(2) Bartlett (5-1, 3-0 Region 8-6A) at (5) Houston (4-2, 2-1)
What to expect: This one won’t be for the faint of heart as two of the area’s top offenses meet in a key region contest.
Bartlett, which is ranked second in the Daily Memphian Dandy Dozen, has won five in a row after a season-opening loss to MUS. They were shut out in that one but have been on a roll since, thanks in large part to running back Geron Johnson, who has gained 895 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in the last four. Jade Kneeland is emerging as a big-play receiver and junior quarterback Kam Alexander looks to be settling into his starting role.
All three contribute to a Panthers offense that is averaging an area-best 375.6 yards per game.
Defensively, Bartlett is led by senior linebackers David Milburn (53 total tackles, 16 for lost yardage) and Lance Taylor (46 total tackles, five sacks). Two-time all-state defensive back Devin Rutherford Jr. and freshman Derrecas Henson Jr. have each picked off three passes.
All of those guys will need to deliver against a Houston team which is just three points away from being undefeated; the Mustangs lost to South Panola by two points in Week 2 and to Germantown by one in Week 3.
In the other games, Houston has scored 42, 42, 48, and 38 points. Junior Chandler Day — who has started since his freshman year — triggers it all from the quarterback spot. Running back Damon Sisa racked up 234 all-purpose yards in last week’s victory over a strong Tupelo team while D.J. Miller caught six passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns. In all, Houston rolled up 433 yards — putting them 10th overall at 308.4 per game — and will be full of confidence after scoring with two seconds left to pull out a 38-33 victory.
Bartlett won last year’s game, 34-24, while Houston prevailed in 2021 by the score of 9-6. E... Click here to read full article
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