Prosper downs McKinney to claim Texas high school district football title
MCKINNEY, TEXAS - In a duel for the District 5-6A championship, Prosper got the better of McKinney.
The Eagles got a pair of first-half rushing touchdowns while intercepting a pair of passes in that same span - one of which set up their second TD - as they claimed the outright district championship with a 24-12 win Thursday night at McKinney ISD Stadium.
Prosper (9-1, 7-0) forced the Lions to punt on the opening series and the Eagles then put together a 16-play drive before stalling inside the McKinney 10. Alex McGregor came on to kick a 26-yard field goal to put the Eagles ahead, 3-0, nine minutes in.
McKinney then had to punt again, but on the play, Prosper's Laird Hanson-Felter came through to block it, and the Eagles took over with solid field position near the Lions' 35. They were able to cash in eight plays later when - on the first play of the second quarter - sophomore tailback Bryce Robinson plunged in from 2 yards out as Prosper built its lead to 10-0.
Near the end of the first half, one play after Prosper's Tyson Stiggers picked off a pass in his own territory, the Eagles made it 17-0. Junior back Leo Anguiano broke loose for a 67-yard TD sprint.
The Lions had a last-chance drive in the closing seconds before halftime, but Prosper's defense came through once more, as sophomore Trevor Ellis intercepted a pass near his own 10-yard line.
Prosper then built a 24-0 lead early in the second half on Anguiano's second TD run on the night, a 20-yard burst through the middle.
The Lions finally got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter on a pass from quarterback Jeremiah Daoud. The ball was tipped by his receiver, Khristian Mackintrush, who was able to stay focused and make the catch, as he raced in to complete a 78-yard TD, cutting Prosper's lead to 18, 24-6.
Daoud hooked up with Mackintrush again on a fourth-down TD pass with 8:14 left. A try for two failed, as Prosper held a 12-point advantage, 24-12. The Lions then got the ball back after forcing a punt, but turned it over on downs near their 30 in the closing minutes.
McKinney (8-2, 5-2) opened the season ranked in the Power 25, but is currently in the "next five up" category on the rankings bubble.
No. 11 Prosper squeaked by Allen in Week 10 and has been unblemished on the year, outside of a 47-41 loss to Rockwall in Week 3.
Photo of Prosper RB Leo Anguiano by Robbie Rakestraw
-- Buck Ringgold | buck@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx
