Class 6A
Matchup: Houston (11-2) at Brentwood (13-0)
How they got here: Houston defeated Dickson County, 47-0, in the first round; defeated Collierville, 40-7, in the second round; and defeated Germantown, 30-10, in the quarterfinals. Brentwood defeated Cane Ridge, 28-7; defeated Summit, 38-14; and defeated Ravenwood, 27-20.
The rundown: The Mustangs knocked off undefeated Germantown last week and will now have to spoil another team’s perfect season in order to reach the BlueCross Bowl for the first time in school history. They’ll have every reason to believe they can.
Quarterback Chandler Day (11 of 16 for 224 yards, three touchdowns), running back Damon Sisa (150 total yards, two scores) and especially receiver Shawne Jones (six catches, 135 yards, one TD) were outstanding against the Red Devils and they are just part of Houston’s bevy of playmakers. Day is a good running option as well and Sisa might be the fastest running back left in the 6A field.
Jones, meanwhile, has terrific size and showed excellent hands and toughness in the Germantown game. But others — notably running back Celley Davis and receivers Andre Allen, Wes Haynes and Owen Waggener — bring much to the table as well and it makes Houston a very tough team to scheme against.
And, arguably, the defense has been even more impressive. Travis Shaw leads an aggressive d-line in front of quality linebackers like Waggener and Ben Killebrew. Ladeadrick James and Chyco Williams are just two of the potential game-breakers in the secondary.
It’s about as complete a team as you’ll find and it will need likely its best game of the year against Brentwood. The Bruins boast good size and are well-coached, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They play assignment football and likely won’t do much — if anything — to beat themselves.
Receiver/kick returner Clayton Merrill and running back Matthew Manning are the danger men on offense.
Playing at home will be a big advantage for Brentwood too but James Thomas’ men are extremely battle-tested, having weathered a schedule that includes games against Germantown (twice), Collierville (twice) and Bartlett along with Mississippi powers South Panola and Tupelo.
Worth noting: Houston’s two losses have come by a combined total of just three points. The Mustangs lost to South Panola, 28-26, on Aug. 25 and dropped a 14-13 decision to Germantown the following week.
What’s next: The winner faces either Bradley C... Click here to read full article
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