Football Playoff Preview: Eagles take on Wakeland

Head+Coad+Brandon+Schmidt+gathers+the+team+after+a+game+against+Lake+Dallas+in+2016.

Jenae Arias

Head Coad Brandon Schmidt gathers the team after a game against Lake Dallas in 2016.

Zach Markey, Sports Writer

On Friday, the football team played their final regular season game against Lake Dallas. Unfortunately, the Eagles were not able to win the game, losing the matchup 28-24. Despite the loss, junior running back Kaleb Adams ended his stellar regular season by rushing for 149 yards and one touchdown. Senior wide receiver Everett Jefferson also caught for 71 yards and a touchdown of his own.

As they already clinched the district title in the previous week, Prosper’s loss on Friday night did not have a big impact on their season. With that, the Eagles will play their first playoff game this Friday against Frisco Wakeland.

The Wolverines finished with an overall record of 6-4, placing 4th in district 13-5A. They are lead by senior quarterback Copper Chandler and senior running back Jay Orji.

Wakeland quarterback Cooper Chandler passed for over 2500 yards and 25 touchdowns in the regular season. In comparison, the Eagles’ leading passer, Nathan Powder, only threw for 769 yards. Granted, the Eagles have gone through a whopping three quarterbacks this season due to injury. As a last resort, Junior wide receiver Austin Lind is expected to start at quarterback for Prosper in place for quarterbacks, Keegan Shoemaker and Nathan Powter. Yes, you heard that right, a wide receiver will be the starting quarterback for Prosper in the first playoff game.

Both teams head into Friday’s contest with exceptional running games to go along with above average defenses. Prosper running back Kaleb Adams totaled 1101 yards rushing this season while Wakeland running back Jay Orji ran for 893 yards.

As stated, both teams and their defenses have played above average throughout the season. Prosper has allowed just 15.0 points per game, to Wakeland’s 25.2.

All in all, Friday’s matchup against Frisco Wakeland will be a huge test for a Prosper football team that has been one of the best in years. Students should try their best to make it to Plano’s John Clark Stadium Friday evening to give the Eagles a certain home field advantage, even though the game is at a neutral site.