The McNabb Report: Private School Duels

There aren't many private school showdowns, but we've got a double-header on tap for TAPPS on Friday. Vype.com's No. 1-ranked Trinity Christian Addison takes on upstart Grapevine Faith in a Division I showdown. No. 8-ranked Parish Episcopal is at No.2-ranked Dallas Christian in a meeting of Division II undefeateds. But in these playoff-centric days, all four play each other now knowing they could see each other again when the TAPPS state playoffs start in November. A quick look: No. 1 TCA at No. 4 Grapevine Faith State playoff ramifications aside, TCA gets a test against Grapevine Faith. And if you don't know much about Grapevine Faith, welcome to a rather big club. I'm told we get to call them Faith and that will be great for headlines... FAITH WINS AGAIN...St. MARK'S TRAMPLES FAITH While TCA (4-1) is a longtime private school power, Faith (6-0) has burst onto the scene the last few years. Faith bursts specifically two weeks ago with a 21-13 victory over longtime Tarrant County power Fort Worth Nolan. TCA seemed to have a much more heralded Nov. 7 date set with Nolan, but now comes Faith. Faith defeated John Paul (see what I mean about headlines) last week, 35-0. My scouting report is that Faith isn't some kind of one-man wonder program. There's not a big major prospect driving this run. But Faith draws from the fertile grounds of Northeast Tarrant county that also houses Southlake, Keller, Colleyville and Coppell public schools. That's a lot of good players who have played a lot of football at a high level to serve as Faith's enrollment base. Faith uses a physical running back in the old splitback Veer offense to pound away and that sets up everything else. Faith was a Division III school just a year ago and reached the state final. Faith's win over Nolan was its first Division I game. Not a bad debut. "I have never seen them play before this year," TCA coach Steve Hayes said. "Their kids play very hard and seem to be very well coached. They shorten the game and the number of plays you get offensively and it's tough to defend for two reasons: it is a very sound scheme for running the football, and you never see it anymore. That makes it tough to prepare for in just a week." A quick look: No. 8 Parish at No. 2 Dallas Christian In a TAPPS Division II matchup, Dallas Christian is the longtime power with seven state titles and four other state finalist berths including last year. "They've got a lot of experience," Parish coach Scott Nady said. "Some of those coaches have been on the same sideline for 20 years. They know what they want to do and they know how to do it." Parish is in its third varsity season. The Panthers have a core of seniors but actually will be at Dallas Christian without their leading tackler and leading rusher. Senior linebacker Ryan Simons (broken foot) and running back Trey Morse (knee) are out this week. Their most action has come in crutch races down the hallways. They should both return healthy for the state playoffs. Still, Parish's Double Wing-T offense has established itself as effective. Dallas Christian's hard-nosed, hard-hitting defense was a big factor as Dallas Christian beat Parish, 37-34, on a 37-yard field goal with seven seconds left last year. It'll likely be a similar scenario in their second meeting Friday. "I don't know if anyone has been able to stop their offense,' Charger coach Mike Wheeler said. "They have so much talent at running back and the skill positions that they are hard to defense. Their line is not as big as last year, but I think they may be better." Dallas Christian also has hobbled players and some illness has hit the roster. Wheeler and Nady agree this is a big game and good evaluator for both but not a final destination. "You want to win every game," Wheeler said. "But if you are choosing between a district title and a play-off win, you take the play-off win every time." Vype's Private School poll 1. TCA-Addison 2. Dallas Christian 3. FW All Saints 4. Grapevine Faith 5. FW Nolan 6. St. Mark's 7. Argyle Liberty 8. Parish Episcopal 9. Prestonwood Christian 10. Frisco Legacy