CLASS 5A DIVISION II REGIONAL

Marshall Mavericks (11-1)

vs.

Frisco Lone Star Rangers (11-1)

10:30 a.m. Saturday

AT&T Stadium, Arlington

 

Coaches
  • Marshall: Clint Harper
  • Lone Star: Jeff Rayburn

 

Last week

 

Next week
  • Winner faces winner between Lancaster and Terrell, state quarterfinals

 

Playmakers

Marshall

  • QB/ATH Cam Haller, Jr., 5-10, 200 (43 of 71, 749 yards, 10 TDs, 2 INTs; 224 carries, 1,806 yards, 26 TDs)
  • DT Antonio Washington. Sr., 6-0, 250 (90 tackles, 36 for loss, 4.5 sacks, 4 QB pressures, 4 forced fumbles, 1 recovery, 2 PBUs)
  • RB Chavis Mills, Sr., 5-7, 185 (155 carries, 1,099 yards, 17 TDs; 13 catches, 132 yards, 1 TD)
  • WR Jaquavian Dabbs, Sr., 6-0, 170 (40 catches, 846 yards, 9 TDs)
  • WR Trel Patton, Sr., 5-9, 160 (37 catches, 782 yards, 10 TDs)
  • LB/S Micahh Smith, Sr., 6-1, 200 (105 tackles, 3 for loss, 3 INTs, 7 PBUs, 1 forced fumble, 2 recoveries)
  • DB Detrevion Macon, Soph., 5-11, 180 (82 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 INTs, 2 PBUs, 1 fumble recovery)
  • DB Corteze Hurd, Soph., 5-11, 170 (55 tackles, 1 for loss, 4 INTs, 5 PBUs)

 

Lone Star

  • QB Jason Shelley, Jr., 6-0, 180 (174 of 273, 2,652 yards, 32 TDs, 6 INTs; 185 carries, 1,149 yards, 11 TDs)
  • RB Robert Hall, Sr., 5-10, 190 (140 carries, 672 yards, 17 TDs; 8 catches, 73 yards)
  • WR Jaylen Dixon, Jr., 5-10, 160 (56 catches, 770 yards, 12 TDs; 43 carries, 457 yards, 3 TDs)
  • WR Jrayton Fuksa, Sr., 5-10, 160 (40 catches, 737 yards, 4 TDs)
  • WR Coby Shelton, Jr., 6-0, 170 (33 catches, 610 yards, 9 TDs)
  • OL Christian Hernandez, Sr., 6-3, 275
  • DE Jake Ray, Sr., 6-3, 225
  • OL Tanner Leser, Jr., 6-3, 295

 

Just the facts
  • Marshall is shooting for its first state quarterfinals berth since 2005.
  • Lone Star is in its sixth season of varsity football.
  • Marshall is averaging 41.1 points and 438.2 yards per game -- 278.4 rushing and 159.8 passing.
  • The Mavericks' defense is allowing 15.7 points per game.
  • The cumulative record of Marshall's opponents this season is 60-70 (.462).
  • Lone Star is averaging 43.9 points and 465.7 yards per game -- 244.3 rushing and 221.4 passing.
  • The Rangers' defense is allowing 15.8 points per game.
  • The cumulative record of Lone Star's opponents this season is 52-74 (.413).

 

Frisco Lone Star QB Jason Shelley. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)
Frisco Lone Star QB Jason Shelley. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)
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Key matchup: Frisco Lone Star passing attack vs. Marshall secondary. Lone Star junior quarterback Jason Shelley comes into Saturday's regional playoff among the most productive quarterbacks in the state. His dual-threat capabilities set him apart from most signal-callers in the state, and several FBS programs have taken notice. Shelley currently holds offers from Clemson, Nebraska, and SMU, and more could be in the offing in the coming months. The talented 2017 prospect comes into this week with more than 3,800 total yards of offense, including more than 2,600 through the air with 32 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 273 passing attempts. What makes Shelley such a dangerous weapon in the passing game is his ability to go through progressions and find the open receiver. And Lone Star's pass-catching corps is deep, with four receivers boasting at least 26 catches and four touchdowns receptions on the year. It's been difficult for opposing defenses to hone in one or two go-to receivers in Lone Star's vertical attack.

Marshall LB/S Micahh Smith. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Marshall LB/S Micahh Smith. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
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Marshall's secondary, one of the best in East Texas, should have its hands full with Shelley and his complement of receivers. The Mavericks defense has recorded 16 interceptions on the year, and the trio of senior Micaah Smith and sophomores Corteze Hurd and Detrevion Macon have pulled down a combined nine interceptions in the Mavs' 12 games. It also helps to have a good defensive front, and Marshall happens to have a very active and aggressive collection of linemen and linebackers. Marshall has registered only 11 sacks on the year, but that hasn't stopped the defense from racking up 67 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Senior tackle Antonio Washington is Marshall's top lineman, and he enters Saturday's game with 90 tackles, which rank second on team, to go with a team-best 36 stops for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Don't be surprised if: Lone Star and Marshall engage in a low-scoring battle. The Mavericks' defense is playing at an extremely high level. Since a 27-7 loss to Texas High in Week 9, Marshall has allowed just 20 points in wins over Mount Pleasant, Sulphur Springs, Lindale, and Dallas South Oak Cliff. In last week's win over SOC, Marshall's defense limited the Bears to 270 total yards of offense and forced three turnovers. On the season, Marshall has forced 26 turnovers, which equates into a little less than two per game. Lone Star's defense, meanwhile, comes into this week allowing just 15.8 points per game, and has held its two playoff opponents -- Prosper and Forney -- to a combined 23 points. The most the Rangers have surrendered in a game this season is 29, which came in its lone loss of the year -- a 29-12 setback to Frisco on Oct. 23.

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