marshallnewsmessenger
As Week 8 of the East Texas high school football season arrives, several pivotal district matchups are set to unfold on Friday night, with playoff implications hanging in the balance. The action kicks off at 7:00 p.m. as Marshall (2-4, 1-2) travels to Mount Pleasant (3-3, 1-2) at Sam Parker Field. Both teams are coming off losses and find themselves on the outside looking in for playoff contention.
Marshall's offense is led by quarterback TJ Roberson, who has thrown for 308 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. Running back Doug Johnson has been a workhorse with 860 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while Aidyn Green has been a big-play threat with 182 receiving yards and a special teams touchdown on a 92-yard punt return. Defensively, linebacker NaTavin Johnson paces the team with 33 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four sacks. Mount Pleasant counters with a roster featuring defensive lineman Nehemiah Savage, linebacker Lincoln Dyke, and running back/linebacker Brandon McCoo.
Last season, Marshall edged Mount Pleasant 7-0 thanks to a fumble recovery for a touchdown. This year, both teams are desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Hallsville Hosts Nacogdoches in District Showdown
Hallsville (3-3, 1-2) welcomes Nacogdoches (1-5, 0-3) to Bobcat Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Bobcats are riding high after a 34-27 overtime victory over Marshall last week, putting them in the playoff hunt for the first time in two years. Nacogdoches, meanwhile, is all but mathematically eliminated after a 49-7 loss to Texas High.
Hallsville's balanced attack features quarterback/tight end Remington Franklin, who has passed for 475 yards and rushed for 290 more, and running back Reggie Williams, who has 263 rushing yards and 85 receiving yards. The defense is anchored by safety Drew Linville (69 tackles), linebacker KT Muckelroy (74 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks), and defensive end Cole Smith (53 tackles, 14 TFL, 5 sacks). Nacogdoches relies on quarterback Jaylen Garrett (582 passing yards, 5 TDs) and running back RJ Whitaker (521 rushing yards, 4 TDs).
Nacogdoches holds a 10-7 series lead, but the teams have alternated wins since 2022. The series began in 2006.
Harleton and Beckville Clash with District Lead at Stake
Harleton (2-5, 2-1) visits Beckville (3-4, 2-1) at R.C. Beauchamp Stadium at 7:00 p.m. Friday. Both teams suffered their first district losses last week and are tied for a top-three spot in the district.
Harleton's do-it-all back Drake Phillips has been phenomenal, rushing for 985 yards and 11 touchdowns while recording 18.5 sacks on defense. Beckville boasts a high-powered offense led by quarterback Reese Davis (785 passing yards, 10 TDs; 261 rushing yards, 5 TDs) and running back Rudy Watts (439 rushing yards, 9 TDs; 305 receiving yards, 2 TDs). Linebacker Ranger Stagner leads the defense with 81 tackles.
Beckville owns an 11-9 series advantage and has won five straight since 2021. Harleton won the first meeting 33-6 in 1992.
Jefferson Puts Undefeated District Record on the Line at Winona
Jefferson (5-1, 4-0) travels to Winona (1-5, 0-1) at 7:00 p.m. Friday. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 2 in Class 3A Division II by Dave Campbell's Texas Football and have been dominant in district play.
Quarterback Chance Washington has been stellar, throwing for 966 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for five more. Running back Jacoby Morrow has added 500 rushing yards and six scores. Winona, led by quarterback Dyllon Hampton and running back Jayden Mobley (367 rushing yards, 4 TDs), will look to pull off a massive upset. This is the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Longview Faces Rockwall-Heath in Battle of Unbeatens
Longview (5-1, 3-0) hosts Rockwall-Heath (4-2, 3-0) at Lobo Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Lobos have never lost to the Hawks in eight meetings and have scored at least 20 points in every game of the series.
Longview's offense is explosive, with quarterback Johnny Hamilton (748 passing yards, 8 TDs; 358 rushing yards, 5 TDs) and running back Jacaiden Davis (571 rushing yards, 9 TDs) leading the way. Receiver Jaden Hurndon has 561 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Heath counters with quarterback Prosper Neal and running back Carter Zahm. Longview won last year's meeting 31-7.
Lindale and Pine Tree Square Off in Top-10 Showdown
Lindale (6-0, 3-0) visits Pine Tree (4-2, 3-0) at Pirate Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 in the state and had bye weeks to prepare for this highly anticipated matchup.
Lindale's offense features quarterback David Lindig (945 passing yards, 15 TDs) and running back Hank Thurman (829 rushing yards, 13 TDs). Pine Tree's high-octane attack is led by quarterback Colton Croft (1,195 passing yards, 17 TDs) and running back KD Johnson (792 rushing yards, 6 TDs). The teams have split their last two meetings, both low-scoring affairs.
Other Notable Matchups
Henderson (3-3, 2-1) travels to Jacksonville (2-4, 0-3) in a must-win for the Indians. Palestine (3-3, 1-2) visits Kilgore (2-3, 2-1) as the Bulldogs look to keep pace in a tough district. Pittsburg (3-3, 0-1) faces a ranked Gilmer (5-1, 1-0) team on the road. Gladewater (3-3, 1-0) takes on Tatum (4-2, 0-1) in a battle of strong running games. Sabine (2-4, 0-1) hosts Liberty-Eylau (2-4, 1-0), and Atlanta (4-2, 1-0) visits White Oak (0-6, 0-1). New Diana (5-1, 0-1) meets West Rusk (5-1, 1-0) in a clash of high-scoring offenses.
In private school action, Brook Hill (7-0, 1-0) hosts Grace Community (4-3, 2-0) with the district championship inside track on the line. Muenster Sacred Heart (4-3, 3-1) visits All Saints (4-3, 3-1), and Waco Bishop Reicher (3-4, 0-4) takes on Bishop Gorman (1-6, 0-4).
In 5A action, Crandall (3-3, 3-0) visits Tyler High (4-2, 2-1) as the Lions look to stay perfect in district. Tyler Legacy (2-4, 1-2) hosts Rockwall (4-2, 2-1), and Texas High (3-3, 2-1) travels to Whitehouse (4-2, 3-0). Chapel Hill (1-5, 1-2) hosts Bullard (1-5, 0-3), Canton (6-0, 1-0) visits Brownsboro (3-3, 0-1), Van (3-3, 0-1) travels to Madisonville (2-4, 1-0), Athens (6-0, 1-0) visits Rusk (4-2, 0-1), Winnsboro (6-0, 2-0) faces Malakoff (7-0, 3-0), and Arp (5-1, 0-1) meets Troup (5-1, 1-0) in the 82nd edition of the 7-Mile Rivalry.
Originally reported by marshallnewsmessenger.