PREVIEW: John Tyler Faces Frisco Lone Star in Regional Semis

CLASS 5A DIVISION I
Region II Semifinal

John Tyler Lions (9-2)

vs.

Frisco Lone Star Rangers (10-2)

2 p.m. Saturday
Kincaide Stadium, Dallas

Coaches

• John Tyler: Ricklan Holmes
• Frisco Lone Star: Jeff Rayburn

Last week

• John Tyler: def. Lancaster, 22-10
• Frisco Lone Star: def. Lufkin, 49-21

Next week

• Winner vs. Mansfield Timberview or Highland Park, 5A Division I, Region II final

Players to watch

John Tyler

• WR Ke'Andre Street, Sr., 6-2, 200 (29 catches, 814 yards, 10 TDs; committed to Houston)
• RB Roderick Hawkins, Sr., 5-8, 190 (141 carries, 1,179 yards, 10 TDs; 12 catches, 183 yards, 1 TDs)
• RB/CB Cameron Grant, Sr., 5-10, 185 (65 carries, 509 yards, 8 TDs; 43 tackles, 3 for loss, 3 INTs, 17 PBUs, 1 forced fumble)
• OL Chance Billington, Sr., 6-4, 275 (committed to Louisiana-Monroe)
• QB Devlen Woods, Sr., 5-8, 170 (93-of-165, 1,956 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs; 65 carries, 412 yards, 3 TDs)
• RB Ka'Darian Asbell, Sr., 5-10, 210 (33 carries, 320 yards, 3 TDs)
• DE Christian Hartsfield, Sr., 5-10, 221 (66 tackles, 15 for loss, 7 sacks, 1 blocked punt)
• DT Ja'Bralen Yarber, Sr., 6-1, 280 (50 tackles, 8 for loss, 2 sacks, 17 QB pressures; committed to Northwestern State)
• LB Jarrius Lane, 5-11, 210 (86 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks)

Frisco Lone Star

• WR Marvin Mims, Jr.
• ATH Julian Larry, Jr., 6-2, 170
• RB Darrin Smith, Sr., 5-10, 189
• RB/LB Malik Bailey, Sr., 6-0

Just the facts

• This is the first recorded matchup between John Tyler and Frisco Lone Star
• John Tyler is averaging 451.3 yards per game (193.3 passing and 258 rushing).
• Lions receiver Ke'Andre Street is averaging 28.1 yards per reception. He is committed to the University of Houston.
• John Tyler has forced 18 turnovers this season (seven interception and 11 fumbles).
• Frisco Lone Star is averaging 33.4 points per game and giving up 9.9.
• Rangers receiver Marvin Mims torched the Lufkin defense in the area round for 253 yards and three touchdowns.
• Lone Star's two losses came against teams with a combined record of 21-2.

Key matchup: John Tyler rushing attack against the Lone Star front. John Tyler struggled to get its running game going against Lancaster this past week. The result? The Lions punted nine times. Although their defense came up with big stops and punter Frankie Sanchez did a great job of flipping the field, the Lions will hope for more from their offense this game. That starts with the running game, where Roderick Hawkins does most of the heavy lifting. He'll look to rebound after amassing just 19 yards on 19 carries against Lancaster. Cam Grant and Ka'Darian Asbell will get in the mix, too.

If JT can withstand the Rangers' rush, it will have more control over the game and be in a better position to win.

Don't be surprised if: JT's defense forces a couple of Lone Star miscues. Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Lion defense has been stout. They've forced multiple turnovers in both games and last week held a solid Lancaster offense to only 10 points. The week before, Roy Lampton came away with a couple of turnovers. Look for JT's defense to be active once again. If it can force turnovers in the right spots, it could lead to a victory for the Lions.