PREVIEW: Henderson Opens District at Chapel Hill Looking For 5-0

DISTRICT 9-4A Division I

Henderson Lions (4-0)

vs.

Chapel Hill Bulldogs (3-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Bulldog Stadium, Tyler

Coaches

• Henderson: Phil Castles
• Chapel Hill: Jason Hooker

Last week

• Henderson: def. Pine Tree 39-17
• Chapel Hill: def. Gladewater 24-17

Next week

• Henderson: vs. Carthage, Oct. 6
• Chapel Hill: at Kilgore, Oct. 6

Playmakers

Henderson

• QB Trae Hall, Sr., 6-3, 185 (29-of-42, 428 yards, 2 TDs; 46 carries, 244 yards, 4 TDs)
• TE/DL Keivie Rose, Jr., 6-3, 242
• WR Caleb Medford, So., 6-1, 175 (8 catches, 206 yards)
• WR/LB Tyrek Blanton, Sr., 6-2, 190 (3 catches, 19 yards; 27 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT)
• WR/DB Treylun Blanton, Sr., 5-11, 165 (7 catches, 109 yards, 1 TD)
• LB Garrett Lybrand, Sr., 6-2, 200 (44 tackles, 9 TFL, 6 QBP, 1 sack)
• RB/LB D.Q. Murphy, Sr. (71 carries, 380 yards, 4 TDs)
• ATH Keuntaye Dunham, Jr., 5-8, 150

Chapel Hill

• RB/LB Adrian Berry, Sr., 5-10, 190 (58 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles)
• RB/DB Hunter Branin, Sr., 5-10, 178 (44 carries, 324 yards, 4 TDs)
• WR Demarcus Attaway, Sr., 5-9, 160 (8 catches, 162 yards, 5 TDs)
• OL Sammy Cintron, Sr., 5-11, 220
• WR Robbie Williams, Jr., 6-3, 180 (7 catches, 75 yards)
• QB Khalan Griffin, Soph., 5-10, 180 (28-of-62, 321 yards, 5 TDs; 66 carries, 568 yards, 3 TDs)
• DB Sairdarius Lacy, Sr., 5-11, 165 (2 INT, 13 tackles, 2 PBUs)

Just the facts

• Henderson hold a 4-2 lead in the series since 2010.
• The Lions won last season's matchup, 40-14.
• Both teams are averaging more than 200 yards rushing per game. Chapel Hill is gaining an average of 249, while Henderson is rushing for roughly 213 per contest.
• Chapel Hill quarterback has rushed for at least 160 yards in each of the past three games.
• Henderson is giving up only 14.5 points per game. The Lions have also forced seven interceptions.
• Trae Hall combined for 156 yards (50 rushing, 106 passing) in the Lion's victory this past week.

Key matchup: Khalan Griffin against Henderson's defense. Chapel Hill's quarterback can hurt defenses in more ways than one. The Bulldogs actually prefer to run him, as he leads the team in both carries (66) and yards (568) on the ground.

Henderson, on the other hand has been stingy on defense this season. The Lions have forced seven turnovers -- all interceptions. If they can take away the run as effectively as they have the pass this season, it should be an easy win.

Stopping Griffin is easier said than done, though. The quarterback also has help from Hunter Branin, who has more than 300 rushing yards. The winner of this matchup will likely determine the game.

Don't be surprised if: Trae Hall leads Henderson to victory. He has done so all season, it doesn't make sense to expect his solid play to come to a halt now.

He is dual-threat quarterback in the true sense in that he is comfortable with either running or passing. He showed that last week when the Lions needed him to pass more than he has this season.

Whether he is doing his damage with his arm or his legs, the Lions are in good shape. Look for them to improve to 5-0 ahead of a matchup with top-ranked Carthage.