PREVIEW: Whitehouse Looks to Keep Rolling vs. Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill Bulldogs (0-1)

vs.

Whitehouse Wildcats (1-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday
CHRISTUS TMF Rose Stadium, Tyler

Coaches

Chapel Hill: Jason Hooker
Whitehouse: Marcus Gold

Last week

Chapel Hill: lost to Crandall, 40-20
Whitehouse: def. Henderson, 50-28

Next week

Chapel Hill: vs. Argyle, Sept. 14
Whitehouse: vs. Melissa (at Emory), Sept. 13

Players to watch

Chapel Hill

WR/S Robbie Williams, Sr., 6-3, 190 (4 catches, 67 yards, TD)
RB/LB Khristion Little, Sr., 5-11, 227 (9 carries, 47 yards, TD; 1 catch, 23 yards)
QB Jaxon Heckel, Sr., 5-9, 170 (13 of 22, 196 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 10 carries, 35 yards)
RB/CB Elijah Demus, Jr. (9 carries, 95 yards)
WR/OLB Keyjun Thomas, Jr. (4 catches, 73 yards, TD)
WR/LB Darrius Warren, 5-11, 185 (3 catches, 20 yards)
DL Leonardo Anguiano, Sr., 5-11, 198
OL/DL Shawn Scoggins, Sr., 5-10, 196

Whitehouse

WR Cameron Cantrell, Sr., 6-1, 175 (3 catches, 59 yards, TD; 2 carries, 20 yards; committed to Texas Tech)
RB/LB Peyton Kennedy, Jr., 5-11, 190 (6 carries, 59 yards, 4 TDs; 13 tackles 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT)
WR Kendrion Johnson, Sr., 6-3, 190 (5 catches, 199 yards, TD)
DL Darius Trimble, Sr., 5-11, 250 (6 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks)
QB Flint Herrington, Sr., 6-0, 165 (17 of 23, 315 yards, 2 TDs)
CB/OLB Chaez Spurlock, Sr., 5-10, 180 (6 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks)
WR/DB Kendahl Fry, Sr., 5-8, 170 (8 catches, 47 yards; 1 tackle)
LB Michael Raabe, Sr., 5-11, 210 (8 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks)

Just the facts

This is the 32nd all-time meeting between Whitehouse and Chapel Hill. Whitehouse leads the series, 15-14-2.
The Wildcats have won six consecutive games over Chapel Hill.
Chapel Hill put up 397 yards of offense in last week's loss to Crandall, but scored just three touchdowns.
The Bulldogs allowed 40 points last week, and they gave up at least 40 in a game four times in 2017.
Chapel Hill is looking to avoid its first 0-2 start to a season since 2015.
Whitehouse's 50 points last week were its most in a game since 2015.
The Wildcats sacked Henderson seven times last week.
Whitehouse is looking for its third consecutive 2-0 start to a season.

Key matchup: Whitehouse passing attack vs. Chapel Hill secondary. For a Whitehouse offense that struggled so much 2017, last week's season opener was definitely an eye-opening performance. The Wildcats hung 50 points on Henderson, which reached the 4A Division I state quarterfinals a year ago. And while the Wildcats did their fair share of damage on the ground, it was the play of quarterback Flint Herrington and his receivers, in particular Kendrion Johnson, that stole the show. Herrington hit on 17 of 23 attempts, passing for 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Johnson had five catches for 199 yards and one of the scores. Meanwhile, Texas Tech commit Cameron Cantrell -- 2017's leading receiver -- had three receptions for 59 yards and a TD. Last season, Whitehouse averaged less than 21 points per game, and did not exceed 300 yards passing in any of its 11 games.

Chapel Hill's defense, which struggled containing Crandall's ground attack in Week 1, will get a much different challenge from Whitehouse. Crandall rushed for 371 yards against Chapel Hill, and averaged nine yards per attempt. When the Pirates did go to the air, they were efficient. Crandall completed 7 of its 11 attempts and passed for a couple of touchdowns. Obviously, Chapel Hill's run defense must improve for it to have a chance against what looks like a much more explosive 2018 Whitehouse offense. But when Whitehouse does pass, the Bulldogs will need to be opportunistic, take chances in the secondary in an attempt to force turnovers.

Don't be surprised if: Chapel Hill tries to establish its running game early against Whitehouse. The Bulldogs may not have enough firepower to keep up with Whitehouse's offense, so they must win the time of possession battle to stay competitive. Chapel Hill had moderate success last week against Crandall on the ground, rushing for 201 yards. Junior Elijah Demus nearly reached the 100-yard plateau on only nine carries, while senior Khristion Little provides the Bulldogs with power in short-yardage and goal-line situations. If both players have big games Thursday night, Chapel Hill stands a chance to end its six-game losing streak to Whitehouse.