Tyler Lee Hosts North Garland With Chance To Take Control Of Playoff Spot

DISTRICT 11-6A

North Garland Raiders (3-4, 1-3)

vs.

Tyler Lee Red Raiders (3-4, 2-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, Tyler

Coaches

• North Garland: Joe Castillo
• Tyler Lee: Darrell Piske

Last week

• North Garland: lost to Rowlett, 45-6
• Tyler Lee: def. Garland, 51-47

Next week

• North Garland: vs. Garland, Oct. 30
• Tyler Lee: at Rockwall, Oct. 30

Playmakers

North Garland

• OL/DL Salvador Romero, Sr., 6-1, 230
• QB Zach Duffey, Sr., 5-9, 150 (58-108, 752 yards, 9 TDs, 4 INTs)
• RB  Dominique Pierce, Sr., 5-5, 148 (85 carries, 513 yards, 4 TDs)
• WR Ladaireon Rose, Sr., 6-1, 165 (30 catches, 401 yards, 6 TDs)

Tyler Lee

• QB Zach Hall, Sr., 5-11, 170 (4 games played, 47-82, 962 yards, 8 TDs, 0 INTs, 55 carries, 379 yards, 4 TDs)
• RB Tavon Wesley, Sr., 5-11, 190 (78 carries, 546 yards, 11 TDs)
• RB/WR Datavion Thacker, Sr., 5-9, 180 (9 catches, 394 yards, 5 TDs; 35 carries, 330 yards, 1 TD)
• WR Isjuwan Barker, Sr., 6-2, 180 (29 catches, 461 yards, 6 TDs)
• WR Tyrec Grayson, Sr., 5-8, 145 (22 catches, 536 yards, 4 TDs, 29 carries, 313 yards, 5 TDs)
• WR/DB Mason Parker, Sr., 5-10, 165 (815catches, 19 yards, 23 carries, 161 yards, 1 TD)
• LB Campbell Miller, Jr., 6-2, 245
• DL John Samples III, Sr., 6-3, 250

Just the facts

• Tyler Lee rallied in the fourth quarter of each of its last two games to reach .500 against District 11-6A competition.
• The Red Raiders are currently in a three-way tie for third place with their 2-2 district record. Only the top four teams from the league will reach the playoffs.
• Two of Lee's final three games, including North Garland, will be against teams with losing records within the district.
• North Garland was winless last season, so its current campaign has already been a major improvement.
• Through seven games, Lee has the second-most productive offense among 11-6A teams. The team is five points behind Sachse with 324.
• Senior quarterback Zach Hall is back in the fold. He was initially thought to be lost for the season after the Red Raiders' win against John Tyler with a knee injury, but he returned last week to guide the team to a win against Garland.
• The magic number for Lee to reach the postseason last year -- with help the final night of the regular season -- was four wins.

Key matchup: Tyler Lee's offense versus North Garland's defense.

Win or lose, the Red Raiders have thrashed defenses all season. They have never scored less than 35 points, and they have put up more than 50 points in the past two games.

North Garland has a middle-of-the-road defense as far as District 11-6A is concerned. It allows about 34 points per game.

Quarterback Zach Hall's return has not changed Lee's strategy. Sophomore backup Chance Amie put up remarkably similar numbers in his three starts.

However, Hall has the experience factor. He has started since he was a sophomore.

Hall has averaged nearly 100 rushing yards and 240 passing yards per start.

In addition to Hall's services, Lee has four players with more than 300 rushing yards and three players with more than 300 receiving yards.

Don't be surprised if: Tyler Lee's defense turns in its absolute best performance of the season. The Red Raiders will have a size advantage against the opposing key offensive skill players. North Garland also has the second-lowest point total among teams in the district, an average of 22.6 points per game.