Parisian

The Paris News has reported that Paris will try a couple of new running backs this game. Quay Dillard, a senior who played linebacker last season, is expected to see his first action of the year after rehabbing an off-season injury. Troy Pittman, a junior, has been brought up from the JV. Previous starter, sophomore Keimontee Crussell, is playing for the JV tonight. Cats need some help in the running game. QB Corban Taylor is their leading rusher, and that's usually avoiding pass rush pressure.

Correction on L-E/Paris freshman final score: L-E 44, Paris 42 (Leopards stopped 2-point conversion attempt with 37 seconds left). See story at www.parisisd.net/phs . Also, halftime score: L-E JV 14, Paris 0.

I agree. The rankings are nice recognition for the kids, coaches, and fans, but pretty meaningless when the playoffs roll around. We've all seen good teams bounced in first-round upsets because they thought their ranking would suffice. We've also known teams with mediocre regular season records catch fire and roll to state titles. The great teams are still improving daily in practice. We should have a good idea how the playoff brackets will shake down after another week of district play.

After 4 games, the District 15-3A standings: 1. Paris 4-0 2. Pleasant Grove 3-1 3. (tie) North Lamar and Liberty-Eylau 2-2 5. Mount Vernon 1-3 6. Atlanta 0-4 Friday games: Paris at L-E PG at MV Atlanta at NL

Don't write L-E off as a playoff entry just yet. With Wright back, they should be able to handle NL at home and the PG rematch is certainly win-able. Paris looks to be a notch ahead of the pack, but L-E could pull off a surprise Friday when Paris visits. Paris looks to be a lock for one of the district playoff spots, but the other two could go down to the wire between PG, L-E, and NL. The TGCA ratings are too dependent on coaches' subjective input to be trusted. How PG could go from unranked to #7 in one week and L-E from 4th to completely out of the rankings is just bizarre. The MaxPreps ratings are probably more reasonable because they factor in strength of schedule and relative scores. Their latest listing (10-3) has this Region 2 relative ranking: 1. Lovejoy (and it's not even close for 2nd) 6. Prosper 7. Argyle 16. Paris 22. Commerce 23. Rains 26. Spring Hill 33. Pleasant Grove 37. Kennedale 39. Lindale 40. Celina 46. Gilmer 49. L-E L-E wasn't 4th, but their pre-district schedule was weak as evidenced by the No. 49 placing.

L-E has some big hitters up front, but Paris has a more balanced overall game (service, serve/receive, smart setter) to go with the best pair of frontline players (junior Andi Bawcum & senior Tiara Hall) that I've seen in NE Texas this year. Their serves, in particular, really put opposing teams on their heels. If current form holds and Paris wins 15-3A and SH wins 16-3A, it would be wonderful if they met in the playoffs. According to the UIL bracket, that means they'd meet in the regional final in Commerce. Barring collapses, Paris has a win-able path to a Region 2 semifinal match vs. Lovejoy, while SH's biggest obstacles would be Commerce, Celina, or Prosper if they get past the District 14 winner. Good luck the rest of the season, and I'd take a Paris-SH match in a minute.

No. 9 ranked Paris swept No. 7 Pleasant Grove in Hawks' gym Tuesday night, 25-14, 25-16, 25-17, in battle of District 15-3A unbeatens. Paris is now 4-0 in district, 29-3 for the year, and on a 15-match win streak. If they get by Liberty-Eylau on Friday, they'll be in position to go 10-0 in district because 4 of their final 5 matches are at home. If you haven't seen them play, drop by L-E Friday. They're a fun team to watch.

North Lamar beat Liberty-Eylau today, 17-25, 25-15, 25-13, 25-15. Paris beat Mount Vernon, 25-19, 26-24, 25-10. L-E was playing without standout soph Imani Wright (previously scheduled family trip). Paris was playing without one starter (held out as precaution due to leg injury) while another starter missed the first two games because she forgot to pack her shoes. Mom came to the rescue in time for game 3. It was a tough week for L-E, losing in 5 to Pleasant Grove and now to NL. Their No. 4 ranking is probably gone. Paris, meanwhile, is at No. 9 and faces a crucial week in the district schedule next week with trips to PG on Tuesday and L-E next Friday. A sweep puts Paris in the driver's seat at 5-0 with 4 of the Lady Cats' final 5 matches at home. After 3 matches, Paris is 28-3 overall, winners of 14 straight, and 3-0 in district. L-E and NL are both 1-2. Anyone have a final score on Friday's PG-Atlanta match? I would assume PG won.

