Sports > Schools
Vital finale: Celina, Argyle to clash for district title
BY Chris O’Dell, codell@starlocalnews.com
After nine games and three district meetings, Argyle and Celina enter Friday night’s showdown with identical records.
With both teams boasting 8-1 marks and a 3-0 record against District 10-3A counterparts, the game also has similar implications for each team: win and earn the district championship or lose and enter the playoffs as a two seed.
“You always want to win,” said Bill Elliott, Celina head coach. “That’s our goal and that’s what we’re going to try and do.”
While the Bobcats have made easy work out of their three district opponents this season, Argyle has been equally as dominant, winning their last three games by a combined score of 179-6.
“They’ve got a great team,” Elliott said. “They will probably be the best team we have faced all year.”
The Eagles are also no stranger to big-game success after winning five straight postseason contests in 2011 before losing to Wimberley, 21-14, in the Class 3A Division II State Championship.
Argyle is led by all-purpose junior Ian Sadler, who has tallied 20 touchdowns this season after scoring in a variety of ways. The junior makes contributions in the ground game, receiving, return game and has also thrown for a 54-yard score.
“[Sadler] is an unbelievable athlete,” Elliott said. “He does everything for them.”
The Bobcats will counter Sadler with a dominant ground game that features a committee of running backs and an efficient playmaker under center in sophomore Nathan Elliott.
“Both teams are physical with really good speed on the field,” coach Elliott said.
Both quarterbacks enter the contest with similar numbers, with Argyle’s Brandon Boyzuick having completed 84-of-157 passes for 1,258 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. Meanwhile, Elliott has racked up 1,212 yards, 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions after completing 102-of-169 passes.
“It’s going to be a good matchup,” coach Elliott said.
The Bobcats will have the benefit of coming off a bye week after defeating Aubrey, 39-20, two weeks ago.
“That’s a great advantage for us,” coach Elliott said. “We can rest up and work on the basics.”
Celina will also be the host team in the game, with the two teams squaring off in a 7:30 p.m. battle from Bobcat Stadium.
“It’s always an advantage when you get to play at home,” coach Elliott said. “I’m sure it will be packed.”
Although the 10-3A crown will be determined with the season-finale game, Elliott said entering the playoffs as a one or two seed shouldn’t affect for either team.
“It really doesn’t matter,” he said. “Either way you have to go on the same road. It’s not really an easier path either way.”
The two teams last met during the 2009 season with the Eagles earning a 29-14 home victory.
With both teams boasting 8-1 marks and a 3-0 record against District 10-3A counterparts, the game also has similar implications for each team: win and earn the district championship or lose and enter the playoffs as a two seed.
“You always want to win,” said Bill Elliott, Celina head coach. “That’s our goal and that’s what we’re going to try and do.”
While the Bobcats have made easy work out of their three district opponents this season, Argyle has been equally as dominant, winning their last three games by a combined score of 179-6.
“They’ve got a great team,” Elliott said. “They will probably be the best team we have faced all year.”
The Eagles are also no stranger to big-game success after winning five straight postseason contests in 2011 before losing to Wimberley, 21-14, in the Class 3A Division II State Championship.
Argyle is led by all-purpose junior Ian Sadler, who has tallied 20 touchdowns this season after scoring in a variety of ways. The junior makes contributions in the ground game, receiving, return game and has also thrown for a 54-yard score.
“[Sadler] is an unbelievable athlete,” Elliott said. “He does everything for them.”
The Bobcats will counter Sadler with a dominant ground game that features a committee of running backs and an efficient playmaker under center in sophomore Nathan Elliott.
“Both teams are physical with really good speed on the field,” coach Elliott said.
Both quarterbacks enter the contest with similar numbers, with Argyle’s Brandon Boyzuick having completed 84-of-157 passes for 1,258 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. Meanwhile, Elliott has racked up 1,212 yards, 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions after completing 102-of-169 passes.
“It’s going to be a good matchup,” coach Elliott said.
The Bobcats will have the benefit of coming off a bye week after defeating Aubrey, 39-20, two weeks ago.
“That’s a great advantage for us,” coach Elliott said. “We can rest up and work on the basics.”
Celina will also be the host team in the game, with the two teams squaring off in a 7:30 p.m. battle from Bobcat Stadium.
“It’s always an advantage when you get to play at home,” coach Elliott said. “I’m sure it will be packed.”
Although the 10-3A crown will be determined with the season-finale game, Elliott said entering the playoffs as a one or two seed shouldn’t affect for either team.
“It really doesn’t matter,” he said. “Either way you have to go on the same road. It’s not really an easier path either way.”
The two teams last met during the 2009 season with the Eagles earning a 29-14 home victory.
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