All-Time Matchup Monday: 2005 Celina vs. 1997 Sealy

CelinaSealyMainEditor’s Note: Every Monday during the offseason, we’ll bring you our new running series, All-Time Matchup Monday, where we’ll pit two of the greatest teams in Texas high school football history against each other, throw a few theories around on who might come out on top, and then we’ll ask you to settle the debate for us. You can also nominate all-time teams and games. Just tweet @dctf with the hashtag #MatchupMonday with your nominations. Week 1:2000 Midland Lee vs. 1996 Austin WestlakeFan vote results: 2000 Midland Lee Week 2:1970 Austin Reagan vs. 1973 John TylerFan vote results: 1973 John Tyler Week 3:2015 Katy vs. 2013 AllenFan vote results: 2015 Katy Week 4:1983 Daingerfield vs. 1988 Dallas CarterFan vote results: 1983 Daingerfield Week 5:2008 Lake Travis vs. 2006 Southlake CarrollFan vote results: 2008 Lake Travis Why Sealy would win The 1997 Sealy Tigers clinched historical heights when they claimed the school’s fourth straight Class 3A championship. Sealy became the first program in state history to win four straight titles, a feat only Lake Travis and Celina have matched since. It was an era of pure dominance for the Tigers. During the four-year span, Sealy went 63-1 and won 24-straight playoff games. Head coach T.J. Mills used a running game led by a stable of runners, using the passing game to keep defenses off balance. Sealy also relied heavily on a defense that included linebacker Adam Zapalac, the 1997 Defensive Player of the Year. Defensive lineman Daniel Ballard and defensive back Michael Griffin were named first-team all-state honorees on a defense which allowed only 29 points in 10 regular season games. Sealy’s defense held opponents to 124 yards per game and allowed a total of 502 yards passing in the regular season. Sealy won the 1997 championship in a comeback victory over Commerce. Mills’ team beat Commerce by one point in the 1995 championship and erased a 21-6 third-quarter deficit to win 28-21 and write its name into the record books. Sealy forced three turnovers in the game. The biggest play on offense was a 50-yard run by sophomore running back Brian Johnson, who led Sealy back to a championship appearance in 1999. Why Celina would win Celina became a dominant force at the Class 2A level under legendary coach G.A. Moore, and that was continued by Butch Ford and the Bobcats in 2005 when Ford won his first title as Celina’s head coach. Celina scored 802 points in 2005, the second most ever at the time in Texas high school football. The offense took home headlines, but the defense was as dominant, if not more. The Bobcats allowed 75 points all season, which is less than five points per game. Celina’s 10-man defensive front and multiple-pronged offense was too much for Class 2A competition in 2005. The 28-12 victory over Pewitt in the Class 2A Division II championship game was only the second time all season Celina was held under 30 points. It was also the second time in 16 games Celina allowed more than 10 points, the other coming in a 27-21 district victory over Prosper. The offense was led by running back Chris Tolbert and quarterback Nathan Tune, who later went on to start at North Texas after beginning his career as a walk-on. Tight end Adam James was an all-state selection due to his combination of size and athleticism. Defensive lineman Tyler Franklin and linebacker Chase Hall led the defense. [poll id="98"] Craven’s Pick: Celina Sealy forever holds a spot in the record books, but Celina’s defense gets the edge in this matchup. The Bobcats were a complete team and beat better competition in 2005. Max Thompson's Pick: Celina No one can dispute how dominant Sealy's defense was, but Celina had a great defense and a tremendous offense, as well. Throw in a few more modern-era wrinkles, and I think I like the Bobcats. Greg Tepper's Pick: Celina Talk about two devastating defenses. Sealy would have the edge in coaching with the legendary T.J. Mills, but the Bobcats’ offense is simply too much. Fan vote: Will be announced next Monday.