Paris, No. 9 in state, dominated crosstown rival North Lamar tonight in volleyball, 25-12, 25-21, 25-16, behind 6-0 middle blockers Andi Bawcum and Tiara Hall. Lady Cats are now 27-3 for the year and 2-0 in district.

You're right, Topcat, 15-3A should have several deep playoff runs in many sports this year, even if football is not one of them. Besides, if you don't have a legitimate state champion contender you might as well have a well-balanced district race to look forward to. L-E still appears to be a step above the rest, but it's not assured that they'll go 5-0.

It would take several L-E turnovers for Paris to have a chance to win. Paris is giving up more than 300 yards per game rushing. Tra Carson could have a record-setting night. If he has time to throw the ball, Corban Taylor could make it interesting, but Paris doesn't have the athletes this year to get caught up in a track meet with anyone. I'm more interested in the Paris/L-E volleyball match that afternoon between two of the state's top 10 teams. That's the better sports matchup, by far.

Yeah, like I said, the TGCA poll makes little sense with wild fluctuations early in the year. L-E, Paris, and Prosper (11th) all belonged in the ratings. Region 2 is stacked, and Lovejoy is the big bully in the path of any potential state tourney appearance. Barring an upset, Paris and L-E should both carry long winning streaks into the Oct. 8 match at L-E before the varsity football game. I'll be there.

I'll echo the warning to Celina fans to arrive extra early. Right now the new campus is only accessible off Loop 286S, a 2-lane highway, 65 mph posted speed, with no left turn lane. The parking situation will improve over time, but for this year big games with large traveling fan base will be a nightmare. The best entrance is by FM1507 exit off Loop 286, which becomes Jefferson Road and has a back gate entrance next to the athletic complex. I'd try to arrive by 7 or risk being caught in major traffic jam and possibly being diverted to overflow parking lot. As for the game, expect Paris to be able to stay somewhat closer this week, maybe within 3 TDs, although Celina should be able to hang their customary 50 on the scoreboard.

First game at Wildcat Stadium produced a memorable, 27-24 overtime win over Gainesville. Unless SS gifts numerous turnovers/penalties or ignores the fact Paris is giving up 7 yards per rush, there won't be any drama this time. Paris just hoping to avoid bruised bodies and egos the next two weeks (SS, Celina) before starting district play.

I've noticed that the TGCA ratings seem to be a bit bogus this time of year. Last season they had 5 of the 6 teams in the old District 10 (Paris-North Lamar-Bonham-Van Alstyne-Commerce) ranked and none of those teams made it past the region quarters. I'm not sure how many coaches actually participate in the poll. The bottom line: The pretenders will be weeded out before the regional tournament where No. 1 Lovejoy will probably be waiting. If you haven't found the site, Maxpreps is a good source for researching teams and doing some match-by-match comparisions. It relies on coaches reporting their results and stats, but most of the coaches in District 15-3A do a pretty good job keeping theirs updated: http://www.maxpreps.com/national/volleyball.htm Paris and L-E both deserve recognition. If they keep winning, they'll get noticed, but there's nothing wrong with flying under the radar, either.

Paris is 22-3, currently not ranked but probably deserving of a top 15 spot in Class 3A state poll. Two of their losses were to White Oak (certainly no disgrace there), and their other loss was to Class 5A Garland Naaman Forest in the finals of the Royse City tournament (their only hiccup so far on their record). Their big win was over Prosper at the Prosper tournament. They swept 6 opponents in straight games to easily win the Whitesboro tournament last weekend. They have a senior core group that's been together on varsity for 3 years now, including regional quarters the past 2 seasons. Their matches with L-E should determine the District 15 champion with Pleasant Grove and North Lamar playing the spoiler role and fighting for the 3rd playoff spot from the district. Paris is a fun group to watch, definitely worth the price of admission. Their matches with L-E on Oct. 8 (at L-E before the Paris/L-E football game) and on Oct. 26 (final district match at Paris) will be interesting viewing. By the way, Paris and L-E girls should be instant rivals in basketball, too. L-E is coming off that great state championship run, and Paris has a pretty salty group of veterans returning from back-to-back district champs. Here's a link to Paris High news if you ever need more info: http://blogs.parisisd.net/phsnews/