Brock & Comanche Are Both Peaking At The Perfect Time
Brock & Comanche Are Both Peaking At The Perfect Time
Comanche and Brock meet in the UIL Texas State Quarterfinals.
By Nikki Chavanelle | @nikkichavanelle
The Comanche Indians and Brock Eagles are set to face off in the Texas UIL Class 3A, Division I quarterfinal round on Friday after each run-heavy team put up strong wins in the regional round last weekend.
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Despite a dozen wins and what amounts to a home game in Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium, Comanche may be the underdog.
Brock, which has only had a program since 2014, has outscored its opponents 109-26 since dropping its season finale. The Eagles are as consistent as any team left in their bracket on both sides of the ball.
Brock pulled a 29-10 upset last weekend against previously unbeaten Wall. The Hawks were dependent on the running game and simply couldn’t keep pace with the Eagles in the second half after injuries in their prolific backfield.
The 2015 state champs had a strong second half, scoring 22 points and coming up with four turnovers to push them to the win. All four scores for the Eagles came on the ground via Dawson Littlepage and quarterback Tripp Jones. The starting running back and quarterback were aided by another 111 yards on 23 carries from 5-foot-8 senior Tanner Patino.
Littlepage scored three touchdowns on just eight carries last weekend, so he will be one of the Eagles’ main weapons in the red zone. The senior returned to the team this season after rehabbing a torn ACL.
The Indians have also had a very strong run to the quarterfinals, defeating each of their three opponents by two or more scores. Comanche defeated the run-first Merkel offense handily last week 35-19 to reach the quarterfinal round for the first time since 1953. Comanche’s offense is led by senior running back Colton Roberts, who is nearing 2,000 rushing yards on the season.
With both teams attacking each other on the ground, expect this game to come down to tenacity and sheer stamina on behalf of the defenses. It could take just one or two long runs to swing momentum in either team’s direction and secure one team a spot in the semifinals.
The winner of this game will play the winner between Grandview and Kemp in the final four on Thursday, Dec. 14, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.