Historic seasons collide as Prosper tangles with Lancaster

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By Bryan Sutcliffe

Sportsgram Network

The Prosper Eagles (10-2) and Lancaster Tigers (11-1) have enjoyed historic seasons this year, but only one will continue after their Class 4A Division II Region II semifinal matchup Saturday at Garland's Homer B. Johnson Stadium.

In its first ever 4A season, Prosper defeated Carter, 50-18. in area-round play last Saturday. Coming off a loss in their regular-season finale against Frisco and a bumpy win over Forney in Round 1, the Eagles showed more of the high quality play that had them competing for the District 9-4A championship through the final week of the regular season. The Cowboys hadn't allowed more than 28 points in a game this year, but Prosper held a 30-0 lead in the second quarter. The turnover bug that afflicted Carter in their opening round win over Woodrow Wilson – five giveaways -- turned up again versus Prosper, as the Cowboys were intercepted five times along with losing a fumble.

The Eagles offense repeatedly took advantage of the opportunities gifted by their defense, scoring 27 of their 50 points off Cowboy turnovers. Texas Tech quarterback commit Davis Webb snapped a two-game streak with no touchdown passes with three in the area round win, with two to Notre Dame WR commit Torii Hunter Jr. The scores snapped a similar two-game streak for Hunter with no touchdown catches. Junior running back/linebacker Marquez Houston recorded his 10th rushing touchdown of the year along with an interception returned for a score on defense.

On defense, five different players recorded interceptions with Connor Thompson and Grayson Lamb logging their first of the year. The win gave the Eagles their first 10-win season since 2009.

The Lancaster Tigers, in their two seasons under head coach Chris Gilbert, have enjoyed the best run of success in more than half a century. Prior to Gilbert's arrival from Terrell, Lancaster hadn't won nine games in a season since the1940s. The Tigers have reached that mark two straight years now and are in the third round of the postseason for the first time since 2000. Lancaster finished the regular season with a 9-1 record that featured a win over then No. 1-ranked John Tyler. After that win the Tigers ascended to second in the state AP poll – their first-ever appearance in the state’s top 10.

The Tigers have their normal stable of amazing talent, but under Coach Gilbert the school has clearly turned the corner to become an elite North Texas program. The Tigers feature numerous Division 1 recruits, led by do-everything athlete Demarcus Ayers and defensive end Daeshon Hall. Both are bound for the Pacific Northwest, with Ayers heading to Washington State and Hall to Washington. Junior CB/WR Nick Harvey, one of the state’s top 2014 recruits, gave his commitment to play for Texas A&M just this Monday.

The Tigers have dominated their first two postseason opponents, defeating Jacksonville in round one 34-2 followed by a 41-16 area round dismantling of previously unbeaten 4A newcomer Lovejoy in which the Tiger defense forced a season-high eight turnovers. With a victory over Prosper, Lancaster would advance to the fourth round of the playoffs for the first time in school history.

The Sportsgram Network will carry the live play-by-play broadcast of what is sure to be one of the most eagerly anticipated regional semifinal match ups in Texas. Bryan Sutcliffe will have the play-by-play call alongside color commentator Miles Dunklin. The pregame show begins at 2:30 with the kickoff at 3:00 only at Sportsgram.net.