CC Future Mobility Oct 2023

3 keys to the Crosstown Showdown

by | Oct 13, 2022 | Latest, Sports

The Crosstown Showdown will bring together the community and pit the two local teams against one another.

While history favors Wylie East (4-0, 6-0), Wylie (3-1, 4-2) is competing to climb up the District 9-6A standings, currently tied for second place. Both teams have a lot to gain with only four games left until the postseason and playoff positioning on the line.

Here are the three keys to Wylie facing Wylie East Friday night at Wylie ISD Stadium.

1. The battle of the trenches

Both teams have been built from the line of scrimmage, with two of the best defensive lines in District 9-6A.

Wylie is led by the play of several key players in the front seven, mainly defensive end Dane Farley and defensive tackle Cam Draper. They have eight of the team’s 31 sacks and have held four of their six opponents under 100 yards on the ground. Wylie East is a run-first offense and will have to work hard to beat one of the best front sevens in the area.

Not to be outdone, Wylie East has an equally impressive defensive line play, led by the University of Washington commit Anthony James and defensive tackle Robert Ngasoh. They don’t have as many sacks as the Pirates’ defense, but use their length and speed to get a lot of pressure and make it very difficult to run on. They’ll face a strong Wylie offensive line, led by veteran players Ralston Ulmer and Matthew Schell.

Whoever wins this game is going to have to win the battle at the line of scrimmage, as both teams set a major priority to win in the trenches.

2. Who contains the skill players

Terrell Washington Jr. is one of the best-skill players in the area. He leads the Raiders with 395 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, along with 318 yards rushing and four scores on the ground. The Purdue commit is a dangerous weapon that Wylie East moves across the field, and Wylie head coach Jimmy Carter called him the best athlete in District 9-6A.

To stop him, Wylie will have to stay disciplined on defense and the edge. Outside linebackers Brady Dalton and Trevor Ferland have been two of the best players in the district at their position, with Dalton’s eight sacks among the district’s best.

Wylie’s defense will have a tough task slowing down Washington Jr. and other Wylie East offensive players Tristan Lee, Kason Atkins and Alex Ainsworth, who have all been able to produce explosive plays.

3. Which quarterback will step up?

Both teams went into the season with new starting quarterbacks and have seen promising results to start the season. Wylie’s Jagger Bale took over the job as a starting sophomore and has had some of his best games in district play to keep the Pirates in the playoff hunt.

Last week, Bale scored four touchdowns, two on the ground and two through the air, bringing his total to 11 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He’s been accurate and careful with the football, as Wylie’s offense has continued to improve this season.

Wylie East’s Jaedon Hubbard took over as the full-time starter this season after playing some last season and started the season hot. He’s thrown 767 yards over six games and 12 touchdowns, and most importantly, zero interceptions. Backup quarterback Maddox Fuller also has five touchdowns and zero interceptions this season and will likely make an impact this week as well.

All three quarterbacks will need to show their composure against tough defenses in the rivalry match. The one who makes the least amount of mistakes will likely win the game.

For the full story, see our Oct. 12 issue or subscribe online.

State Fair of Texas 2023 SFOT

0 Comments

Order photos

Related News

Parks proposition on Nov. 7 ballot

Parks proposition on Nov. 7 ballot

Texas ranks 35th nationally in state park acreage per resident. But voters will be asked in November to help improve that ratio. Proposition 14 on the Nov. 7 ballot would amend the state constitution to create the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund allowing the Texas...

read more
City to celebrate National Night Out Oct. 3

City to celebrate National Night Out Oct. 3

Get your face painted, visit with the SWAT team, watch a helicopter land and enjoy the fireworks. National Night Out is Oct. 3 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Olde City Park in Historic Downtown Wylie and admission is free. Ever wonder what the police are like when you are not...

read more
Cemetery association needs your help

Cemetery association needs your help

The Wylie Cemetery Association is on a quest to gain some new, youthful volunteers who are willing to step up and get involved to ensure the cemeteries are cared for in the future Since 1899, the nonprofit has provided maintenance to local cemeteries with volunteers,...

read more
Pirates jump on N. Garland early

Pirates jump on N. Garland early

Wylie Pirates (3-1, 2-0 District 9-6A) return from the bye week to win their first road game of the season against the North Garland Raiders (1-4, 1-2). The final score was 35-25 at Williams Stadium in Garland. The Pirates finished with 355 total yards including 284...

read more
Raiders struggle against Sachse defense

Raiders struggle against Sachse defense

Sachse’s defense was suffocating all night in the Mustangs’ 20-7 district victory over the Wylie East Raiders on Friday night from Wylie ISD Stadium. The Mustangs (3-2, 3-0 District 9-6A) held the Raiders (3-1, 1-1) off the board until the third quarter. Sachse scored...

read more
Council honors longtime WEDC member

Council honors longtime WEDC member

Mayor Matthew Porter and Linda Ferguson honor Constitution Week at council on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Jeremy Hallock/Wylie News A decades-long Wylie resident who played a key role in the city’s expansion and growth was honored at the council meeting last week.  John...

read more
New ammo for fentanyl battle

New ammo for fentanyl battle

Authorities say counterfeit fentanyl is often disguised in an assortment of rainbow colors resembling candy. Courtesy DEA Fentanyl poisoning continues to claim a growing percentage of drug deaths in the state, according to the Texas Health Data dashboard published...

read more
Dry times ahead as drought worsens

Dry times ahead as drought worsens

Drought, generally defined as an absence of water caused by insufficient precipitation over a period of time, is as old as the Bible. “Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me,” said Jacob as he described his hardships as a shepherd (King James Version, Genesis...

read more
NTMWD 2023