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Thursday Night Showdown Preview: L.D. Bell vs. Euless Trinity on CW33
Thursday night football for Texas High School football this week features a 3-1 Euless Trinity versus a 0-4 Hurst L.D. Bell team. VYPE DFW takes a deep dive into what fans should expect coming into this district match-up:
L.D. Bell Blue Raiders (0-4)
The Blue Raiders have had quite the tough start to the 2021-22 season. Posting four straight losses against Little Elm (56-10), North Garland (42-19), Keller (34-0), and Weatherford (28-21) it goes without saying that L.D. Bell is hoping for a huge upset win Thursday night against Euless Trinity. Last week the Blue Raiders posted their closest game of the season against a tough Kangaroo squad, so L.D. Bell is looking to continue getting better as they enter this matchup.
So far this season, the Blue Raiders have used a whole slew of quarterbacks with juniors Landen Garcia, Jalen David, Cameron Harvath, as well as senior Braiden Buckley all combining for a total of 245 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. David also leads in rushing with 238 yards on 38 carries and two rushing touchdowns followed by Rodrick Hale who has 174 rushing yards on 39 carries. Hale has one receiving touchdown while senior Andoni Del Solar claims the other receiving touchdown for the Blue Raiders.
Euless Trinity (3-1)
The Trinity Trojans have had three great wins against Arlington Lamar (45-27), Colleyville Heritage (30-27), and Fort Worth Boswell (55-20). Their only loss this season has come to one of the best teams in the state- Austin Westlake (34-14). The Trojans are looking to continue their usual dominance on the gridiron Thursday night as they take on L.D. Bell.
Senior quarterback Ollie Gordon has thrown two touchdowns on 205 passing yards while also rushing for nearly 700 yards on 11 carries with nine rushing touchdowns. Junior Gary Maddox has claimed 445 rushing yards and four touchdowns while Jaquon Black leads in receiving for the Trojans with 126 yards on 10 catches for one touchdown.
What To Expect:
Both teams are tough and do everything that they can to put up a big fight. Euless Trinity's defense has held their opponents to roughly 27 points on average en route to this district matchup. As one of the stronger DFW-area teams, fans can expect the Trojans to come out of the gate strong with a determination to continue to prove that Euless Trinity football is in it for the long haul. L.D. Bell is going to have a tough time against Euless Trinity's defense, but the true test will come with the Blue Raiders' defense as they attempt to slow down the Trojans.
Catch the Game LIVE
If you can't make the game in Hurst, be sure to catch it on CW33 or at CW33.com
THIS JUST IN: DFW's Sheriff of High School Football Has Arrived
That's right. You didn't read the title wrong. There's a new sheriff in town, and he's here to show the state of Texas what the Dallas-Fort Worth area is made of. With some of the fastest wheels and top stats in the area, who's more deserving of this title than Euless Trinity running back Ollie Gordon?
In 2020, the two-year varsity starter ran for 225 yards and averaged more than a first down on 14 yards per carry. Gordon led the Trojans to an 11-2 season record, where they fell short in the fourth round of the playoffs to the reigning 6A Division 1 State Runner-Ups, Southlake Carroll.
Gordon's recruiting process, however, has stood out among other recruits in the DFW area. The majority of his offers were given to him in the heart of his junior season. Beginning with his first offer from Iowa State in June of 2020 to following New Year's Eve, by the time Gordon's season was finished, he had already accumulated thirteen offers from Division 1 FBS schools. During that time period, many impressive football programs like BYU, TCU, and SMU were calling Gordon's name, but none of them ended up being the final spot he chose to land on. Someone else would be knocking on his door midway through the month that would really grab his attention. Once Oklahoma State University offered Gordon on January 17, it was to be a done deal soon after. He committed to the team up in Stillwater only a little over two weeks later.
When asked what played a major role in OSU being the school where he would land on in an interview with VYPE Reporter Robert Gonsoulin, Gordon talked about the attention and care he was receiving from the Cowboys. "[Oklahoma State] stayed in contact the whole time. It was never a day that they weren't talking to me. They talked to me everyday no matter what." Gordon then later expressed his liking for OSU head coach Mike Gundy's offense. "I like the way they run a two-back out of [shot]gun….The offense, I like it. I feel like it would fit me perfect when I get there."
A lot of positive things can be said about the talent this season in the DFW area, but with the recent decision by top-ranked quarterback in the nation Quinn Ewers of Southlake Carroll to forego his senior season and enroll early at Ohio State, the spotlight shines more on Gordon as being one of the more standout players in the area.
Gordon's skill set as a running back adds a great deal of talent to this year's Euless Trinity team. The Trojans are ranked by many this season in the top ten amongst 6A schools and are favorites to play for a state title. Will history sort of flip on itself in a way this year? That could likely happen if Trinity rematches against Carroll in the fourth round of the playoffs and beats them without Quinn Ewers playing.
The Trinity Trojans will also have just as big obstacles to overcome in the regular season, like facing Clemson quarterback commit Cade Klubnik and the reigning 6A State Champions, Westlake. That will be regarded as a very exciting Week Two matchup by many Texas high school football fans, as two state favorites will be showcasing their talent against each other early in the season. All Gordon wants, though, is to have him and his teammates treat this matchup no differently than any other game on their schedule. "We just go practice, play how we play, and we'll be good. I just feel like we shouldn't have to worry about one team or change our ways just because we're about to play [Westlake]," mentioned Gordon.
Robert Gonsoulin's full interview with Ollie Gordom can be played below.
Playing for Texas ICE 7v7, working on footwork throughout the offseason, and being a leader for his teammates around him, Ollie Gordon has done much more than just rising to the challenge of being a team captain for one of 2021's top ranked football teams in Texas. Euless Trinity has high potential this season to bring home a state championship, and Gordon is doing everything he can to make that hope more and more realistic. As for what lies ahead of him, he's currently focused on the first game ahead and getting to make it a memorable senior season. He and the rest of Euless Trinity will kick off their season against Arlington Lamar on August 26th in a Thursday night matchup. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the impact that Ollie Gordon will make for the Trojans this season.