Tyler Grace Cougars (7-1, 4-1)
vs.
Bullard Brook Hill Guard (5-3, 3-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Herrington Stadium, Bullard

Coaches
Grace: Mike Maddox
Brook Hill: Terry Pirtle

Last week
Grace: def. Carrollton Prince of Peace, 60-24
Brook Hill: lost to Dallas Parish Episcopal, 36-12

Next week
Grace: vs. Dallas Parish Episcopal
Brook Hill: at Carrollton Prince of Peace

Playmakers
Grace

  • ATH Kade Clayton, Jr., 6-1, 185 (72 carries, 1,047 yards, 18 TDs; 22 catches, 467 yards, 6 TDs; 34 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass break-up)
  • QB Blake White, Sr., 5-11, 165 (81 of 122, 1,505 yards, 13 TDs, 4 INTs; 54 carries, 474 yards, 6 TDs)
  • WR/DB Statler Lewis, Sr., 6-2, 160 (22 carries, 440 yards, 4 TDs; 9 tackles, 2 INTs)
  • WR Lin Gillham, Sr., 6-0, 165 (21 catches, 375 yards, 4 TDs; 36 tackles, 3 INTs, 4 pass break-ups, 1 fumble recovery)
  • OL/DL Josh Boylan, Sr., 6-2, 230 (35 pancake blocks; 25 tackles, 5 QB pressures, 1 fumble recovery)

Brook Hill

  • QB Grant Hanks (17 of 24, 163 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT last week vs. Dallas Parish Episcopal)
  • WR Seth Brasher (7 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD last week vs. Dallas Parish Episcopal)
  • RB D'Lous West (11 carries, 57 yards last week vs. Dallas Parish Episcopal)
  • OL/DL Mason Dickey
  • RB Gabe Lucio (5 rushes, 34 yards last week vs. Dallas Parish Episcopal)

Just the facts

  • Grace and Brook Hill have established themselves as the two premier private school programs in the area. The Cougars are 32-11 over the last four seasons, which includes a trip to last season's state semifinals. Brook Hill, 39-11 since 2009, has advanced to three consecutive state title games.
  • The Cougars' Kade Clayton is among the most explosive athletes in the area. The junior has scored 24 offensive touchdowns, and averages 16.1 yards per touch.
  • Grace is averaging 48.1 points per game, going over the 50-point plateau five times throughout the season.
  • The Cougars are also averaging 508.2 yards of total offense, 313 of which comes on the ground where Grace picks up an impressive 11.5 yards per rush.
  • Brook Hill starting quarterback Will Weathers, who piloted the Guard to a state championship last season, did not play in last week's loss.
  • The Guard put up an average of 28.3 points per game, while Brook Hill's defense surrenders 24.6.
Tyler Grace ATH Kade Clayton. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)
Tyler Grace ATH Kade Clayton. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)
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Brook Hill OL Mason Dickey. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)
Brook Hill OL Mason Dickey. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)
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Key matchup: Grace running game vs. Brook Hill defensive front. Clayton is on fire, totaling 713 yards and 14 touchdowns over the last four games. He's also averaging 15.5 yards per carry over that same time span. It's safe in assuming he will be coach Terry Pirtle and the Brook Hill defense's primary focus on Friday night. The Guard gave up 336 rushing yards last week against Parish Episcopal, so Brook Hill will need to tighten things up front in order to contain Grace's explosive ground game. If Clayton keeps posting incredible numbers the way he has the last few weeks, it could be a long night for a Brook Hill team, which doesn't appear to have enough on offense to survive a shootout with Grace.

Don't be surprised if: Grace comes to Bullard focused on Friday night. Under other circumstances, the Cougars may be looking ahead to their regular-season finale against Parish Episcopal, but Grace should be eager to send a message to their area rival that's enjoyed a little more success at the state level the last couple of years. If the Cougars win, they can keep alive hope of sharing a TAPPS Division II District 2 championship.

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