Two More Makes Four

We might as well add two more running backs to the list of players that will likely end their high school careers in the all-time top twenty rushers.

San Antonio Reagan running back Marcus Wright, who has a career total of 6,677 yards, is only 112 yards from breaking into the top twenty (about one quarter's worth of rushing yardage for him), while Weslaco running back Mishak Rivas is 190 yards from cracking the top twenty with 6,599 for his career.

Both of these outstanding backs have made two hundred plus rushing games common place this season and each should be expected to end their careers among the state's elite ball carriers. Depending on how long each team remains in the playoffs, both players could potentially reach the top fifteen or higher.

RB Rodgers Moves up on Rushing List

We mentioned in an earlier post that Giddings quarterback Brock Fitzhenry has moved into 13th place on the Texas high school all-time rushing list. After last week, Rosenberg Lamar Consolidated running back Jacquizz Rodgers has now surpassed Shaud Williams of Andrews to move into 9th place on the all-time list with just over 7,700 yards according to the Houston Chronicle.

Next week he should pass the legendary Billy Sims of Hooks and Bradley Stephens of McAllen Memorial to move into 7th place. Should Rodgers, who is verbally committed to Oregon State, and his Mustang teammates continue to advance in the playoffs, there is a good chance the diminutive running back could wind up in 5th place on the list behind Cuero's Robert Strait.

For those not familiar with Rodgers, check out this video from the Mustang's earlier playoff victory against Dickinson.

Fitzhenry Finishes in Top Twenty

Before the start of the season we noted that class 3A Gidding's quarterback Brock Fitzhenry had a good shot to move into the top five of the Texas high school football all-time rushing list with a little luck and barring injury.

Although events conspired against him, he did move into the top twenty. Fitzhenry sat out last night's 28-19 loss to West Orange-Stark with an ankle injry and ended the season with 1,793 yards, about 1,000 short of last years' total.

That was good enough to move him into thirteenth on the all-time list with 7,271 career rushing yards, just behind Jacoby Jones of Bangs.

Classes 5A, 4A, Left Defenseless

When Southlake Carroll went DII this year, it assured there would be a new class 5A DI champion. After last night's action it is assured there will be new champions crowned in both divisions of classes 4 and 5A.

Carroll took care of defending 5A DII champion Cedar Hill, 38-17, while defending 4A champions Alamo Heights and La Marque went down to New Braunfels (35-3) and Lumberton (24-21) respectively.

Wichita Falls Rider Does it Again

Just like they did last year, Wichita Falls Rider lost to Stephenville during the regular season, then knocked them out of the playoffs. This time they won a wild one at Justin Northwest High School Friday night.

Rider led 16-0 at halftime, holding Stephenville to 95 yards of total offense, but the Yellow Jackets turned the tables in the second half, piling up 340 yards of total offense and having a chance to pull out the victory late in the game before Rider came through with three consecutive sacks to end Stephenville's last drive.

Weather Could Play a Role This Weekend

A strong cold front swept through the state just in time for this weekend's football, and it could play a role in many of the high school football playoff games this weekend. Snow fell in the Panhandle and much of West Texas on Thursday and is continuing to fall on Friday, and while the weather looks OK in other parts of the state (other than the cold temperatures) on Friday, Saturday looks to be another weather mess, as rain will return. There's an 80% chance fo rain in the Houston area Saturday, while the DFW metroplex is also expecting an 80% chance of cold rain.

This could tilt the scales to the teams who tend to rely more on the ground game, while hampering those that run the "en vogue" spread offense.

Wherever you are, bring plenty of warm weather gear and a few extra blankets. We'll be on hand for Wichita Falls Rider vs. Stephenville at Justin NW High School tonight and Lewisville Hebron vs. DeSoto at Birdville High School tomorrow. Stay warm!