# – denotes current San Antonio South Side Sports area ranking

FRIDAY

TAPPS DIVISION II

State quarterfinal

Fort Worth Christian (9-2) vs. #1 Holy Cross (9-1) at Birkelbach Field, Georgetown, 7 p.m.

This is where the road to the TAPPS state championship becomes a bit treacherous.

For the fourth year in a row, Holy Cross has journeyed to this point. To date, the Knights haven’t gotten further.

Fort Worth Christian is expected to be a formidable opponent at full strength. The Cardinals will get quarterback Blaze Brownlow back. Brownlow was out when Fort Worth Christian defeated Austin Hyde Park Baptist 20-10 last weekend in the bi-district round.

The Cardinals defeated Holy Cross’ bi-district opponent, Arlington Pantego Christian, 35-21. The Knights beat Pantego Christian 43-22, despite trailing 16-14 at halftime.

However, after two sub-par first halves in a row (including a win over Hyde Park Baptist), Holy Cross likely won’t be able to afford another slow start.

Outstanding senior back Greg Scott has carried the Knights over the last three weeks, rushing for 900 yards and 15 touchdowns. For the season, Scott has rushed for 1,971 and scored 27 times.

To counter the Cardinals’ aggressive defense, Holy Cross sophomore quarterback Steven Gutierrez will need to be effective in play-action and throwing sideline routes.

Brownlow isn’t the running threat that Pantego Christian quarterback Hill Alexander was, but he has passed for 1,305 yards. Fort Worth Christian’s top receivers are Kallan Walters and Caleb Stone. Each of whom has about 500 receiving yards.

Freshman back Cade Garcia helps keep the Cardinals offense balanced.

Holy Cross will need to control the ball and avoid turnovers to take the next step in the playoffs.

State semifinal opponent: Grapevine Faith Christian (9-2)-Dallas Parish Episcopal (9-1) winner. Favorite: Holy Cross.