The varsity football team (1-1 overall) looks to round out its non-district schedule with a victory when Mesquite (1-1) comes to town on Friday, Sept. 9. Two weeks into the season, the team’s strongest attributes are starting to come into picture: a balanced offense with a strong rushing game and a stout defensive line.

Last week’s 31-17 loss at home against the Highland Park Scots, who improved to 2-0 on the year, presented a key issue for the Farmers to learn from: stopping the deep ball. Scots quarterback and Western Michigan commit Brennan Storer found receivers deep down the field on three of his four touchdown passes last Friday, scoring on 54, 69 and 45 yard throws to three different receivers. 

“We have to coach [and] execute better, demand consistency, and play with better awareness,” head football coach Michael Odle said regarding the team’s loss against the Scots.

That makes it of utmost importance to figure out what the secondary struggled with against Highland Park, because Mesquite will have a big play target of their own in wide receiver Jamarion Woods. Woods averaged 112.0 yards per game through his first two games, and the Skeeters’ explosive offense has totaled 69 points compared to Lewsiville’s 45 so far.

“[They have] a big and physical offensive line with a very capable running back,” Odle said. “Their QB can deliver the football all over the field and they can play at a fast pace.”

The Farmers’ defense should be prepared for Mesquite’s offensive attack, especially thanks to the constant pressure that the defensive line has applied against the opposing quarterbacks. Senior defensive lineman Carl Malvo has tallied two sacks and a fumble recovery this season, and his presence in the pocket last week forced a handful of errant throws, including two which were just beyond the reach of junior defensive back Jaydan Hardy.

“Carl is a tireless worker that has simply put in many hours, days and weeks of hard work to get his chance,” Odle said. “He is taking full advantage of the opportunity and plays the game with great effort and enthusiasm.”

Offensively, the varsity team packs a punch in the rushing game thanks to junior running back Viron Ellison and dual-threat senior quarterback Ethan Terrell. The duo scored all four touchdowns on the ground against Naaman Forest in Lewsiville’s opening game, and Ellison currently leads the team in rushing yards with 162 and rushing touchdowns with 3. Terrell has thrown for 244 passing yards and a touchdown while maintaining a 58% completion percentage and staying out of the turnover column.

Ellison, who also gets playing time as a safety, blitzed from deep to sack Storer and stall the Scots’ second drive during the first quarter. His 57-yard touchdown with 10:12 left to go in the third quarter was Lewisiville’s longest play of the night and tied the game at 17-17. Red zone stops and Storer’s arm would seal the win for the Scots from there.

The team will play tonight’s game and enter its rest week before heading to Flower Mound High School on Friday, Sept. 23 to kickoff its district schedule as reigning co-champions.