Flower Mound Marcus and Lewisville square off this week in one of the biggest rivalries in Texas football they play their first district games in the Battle of the Axe on Friday at Marauder Stadium.
After big wins last weekend, both teams are 1-1 and feeling good rolling into the game.
Last week, Marcus gained 240 rushing yards as a team to score 32 straight points in a 39-17 win over Arlington. Lewisville returned a fumble and a blocked punt for touchdowns to defeat Richland, 47-21.
Lewisville has not won the axe since 2006.
“It would mostly mean that we won our first district game in our attempt to win the playoffs,” Lewisville Head Football Coach Gregg Miller said. “The axe means as much to the community as to the football team.”
This is Miller’s third season as coach and Gerry Stanford’s first season as the head football coach and athletic director for Marcus.
Miller said that the biggest challenge Lewisville faces Friday is the size and athletic ability of Marcus players.
“Marcus always plays hard,” Miller said. “That’s one of the things they hang their hat on.”
This year’s excitement stems from both communities coming together for a common cause — giving back to wounded soldiers in need.
“We’re fortunate enough because of our military guys that we can get involved and get hyped up about something like a football game because of the safety they’ve given to us,” Miller said.
For the campaign, buckets were available in the front offices of feeder elementary and middle schools to raise funds throughout the week, and each ticket booth will accept collections before the game. The teams encourage veterans to attend and participate in a special ceremony at 7:25 p.m. on the field.
“There’s so much attention in our communities this week,” Miller said. “So while everyone is focusing on the game, and our communities are battling over the axe, they’re also uniting to help our service men and women.”
The second week of the season gave area teams relief as some start district games this week.
Argyle faced a tough challenge in its second game of its class 4A era as it defeated Denison, 42-35, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on a 56-yard touchdown pass from Cooper Rodgers to Dane Ledford with 26 seconds left, just 10 seconds after Denison tied the game.
The Colony is also 2-0 after its road-game win against Corsicana. The Colony was a playoff team that finished 8-3 last season.
Several teams redeemed themselves after opening-week losses.
Flower Mound topped Keller, 19-17, thanks to Richard Kelly’s 32-yard field goal as time expired.
Little Elm and Hebron are now 0-2.
Argyle Liberty Christian outscored Springtown, 54-20, in the public-private match. Quarterback Nick Starkel threw for 297 yards and five touchdowns, leading the team to the 34-point victory.
In a private school matchup, Flower Mound Coram Deo defeated Irving The Highlands, 21-7, after Everett Bullock ran for 130 yards.
Lewisville/Flower Mound editor Adam Schrader can be reached at 214-773-8188. Follow Adam on Twitter at @schrader_adam.
