The end to the high school football regular season is here.
The Nacogdoches Dragons will host the Kilgore Bulldogs in the finale at 7:30 tonight at Dragon Stadium.
Win or lose, there will be no playoffs for Nacogdoches (3-6, 0-4).
Kilgore (4-5, 2-2), on the other hand, has a lot on the line. With a win, the Bulldogs will clinch a playoff berth. However, a loss could keep the Bulldogs at home. If Kilgore falls to Nacogdoches and Henderson defeats Whitehouse, Kilgore will advance over Whitehouse. If Kilgore falls to Nacogdoches and Whitehouse defeats Henderson, Henderson will advance over Kilgore.
"That's the situation we have put ourselves in," Kilgore head coach Mike Vallery said. "We want to take care of our business and not have to worry about what else happens. We need to go out and play a good football game."
Despite Nacogdoches' winless mark in District 14-4A play, Vallery thinks the Dragons are a talented football team that could give his team problems.
"We've never discussed their record," the coach said. "We've watched them on tape and see what they do, and they have good football players and are a heck of a football team. We have been looking at the match-ups, and they have a lot of size up front on offense and defense. It's kind of scary, all he size they have.
"It's a district ball game, and when Kilgore and Nacogdoches play, it is always a good football game. I don't think this one is going to be any different."
Kilgore running back Ladarius Anthony left last week's 28-10 loss to Jacksonville early with a shoulder injury. Vallery said the sophomore who has rushed for for 1,231 yards and 21 touchdowns on 166 carries is "fine and should be ready to roll."
That will be a concern for the Dragons, who have allowed more than 200 yards rushing in each of their four district games.
Tonight is "Senior Night," the final high school game for 22 Dragon seniors — Ty Feaster, Courtney Patton, Blake Farrell, Jerimichael Smith, Antonio Lathan, Demarcus Adams, Chris Parks, Andrew Patton, Tim Wilson, Brendan Rich, D'Aundre Garrett, Damion Leonard, Jeremy Alexander, Alex Howard, Jay Garrett, Jeffrey Hopson, Jacory Scroggins, Tony Holmes, Mike Chamberlain, Brandon Hughes, Matthew Hopkins and LaBryant Johnson.
Kilgore Bulldogs at Nacogdoches Dragons
7:30 tonight, Dragon Stadium
Coaches: Bill Harper, Nacogdoches; Mike Vallery, Kilgore.
Records: Nacogdoches is 3-6, 0-4. Kilgore is 4-5, 2-2.
Last week: Nacogdoches lost to Whitehouse 42-14. Kilgore fell to Jacksonville 28-10.
Key players: Nacogdoches: QB Courtney Patton: The senior threw touchdown passes, with no interceptions last week. If he can have a repeat performance, the Dragons have a chance to win their first district game. RB D'Aundre Garrett: The senior has led the Dragons in rushing yards this season. He has shown the ability to break big runs if given the opportunity. The ball needs to be put into his hands close to 20 times tonight. TE/DE LaBryant Johnson: He has been a force on both sides of the football this season. He is the Dragons' leading receiver, as well as one of the team leaders in sacks. Look for him to go out with a bang. LB Blake Farrell: A leader for the Dragons, this senior has made several big plays. Don't be surprised to see him make one big hit and force a turnover tonight. Kilgore: RB Ladarius Anthony: The sophomore has been a nightmare for opposing defenses all year. He has rushed for 1,231 yards and 21 touchdowns on 166 carries. QB Riley Toder: Another sophomore, Toder will need to be efficient when asked to throw. He's not going to have to throw the ball much, but when he does, he needs to make sure it's to his own team. He has thrown only two touchdowns, opposed to six interceptions. DEF Shawn Williams: The sophomore leads the Bulldogs with 89 tackles and three interceptions. DEF Breon Ector: The junior leads the Bulldogs with three sacks.
Radio: KJ 103.3 FM.
Prediction: Kilgore 30, Nacogdoches 22.
