The Whitesboro and Pottsboro football teams have a few things in common.
In addition to both having ”boro” at the end of their names, the Bearcats and Cardinals each have 5-3 overall records and identical 1-2 marks in District 5-3A Division I play. That will change Friday night.
”This is a big rivalry game in which anything can happen,” Pottsboro head coach Matt Poe said. ”It usually comes down to which team plays their best on Friday night.”
Whitesboro hosts Pottsboro at 7 p.m. Friday in a contest that will likely determine which team advances to the postseason and which sees its season end next week.
The Bearcats close out the regular season at Dallas A+ Academy on Thursday, Nov. 5, while the Cardinals host Dallas Life Oak Cliff on Friday, Nov. 6.
”(A win) sure helps,” Whitesboro head coach Cody Fagan said. ”We are treating this game like it is Game 1 of the postseason.”
Last week, Whitesboro lost to Gunter, 34-10, while Pottsboro routed A+ Academy, 48-8. The Cardinals snapped a two-game losing streak with the win.
”It always feels good to get a win,” Poe said. ”Winning always helps with a confidence boost.”
Both Whitesboro and Pottsboro have losses to Gunter. However, Pilot Point defeated the Cardinals, 34-6, in the district opener for both teams, while the Bearcats beat Pilot Point, 34-14, the following week.
In last week’s loss to Gunter, Scout Regelean scored Whitesboro’s only touchdown and rushed 23 times for 90 yards. Victor Chavez kicked a field goal and recorded six tackles.
Other offensive leaders for the Bearcats included Colt Fagan, who passed for 91 yards; Wyatt Winchester, who caught two passes for 58 yards; and Camron Howard, who had three receptions for 27 yards.
Defensive leaders included Howard with 10 tackles, Shayne Gabbert with nine tackles and an interception, and Elias Degraffenreed and Korbin Ross with eight tackles each.
”Our kids didn’t back down,” Fagan said. ”The willingness to lay it on the line translates going forward.”
In Pottsboro’s rout of A+ Academy, Brayden Sheffield passed for 230 yards and four touchdowns while adding 30 rushing yards and a touchdown. Brody Burdette rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown, while Tripp Watson caught three passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns.
Trae Pocza added 30 rushing yards and a touchdown. Evan Roebuck caught two passes for 49 yards and a touchdown, Corbin Robison had three receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown, and Brady Wynn caught two passes for 49 yards.
”Pottsboro is a well-coached team that has a history of success,” Fagan said. ”They will play good sound defense and be good at what they do offensively.”
Poe offered similar praise for the Bearcats.
”Whitesboro has a really good football team,” Poe said. ”They are disciplined and play at a fast pace.”
Both coaches emphasized the importance of execution in Friday’s matchup.
”We need to clean up the fundamental things that can cause big problems like blocking and tackling,” Fagan said. ”We need to take care of the football and play good, sound fundamental football in all three phases of the game.”
”We will need to play our best game of the year to have a chance to win the game,” Poe said.
Source: Freepik.com