All over Texas, teams battled out this weekend in the Bi-District level of the UIL State Playoffs. The 7-2 Denton Guyer Wildcats faced off against the 6-3 Coppell Cowboys making one of the better match ups in the Region 1 UIL Texas 6A-II brackett. The Wildcats would be without Texas A&M commit, and four-star cornerback Deuce Harmon as well as their three-star outside linebacker Jordan Eubanks.
Denton Guyer High School would receive the opening kickoff after winning the coin toss. The Cowboys defense would be able to sack Eli Stowers, another future Aggie, putting the Wildcats in a tough spot early. At the Coppell 35-yard line Denton Guyer would go for it on 4th & 2, but get stuffed at the line of scrimmage.
After the Coppell defense came up with an early stop, it was now the Wildcats defense to come up with the turnover. Marquan Pope would come up with the interception and Guyer would be able to score first. A 21-yard reception to D’Marcus Howard would give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
B.J. Phillips would then get a big day started after the Guyer defense forced a punt from Coppell. Phillips capped off another scoring drive breaking off a 39-yard touchdown run with roughly 6 and half minutes left in the game.
Being down 21-3 early in the second quarter put the Cowboys into panic mode early. Coppell would attempt two fourth down attempts on their own side of the field, one being a botched fake punt. Guyer would be able to capitalize off the great field position and put another three points onto their lead.
Jason Ngwu would give Coppell High School a late spark before halftime. Two big runs would set the Cowboys up past midfield into Guyer territory. After taking a few deep shots earlier, Ryan Walker finally connected with K.J. Liggins on a 34-yard deep pass, bringing the score to 24-10.
Consider the momentum flipped. Coppell would seemingly flip a switch, stopping the Guyer offense on their next drive and getting the ball back with roughly two minutes left in the half. The Wildcats defense did a great job containing the Cowboys rushing attack, but it wouldn’t be enough. Ryan Walker would make a clutch play on third down breaking out of a sack, and completing a deep pass to Anthony Black. Jason Ngwu would quickly punch in the touchdown on the next play.
With 27 seconds left in the game, Guyer was unable to match Coppell’s touchdown. The Wildcats would hold onto a 24-17 lead, but headed into the locker with very little momentum.
Coppell High School would start the second half off at their own 10-yard line after taking a penalty on the opening kickoff. With the Cowboys being backed up at their own goal line, Guyer would mistakenly blitz the Cowboys. Ryan Walker would break off for an 84-yard run that would set the Cowboys up at their own seven-yard line. A few plays later Jason Ngwu would score his second touchdown of the game, tying the game up 24-24.
The Wildcats would finally snap out of their slump though. After being forced to convert on a fourth down once again, Eli Stowers would complete a pass to Bryson Riggs that would break off for a 40-yard gain. A few plays later B.J. Phillips would add to his touchdown count, giving him three on the day.
The Cowboys wouldn’t be phased though. They would push the ball down the field, and complete another huge pass to Anthony Black. The reception would set up Coppell inside the redzone, and were on the cusp of tying the game back up. Unfortunately for Coppell though Marquan Pope would intercept his second pass of the game, this time taking it 83-yards for the touchdown. Suddenly the game was back at a two score lead for the Denton Guyer Wildcats.
Cooper Lanz would continue his great game as well after a big tackle for loss and a sack in the first half. The Baylor commit would come up with another sack, helping the WIldcats force a punt. Coppell would do the same, not allowing the game out of hand. The quick three and out would lead to a very short punt, giving the Cowboys great field position.
Once again the Cowboys would just throw it up to receiver Anthony Black who would come down with a 42-yard completion. With the ball at the 8-yard line, Denton Guyer’s defense would bow up and nearly force a turnover with Ryan Walker fumbling the snap. Coppell would attempt to throw a fade to former Denton Guyer Wildcat, K.J. Liggins, but nothing would come of it. Liggins contested a pass interference, but with no flags being thrown, the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs.
At the end of the third quarter we were looking at a 38-24 Denton Guyer lead. Guyer would continue to rush the ball down the Cowboys throats, passing the 300 yard mark on the day. This time Ty Alridge would score from two-yards out, giving the Wildcats 21 unanswered points and a 45-24 lead. Coppell would once again turnover the ball on a failed fourth down attempt, seemingly ending the game.
Denton Guyer packed on one more touchdown for good measure, giving us a final score of 52-24. The Wildcats finished the game with 400 yards rushing, and 550 total yards on the day. Junior running back, B.J. Phillips had over 160 yards rushing and three scores on the day.
Guyer advances to the UIL Area Playoffs against Arlington High School at Globe Life Park next Saturday. The Arlington Colts are 5-5 on the season with losses coming from Cedar Hill and Arlington Martin. The winner of this match up will advance to the UIL Regional Playoff game.
