Troup vs. West Rusk could be for all the marbles in 9-3A-II
Oct. 19—TROUP — Two clubs that are both 3-0 in District 9-3A-II are set to collide at Tiger Stadium in Troup Friday night. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the advance weather forecast looks quite favorable.
The Sam Wells-coached Tigers are 7-0 overall and are ranked No. 6 in the state in the latest Associated Press/Texas Football Class 3A Poll.
The Raiders, who are coached by first-year head man Rafe Mata, are 5-2 on the year, with the losses coming against Malakoff (56-14) and Tatum (44-20). Malakoff and Tatum are a combined 11-4 at this juncture.
A regional semi-finalist a year ago, the Raiders lost 18 lettermen from that unit.
West Rusk has prepared for district by playing a tough non-conference schedule.
On the flip side, Troup's non-conference foes are a collective 6-23.
The Tigers are coming off of a 35-28 road win over Arp last week.
West Rusk and Arp hooked on September 22, with the boys from New London winning, 49-19.
The Raiders have been winning their games by an average score of 39-30, while Troup has been cashing in at 49-17, on average.
Troup has a big advantage in the passing department where quarterback Grayson Hearon is completing passes at a stellar 72.9 clip. He also has tossed 31 touchdown strikes this season.
Hearon's favorite target is Trae Davis, a Washington State commit. Davis is Troup's leading receiver, having reeled in 40 passes for 939 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Davis is the only Tiger that can a pass, however.
Bryce Wallum (17-399) and Ty Lovelady (16-224) have proven themselves in the pass catching department. Wallum has six touchdown grabs and Lovelady five.
Another to watch is tight end Colby Turner, who has verbally committed to Sam Houston State University. Turner has 186 receiving yards and has caught three scoring strikes.
West Rusk relies on its ground game more. The Raiders have a pass completion rate of just south of 58-percent. Raider quarterbacks have thrown 12 touchdown passes this season.
As a team, the Tigers have amassed 1,800 receiving yards while the Raiders have 651 receiving yards.
Raider running backs have rushed for 2,000 yards so far this season and are averaging 7.3 yards per carry.
Tiger rushers have netted 1,489 yards, for an average of eight yards per trip.
The Raiders have scored 23 rushing touchdowns, compared to Troup's 14.
With just two regular-season skirmishes left on their respective dockets after this week, the Troup-West Rusk winner will be in the driver's seat to earn the district championship and a more favorable playoff road to travel.
After the West Rusk game, Troup is slated to take on Grand Saline (1-3 in district) and Winona (1-2) while the Raiders will face Quitman (0-3) and Edgewood (2-2).
