Ennis + John Tyler Meet With Control of District 16-5A On The Line

DISTRICT 16-5A

Ennis Lions (4-2, 3-0)

vs.

John Tyler Lions (3-3, 3-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, Tyler

Coaches

• Ennis: Jack Alvarez
• John Tyler: Ricklan Holmes

Last week

• Ennis: def. Whitehouse, 43-21
• John Tyler: def. Lufkin, 41-38

Next week

• Ennis: vs. Lufkin, Oct. 23
• John Tyler: at Corsicana, Oct. 23

Playmakers

Ennis

• QB Tre Elliott, Sr., 5-11, 210 (34 of 78, 483 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs; 42 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD)
• WR Tycen Thompson, Soph., 5-9, 160 (15 catches, 285 yards, 5 TDs; 43 carries, 523 yards, 7 TDs)
• RB Kyre Holloway, Soph., 5-11, 185 (59 carries, 605 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 25 yards)
• RB Treyvon Smith, Sr., 5-8, 215 (71 carries, 540 yards, 7 TDs; 2 catches, 30 yards, 1 TD)
• OL Deven Collins, Jr., 6-2, 315
• OL Trendon Rolen, Jr., 6-4, 315
• RB Zach Rhone, Sr., 5-11, 190 (14 carries, 151 yards, 4 TDs)
• WR JT Mackey, Jr., 6-3, 185 (5 catches, 91 yards)

John Tyler

• WR/DB Damion Miller, Jr., 6-2, 205 (18 catches, 382 yards, 4 TDs; 20 tackles, 3 PBUs; committed to Texas)
• OL/DL Braylon Jones, Sr., 6-3, 285 (35 tackles, 1 for loss, 9 QB pressures; committed to Houston)
• RB/DL Pierre Leonard, Sr., 5-8, 245 (4 carries, 3 yards, 2 TDs; 31 tackles, 6 for loss, 2 sacks, 17 QB pressures, 3 forced fumbles, 1 recovery, 2 blocked kicks)
• QB Bryson Smith, Jr., 6-0, 170 (78 of 130, 1,182 yards, 9 TDs, 4 INTs; 91 carries, 748 yards, 9 TDs)
• DB Bryston Gipson, Sr., 5-11, 175 (48 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 INT, 6 PBUs, 1 fumble recovery, 2 blocked kicks)
• OL Adrian Harris, Sr., 6-3, 290
• LB Shaundrick Williams, Jr., 6-1, 220 (40 tackles)
• WR Duntayviun Gross, Sr., 5-10, 160 (33 catches, 453 yards, 3 TDs)

Just the facts

• This is the second-ever meeting between and Ennis and John Tyler. Ennis won the first matchup, 30-27, last season.
• Since 2012, Ennis and John Tyler are a combined 76-20 (.792).
• Ennis is averaging 34.3 points and 444.2 yards per game -- 347.8 rushing and 96.4 passing.
• Ennis is allowing 22.7 points per game.
• Ennis is currently riding a 17-game district winning streak.
• John Tyler is averaging 34.2 points and 403.8 yards per game -- 199.3 rushing and 204.7 passing.
• John Tyler is allowing 37.5 points per game.
• John Tyler is 18-2 in district games under coach Ricklan Holmes.

Key matchup: Ennis rushing attack vs. John Tyler defensive front. After Ennis and John Tyler combined to go 1-5 in non-district, both powers have returned form since District 16-5A play has begun with concurrent three-game winning streaks. For Ennis, it's been a dynamic ground game led by a three-headed monster in the backfield that's made all the difference. Ennis averages almost 350 rushing yards per game, and the trio of Kyre Holloway, Treyvon Smith, and Tycen Thompson have led the charge with a combined 1,668 yards and 16 touchdowns. Those three ball carries have averaged a cumulative yards-per-attempt average of 9.6, which means Ennis is picking up a first down on almost every rushing attempt.

John Tyler will counter with a physical defensive front, led by its two monsters in the middle -- seniors Braylon Jones and Pierre Leonard. Jones occupies double teams most of the time, which frees up Leonard and others to make tackles. While Jones' production is down compared to previous years, Leonard has benefitted greatly, and leads the Lions' defense in tackles for loss. Junior linebacker Shaundrick Williams is also a key member of John Tyler's rush defense, manning the middle of the field. If opposing ball carries are fortunate enough to slip past JT's defensive line, Williams is usually in good position to stop the play before it reaches the third level. Ennis is most definitely a run-first offense, which means if John Tyler can keep Ennis from picking up big chunks at a time on the ground, JT can focus most of its attention to rushing the passer and playing coverage in the secondary. So far, John Tyler has recorded 11 sacks, eight interceptions, and 24 pass break-ups as a team.

Don't be surprised if: John Tyler attacks Ennis' secondary in one-on-one situations. John Tyler's offense has been inconsistent with its running game as it pertains to the running back position this season. Instead, quarterback Bryson Smith has picked up most of the slack in the rushing department. But John Tyler has shown, especially in recent weeks, the ability to burn opposing defenses when presented one-on-one matchups against its receiving corps. JT junior receiver and Texas commit Damion Miller will see his fair share of double teams, but don't expect Ennis to double up on him all night long. If JT finds itself with single coverage on Miller at any point during the game, expect Smith to take his shots deep downfield. Miller is averaging more than 21 yards per reception on the year, and leads the team with four touchdown catches.