texas High, and Gilmer in consecutive weeks is going to be brutal.

I see what you did there. :whome: J'ville's streak of finishing last in district baseball might finally come to an end. Maybe.

Football is going to be very good next season, but I really expect the most excitement to come from basketball. 6 of the 8 teams in the district (with the exception of Hallsville and Kilgore) made the playoffs this season. John Tyler appears to be the favorite, but Marshall, J'Ville and Pine Tree are all capable of giving them a run for their money. Baseball- this will be tougher than their 5a district. Track- Don't know much about it Tennis- Kilgore and Jacksonville owned this district when it was 17-4a, and John Tyler won't change that. Golf- when I played in HS, JT never brought a full team to the tournaments. Soccer- JT will probably win it. I didn't follow 13-4a that closely when Longview was in it, so I really can't make a good comparison between how I think JT's success will compare to theirs.

I understand the limits that school coaches have as far as off-season activities go in each sport, but what I don't understand is why the athletic boosters are not allowed to be involved. Aren't the parents the ones funding these things anyway? Shouldn't they have a say in how their money is being spent? For example: Most people in rural communities and the inner-city districts simply don't make as much money as those families who live in larger or more suburban areas. If the athletic boosters (which are mostly parents) want to donate some of their funds to help a needy individual participate in events such as 7-on-7 or another not-required athletic event to better themselves during the offseason that wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it, where is the problem with that? These are tough economic times; if a student has proven that they are outstanding both on and off the field and have the inner drive to become a better athlete, why must they be stopped if their parents simply don't have the money?

J'ville's field is very nice, lots of playoff games are played there and the field is always in fantastic shape. it's a shame they never put a team out there that is worthy of the field.

1. JT 2. Texas High 3. PT 4. Jacksonville 5. Marshall 6. REL 7. Sabine 8. Lindale 9. Cayuga 10. Brook Hill This is not a "who has had more success this year", but is rather a list of who I think would realistically beat who. I would also like to add that I think Cayuga-Brook Hill would have been one heck of a matchup, and I would say Sabine could probably stay within 10 points of REL and possibly Marshall and Jax, but after that it would be pretty ugly. It's all about size at the big schools, and Sabine's bench would be no match JT, TH, or PT's benches.