GLADEWATER BEARS
AT
NO. 4 DAINGERFIELD TIGERS

7:30 p.m. Friday
Mickey Mayne Tiger Stadium
Coaches
Gladewater: Jerrod Baugh
Daingerfield: Aric Sardinea
Next week
Gladewater: vs. Pittsburg
Daingerfield: at Atlanta
Playmakers
Gladewater
  • QB Derrick Daniels, Sr., 6-1, 182
  • DT Daylon Mack, Soph., 6-2, 297
  • DT L.D. Anthony, Sr., 5-10, 302
  • WR Nick Johnson, Sr., 6-3, 176
  • DB J'Mal Barnes, Sr., 5-8, 146
  • DB Ledarrian Christian, Sr., 5-7, 147
Daingerfield
  • QB/ATH Edwin Mims, Sr., 5-9, 180
  • CB Ruben Mims, Sr., 5-9, 165
  • OL/DT Jacolby Simpson, Sr., 6-0, 280
  • RB Ray Wallace, Jr., 5-10, 165
  • LB Calvin Bryant, Jr., 5-9, 160
  • OL Malik Ellis, Sr., 6-3, 255
  • QB Keris Alexander
Just the facts
  • Gladewater, which was 5-5 in 2011, was almost even on the scoreboard, too. The Bears edged their 10 opponents 199-196.
  • Daingerfield won seven of its final nine games to finish 10-4 in 2011.
  • Gladewater was 4-1 during the 2011 non-district schedule with its only loss coming in a 3-0 defensive struggle against Wills Point.
  • Daingerfield, which averaged 38.6 points per game last season, scored 42 or more points eight times in 2011.
  • Gladewater outscored its five non-district opponents 132-37 last year, but in the "District of Doom," opponents outscored the Bears 159-67.
  • Daingerifeld's Ray Wallace ran for 682 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 6.7 yards per carry a year ago.

Key matchup: Daingerfield offensive line vs. Gladewater defensive line. This could be one of the most fun matchups of the opening week. Daingerfield has a hefty offensive line, especially for a Class 2A school, led by Malik Ellis and two-way starer Jacolby Simpson. But Gladewater has two beasts at defensive tackle: senior L.D. Anthony and super sophomore Daylon Mack, who could end up being one of East Texas' top recruits in the 2015 class. Anthony and Mack played well in a scrimmage against a large Tatum offensive front, and even made a

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couple of tackles for loss against Carthage's massive offensive line in this past Friday's tune-up. Daingerfield may run a spread offense, but second-year coach Aric Sardinea wants to run the ball, first and foremost. Whether he can do that with returning tailback Ray Wallace the rest of the Tigers' skill players against a stout Gladewater defensive front could decide Friday's contest.

Don't be surprised if: You travel to this matchup and see a heck of a game. Gladewater's great defensive tackle tandem has caught a lot of attention during the Bears' two scrimmages, but quarterback Derrick Daniels and receiver Nick Johnson have played well, too. In fact, Daniels and Johnson connected for three touchdown passes in the scrimmage against Carthage. On the other sideline, there's a Daingerfield team that is a typical Tiger squad: athletic, talented, and facing high expectations. They'll want to get off on the right foot, and they have the athletes to match up with Gladewater on the perimeter. As it goes with the majority of football games, the team that wins the battles in the trenches will likely be the one to tally one in the win column in this season opener. With Anthony, Mack, and Simpson all playing, there will be few, if any, games in East Texas with a better group of defensive tackles.

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