Celina puts its 24-game regular-season winning streak on the line Friday when Frisco Emerson visits Bobcat Field. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
The Bobcats are 4-0 overall and 2-0 in District 4-5A Division II after dismantling their first two district opponents by a combined 94-29, according to MaxPreps. Celina beat Prosper Richland 46-15 in the district opener and topped Frisco Panther Creek 48-14 on Friday, Sept. 25.
Emerson (4-1) brings one of the district's stingiest defenses to Celina. The Mavericks allow 18.4 points per game, led by seniors Dave Taffo and Spencer Carolina, according to Star Local Media.
That defense will face a Celina ground game that has been punishing. Running back Evan Koehne rushed for 179 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in the win over Panther Creek, according to the Dallas Morning News. Koehne has rushed for 180, 182 and 179 yards in his last three games, scoring two touchdowns in each.
Quarterback Zane Lacrue completed 7 of 12 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns against Panther Creek, all to wide receiver Lamar Taylor. The defense held Panther Creek to 225 total yards and 58 on the ground.
After the Sept. 25 win, head coach Marc Bindel told the Dallas Morning News the defense and special teams controlled the first half and the offense put the game away in the second.
The nine-time state champion Bobcats, ranked No. 17 in the Sports Illustrated state poll as of Sept. 22, moved up to Class 5A this year after competing in Class 4A Division I. Anna sits a half-game ahead of Celina in the 4-5A DII standings at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in district.
Celina volleyball eyes McKinney North rematch
The Celina volleyball team gets another crack at state-ranked McKinney North at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Celina.
The Lady Bobcats are 6-1 in District 9-5A and sit in second place, per Star Local Media. Their lone district loss came in a 3-0 sweep by McKinney North on Aug. 25. North enters the rematch 7-0 in district play and is pursuing back-to-back district titles.
Tuesday's match gives Celina a chance to close the gap at the top of the standings in its first year competing in a Class 5A district.
Rock Hill hosts Panther Creek on Friday
Rock Hill (3-2) hosts Frisco Panther Creek at 7 p.m. Friday at Children's Health Stadium, per Star Local Media.
The Blue Hawks dropped a 44-23 decision to Prosper ISD rival Walnut Grove on Friday, Sept. 25, according to MaxPreps. Rock Hill had won two straight before the loss, including a 27-0 shutout of McKinney Boyd on Sept. 18.
Panther Creek (3-2) is 1-2 in District 4-5A DII after the 48-14 loss to Celina. The Panthers had averaged 41.3 points per game before the Bobcats held them to 14.
