PREVIEW: John Tyler Begins Tough Stretch Against McKinney North

DISTIRCT 7-5A DIVISION I

McKinney North Bulldogs (6-2, 3-1)

vs.

John Tyler Lions (4-2, 3-0)

7 p.m. Friday
Christus TMF Rose Stadium, Tyler

Coaches

McKinney North: Mike Fecci
John Tyler: Ricklan Holmes

Last week

McKinney North: def. West Mesquite, 52-37
John Tyler: idle

Next week

McKinney North: idle
John Tyler: John Tyler at Mesquite Poteet, Nov. 2

Players to watch

McKinney North

QB Cam Constantine, Sr., 6-0, 193 (46 of 67, 689 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs; 85 carries, 554 yards, 3 TDs)
DL Landon Teel, Sr., 6-2, 265
TE Brandon Frazier, Jr., 6-7, 231 (27 catches, 356 yards, 3 TDs)
RB Hunter Chae, Sr., 5-10, 185 (129 carries, 881 yards, 11 TDs; 7 catches, 89 yards, 2 TDs)
RB Manny Fincher, Jr. (118 carries, 572 yards, 9 TDs; 4 catches, 27 yards)
QB Dillon Markiewicz, Jr., 6-5, 216 (52 of 88, 692 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs)
WR Holt Harvey, Sr., 6-2, 180 (12 catches, 243 yards, 3 TDs)
WR Noah Ford, Jr., 6-2, 170 (15 catches, 227 yards, 2 TDs)

John Tyler

WR Ke'Andre Street, Sr., 6-2, 200 (15 catches, 410 yards, 4 TDs; committed to Houston)
OL Chance Billington, Sr., 6-4, 275 (committed to Louisiana-Monroe)
ATH Kitan Crawford, Jr., 5-10, 180 (8 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD; 8 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBUs)
RB/CB Cameron Grant, Sr., 5-10, 185 (39 carries, 416 yards, 5 TDs; 16 tackles, 1 INT, 9 PBUs)
RB Roderick Hawkins, Sr., 5-8, 190 (70 carries, 572 yards, 5 TDs; 6 catches, 95 yards)
QB Devlen Woods, Sr., 5-8, 170 (44 of 80, 979 yards, 10 TDs, 2 INTs; 29 carries, 133 yards, 2 TDs)
DT Ja'Bralen Yarber, Sr., 6-1, 280 (33 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack, 10 QB pressures; committed to Northwestern State)
DE Christian Hartsfield, Sr., 5-10, 221 (34 tackles, 10 for loss, 5 sacks, 1 blocked punt)

Just the facts

The cumulative record of McKinney North's 2018 opponents is 22-37 (.373).
McKinney North is averaging 39.6 points and 447.4 yards per game -- 272.6 rushing and 174.8 passing.
The Bulldogs have six players with at least two receiving touchdowns.
McKinney North is allowing 31.9 points and 368.3 yards per game -- 149.4 rushing and 218.9 passing.
The cumulative record of John Tyler's 2018 opponents is 20-23 (.465).
John Tyler is averaging 36 points and 455.9 yards per game -- 262.7 rushing and 193.2 passing.
Ten Lions players have at least 0.5 sacks this season.
John Tyler is allowing 26.2 points per game, has 19 sacks, and has forced seven turnovers -- three interceptions and four fumbles.

Key matchup: McKinney North rushing attack vs. John Tyler defensive front. The McKinney North offense is coming into Friday's game clicking on just about all cylinders. The Bulldogs are averaging 63 points per game during their current three-game winning streak. And the biggest reason for its midseason offensive eruption has been a powerful running game. McKinney North has gone for at least 370 yards on the ground in each of the last three games, and it's getting production from a variety of players. Running backs Hunter Chae and Manny Fincher have combined for 1,453 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Cam Constantine, half of the Bulldogs' two-man rotation at quarterback, has run for 554 yards and three scores. McKinney North's defense has been shaky for most of the season, so shortening the game with a strong rushing attack will be a big priority Friday night.

John Tyler, which had its bye last week, has had some extra time to rest and study up on this week's opponent, which could be a huge advantage for the Lions. The strength of John Tyler's defense all season long has been its front, and it will be challenged once again with one of the most physical offenses it's faced up to this point. If John Tyler can force McKinney North to the air more than usual (20 attempts per game), the Lions should be in good shape to remain unbeaten in district.

Don't be surprised if: John Tyler has a few opportunities to exploit with its downfield passing game. Lions senior quarterback Devlen Woods hasn't been asked to pass often with an average of just 13 attempts per game. But when he does connect in the passing game, big plays are the likely result. Woods enters this week averaging 22 yards per completion, and he throws for a touchdown every four attempts. With a big-play target like receiver and Houston commit Ke'Andre Street, who is averaging almost 30 yards per catch, there will always be a chance for something explosive in the passing game.