Keeping The Pace: The Week That Will Be

Written By: Jay Pace

The Week That Will Be....

Heading into week 7 there are a number of pivotal matchups that will go a long way in deciding both the playoff picture for the upcoming postseason and perhaps most importantly the district champions.

This is arguably the single most important week of the regular season as there are a slew of games throughout the Metroplex that could and likely will determine district champions.

Red hot Paschal travels to undefeated Saginaw in a monster 4-5A DI matchup. In the midst of it's best season in school history, Saginaw (6-0)(3-0) looks to put another jewel in the crown that sits atop a magical 2024 season. The task won't be easy. Since losing to MacArthur in week one, the Panthers have reeled off five straight wins with an average margin of victory of 29 points. In four of those 5 contests the Panthers have scored 40 or more points. Saginaw is 6-0 for the first time in school history. While the Rough Riders haven’t been as dominant as Paschal, they have yet to lose a game. Last week’s 21-15 win over previously unbeaten Arlington Heights tells you all you need to know. Saginaw is legit. Barring a set of unforeseen and highly unlikely set of circumstances, the winner of this game is your 4-5A DI champion.

Southlake Carroll (7-0)(5-0) and it's high powered offense travels to Justin Northwest (6-0((5-0) as the two remaining unbeatens in 4-6A clash with the district title hanging in the balance. It's the first meeting between the two schools since 2013. Despite losing RB Riley Wormley to a knee injury earlier this year, the Dragons have continued their torrid pace offensively, averaging 41.7 points per game. While not quite as prolific offensively, Justin Northwest has been as equally dominant, winning six games by an average of 20.6 points. Southlake has won 9 of the last 10 meetings between the two, with Justin’s last win coming in 1994. Will the Dragons dominance continue or can Justin Northwest buck the recent trend?

Lewisville (4-2)(3-0) appears to be hitting its stride as we enter the homestretch of the 2024 regular season. After losing back-to-back contests in the first month of the season, the Farmers have won three straight and stand tote-to-toe with Coppell (6-0)(3-0) atop the 5-6A standings.

And as you might’ve guessed the two schools hook-up Friday night in yet another defacto district championship game, with the winner firmly entrenched in the driver’s seat with three regular season games remaining, As good as Lewisville has been over the last three weeks, the Farmers are going to have to be even better Friday night when Coppell comes calling. The Cowboys are a senior laden squad that’s absolutely loaded on both sides of the ball. Can Lewisville extend its

magic one more week?

One week after knocking off its rival, Desoto, 42-20, top ranked Duncanville faces another test in the form of the Lancaster Tigers. Despite a 3-3 overall mark, the Tigers are the lone remaining undefeated team in 11-6A aside from Duncanville. Beware of the trap game. Lancaster is much better than their record indicates. Coach Reginald Samples must keep his team focused on the task at hand as there’s plenty of work still left to do.