DISTRICT 11-6A

Tyler Lee Red Raiders (2-7, 1-4)

vs.

Mesquite Horn Jaguars (2-7, 2-3)

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

Coaches

  • Lee: Kurt Traylor
  • Horn: Mike Overton

Last week

Next week

  • Lee: TBD
  • Horn: TBD

Players to watch

Lee

  • HB/DE Jamal Ligon, Jr., 6-2, 240 (12 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD; 56 tackles, 10 for loss, 6 sacks, 21 QB pressures)
  • OL Beaux Limmer, Sr., 6-5, 270 (committed to Arkansas)
  • RB Jamar Arceneaux, Jr., 5-7, 155 (125 carries, 703 yards, 11 TDs; 4 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD)
  • RB/LB Jordan Printers, Sr., 5-10, 193 (139 carries, 733 yards, 8 TDs; 23 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 QB pressure)
  • LB Devon't Bolton, Jr., 6-3, 185 (41 tackles, 6 for loss, 5 sacks, 4 QB pressures)
  • RB Jamarion Miller, Fr., 5-10, 170 (105 carries, 617 yards, 5 TDs; 5 catches, 51 yards)
  • S Elliott Davison, Jr., 5-11, 160 (34 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 INT, 8 PBUs, 1 fumble recovery)
  • QB Mark Patton, Jr., 6-5, 213 (71 of 156, 1,185 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs; 24 carries, 45 yards)

Horn

  • QB Jermaine Givens, Sr., 6-0, 190 (61 of 130, 847 yards, 4 TDs, 8 INTs; 166 carries, 835 yards, 5 TDs; committed to Lamar)
  • RB N'kowski Emory, Jr., 5-9, 160 (58 carries, 463 yards, 4 TDs; 6 catches, 16 yards)
  • LB Kendrick Blackshire, Soph., 6-2, 245 (74 tackles, 6 for loss, 1 QB pressure, 1 PBU, fumble recovery)
  • DB Larry Cooper, Sr., 5-11, 190 (89 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 forced fumble, 3 blocked kicks)
  • DB Larry Donnell, Sr., 5-11, 185 (70 tackles, 2 for loss, 4 PBUs, 1 forced fumble)
  • LB Nick Garcia, Jr., 6-0, 205 (97 tackles, 5 for loss, 3 sacks, 7 QB pressures, 1 fumble recovery)
  • DB Evan Williams, Jr., 5-8, 155 (29 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 INT, 6 PBUs)
  • WR Cameron Jackson, Jr., 5-8, 155 (16 catches, 242 yards)

Just the facts

  • Lee can make the playoffs if it defeats Horn, and Rockwall-Heath defeats North Mesquite.
  • Horn reaches the playoffs with a win, or a North Mesquite win over Rockwall-Heath.
  • Lee is averaging 24.9 points and 387.7 yards per game -- 252 rushing and 135.7 passing.
  • The cumulative record of the seven teams that have defeated Lee this season is 44-16 (.733).
  • Lee is allowing 46.3 points per game, has 15 sacks, and has forced six turnovers -- three interceptions and three fumbles.
  • Horn is averaging 23.6 points and 335.7 yards per game -- 237.9 rushing and 97.8 passing.
  • The cumulative record of the seven teams that have defeated Horn this season is 56-6 (.903).
  • Horn is allowing 30.9 points per game, has 12 sacks, and has forced four turnovers -- two interceptions and two fumbles.
Tyler Lee OL Beaux Limmer. (© Clint Buckley, ETSN.fm)
Tyler Lee OL Beaux Limmer. (© Clint Buckley, ETSN.fm)
loading...

Key matchup: Horn rushing attack vs. Lee defensive front. The Jaguars came into this season with high hopes, returning district MVP Jermaine Givens at quarterback to a team that won the district championship. The season has not gone as expected for Horn, which lost its first seven games of the year. But with back-to-back wins, the Jaguars are on the doorstep of the playoffs. All the Jaguars need is a win over Lee on Friday or a North Mesquite defeat of Rockwall-Heath. The passing game has struggled mightily for Horn in 2018 as Givens has just twice as many interceptions as touchdown passes. However, when Horn has had success on offense, it's been on the ground, and in particular with Givens. The Horn signal-caller leads the team in rushing with 835 yards, which has made up for some injuries at running back. If Horn can run the ball successfully this week, the Jaguars stand an excellent chance of winning their third straight.

Tyler Lee WR Zaylon Walker. (© Clint Buckley, ETSN.fm)
Tyler Lee WR Zaylon Walker. (© Clint Buckley, ETSN.fm)
loading...

Lee's defense has had its issues this season, allowing opponents an average of more than 46 points per game. The Red Raiders have also struggled to create turnovers, forcing just six takeaways in nine games. That's been a bad combination for Lee, which has allowed a total of 129 points the last two weeks against Rockwall and Longview. Horn is a step down in competition, but Lee will need to bring forth its best defensive effort of the season if it wishes to have any chance at a win or a playoff berth.

Don't be surprised if: Lee expands its playbook Friday night. For most of the season, the Red Raiders have turned to running the ball almost exclusively, and for good reason. Lee has three rushers with more than 600 rushing yards on the year and a strong offensive line anchored by University of Arkansas commit Beaux Limmer. However, Lee might have to incorporate the passing game a little more into its game plan this week. Junior quarterback Mark Patton has thrown for more than 1,100 yards on the year, but has only four touchdown passes. Receivers Zaylon Walker and Te'vion Massey are two weapons capable of stretching opposing defenses downfield.

More From East Texas Sports Network