Football 2015 - Week 1

Only the high schools are playing real games this early. There were also fake NFL games this past weekend. Colleges are next weekend.

There were no wins in the high school ranks for my teams. Bishop Kenny lost a non-district away game to the Bartram Trail Bears 31-16. Not much information was available for this game, no detailed stats. BK led 3-0 after the first quarter. They trailed 10-3 at the half. At one point the game was tied at 10 in the third quarter which ended with a 17-10 advantage for the Bears. Bartram Trail outscored Kenny 14-6 in the fourth to clinch the victory. BT had 25 first downs vs 12 for BK. Next up for the Crusaders is another away non-district game against the Atlantic Coast Stingrays.

The Bell Blue Raiders didn't fare any better although they did make a game of it. In the end Keller Central won 34-31 in overtime. Bell scored a 46 yard FG with their possession in OT but Keller scored a TD on a 34 yard pass play. The game was tied at seven after one period and the Raiders led 20-14 at intermission. After a scoreless third quarter, the Chargers outscored Bell 14-8 to tie the game at 28 in regulation. The game was also statistically close with Keller having more total yards at 421-390. Keller's attack was balanced with 209 ground yards and 212 passing yards while the Raiders stayed more on the ground with 322 rushing yards. Two Raiders had 100 yard rushing nights. Their air game was a little anemic going 9/22 for only 68 yards with two interceptions. While no loss is good news, the fact that Bell scored 31 points is a positive sign. They were severely challenged on offense last season. Bell travels to Rockwall to play the Heath Hawks next in a non-district contest.

Although not a team I closely follow and certainly don't usually root for, I watched some of the Trinity Trojans game on ESPN2 against #1 ranked De La Salle Spartans from Concord, California. Trinity is located in Euless, TX which is the next town east of Bedford, my town. Trinity is also in the same HEB school district and 6A-7 athletic district as L.D. Bell. Trinity is a perennial class 6A football powerhouse. They have won multiple state championships and are always in contention. For the past few years they have been opening their seasons with games against out of state high school powers. Sometimes traveling out of state and sometimes hosting the games. They have played some of these games at AT&T (Cowboys) stadium. This year the game was at Mansfield's Vernon Newsom Stadium. It was a good game and the local guys were victorious 26-21 in a game that ended after midnight local time. Trojans beat the Spartans, although I think in classical Greek mythology it was the other way around with that Trojan horse trick.

No meaningful college activity yet but it cranks up this week. TCU travels to Minnesota for a Thursday night nationally televised ESPN game. The Frogs are ranked #2 in the AP preseason poll and the Gophers are ranked in the middle of the Big Ten West. Still, a trip into Big Ten territory is never easy. My other teams have an easier start. The Florida Gators host the always dangerous New Mexico State Aggies. South Florida is at home against instate school Florida A&M Rattlers.

Some more fake games in the NFL. Jacksonville lost at home to Detroit 22-17. Good news bad news. Bortles looked good going 20/29/0 for 245 yards and one TD. The rushing game was anemic, Bortles was also the leading rusher with 38 yards, and the defense was less than stellar. 

Tampa Bay hosted Cleveland and were very gracious. They allowed the Browns to trounce them 31-7. After a good game last week, #1 draft choice Jameis Winston looked like a rookie. He was sacked four times and went 6/15/1 for 90 yards with no TDs. He finished with a 32.6 QB rating. Meanwhile, James McCown went 17/23/0 with two TDs and a 113.9 QB rating for the Browns. I mention that because McCown was with the Bucs last year but was released to make room for Winston. A little ironic but in preseason, who cares. Tampa Bay's ground game was MIA with only 73 yards.

To make it a perfect 0-3 week for my pro teams, Atlanta lost 13-9 at Miami. What an exciting game. There was one TD scored. Atlanta's starting QB  Matt Ryan was sacked three times and was a dismal 3/7 for 49 yards.. 

There is still one more week of fake NFL games, at real game prices, before the games count. I'm hoping Jax, TB and Atlanta improve before then.

Can't wait for the colleges to crank it up. Tune in ESPN on Thursday to see the TCU Horned Frogs in action.

wjh