PREVIEW: Texas High Looks to Keep Rolling, Marshall Seeking First Victory as District Play Starts

DISTRICT 16-5A

Marshall Mavericks (0-4)

vs.

Texas High Tigers (2-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Tiger Stadium, Texarkana

Coaches

• Marshall: Claude Mathis
• Texas High: Gerry Stanford

Last week

• Marshall: lost to Corsicana, 22-19
• Longview: def. Kilgore 44-41 (2 OT)

Next week

• Marshall: vs. Sulphur Springs, Oct. 6
• Texas High: BYE

Playmakers

Marshall

• OL Chasen Hines, Sr., 6-3, 330 (committed to LSU)
• OL Kameron King, Sr., 6-3, 270 (committed to North Texas)
• DL Marje Smith, Sr., 6-6, 215 (committed to Baylor)
• OL Christian Hood, Jr., 6-4, 300
• WR De'Kendrick Bender, Jr., 6-0, 165 (16 catches, 226 yards, 3 TDs)
• DB Champ Mathis, Jr., 5-11, 180
• WR Tahj Washington, Jr., 5-11, 160 (10 catches, 146 yards, 2 TDs)
• DB Tre Macon, Sr., 5-11, 180

Texas High

• WR Tevailance Hunt, Sr., 6-2, 180 (committed to TCU)
• QB Coltin Clack, Jr., 6-2, 220
• WR/DB Jaqualen Brown, Sr., 6-1, 170
• LB Davon Williams, Sr., 5-11, 216
• RB Chris Sutton, Jr., 5-8, 170
• DB Darrel Webster, Sr., 5-10, 165
• LB Chris Arnold, Sr., 5-11, 210

Just the facts

• Marshall has not beaten Texas High since 2009.
• If Marshall loses this matchup, it will be the first 0-5 start for the Mavericks since 2012.
• After scoring only seven points over its first two games, Texas High has scored 81 in its past two, both wins.
• After a slow start to the season, Tiger receiver Tevailance Hunt exploded for four touchdowns in last week's win against Kilgore.
• Similarly, Tiger quarterback Coltin Clack is 37-of-58 for 465 yards and six touchdowns in Texas High's victories.
• Despite an offensive line that features two Division-I prospects, Marshall is averaging just under 150 yards rushing per game.

Key matchup: Coltin Clack and Tevailance Hunt against the Marshall secondary. In the past two games, the Texas High offense has come to life. The Tigers had a slow start to the season after the death of Leonard Parks, understandably so.

It no coincidence that the Tigers' wins coincide with their offensive outburst. Defense hasn't caused Texas High many issues this season, spare last week against Kilgore.

Despite an 0-4 record, Marshall hasn't been atrocious on defense. The Mavericks have a secondary, headed by Champ Mathis, coach Claude Mathis' son, that could cause trouble for Texas High if it plays to its potential.

But Marshall hasn't been at the top of its game this season. If that changes Friday, the Mavericks have a shot.

Don't be surprised if: This is a blowout. Marshall has shown nothing this season to indicate it will get any better. Meanwhile, Texas High is only trending upward.

The Mavericks need to get something going behind their big offensive line if they hope to have a chance. They have the size and skill to make an impact.

But so does Texas High. The thing is, the Tigers have shown they can have success. Expect another big week from Clack, Hunt & co.