Class 3A Division II Region II
Semifinal

Henderson Lions (8-4)
vs.
Celina Bobcats (10-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday
E.H. Hanby Stadium, Mesquite

Coaches
Henderson: Dickey Meeks
Celina: Bill Elliott

Road To Regionals

Henderson

  • Bi-district: def. Van, 48-21
  • Area: def. Quinlan Ford, 49-13

 

Celina

  • Bi-district: def. Krum, 58-27
  • Area: def. Dallas Madison, 51-20

 

Next week: Winner plays Gilmer (11-1) or Argyle (11-1) in the 3A Division II Region II final.

 

Playmakers

Henderson

  • QB Patrick "Monster" Brown, Sr., 5-10, 175 (31 of 45, 485 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 140 carries, 1,105 yards, 14 TDs; 20 catches, 340 yards, 2 TDs; 3 punt return TDs)
  • DE Bo Brady, Sr., 6-0, 195 (67 tackles, 26.5 for loss, 12.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 1 recovery)
  • RB/MLB Jamaal Kind, Sr., 5-10, 185 (26 carries, 119 yards, 2 TDs; 102 tackles, 11 for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 recoveries)
  • RB Diamante Wright, Sr., 5-10, 185 (198 carries, 980 yards, 13 TDs; 11 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD)
  • OL Nick Siler, Sr., 6-4, 255 (committed to Air Force)
  • LB Arqez Walton, Sr., 5-8, 190 (58 tackles, 4 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles, 1 recovery)
  • WR Jamie Anthony, Sr., 6-2, 185 (18 catches, 406 yards, 1 TD)
  • DB J'Korrie Centers, Sr., 6-0, 180 (54 tackles, 3 INTs, 3 forced fumbles)
  • WR/DB Tre' Hollins, Jr., 5-11, 175 (9 catches, 93 yards; 27 tackles, 1 INT)
  • DT Brandon Armstrong, Sr. (50 tackles, 6 for loss, 3 sacks)

 

Celina

  • QB Nathan Elliott, Soph., 6-2, 185 (125 of 226, 1,443 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INTs; 81 carries, 456 yards, 9 TDs)
  • OL Jake Raulerson, Sr., 6-5, 260 (committed to Texas)
  • LB Josh Raulerson, Sr., 5-11, 200
  • RB Connor Torbert, Jr. (109 carries, 648 yards, 9 TDs; 20 catches, 137 yards, 2 TDs)
  • WR Ben Thiel, Sr., 5-10, 155(40 catches, 726 yards, 9 TDs)
  • RB Willie Sims, Sr. (63 carries, 539 yards, 11 TDs)
  • RB DeShawn Davis, Jr., 6-3, 185 (48 carries, 485 yards, 5 TDs; 1 receiving TD)
  • RB Nick Grant, Soph., 5-11, 180 (43 carries, 237 yards, 6 TDs; 11 catches, 133 yards, 1 TD)
  • ATH Cash Conder, Soph. (18 carries, 179 yards, 2 TDs; 22 catches, 229 yards, 5 TDs)

 

Just the facts

  • Henderson averages 30.7 points per game and allows 19.7.
  • Celina averages 42.1 points per game and allows 16.8.
  • Henderson's combined opponents' record is 73-57.
  • Celina's combined opponents' record is 68-63.
  • Henderson has played seven teams with at least seven wins.
  • Celina has played six teams with at least seven wins.
  • Henderson outscored its first two playoff opponents 97-34.
  • Celina outscored its first two playoff opponents 109-48.
  • Henderson eliminated Celina 42-19 in last year's Class 3A Division I Region II championship.
  • Henderson's Patrick "Monster" Brown has returned nine punts for touchdowns since the start of the 2011 season.

 

Henderson QB Patrick "Monster" Brown. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)
Henderson QB Patrick "Monster" Brown. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)
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Key matchup: Style of play. OK, bear with us for a minute, but it may be hard to believe at first: the roles have changed in this matchup and Henderson is the run-first team, while Celina is the spread-'em-out team. Yes, you read that right. First-year Celina coach Bill Elliott has made the perennial power Bobcats a spread-oriented team with talented left-handed sophomore QB Nathan Elliott running the show. Celina has spread the ball around to a bevy of skill players, such as Connor Torbert, Ben Thiel, Willie Sims, DeShawn Davis, and others. Don't forget about Texas-bound lineman Jake Raulerson giving Elliott time to get the ball to those players, whether it be through the air or handing it off. Jake's twin brother Josh, a linebacker, and the Celina defense face a made-over Henderson offense running the spread, but in a power running game incarnation. Patrick "Monster" Brown's move to quarterback has made the Lions far more explosive than they were earlier this season. The combination of Brown and fellow senior Diamante Wright has crushed opponents lately and given the Lions the big-play ability they lacked during the first half dozen or so games of the season.

 

Don't be surprised if: This game is much more competitive than last year's meeting in the 3A Division I championship, which saw Henderson hammer a previously unbeaten Celina. Henderson's 8-4 record may be deceiving at this point because the Lions are playing like a team that has lost no more than two games. Three of the Lions' four losses came by a combined seven points. Celina lost 45-7 to Argyle on Nov. 9 to account for one of the Bobcats' losses. Can Celina keep Henderson's defense, which -- excluding a Van defensive TD -- has held the last six offenses it has faced to 15.2 points per game, off balance? Can Henderson continue to display a dominant running game with big-play potential on any snap? Will Celina have the guts -- or maybe be crazy enough -- to kick the ball in the same area code as "Monster," the punt return savant? There are plenty of storylines in this DFW power vs. "District of Doom" rematch, which will make for a great game for fans Friday at Hanby Stadium in Mesquite.

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