Wills Point And Canton To Find Out Who Can Slow Down Who In District Opener

For Wills Point Tiger and Canton Eagle fans, it doesn’t get any bigger than this – at least until next week.

"There are three big games this Friday," said Canton head coach Lance Angel, referring to the opening week of district play. "Whoever loses the first district game is playing out of a little bit of a hole."

The other games include the defending district champion Van Vandals in Kemp, and Mineola at Eustace. Of the three games, though, only one pits two 4-1 teams against each other, and that one takes place in Wills Point on Friday. Which brings up one of the concerns for Coach Angel.

"Teams need to win on the road and stay healthy," Angel said. "We have three (district games) on the road this year."

This first one is against a team that has made a quick turn around from last season’s 1-9 finish.

"Everybody in district knew that Wills Point would be a good team this year," Angel said. "Coach Garvin and his staff have done a good job.

"The defense is big and aggressive and the offense is explosive," he continued. "Whether it’s Jurica (junior quarterback Trent Jurica) throwing the ball, or they’re getting the ball to (junior running back Brandon) Morris. They want to get him the ball with screens and quick passes. We don’t have anybody that fast."

"They’ve also got four good receivers to spread the ball around to, but we’ve got to contain Morris and get some stops with pressure. The secondary needs to have a great game.

"They force you to make choices," he explained. "You’re either going to load up to stop Morris, or you’re going to defend the pass."

The Tigers struck the offensive balance most teams say they’re looking for when the team rushed for 164 yards and passed for 169 in a 39-28 win over Kaufman last Friday. Jurica has passed for 832 yards and averages close to five yards per carry. Morris averages more than five yards a carry, and 20 yards per reception. Senior receiver Steven Cunigan is the leading receiver with 26 receptions for 304 yards.

Angel also found a lot to be impressed with on the Tigers defense.

"The Henderson (senior Cyle Henderson) kid at safety is very physical and the two defensive ends (J.K. Wilson and Tanner Sistrunk) have great quickness," Angel explained. "They’ve got good inside linebackers that defend the pass and run. Alex Anderson (senior outside linebacker) is a mismatch problem for receivers trying to block him. He’s very strong."

As awesome as all that sounds, the Tigers’ defense is trying to figure out how to slow down the Eagle’s offense.

"They’re explosive," said head coach Kevin Garvin. "The quarterback (junior Chance Wallace) does a good job of distributing the ball and running the offense, and they’re receivers are still quality."

"I think it starts with (junior receiver, Roy) Denbow."

Through Canton’s game with Quinlan Ford, Denbow led the Eagle receivers with 33 catches for 511 yards and five touchdowns. Trent Termin is right behind with 32 receptions for 379 yards and six touchdowns. Termin also has 30 rushes for 144 yards and five touchdowns.

Wallace, who was named the Class 3A Built Ford Tough Player of the Week for his performance against Quinlan Ford, has completed 105 of 145 passes for 1440 yards and 14 touchdowns in five games. He has found 11 different receivers, and six of those have seven or more receptions.

"They can respond very quickly and put up points," Garvin added about the Eagle offense.

"You have to take the approach of wanting to keep the ball away from them, but you also have to finish the drive, because they will score points."

Garvin said the Eagles have an aggressive approach defensively, using quickness to get to the ball with purpose.

"They’re very sound in what they do," the Tiger coach said. "We were impressed with the athleticism of (outside linebacker Devin) Faber. Jacob Harris is a good player on the inside, and Denbow does a good job at corner. He does a good job on both sides of the ball. The secondary are all good athletes.

"I think it’s also important to do a good job on special teams, and make it a field position game," Garvin added.

Angel’s idea of a good job on special teams might be a little bit different.

"We need to try and make something happen on special teams," Angel said. "Anytime you’re in a game this closely matched, you need to make something happen on special teams."

Wills Point will travel to Kemp next Friday. The Yellowjackets have won two in a row to even their record at 2-2 going into Friday’s game against Van (3-2).

The Eagles will host Eustace for homecoming on October 16. The Bulldogs are 1-4, while Mineola is 3-2.