Wylie soccer travels to Grapevine in return to the playoffs
Wylie Bulldogs (4-3) at Grapevine Mustangs (8-3)
7 P.M. FRIDAY * MUSTANG-PANTHER STADIUM, GRAPEVINE * KEAN-FM 105.1
What is driving on the match: Wylie is seeking for its first playoff acquire considering that beating Kennedale in the 2016 Course 4A Division I condition semifinal. The Bulldogs dropped the condition title game to Carthage and fell in the initial round of the 2017 playoffs in opposition to Decatur right before lacking out on the postseason the previous two several years. Grapevine misplaced in the 1st round of the playoffs previous year soon after reaching the 2018 Region I-5A Division I semifinals in 2018. Their past time in Division II, in 2017, Grapevine lost in the next spherical to eventual point out champion Aledo. Wylie and Grapevine hardly ever have performed in soccer.
A lot more:Wylie football’s receiving corps aiding lead demand into the postseason
Last week: The Bulldogs were being left ready for Lubbock-Cooper to beat Wichita Falls Higher to punch their playoff ticket. Their last time out two weeks in the past, they put together a total effectiveness, beating Plainview 48-. Grapevine finished its fantastic operate by means of District 4-5A Division II with a 56-8 acquire towards Fort Worthy of Wyatt.
Additional:Wylie soccer shuts out Plainview, retains playoff hopes alive
Scouting Grapevine: The Mustangs dropped down immediately after a two-calendar year stint in Division I and have place with each other an impressive year. Immediately after dropping its to start with two video games, Grapevine went on a 7-game winning streak. Its only reduction came against Lancaster, an extra sport when Fort Well worth Trimble had to forfeit. QB Max Cowgill (144 of 224) has thrown for 1,733 yards and has 25 TDs to just 5 interceptions. Caleb Texada (94-890, 11 TDs) leads the ground attack when Ben Gair (48-606, 10 TDs) is the best obtaining target. In the 10 gamesm Grapevine permitted 22.5 details for every activity.
Bulldogs update: Following back again-to-back losses to Canyon Randall and Lubbock-Cooper, Wylie bounced back again in a massive way to shut out Plainview and score a year large in details. The past high came prior to the two-activity skid, with 44 details versus Wichita Falls Substantial. QB Balin Valentine passed the 1,000-yard mark and has thrown for 10 TDs in seven games. He also has an additional 209 yards and four TDs hurrying. Receivers Reed Hughes, Creed Cooper and Jahzair George have more than 200 yards obtaining each and have merged to catch 8 TDs. Noah Beach front (71-286, 2 TDs) and Josh Carpenter (48-283, 4 TDs) have arrive on as the top two backs for Wylie.
Much more:Wylie quarterback Balin Valentine proving the spotlight is just not far too bright
What the Bulldogs want to do to earn: The protection has been reliable all time very long, permitting 14 or much less details in all four wins. Even in the losses, the Bulldogs allowed only 28 factors to Randall and 21 to Lubbock Cooper. With the protection keeping up its stop, achievement falls on the shoulders of the offense. Valentine and Co. have proven they are much more than capable of putting up points, regularity has been the issue. If the offense will get going, the Bulldogs will.
Jordan Hofeditz’s prediction: Wylie 38, Grapevine 35
Jordan Hofeditz handles Abilene significant educational institutions and schools, Big Country universities and other area sports. Abide by him on Twitter at @jhofeditz.