Resurgent Whitehouse Opens District 17-5A Play at Ennis

DISTRICT 17-5A

Whitehouse Wildcats (4-1)

vs.

Ennis Lions (3-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Lion Memorial Stadium, Ennis

Coaches

• Whitehouse: Adam Cook
• Ennis: Jack Alvarez

Last week

• Whitehouse: idle
• Ennis: idle

Next week

• Whitehouse: vs. Jacksonville, Oct. 14
• Ennis: vs. Lindale, Oct. 14

Playmakers

Whitehouse

• QB Tanner Roach, Sr., 6-0, 170 (41 of 74, 555 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs; 16 carries, 118 yards, 2 TDs)
• WR Zach Parker, Sr., 6-1, 190 (28 catches, 488 yards, 6 TDs)
• LB Isaac Little, Sr., 6-0, 195 (52 tackles, 7 for loss, 2 sacks, 2 INTs)
• CB Javier Neal, Jr., 5-10, 155 (27 tackles, 1 for loss, 3 INTs, 2 PBUs, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery)
• DE Khyree Key, Sr., 6-2, 243 (35 tackles, 8 for loss, 3 sacks, 1 QB pressure, 2 forced fumbles, 2 recoveries)
• CB Ken'tavian McDade, Jr., 5-10, 178 (12 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble)
• LB Connor Clark, Sr., 5-11, 160 (27 tackles, 1 QB pressure, 4 PBUs)
• DL Christian Owens, Jr., 6-2, 255 (29 tackles, 9 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 QB pressure)

Ennis

• RB Tycen Thompson, Jr., 5-9, 170 (75 carries, 616 yards, 4 TDs; 11 catches, 108 yards)
• RB Kyre Holloway, Jr., 6-0, 190 (58 carries, 536 yards, 6 TDs; 3 catches, 29 yards, 1 TD)
• WR JT Mackey, Sr., 6-3, 195 (12 catches, 304 yards, 3 TDs)
• QB Kademon Graff, Jr., 5-9, 150 (40 of 89, 545 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs)
• LB Brandon Bata, Sr., 5-10, 185 (47 tackles, 4 for loss, 2 sacks, 2 QB pressures, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery)
• DB Kevion Gabriel, Jr., 5-10, 180 (15 tackles, 2 for loss, 3 INTs, 1 PBU)
• DB Chris McDonald, Jr., 6-2, 185 (19 tackles, 1 for loss, 2 QB pressures, 2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery)
• DT Jaylan Hill, Sr., 6-2, 275 (13 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks, 4 QB pressures, 1 forced fumble)

Just the facts

• Whitehouse is averaging 31.6 points and 319.6 yards per game -- 102.4 rushing and 217.2 passing.
• The Wildcats are allowing 19.4 points per game.
• The cumulative record of Whitehouse's five non-district opponents is 10-17.
• Whitehouse has forced 16 turnovers on the season -- seven fumbles and nine interceptions.
• Ennis is averaging 33 points and 402 yards per game -- 281.4 rushing and 120.6 passing.
• The Lions are allowing 25.4 points per game.
• The cumulative record of Ennis' five non-district opponents is 16-11.
• Ennis has forced 13 turnovers on the season -- five fumbles and eight interceptions.

Key matchup: Ennis rushing attack vs. Whitehouse defensive front. There's no secret the Ennis' offensive game plan: the Lions want to establishing its powerful ground assault anchored by the district's best one-two punch out of the backfield. Ennis backs Tycen Thompson and Kyre Holloway, who each played pivotal roles on the team last season, are enjoying even greater success in 2016. Coming into Friday's game, both Thompson and Holloway are on pace to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards during the regular season. Thompson leads the team with 616 yards and four touchdowns, while Holloway has rushed for a team-best six touchdowns with 536 rushing yards. Combined, the duo is averaging a whopping 8.7 yards per carry. If Ennis can successfully establish its running game, it could be a long night for the Whitehouse defense.

So far this season, Whitehouse has been carried by its defense. The Wildcats are holding opponents to less than 20 points per game, and have forced 16 turnovers in just five games. Whitehouse's opponents have experienced major difficulties in running the ball, and the Wildcats' defensive front has been the biggest reason why. Whitehouse has racked up an incredible 37 tackles for loss, which is an average of almost eight per game. Keeping Ennis' run-oriented offense off schedule with second- and third-and-longs will be a must if Whitehouse is to grab the win. It will be important for players like linemen Khyree Key and Christian Owens, and linebackers Isaac Little and Connor Clark to maintain their stellar level of play this week.

Don't be surprised if: Whitehouse quarterback Tanner Roach is the X-factor. While both starting quarterbacks in this game have made their fair share of big plays this season, Roach brings an added dimension to the table with his ability to use his legs to extend drives. Roach was out of action for a game because of an injury, but returned two weeks ago in the Wildcats' non-district finale against Kennedale, and delivered a strong performance. Roach passed for a season-high 260 yards and threw for two touchdowns to help Whitehouse to an impressive 31-21 win. With Ennis likely playing a heavy dose of coverage, expect Roach to take off from the pocket more often Friday night.