Bi-District Football Outlook

West (5-5) Vs. Cameron Yoe (8-2) - Thursday, Waco ISD (7:00)

I had the opportunity to travel to West last Friday night to watch the Trojans play their final regular season game versus Eustace.  It was hard to evaluate West on that performance as Eustace had won only one district game.  The Trojans appear to have a stingy defense with the main strength of the team coming in the defensive front.  What I believe made the West 2015 team (11-2) more dangerous was the offensive weapons that were present.  That team lost in the third round of the playoffs to Teague, 36-23.  The Trojans can still put up points, but this year they rely more on the run.  Throughout the entire playoffs I will be paying close attention to the Yoe defensive front as I believe it will ultimately decide how far this team can go this season.  The Yoemen will need to take away the run early and put the Trojans into tougher passing situations.  

Josh’s Pick: Cameron Yoe by 28.

Thorndale (4-6) Vs. Junction (5-5) - Thursday, Wimberley (7:30)

Thorndale battled with Thrall in their district finale but fell in the end, 39-20.  That propelled Thrall into the number two slot in the district and Normangee as the number one seed and district champions.  The Bulldogs will now matchup with the district runner-up from 14-2A - Junction.  The Eagles finished with a 5-5 record on the year, with the lone district loss coming to top ten Mason, 31-0.

Josh’s Pick: Junction by 10.

Milano (3-7) Vs. D’Hanis (7-3) - Saturday, Seguin (7:30)

Milano had to win last week to extend the season.  As you can tell by us previewing this game, that happened.  The Eagles easily got by Somerville (29-7) to clinch the fourth place in 12-3A DII.  Milano now gets a matchup with 14-2A champion D’Hanis.  D’Hanis lost three games in non-district play but went undefeated in district action with a 4-0 record.  Though it seems this would be an uphill battle, the strength of schedule does belong to Milano.

Josh’s Pick: D’Hanis by 21.

Rockdale (9-1) Vs. Groesbeck (5-5) - Friday, Waco ISD (7:30)

10-3A district champion Rockdale will matchup with Groesbeck, the fourth place team out of 9-3A.  The Goats had problems with the likes of Malakoff (62-28) and Teague (41-0), but were competitive in most every other game this year.  Groesbeck was down 22-8 to Whitney last week before coming back to avoid the upset.  The difference in this game is going to be speed.  Rockdale will have too much of it in open space for Groesbeck to contain.

Josh’s Pick: Rockdale by 28+

Franklin (8-2) Vs. Teague (8-2) - Friday, Hewitt Midway (7:30)

This will be the top game to watch in 3A during the bi-district round.  Though Franklin has two losses to Cameron and Rockdale, they were very competitive in both games.  Up until two weeks ago, I would have said that Franklin would be the heavy favorite in this game.  Teague had struggled throughout the early portion of the season, but played Malakoff down to the wire for the district title.  Teague was up by three late and had the ball at the Malakoff one on fourth and goal.  Teague fell an inch short and Malakoff proceeded to go 99 yards for the win.  Both Teague and Franklin like to run the ball and both have good defensive fronts.  I expect a lower scoring, quick game. 

Josh’s Pick: Franklin by 3.

Troy (4-5) Vs. Malakoff (10-0) - Friday, Waco ISD (7:30)
Troy will be back in the postseason after picking up a dramatic 17-14 win over McGregor to clinch fourth place.  They will draw what some people feel is the number one team in the state in Malakoff.  The Tigers have been thorough the entire year, with only one close game with Teague.  In general, I don’t believe this is a good matchup for the Trojans.  Malakoff features a lot of speed and can beat you through the air and on the ground.  Troy will need to establish the run early and prove they can stop the big play.

Josh’s Pick: Malakoff by 28+

Woodville (9-1) Vs. Anahuac (3-6) - Thursday, Dayton (7:30)

If Cameron can get by West, the winner of this game will await.  Woodville’s only hiccup of the year came to Liberty in non-district.  Anahuac squeaked into the playoffs by putting it on East Chambers last week.  Woodville appears to have good size on the lines, and when things are going well they are able to pick up big chunks of yardage on the ground. 

Josh’s Pick: Woodville by 28+.