THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Trinity High School Athletics

The District 5-6A boys soccer campaign passed the halfway mark last week with teams driving toward the homestretch Friday after receiving a bye from district competition on Tuesday. Entering Friday, each team has four matches remaining in district and the 5-6A standings have begun to take form, including the district currently boasting zero ties in the points column. Plenty is left to be decided, however, with three teams within four points of first place and seven teams still clinging to playoff hopes in some form or fashion. Below is a look at the how the standings stack up as 5-6A hits the homestretch (standings entering Friday). 1. Marcus (7-2-1, 22) The Chad Rakestraw era at Marcus has gotten off to a swimming start with the Marauders closing in on not only a 27th consecutive playoff berth, but the outright 5-6A title. The Marauders’ only losses in district have come against Flower Mound and Euless Trinity with Marcus also drawing with the Trojans. The Jaguars are also the lone team currently in playoff position remaining on Marcus’ schedule. 2. Euless Trinity (6-2-2, 20) The Trojans weren’t even in contention for a playoff berth in 5-6A a year ago but have climbed to second in the standings in 2018 as they seek their first postseason appearance since 2013. Trinity is second in the district in goal differential and match Marcus and Hebron for the fewest goals allowed in conference with 10. The Trojans’ playoff hopes will also benefit from having the seventh- and eighth-place teams still remaining on the schedule. 3. Flower Mound (6-4-0, 18) Following a three-year streak of qualifying for the postseason, the Jaguars have missed out on the tournament in each of the past two years. However, Flower Mound has positioned itself for a playoff return following a 6-4 start to district. The Jaguars lead fifth-place Carroll by four points after splitting the season series with the Dragons but aren’t out of the woods yet with Marcus, Trinity and Hebron still remaining on the schedule for a squad that ranks third in the district in point differential. 4. Hebron (5-4-1, 16) The Hawks claimed the district title a year ago and advanced all the way to the regional finals but have found tougher sledding in 2018. Hebron got out to a 3-4 start in 5-6A but have gone 2-0-1 since to move into sole possession of fourth ahead of Carroll by two points. The Hawks also hold any potential tiebreakers with the Dragons and are fourth in goal differential thanks in part to a stingy defense that has allowed a district-low 10 goals. 5. Southlake Carroll (4-4-2, 14) The Dragons won’t own any outright tiebreakers over third-place Flower Mound or fourth-place Hebron but can make up ground with a strong finish to a schedule that concludes with the bottom three teams in the district. If Carroll can’t close with three consecutive wins or pull off a stunner Friday against first-place Marcus (results not available as of press time), the Dragons could be on the outside looking in on the playoff picture for the first time since 2005. 6. Lewisville (4-6-0, 12) The Farmers were hoping to ride the momentum of a banner season in 2017 to another playoff berth in 2018 but haven’t lived up to their preseason billings thus far. Lewisville’s four wins puts the Farmers in the playoff conversation, but the squad is relegated to sixth after suffering six outright defeats — more than any team outside of eight-place Bell. Fortunately, Lewisville’s remaining schedule features zero teams currently in the top three of the standings. 7. Trophy Club Byron Nelson (3-5-2, 11) The Bobcats missed the playoffs for the first time in program history last year after previously qualifying in five consecutive seasons since opening. A second consecutive season of coming up shy seems to be Nelson’s destination after the Bobcats have managed just one win in their past six matches. 8. Hurst L.D. Bell (1-9-0, 3) The Raiders figured to find a tough time in a district as deep and competitive as 5-6A and that has proven to be the case over the past two seasons. After going winless a year ago, Bell has taken a step in the right direction, however, picking up a win over a Flower Mound team currently in playoff positioning with four matches still remaining on the docket.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Trinity High School Athletics

SIZING UP THE STANDINGS ON THE PITCH IN 5-6A

JUSTIN THOMAS

Carrollton Leader | 3/6/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Trinity Athletics