JACKSONVILLE —

By Jay Neal

sports@jacksonvilleprogress.com





Rusk Eagles (4-3, 0-1) at Palestine Wildcats (4-2, 1-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday at Wildcat Stadium in Palestine

Coaches — Ted Patton, Rusk; Lance Angel, Palestine

Last Week — Fairfield defeated Rusk, 35-13; Palestine was idle

Next Week — Rusk is idle; Palestine at Groesbeck

Game Notes: The Eagles are in a must-win situation this week as they take on a Wildcat team that will be looking to score a Cherokee County Daily Double — PHS has already defeated Jacksonville this season...Rusk will most likely be without the services of QB Kody Stanley who was injured last week...If Stanley can't go, look for Chase Stanley to get the call under center...RB Chaston Bennett, the team's leading rusher,  is listed as probable this week after missing the last two games due to an ankle injury...Rusk has lost its last three games and has been hit hard by the injury bug...The 'Cats are 1-2 at Wildcat Stadium this season.



Chapel Hill Bulldogs (2-5, 1-2) at Bullard Panthers (5-1, 1-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday at Panther Stadium in Bullard

Coaches — Thomas Sitton, Chapel Hill; Shannon Wilson, Bullard

Last Week — Chapel Hill defeated Spring Hill, 52-33; Bullard defeated Gladewater, 26-6

Next Week — Kilgore at Chapel Hill; Bullard at Henderson

Game Notes — With Henderson and Gilmer coming up after this week, the Panthers need a win Friday to have a realistic chance at making the playoffs out of District 16-4A...Bullard held Gladewater to 111 total yards last week... Zack Holladay led the Panthers in tackles (12, 7 solo) while JP Hendrix added 4.

Brent Henderson leads Bullard in the rushing department (61-435, 10 TD)...Bulldog runners tallied an impressive 411 yards, collectively, in last week's victory.



Troup Tigers (6-0, 1-0) at Tatum Eagles (5-1, 1-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday at Eagle Stadium in Tatum

Coaches — Dennis Alexander, Troup; Andy Evans, Tatum

Last Week — Troup defeated Jefferson, 26-21; Tatum defeated White Oak, 28-21

Next Week —  White Oak at Troup; Tatum at Sabine

Game Notes: The winner of this one would have an early advantage on the winning the district title...The all-time series is tied 3-3 between the two schools, but Tatum has won the last three meetings...Each team has defeated Arp by exactly 20 points this year...Tatum will have to to be able to stop the run, something they struggled to do in their only loss (vs. Center, 43-30). Troup has answered every challenge presented to them this year...Troup hasn't started 7-0 in six years...Tiger QB Blake Lynch passed for nearly 300 yards in last week’s win.



Dallas Christian Chargers (6-0, 3-0) at Brook Hill Guard (5-1, 3-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday at Herrington Stadium in Bullard

Coaches — Mike Wheeler, Dallas Christian; Terry Pirtle, Brook Hill

Last Week — Dallas Christian defeated Car. Prince of Peace, 56-0; Brook Hill defeated CH-Trinity Christian, 33-24

Next Week – Dallas Shelton at Dallas Christian; Brook Hill at Parish Episcopal

Game Notes: The Guard will probably be facing the toughest defense they have seen all season...The Charger defenders have allowed just 56 points this season...Dallas Christian has already defeated Parish Episcopal, so with a win this week the Chargers would be the favorite to take the TAPPS Division II, District 2 title...On the other hand, if Brook Hill could pull a victory out of the fire, next week's game with Parish Episcopal could be for the league bragging rights.