Keeping The Pace: DFW Area Round Three Matchups to Watch

Senior QB Patrick Crayton will be a player to watch as Hebron takes on Southlake Carroll in round three of the playoffs.

Written By: Jay Pace @Therealjaypace

Here's a look at some of the round 3 matchups featuring teams in the Metroplex.

Allen (12-0) vs. Trinity (11-1)

Allen is back. A season after a disappointing exit from the playoffs, the Eagles are back with a vengeance in 2024. Allen has been dominant all season. Like Duncanville and North Crowley dominant. A balanced offense spearheaded by a veteran signal caller in QB Brady Bicker, the Eagles average nearly 52 points a game. The Allen defense has been stingy, allowing just 10 points a game. Their closest win was a 17-3 decision vs. Lewisville in round one of the playoffs. This squad is elite and should be considered among the handful of teams capable of winning it all in 6A Division I.

However, battle tested Euless Trinity and senior QB TJ Tupou won't be an easy out. The Trojans only loss was a 56-48 decision vs undefeated Southlake Carroll in week 4. 

Can Allen's dominance continue another week or can the Trinity Trojans and its dynamic, do it all quarterback end the Eagles run?

Southlake Carroll (12-0) vs. Hebron (8-4)

In a rematch of a lopsided week two matchup, these two teams find themselves across from one another again this Friday night. Southlake won the first contest handily, 59-16. Don't expect much to change the second time around. Despite losing 3-star RB Riley Wormley, a USC commit, the Dragons haven't missed a beat. His loss will likely haunt them at some point in these playoffs but it won't be this week. Hebron limped in the backdoor of the playoffs after winning their final two regular season games to finish 6-4. Since then, they've managed to knock off Rock Hill and Arlington Bowie in consecutive weeks to reach round three. 

Keep an eye on senior signal caller Patrick Crayton for Hebron. He has been on fire. Crayton had three total touchdowns (2 rush,1 pass), 160 yards passing and 127 yards rushing in a 51-35 win over Arlington Bowie In the second round. Crayton has 13 total touchdowns in the last three games.

Desoto (10-2) vs. Willis (12-0)

Willis head coach Trent Miller has proven to be one of the best program builders in the state. He inherited a Willis program that hadn't recorded a winning season in the five years prior to his arrival in 2022. Since then, the Wildkats haven't had a losing season. In fact, they've only lost once in the past two seasons. That loss came last year in the third round to Desoto, 70-21. Since then, they’ve reeled off 12 straight wins & a second consecutive district title. Their reward….a third round matchup with Desoto. Ouch.

Last year, Willis had an All American at QB in DJ Lagway and still lost by 49 points. Can they break through in 2024? My senses tell me no. But, of course, that's why they play the game.