Hallsville Bobcats (4-2, 2-1)

Vs.

Sulphur Springs Wildcats (3-3, 2-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Gerald Prim Stadium, Sulphur Springs

 

Coaches
  • Hallsville: David Plunk
  • Sulphur Springs: Greg Owens

 

Last week

 

Next week
  • Hallsville: vs. Greenville, Oct. 24
  • Sulphur Springs: at Pine Tree, Oct. 24

 

Playmakers

Hallsville

  • RB Khalil Sneed, Sr., 5-6, 175
  • QB Wyatt Wolverton, Sr., 6-0, 180
  • WR Jamil Young, Sr., 6-2, 180
  • DL Dwayne Johnson, Sr., 6-2, 205
  • WR/DB Dionte Johnson, Sr., 5-10, 180
  • OL Trey Gillespie, Sr., 6-4, 270
  • DB Jaylon Kerby, Sr., 5-10, 170
  • LB Ben Dewoody, Sr., 6-2, 200
  • WR Ky-Untae Hicks, Sr.

 

Sulphur Springs

  • QB Larry Pryor, Sr., 6-0, 200 (87 of 146, 1,163 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs; 76 carries, 739 yards, 13 TDs; committed to Texas A&M)
  • LB Zach Spigner, Sr., 6-0, 180 (36 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 fumble recovery, 1 PBU, 1 sack)
  • WR/TE Dillon Carpenter, Sr., 6-3, 185 (34 catches, 459 yards, 1 TD)
  • OL Jess Jenkins, Sr., 6-3, 290
  • OL Landon Watkins, Sr., 6-1, 270
  • RB Tyler Rosamond, Sr., 5-9, 190 (104 carries, 512 yards, 9 TDs; 4 catches, 53 yards)
  • WR C.J. Stephens, Sr., 5-5, 150 (18 catches, 388 yards, 4 TDs)
  • DE Cain Cody, Jr., 6-3, 215 (22 tackles, 4 for loss, 4 sacks, 1 PBU)

 

Just the facts
  • Sulphur Springs and Hallsville have met several times in recent seasons. Dating back to 2008, Sulphur Springs has a 5-0 advantage, including four district wins and a playoff win.
  • Sulphur Springs won last season's meeting, 65-38.
  • Both teams are 2-1 in District 15-5A and are currently tied for third place in the league.
  • At 4-2 overall, Hallsville is off to its best start since 2012 when the program started 6-2.
  • Hallsville can tie last season's 3-1 start to district play with a win Friday.
  • Likewise, Sulphur Springs can tie its 3-1 start in league play with a win Friday.
  • Both teams have made the playoffs since 2010. Sulphur Springs' streak stretches to 2007.
  • College talent will be on display. Sulphur Springs quarterback Larry Pryor is a Texas A&M verbal commitment expected to play defensive back at the next level.

 

Sulphur Springs receiver Dillon Carpenter is among the top East Texas receivers with 459 yards. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
Sulphur Springs receiver Dillon Carpenter is among the top East Texas receivers with 459 yards. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
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Key matchup: Sulphur Springs' offense versus Hallsville's defense. Larry Pryor has really stepped it up into high gear as the Wildcats' quarterback and has great numbers. He's thrown for 1,163 yards and six touchdowns and has run for 739 yards and 13 more scores. Receiver Dillon Carpenter is among the very top in terms of receptions in East Texas with 34 for more than 450 yards. Tyler Rosamond is doing a good job taking pressure off of Pryor with 104 carries for nine scores and 512 yards.

The Bobcats will have their hands full, but their defense has been up to the challenge all season. It is averaging less than 22 points against per game. The group held a Marshall offense than can be explosive to 19 points in a narrow win and allowed 24 points against Texas High in district play as its worst performance in the league. Mt. Pleasant scored nine points last week against the Bobcats last week.

Hallsville also has a solid offense. Khalil Sneed is a strong tailback the Bobcats would love to get going in an effort to burn time for the Sulphur Springs offense to work with.

The Wildcats have already dealt with Whitehouse in non-district action and Texas High, but Hallsville's defense could be their toughest all-around test yet.

Don't be surprised if: Friday's game goes to the wire. Hallsville has an offense that can set a tempo and a defense that can slow down Pryor and a good supporting cast.

Add to the mix the playoff implications on the line. The teams are currently tied for third in the district while an improved Marshall team remains in striking distance and takes on Greenville simultaneously in a battle of fifth-place teams. The Hallsville-Sulphur Springs game is not meant for the faint of heart.

Hallsville's Khalil Sneed looks for room to run during the Bobcats' 24-17 loss to Texas High on Oct. 3 in Texarkana. (Evan Lewis, ETSN.fm)
Hallsville's Khalil Sneed looks for room to run during the Bobcats' 24-17 loss to Texas High on Oct. 3 in Texarkana. (Evan Lewis, ETSN.fm)
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