Garland ISD Perfect in First Round of 5-A State Football Playoffs
Article Date: November 19, 2007
Perfection. That is what Garland ISD football fans witnessed last weekend at Texas Stadium as GISD schools combined for a perfect 3-0 record in the first round of the 5-A state high school playoffs.
Rowlett (6-5) had arguably the most imposing draw of the day in state-ranked Allen, which headed into the playoffs with an unblemished 10-0 record. If the Eagles were intimidated they didn’t show it, racing out to a 30-0 lead before halftime. Allen mounted a furious second-half comeback but Rowlett held on for a 37-32 win. The Eagles will attempt to pull off consecutive upsets at 5 p.m. Saturday at Texas Stadium as they face Dallas Skyline (10-1).
Game two pitted 10-5A champion South Garland against the 5-5 Wylie Pirates. The Colonels (10-1) followed the same offensive game plan that worked for them all season – ride the arm of quarterback Nick Florence, who passed for 302 yards and rushed for 79 more. With the 40-21 win, South sets up a showdown of one-loss teams with Longview (10-1) at 8 p.m. in Texas Stadium.
In the final game of the night, Garland Naaman Forest (9-2) lined up across a resurgent Plano West team that made the playoffs after winning their final two district contests. Jonathan Miller proved why he is the area’s leading 5-A rusher, gaining 245 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries, directing Naaman Forest to a 24-20 victory – the school’s first-ever in the playoffs. The Rangers will square off against Dallas Carter (6-5) at 2 p.m. in Texas Stadium.
Beginning tomorrow, tickets will be available at the GISD Athletic Office from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and at the high school offices during normal school hours. Prices are $5 for students and $7 for adults. All tickets are $10 if purchased at Texas Stadium.
Region II Area Football Playoffs |
|---|
| Plano (10-1) vs. Mesquite (7-4), 11 a.m. |
| Garland Naaman Forest (9-2) vs. Dallas Carter (6-5), 2 p.m. |
| Rowlett (6-5) vs. Dallas Skyline (10-1), 5 p.m. |
| South Garland (10-1) vs. Longview (10-1), 8 p.m. |