DISTRICT 10-3A DIVISION II

Harmony Eagles (3-1, 1-0)

vs.

Troup Tigers (3-1, 1-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Tiger Stadium, Troup

Coaches

  • Harmony: Tim Russell
  • Troup: John Eastman

Last week

  • Harmony: def. Alba-Golden, 35-7
  • Troup: def. Grand Saline, 48-20

Next week

  • Harmony: at Winona, Oct. 12
  • Troup: vs. Quitman, Oct. 12

Players to watch

Harmony

  • RB Barrett Hill, Sr., 5-9, 190 (80 carries, 666 yards, 8 TDs)
  • LB Easton Blackstone, Sr., 6-2, 205 (49 tackles, 6 for loss, 1 sack, 4 QB pressures, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 1 forced fumble, 1 defensive TD)
  • WR Hunter McNleel, Jr., 6-0, 170 (3 catches, 122 yards, 3 TDs)
  • FB Marcus Davis, Sr., 6-0, 165 (30 carries, 209 yards, 2 TDs)
  • QB Gage Goddard, Sr., 5-11, 160 (12 of 25, 307 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs)
  • LB Drew McNeel, Sr., 5-10, 173 (42 tackles, 4 for loss, 3 INTs, `1 PBU)
  • LB Leonardo Arellano, Sr., 5-8, 160 (26 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks, 3 QB pressures, 1 PBU)
  • DB Cameron Helpenstill, Sr., 5-10, 145 (27 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 PBU)

Troup

  • QB Weslee Ross, Sr., 6-0, 145 (46 of 78, 959 yards, 12 TDs, 2 INTs; 29 carries, 175 yards, 5 TDs)
  • RB/LB Caleb Smith, Jr., 5-9, 155 (5-9, 155 (34 carries, 343 yards, 2 TDs; 3 catches, 27 yards; 21 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 PBU, 1 forced fumble)
  • RB/DL Trent Allen, Sr., 5-10, 145 (38 carries, 252 yards, 4 TDs; 25 tackles, 7 for loss, 2 INTs, 1 defensive TDs)
  • WR Jaden Lewis, Jr. (14 catches, 461 yards, 6 TDs)
  • WR Desmon Deason, Jr., 5-10, 170 (12 catches, 178 yards, 3 TDs)
  • WR/LB Bryce Attaway, Sr., 5-9, 160 (5 catches, 63 yards; 41 tackles, 9 for loss, 1 sack, 1 PBU, 1 forced fumble)
  • LB Max Hale, Sr., 5-9, 170 (38 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 forced fumble)
  • DB Matt Adams, Sr., 6-0, 170 (36 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 2 forced fumbles)

Just the facts

  • Harmony is 10-1 in district games since 2016.
  • Troup has not qualified for the playoffs since 2013.
  • Harmony is averaging 38.5 points and 448.8 yards per game -- 368 rushing and 76.8 passing.
  • Eagles senior running back Barrett Hill is averaging 166.5 rushing yards per game.
  • Harmony is allowing 17.3 points per game, and has forced eight turnovers -- five interceptions and three fumbles.
  • Troup is averaging 43 points and 465.8 yards per game -- 226 rushing and 239.8 passing.
  • Tigers junior receiver Jaden Lewis is averaging 32.9 yards per catch.
  • Troup is allowing 27.5 points per game, and has forced seven turnovers -- six interceptions and one fumble.
Harmony RB Barrett Hill. (© Clint Buckley, ETSN.fm)
Harmony RB Barrett Hill. (© Clint Buckley, ETSN.fm)
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Key matchup: Harmony rushing attack vs. Troup defensive front. The Eagles are about as run-heavy as it gets, as Harmony enters Friday's game averaging almost 370 rushing yards per game. Senior running back Barrett Hill gets most the action with 666 yards and eight touchdowns, but Harmony has a few other runners opposing defenses must account for, including Brody Powledge, Marcus Davis, Michael Everett, and Isaac Edwards. That foursome has combined for 764 yards and four touchdowns. Because of the tremendous success on the ground, Harmony quarterback Gage Goddard has only attempted 25 passes on the year, although he's been productive with six touchdown strikes.

Troup QB Weslee Ross. (© Clint Buckley, ETSN.fm)
Troup QB Weslee Ross. (© Clint Buckley, ETSN.fm)
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Harmony wants to dominate time of possession with its running game for two reasons. First, that represents the Eagles' identity on offense, but more importantly, Troup's offense has been among East Texas' most explosive thus far in 2018. Limiting the number of possessions for the Tigers' offense will be crucial for Harmony's chances of earning its second consecutive district win.

Don't be surprised if: Friday's game isn't decided until the fourth quarter. Harmony and Troup look to be evenly matched, and with first place in district on the line, expect both teams to lay it all out on the line this week. Both teams had impressive non-district campaigns as Troup knocked off defending 2A state finalist Tenaha in the season opener, followed by a narrow loss to unbeaten Carlisle, 35-28 (ranked No. 9 in the AP 2A poll). Harmony's only loss came to fourth-ranked and unbeaten West Rusk, 28-17. The winner of this one will have an inside track to the District 10-3A Division II championship.

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