The Cooldown: Week Four
Cover Photo via @FBISDAthletics on Twitter
While some area teams had their bye week, storms knocked out all of the Thursday night games. Despite the byes and cancellations, we still had some great games. We’ll look at three of those below.
1. Manvel Avenges 2018 Loss
Our game of the week did not disappoint. For the second year in a row, the showdown of Houston heavyweights came down to the final drive. After winning in overtime in 2018, Marshall had a chance to win the game on a Hail Mary, but the pass fell incomplete Manvel held on for a 38-34 win.
Marshall got another great night from Devon Achane, who finished with 25 carries for 203 yards and two scores. He also caught six balls for 95 yards and two more touchdowns.
For the Mavs, Tucker Yarbrough racked up 188 yards and three scores through the air to help put Marshall away.
Manvel lost to Marshall in an overtime thriller last season and went on to lose to Huntsville in the second round of the playoffs. Marshall escaped that Manvel game and made a run all the way to the state championship game. For the Mavs, a win over one of the top teams in the area could be a teller of things to come: It will be interesting to see come mid-November if Manvel can make another run to the state title game.
This sack from Kaelon Cox helped put the game away. Had Marshall quarterback Malik Hornsby been able to complete a pass on that play, the Buffs would have had less of a desperation heave and a better chance of getting in the end zone on the final play.
2. Stratford Takes Down Cypress Ridge
With nine teams in a district that has just four playoff spots, every district win is important. Stratford outlasted Cy-Ridge 27-17 last week to remain just one of three teams in the always interesting District 17-6A to start 2-0 in district play.
It’s an important win for the Spartans given that they will face Cypress Creek in week five. Creek was the surprise of the 2018 playoffs, making it to the fourth round despite sneaking into the final playoff spot in 17-6A. They’ve had a little bit of a rough start, but are 1-1 in district play and coming off a big 53-9 win against Jersey Village.
Stratford’s showdown with the Cougars will be one of the better games in week five. AJ Abbott torched Cy-Ridge to the tune of four touchdowns last week, and will look to do the same against Cy-Creek.
3. Tompkins Keeps Rolling
After a tough round three loss in 2018, Tompkins looks ready to make another deep run in 2019. The Falcons kept things rolling with a 70-21 win against Clear Creek in week four, and the closest game Tompkins has played in was a 42-24 win against a good Klein Cain team.
Jalen Milroe only needed seven plays to put the game away. His night ended early after completing three of his four passes for 94 yards and a touchdown while adding 128 yards on three carries. All three of his carries went for touchdowns.
The Falcons will take on Seven Lakes next week to open district play before a massive week six showdown with nationally ranked Katy.