DISTRICT 17-5A 

Ennis Lions (2-3, 0-0)

vs.

Whitehouse Wildcats (3-2, 0-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Wildcat Stadium, Whitehouse

Coaches

  • Ennis: Jack Alvarez
  • Whitehouse: Adam Cook

Last week

  • Ennis: BYE
  • Whitehouse: BYE

Next week

  • Ennis: at Lindale, Oct. 20
  • Whitehouse: at Jacksonville, Oct. 20

Playmakers

Ennis

  • RB Tycen Thompson, Sr., 5-10, 180 (79 carries, 457 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs, 83 receiving yards)
  • DB Kevion Gabriel, Sr., 5-10, 185
  • OL Jordan McCray, Jr., 6-3, 295
  • LB K.D. Davis, Sr., 6-0, 195
  • DB Chris McDonald, Sr., 6-2, 195
  • RB James Harris, Jr., 5-9, 205 (53 carries, 438 yards, 4 TDs)

Whitehouse

  • WR Cameron Cantrell, Jr., 6-1, 175 (28 catches, 350 yards, 6 TDs; committed to Texas Tech)
  • DL Trevor Lawrence, Sr., 6-5, 245 (34 tackles, 6 for loss, 1 forced fumble; committed to Texas State)
  • DL Mitchell Melrose, Sr., 6-5, 250 (26 tackles, 6 for loss, 2 sacks, 4 QB pressures)
  • RB Clayton Cook, Sr., 5-9, 175 (80 carries, 415 yards, 6 TDs)
  • WR/DB Javier Neal, Sr., 5-10, 155 (7 catches, 138 yards, 1 TD; 15 tackles, 2 INTs, 5 PBUs)
  • DL Christian Owens, Sr., 6-3, 260 (28 tackles, 14 for loss, 1 sack, 5 QB pressures, 1 forced fumble)
  • QB Jake Clemons, Sr., 6-1, 170 (72 of 116, 771 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INTs)
  • DL Darius Trimble, Jr., 5-11, 250 (47 tackles, 8 for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery, 1 PBU)

Just the facts

  • In its three victories, Whitehouse has given up an average of 10 points. This is compared to an average of 49 in its losses.
  • The Wildcats are averaging just more than a sack per game and 9.2 tackles for loss.
  • Ennis loves to run and is putting up 257 yards on the ground per game to go with 18 rushing TDs.
  • The Lions surrendered 82 points in Week 4 to Kimball.
  • Ennis holds a 3-1 record against Whitehouse since 2012, having won the past three matches.
  • Last year the Lions won, 24-21.
Whitehouse's Peyton Kennedy (30) forces a fumble from Carthage receiver Dee Bowens during the first quarter of their game Friday night in Whitehouse. (© ETSN.fm)
Whitehouse's Peyton Kennedy (30) forces a fumble from Carthage receiver Dee Bowens. (© ETSN.fm)
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Key matchup: Ennis ground game against the Whitehouse rush. It's no secret that Ennis like to run the ball. For the most part, the Lions have been effective at doing so this season. Tycen Thompson and James Harris both have more than 400 yards rushing through five games.

Simply put, if the Ennis offense is to get going, it's going to do so with its legs.

On the other hand, Whitehouse has been ferocious on defense at times this season. With the exception of its two losses (in which the competition was quite stiff), the Wildcats have had no problem putting a stop to the run. Christian Owens, Darius Trimble and Mitchell Melrose have looked great this season. Trevor Lawrence is committed to Texas State.

It's going to be tough for Ennis to get much going against this defensive front. However, if the Lions can, they might have the key to opening district play with a win.

Don't be surprised if: Clayton Cook leads the Wildcats on offense. He has been the most consistent threat for Whitehouse this year. His lowest yardage total came two weeks ago against Kennedale. Even then, he managed 52 yards on only seven carries.

He trails only quarterback Jake Clemons for the most touchdowns on the team this season, with six. If the line gives him room, Cook could have a huge game in a Wildcats win.

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