Heating up with a three-game winning streak, the Farmers face their biggest challenge so far this season, matching up against the Coppell Cowboys; the only other team undefeated in District 6A-5.
The Cowboys tread into Max Goldsmith Stadium this Friday with an undefeated 6-0 record (3-0 in district). Coppell comes into this season with a vengeance after going undefeated last season and losing in the third round of the playoffs in a cinematic game against Byron Nelson ending with a score of 52-45.
“I think [Coppell’s record] definitely has an effect, if it’s negative or positive, I think we try to attack it as a positive,” junior running back Tenel Hill said. “It gives us more momentum and more like a nothing to lose mentality. They have it all, and we want to take it from them.”
The Cowboys left week six with a 59-14 win over Little Elm (0-6), dominating on the ground with 214 total rushing yards (8.9 yards per carry) and three rushing touchdowns. Even with an unusually low volume passing game for Coppell’s standards, senior quarterback Edward Griffin continues to lead this team and perfect the passing game by completing eight of 10 passes for 169 yards and four passing touchdowns. Griffin has yet to throw an interception since the Cowboys’ week two win against Waxahachie, now having a touchdown-interception ratio of 20-2 (10-1) this season and leading the district in passing yards (1,348 passing yards).
“At the end of the day, it’s a big game on the outside, but on the inside, it’s just a regular game,” senior linebacker Michael Cooper said. “It’s just about who wants it more.”
Defensively, the Cowboys have held their opponents to 20 points per game, much less than the Farmer’s have been averaging on offense, at an explosive 39 points per game and about 42 points per game in the team’s three-game win streak. This win streak has lit a flame under the team after recovering from back-to-back losses against Byron Nelson and Rockwall. Since those losses, the team has proven its potential on both offense and defense, especially in last week’s matchup against the Flower Mound Jaguars.
“We help each other, one another on the field,” Cooper said. “Make this check, make this call. Once we all know that, you start seeing stuff everywhere like picks, fumbles, tackles for loss, all that.”
This Farmer’s team has been shot out a cannon, outscoring its last three opponents 128-61, and in last week’s matchup, the team blew past Flower Mound with a tune of 45-17. The offensive barrage was led by District 5-6A rushing yards leader, Hill. Hill led the Farmer backfield with 227 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The dominant rushing game was backed up on the other side of the ball, holding the Jaguars scoreless after halftime and forcing three turnovers throughout the contest. Senior defensive back D’Angelo King continues to make big plays for the Farmers, intercepting a pass in the second quarter and bolting down the field to score for the Farmers, extending the lead to 20-13.
“I feel like it’s going to be a good game,” junior defensive back Kanye Anderson said. “I think we’re going to be all right.”
The passing game wasn’t potent but there was still room for error, which showed as sophomore quarterback Tre Williams ended the game completing eight of 19 passes for 89 yards, one touchdown and an interception. While more efficient performances would be preferred, even in a game with a lower volume passing game, as long as the ball is protected and the Farmers play turnover free, the offense should be able to rely on the running back group that has dominated their competition.
“Me, DJ Martin and Isaiah Wilson are all three good running backs, and we often take it from anywhere on the field,” Hill said. “I feel like any of us will be OK. I don’t think one person defines our team.”
This week’s matchup is big time, determining who leads the district after this week as only one team can leave this week still undefeated in District 5-6A. The Farmer’s defense has been able to consistently create turnovers and shorten offensive drives to this point, but with the Cowboys leading the district in scoring, it’ll be important to see if they can hold up against the Coppell offense. The Farmers running back room has led the offense, but the passing game needs to be efficient enough to open up the offense fully against a strong defense that has allowed the least points in district.
“The way we prepare, it’s going to show off and everybody is going to be able to see the way the chemistry is,” Cooper said. “How we all are together and bring each other up, make sure everybody’s good.”
*stats according to MaxPreps*
