It’s coming down to the wire for the Wylie Pirates. 

Wylie (2-2, 2-5) faces a challenging task in the penultimate week of the high school football season, taking on the fast-galloping Sachse Mustangs (3-1, 4-3). Last season, as a part of its three-game winning streak to end the year, Wylie beat Sachse on Thanksgiving weekend. 

Traveling to HBJ Stadium this year, Wylie is fighting for its playoff hopes, while Sachse hopes to clinch the top seed of Division I for the state playoffs. 

Both teams have significant incentives and feature physical football styles of play, which should create a fun matchup. Here are Wylie’s three keys to winning on Oct. 29. 

1. Contain Alex Orji

Through four district games, the Sachse Mustangs have scored the most points among all eight teams. Their 204 points average out to 51 points per game against District 9-6A foes. The offense starts with quarterback Alex Orji. 

One of the top players in the area, Orji leads the team in both passing and rushing to go along with a district-high 38 touchdowns (21 passing, 17 rushing) on the season. The Virginia Tech commit is a dynamic player, and he currently averages 9.53 yards per pass attempt and 8.7 yards per rushing attempt. If Wylie wants to win this game, the defensive line will have to key on Orji in the backfield. 

Sachse has an excellent rushing offense. With Orji, running backs Luke Keefer and RC Reeves have combined for 961 yards rushing and six touchdowns this season. They’re a skilled backfield, but it’s easier to contain if you can slow down the quarterback.

For the full story, see the Oct. 26 issue or subscribe online.

By Kyle Grondin • [email protected]