Sports > Schools
Marquee Matchup: Mesquite the latest in line of tough second-round opponents
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
Over the past three seasons, the Allen football team has entered the area round of the playoffs with a combined 31-2 record.
Yet the Eagles have been unable to advance to the third round since winning the Class 5A State Championship in 2008.
"We've definitely talked with the guys about how important it is to get past this round," said Tom Westerberg, Allen head coach. "We've had some disappointments, but we've also been matched up against some pretty good teams."
Westerberg's point is well taken.
Even when Allen won state, the second round wasn't kind to the Eagles as starting quarterback Matt Brown left the field with his arm in a sling following a 56-28 victory over Coppell and didn't start again for the remainder of the postseason. Allen has had its share of close calls against state powerhouses since then, losing by one point in double overtime against Southlake Carroll in 2009, by two points to Euless Trinity in 2010 and by seven to Trinity last season.
"We don't get any breaks this season either," Westerberg said. "But that's just the way it goes; you have to beat good teams in the playoffs."
Standing in the way this season is Mesquite, which Allen faces at 7:30 p.m. Friday from Clark Stadium in Plano. The Skeeters brings plenty of clout to the table with an 11-0 record, District 12-5A Title and No. 12 state ranking. But Mesquite knows about No. 6 Allen's credentials too.
"We are well aware of who we are playing," said Robbie Robinson, Mesquite head coach. "They are ranked in the top 10 year in and year out and they are really just one of the top programs in the state."
The game will be at Clark, a venue plenty familiar to District 10-5A teams.
"I would think our kids would be pretty comfortable playing there," Westerberg said.
Mesquite knows Clark as well though, having played there Sept. 21 in a 49-35 victory over Plano West. The 14-point margin of victory was the Skeeters' smallest of the season.
Mesquite opened the playoffs with another double-digit win, defeating Sachse on Friday, 50-28.
As has often been the case in 2012, quarterback Alex Cooper led the way, surpassing 3,000 yards through the air for the season. Cooper, working out of the four-wide set, upped his touchdown count to 37 (10 rushing and 27 passing against only two interceptions) with scoring tosses to Jordan Bracy and Dameon Gamblin.
"[Mesquite's] quarterback is very good," Westerberg said. "He has the ability to extend plays and has four very good receivers he can get the ball to."
There will be plenty of speed on the outside with a quick group of Mesquite receivers going against an Allen secondary that multiple Eagles have called, "the fastest unit on the team," all season.
"Our guys will definitely get tested," Westerberg said.
Speed is the name of the game for the Skeeters' defense as well.
In just his second game back, Anthony Canady had an interception Friday against Sachse. Marlin Simmons, Christian Williams and Javon Jones got in on the act as well, limiting a Sachse offense that was averaging more than 42 points per game to only 207 yards and one touchdown before departing in the fourth quarter.
"That defense is very athletic with a lot of team speed," Westerberg said. "The secondary is good and they run a lot press coverage."
Mesquite also runs lots of man coverage, which can lead to pressure in the box.
"They have a very good offense," Westerberg said, "which I think allows them to maybe take a few more chances defensively."
Defenses taking chances against Allen this season haven't usually succeeded as the Eagles have yet to score less than 24 points in a game and have surpassed 40 points six times, the most recent one coming in Friday's 63-14 playoff opener against Richardson.
But the lopsided bi-district games are in the past with both Allen and Mesquite anticipating a significantly more competitive clash when the ball kicks at Clark.
"We are expecting a great game," Robinson said. "I think it is going to be a tremendous challenge, but we feel we are ready."
Yet the Eagles have been unable to advance to the third round since winning the Class 5A State Championship in 2008.
"We've definitely talked with the guys about how important it is to get past this round," said Tom Westerberg, Allen head coach. "We've had some disappointments, but we've also been matched up against some pretty good teams."
Westerberg's point is well taken.
Even when Allen won state, the second round wasn't kind to the Eagles as starting quarterback Matt Brown left the field with his arm in a sling following a 56-28 victory over Coppell and didn't start again for the remainder of the postseason. Allen has had its share of close calls against state powerhouses since then, losing by one point in double overtime against Southlake Carroll in 2009, by two points to Euless Trinity in 2010 and by seven to Trinity last season.
"We don't get any breaks this season either," Westerberg said. "But that's just the way it goes; you have to beat good teams in the playoffs."
Standing in the way this season is Mesquite, which Allen faces at 7:30 p.m. Friday from Clark Stadium in Plano. The Skeeters brings plenty of clout to the table with an 11-0 record, District 12-5A Title and No. 12 state ranking. But Mesquite knows about No. 6 Allen's credentials too.
"We are well aware of who we are playing," said Robbie Robinson, Mesquite head coach. "They are ranked in the top 10 year in and year out and they are really just one of the top programs in the state."
The game will be at Clark, a venue plenty familiar to District 10-5A teams.
"I would think our kids would be pretty comfortable playing there," Westerberg said.
Mesquite knows Clark as well though, having played there Sept. 21 in a 49-35 victory over Plano West. The 14-point margin of victory was the Skeeters' smallest of the season.
Mesquite opened the playoffs with another double-digit win, defeating Sachse on Friday, 50-28.
As has often been the case in 2012, quarterback Alex Cooper led the way, surpassing 3,000 yards through the air for the season. Cooper, working out of the four-wide set, upped his touchdown count to 37 (10 rushing and 27 passing against only two interceptions) with scoring tosses to Jordan Bracy and Dameon Gamblin.
"[Mesquite's] quarterback is very good," Westerberg said. "He has the ability to extend plays and has four very good receivers he can get the ball to."
There will be plenty of speed on the outside with a quick group of Mesquite receivers going against an Allen secondary that multiple Eagles have called, "the fastest unit on the team," all season.
"Our guys will definitely get tested," Westerberg said.
Speed is the name of the game for the Skeeters' defense as well.
In just his second game back, Anthony Canady had an interception Friday against Sachse. Marlin Simmons, Christian Williams and Javon Jones got in on the act as well, limiting a Sachse offense that was averaging more than 42 points per game to only 207 yards and one touchdown before departing in the fourth quarter.
"That defense is very athletic with a lot of team speed," Westerberg said. "The secondary is good and they run a lot press coverage."
Mesquite also runs lots of man coverage, which can lead to pressure in the box.
"They have a very good offense," Westerberg said, "which I think allows them to maybe take a few more chances defensively."
Defenses taking chances against Allen this season haven't usually succeeded as the Eagles have yet to score less than 24 points in a game and have surpassed 40 points six times, the most recent one coming in Friday's 63-14 playoff opener against Richardson.
But the lopsided bi-district games are in the past with both Allen and Mesquite anticipating a significantly more competitive clash when the ball kicks at Clark.
"We are expecting a great game," Robinson said. "I think it is going to be a tremendous challenge, but we feel we are ready."
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