Mr. Gatti’s Showdown: Previewing this week’s Lewisville rivalry game

LewHebronBoth Lewisville and Hebron were hit hard by graduation last year, but the two teams have adjusted differently to their new rosters. At Hebron, the Hawks have ridden a versatile and balanced offense to a solid (6-2, 4-1) start to the season. For the Farmers, it’s been a rough (3-5, 1-4) start to the year after the team had 49 letterman graduate in the spring. Now, the teams will meet up in their annual rivalry matchup looking to improve their position in District 5-6A. For Lewisville to be successful on Friday night, running back Kwame Mickels will have to have a big night on the ground. Mickels has rushed for 722 yards on 129 carries this season, and is the workhorse of the Farmers offense. Lewisville has struggled throwing the ball the season, and has completed just 41 percent of its passes. Without a quarterback to get him the ball, star receiver Tyrell Shavers has seen his production plummet this season. Shavers has 388 yards and 7 touchdowns on 27 catches, but is always a big play threat if the Farmers can get him the ball. Hebron brings a much more balanced approach to the table. At quarterback, junior Clayton Tune has had a solid follow-up to his Offensive Newcomer of the Year performance last season. Tune has thrown for 1,705 yards and 12 touchdowns this season and has 297 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. On the outside, junior Jaren Mitchell (675 yards and 5 touchdowns) and sophomore Trejan Bridges (484 yards and 4 touchdowns) give Tune solid options to throw the ball to. Running back Derian Vaughn has provided the balance, and is a solid runner with 114 carries for 766 yards and 7 touchdowns this season. The Lewisville defense has given up 38 or more points in six straight games, so slowing down the potent Hawks attack will be key on Friday. Safety Matthew Kibbey will need to have a big game to stifle Tune and the Hawk’s passing attack. While it appears as though Hebron has the edge on paper in this game, the Hawks did lose to Flower Mound Marcus 37-33 earlier in the district season. Lewisville had its lone district victory in a 41-14 blowout win over Marcus, so the Farmers will need to bounce back from three straight losses to stay with the Hawks Friday night.