Tyler and Mesquite Horn Face Off As District Play Looms

Tyler Lions (0-2) (5A Div.1)

Head Coach: Ricklan Holmes

(HC Since 2012, alma mater) 

District: 7-5A

Last: vs Tyler Legacy (28-40) (L)

Next: McKinney North (District Game)

 

Ricklan Holmes will probably want more consistency in his season to season results as his squad has gone 10-3 in 2018 to a massive skid of 3-8 in 2019. He looks to turn his season around before they get into district play next week against McKinney North. He has the opportunity against Horn who haven’t really found their feet this season. The Tyler offense has been putting up numbers but their defense has been suspect. Tyler has put up 49 points in both of their losses but has allowed 81 points. A Tyler win here would set up a great district run as the Lions look towards that 3rd playoff spot in 7-5A. Watch out for quarterback Ken’Yontae Pinkard to make plays for the Lions if he can keep the football protected. 

 

Players to watch:

– QB Ken’Yontae Pinkard (29-54, 553yds passing, 3 TDs, 3 INTs; 25-90 rushing, 3 TDs)

– RB Kameron Medlock (24-125yds rushing, 1 TD; 1 reception for 7yds)

– WR Makavion Potts (13-259yds 2 TDs)

– WR Montrell Wade (8-194yds, 2 TDs)

– RE Preston Johnson (8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks)

– FS Travion Ates (29 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 interceptions, 1 PD)

 

Mesquite Horn (1-2) (6A)

Head Coach: Chris Hudler

(HC since 2019)

District: 10-6A

Last: vs Arlington Bowie (3-31) (L)

Next: North Mesquite (District Game)

 

After a year away from the playoffs, Horn is looking forward to a more favorable district schedule than it did in 2019. 10-6A shuffled out Longview and Tyler Lee and replaced it with Skyline and Tyler Legacy. This is a team that is right on the bubble in its pursuit to grab a playoff spot in this district. The one and two spots are locked up by the Rockwall teams but the last two spots are going to be contested in this district. If Horn wants to make the playoffs they need to get wins  and it needs to start now. Look to the RB duo of Camden Tyler and Eddryk Ruff to make some noise on the ground while Trey McGill tries to get things going  in the air. 

 

Players to Watch:

• QB Trey McGill (26/53, 293yds, 0-0)
• RB Camden Tyler (Rushing: 33-266, 2 TDs; Receiving: 4-17)
• RB Eddryk Ruff (32-159, 1 TD)
• WR Chris Dawn Jr. (8-124)
• DB Charles Demmings (2 INT)
• DB Darrius White (20 Tackles)
• LB Tarance Johnson (20 Tackles)

 

Game Prediction:

 

On paper these teams look very similar, both have districts where they have a chance to be one of the 3rd or 4th place teams, and both are looking for a win to kick start their season in time for district play. Tyler has been the better team offensively but I think if Horn can hang on defensively, they can close out this game. Watch for these Mesquite safeties to try to feast on Tyler QB Pinkard as he has 3 INTs this season. 

 

Horn Wins by a field goal, 24-21