Texas High and Kilgore have not been strangers up to this point on the countdown of ETSN.fm's top 25 games of 2014.

That has to do with their traditions and what the two squads will be bringing to Texarkana for the No. 13 game of 2014 on Sept. 19. It's a heavyweight fight at Tiger Stadium between two squads that appear to have the tools needed to make a nice postseason runs in their respective classifications.

This game will be Texas High's final non-district game, and the Tigers will be meeting Kilgore with an open week to prepare for the game.

Kilgore defensive end Jordan Thompson should be a point of emphasis for Texas High with his elite speed and a good frame to work with against the Tigers' very good offensive line.
Kilgore defensive end Jordan Thompson should be a point of emphasis for Texas High with his elite speed and a good frame to work with against the Tigers' very good offensive line.
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The Bulldogs will have quite a few miles under their belt already. The squad will travel to Nacogdoches to open the season, visit Lufkin's Abe Martin Stadium the next week for a neutral-site game against Port Neches Grove and could get a test from the David Collins' led Pine Tree team at home the week prior.

Texas High, meanwhile, will take on Whitehouse in its opener and play a rivalry game against Texarkana (Ark.) Arkansas High.

Both teams should be in midseason form for this one.

The Tigers have good players across the board, including three big players on the offensive line in Grant Burns, Tyler Lowe and and Matt Davis. Burns was District 14-4A's newcomer of the year last season.

The line should aid running back Javon Thomas to get into an early season rhythm and receiver Jarion Anderson is a big threat downfield.

Anderson has an invitation to join Tulsa after graduation but is seeking more options before committing.

Kilgore has some meat on its defensive line, highlighted by defensive end Jordan Thompson. He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the ETSN.fm Football Recruiting Combine in June and should be a major pain along the edge.

Linebacker Kris Haynes recorded 131 tackles for the Bulldogs en route to the Class 3A Div. II state championship game. Linebacker Mason Shelton rounds out preseason names on a nice front seven.

Kilgore also has a strong running game with Houston commitment Kevrin Justice returning to its lineup from the 2013 team. Texas High, meanwhile, should be settling in from the shock of losing eight starting defenders from last year's team and has proven talent in linebacker K.J. Reid and defensive back Dale Williamson.

The game clock should move swiftly between the ground attacks. If the defenses rise up for the occasion, it could be anyone's game with the clock winding down in the fourth quarter.

 

ETSN.fm's Top 25 Games of 2014

 

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