Eric Watts (37) carries the ball during the Opelika vs. Wetumpka football game at Bulldog Stadium in Opelika on Sept. 13, 2019.
Sara Palczewski
Per oanow.com
Opelika head coach Erik Speakman said if running back Eric Watts could stay healthy and committed to the weight room, the junior could be something special. Based on Friday's game against Wetumpka, Watts is starting to meet his high potential.
Watts was Opelika's battering ram at running back against the Indians, taking 28 carries for 237 yards and two touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 33-32 victory. Watts was especially important on Opelika's go-ahead touchdown drive, taking eight carries on the 13-play drive and gaining 72 yards in the process.
"Eric made some great plays," Speakman said. "He's finally doing what we knew Eric Watts could do. Now you're seeing what we've seen as coaches. Hopefully, he'll see it and continue to improve."
Watts was vital in Opelika keeping up with a dangerous Wetumpka offense in yet another shootout in this series. The Bulldogs' run game was the biggest question mark after three games, but Watts may be the answer going forward.
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The VYPE Thursday Night Showdown powered by Daspit Law Firm returns on the @spacecityhn main channel as we have a great week three matchup between the Ridge Point Panthers and the Bridgeland Bears!
Cedar Park and Rouse have been going at it since Rouse opened its doors in Leander ISD in 2009. Those matchups have all recently been at the 5A level, where both the Raiders and especially the 2015 State Champion Timberwolves have seen considerable success. This Friday night (10/2) will mark their first clash as 6A foes when Cedar Park meets Rouse in a District 24-6A showdown at Gupton Stadium in our VYPE Central Texas Game of the Week.
All signs point to a plethora of points at The Gup. Sixth year head coach Michael Quintero’s Timberwolves (1-0, 5-0) have lit up the scoreboard to the tune of 50.8 point-per-game throughout the first half of the season. Senior quarterback David Cooper (86-114, 1,344, 15 TD, 0 INT) has picked apart opposing defenses through the air while tacking on just under 200 yards and 4 more touchdowns on the ground.
Senior Brayden Jahns (35-545, 15.6 YPC, 3 TD) has been Cooper’s favorite target, supported by fellow seniors Jonah Johnson and Kysen Pham. Lucas Viloria (93-455, 4.9 YPC, 8 TD) paces the T’wolves’ ground attack.
It’s been feast or famine on the other side of the ball. The vaunted Black Rain defense has shown signs of its championship heritage in back-to-back shutouts of Leander and Neu Braunfels and a 7-point effort vs. Clark. Yet they’ve also given up 35 points to A&M Consolidated and 34 to Midway. Senior Deshaun Stewart (50 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2.0 Sacks) and junior C.J. Rogers (42 tackles, 2.0 TFL) anchor a unit that could help propel Cedar Park to a long playoff run with a little more consistency.
New Rouse head coach Mark Hopkins, who took over from founding coach Joshua Mann, has the Raiders (1-0, 3-2) thinking playoffs. Senior Chase Whitten (59-88, 724 Yds., 9 TD, 2 INT) guides a Raiders offense that will test Cedar Park’s defense, averaging 33.8 points per game. Like Cedar Park’s defense, the Rouse offense has been hit or miss, piling up points in wins over Georgetown, McNeil and Vista Ridge – but getting shut out by Midway and scoring 16 vs. Cedar Ridge.
Sophomore Amauri Dickson (55-531, 9.7 YPC, 6 TD) and senior Aubryn Davis (42-413, 9.8 YPC, 4 TDs) have gashed opponents on the ground with Davis also leading the team in catches and receiving yards.
Junior Dylan White (68 tackles, 5.0 TFL, Sack) and senior Greyson Simpson (51 Tackles, 9.0 FTL, 7.0 Sacks) drive a defense that’s allowed 23.4 points per game.
Each district game takes on added importance with just seven teams in the newly reconfigured District 24-6A. Just a little added significance for longtime rivals Cedar Park and Rouse.
What: Cedar Park vs. Rouse When: 6:45 Pregame, 7:00 Kickoff Where: Gupton Stadium Who: Josh Willard, Brad Cone, Cecil Coconougher Watch:https://www.vype.com/7pm-football-cedar-park-vs-ro... and also streaming on the KVUE+ App
