Grapevine Faith Christian Football will make its 15th playoff appearance — within in past 16 seasons — on Friday as they take on the Tyler Grace Community Cougars at Grapevine Ford Field.
The Lions (8-1) clinched the TAPPS Division II district championship last Friday after defeating the Fort Worth Christian Cardinals 27-23. This is the third time in five years the Lions have taken home the title.
Senior quarterback Deuce Hogan, a University of Iowa commit, led the offense with junior running back Mark Saunders. Saunders has rushed for at least 250 yards in three of his past four games and rushed for 300 yards during the Fort Worth Christian game. Saunders also put up four touchdowns on a school-record 47 carries. The Lions are currently the only private-school team in the area averaging more than 200 yards rushing and passing per game.
Hogan, who started as a freshman on Faith’s 2016 state championship team, passed for 1,781 yards and 23 touchdowns with only five interceptions. His top target throughout the season has been senior tight end Hilton Harris, who has 26 receptions for 420 yards and five touchdowns.
Friday’s game will decide who moves into the state quarterfinals and will play against the winner of the Dallas Christian and Fort Worth Christian game. It would also mark the 12th time head coach Kris Hogan has advanced to the second round of playoffs.