No. 3 Arlington Bowie 42, No. 10 Arlington 20: Bowie’s defense, No. 1 among Class 5A area defenses, held the Colts scoreless in the second half en route to victory. Bowie (7-1, 4-0 District 4-5A) held Arlington’s potent passing attack to 71 yards in the second half. Jamal Nero led Arlington (6-3, 4-1) with 179 rushing yards and two touchdowns. (READMORE)

Even though Arlington Bowie had just reached the midpoint of the district season, the Volunteers were well aware that Friday’s game against Arlington could very well decide the District 4-5A championship.

And the Volunteers played as if it mattered. Bowie, No. 3 in the Star-Telegram Class 5A area rankings, dispatched No. 10 Arlington 42-20 at Maverick Stadium.

Bowie (7-1, 4-0 in District 4-5A), which tied for the district championship last season, controls its 4-5A title hopes. The Volunteers have two district games remaining against Arlington Sam Houston and Mansfield Summit. If Bowie can win those games, the Volunteers will ensure their first outright district championship.

"Now we’ve just got to take care of business," Bowie coach Kenny Perry said. "It’s like I told the kids, it does us no good to start going backwards now."

Bowie ensured the victory with a great defensive performance in the second half. The Volunteers held Arlington (6-3, 4-1), which averages 34.5 points per game, scoreless in the final two quarters. Arlington running back Jamal Nero was effective the entire game and finished with a game-high 179 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but the Volunteers stymied Arlington’s pass attack. The Colts managed only 71 passing yards in the second half.

"They’ve got a great defense, but we just didn’t execute like we should," Arlington quarterback Matt Joeckel said. "The first half showed what we can do. We just have to put it together for four quarters."

Pictured: Bowie wide receiver Trae Hawkins runs for a first down after catching a first-half pass against Arlington High.  S-T/Ron Jenkins

Arlington Bowie rode an explosive first half – scoring on five of its seven possessions – to defeat Arlington, 42-20, in a battle of District 4-5A unbeaten Friday night at UT-Arlington's Maverick Stadium.

Three minutes later and just 30 seconds after Arlington tied the score at 7 on a 13-yard run by Jamal Nero, Matthews ran 80 yards for a touchdown down the left-hand sideline one play after Arlington's kickoff.

Arlington Bowie’s defense, No. 1 among Class 5A area defenses, held Arlington’s high-powered offense scoreless in the second half to emerge with a crucial District 4-5A victory.

After a high-scoring first half, neither team scored in the third quarter. Arlington drove to Arlington Bowie’s 27-yard line, but missed a 44-yard field goal. Bowie drove to Arlington’s 4, but missed a 21-yard field goal.

Arlington Bowie has scored on five of its seven possessions. More impressive is how quickly the Volunteers have scored. Four of Bowie’s scoring drives have been five plays or less and the other lasted seven plays. But Arlington has stayed within striking distance thanks to running back Jamal Nero, who already has 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Bowie quarterback Christian Matthews has connected with Jordan Selexman on touchdown passes of 34 and 30 and has an 80-yard touchdown run as Bowie has raced to an early lead.

(click on HS Game Time to view video)

Arlington Bowie football coach Kenny Perry talks about how his team executes the spread offense. (Video: DMN, Arlington Bowie; editing: Carl Ellis)

(see answer below)

Former Arlington Bowie star Ryan Palmer has embraced the role of mentor to Texas’ young defensive backs. Getty Images/Brian Bahr  Read More

Roddy Maginot, Rice: The receiver from Arlington Bowie had one catch for 10 yards in the Owls’ 45-40 victory over Southern Miss. In four games this season, he has two catches for 27 yards.

Ryan Palmer, Texas: The Arlington Bowie graduate intercepted a pass from Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, a Southlake Carroll alum, that led to a touchdown during Texas’ win over the Tigers. Palmer, a senior defensive back, ended the game with four tackles, including two solos, and broke up a pass. Read More

Freshman Roddy Maginot had the first catch of his OWL career last night when he snagged a pass from John Thomas Shepherd in the 4th Quarter.  He turned the catch into a 17 yard gain with a nifty run afterwards. Read More

D-FW pipeline: Marcus McGraw

Marcus McGraw, LB, Houston

Answer:  FOUR DEFENSE -  #43, Colby Henderson (LB), #75, Chase Epperson (DL), #94, Ryan Norwood (DL), #77, Braylon Robinson (LB)

The remaining are on Offense - #55, Curt Copeland (OL), #25, Travis Evans (RB), #45, Steven Valadez (PK), #82, Josh Sellers (OL), #2, Aaron Williams (WR), #7, Deric Davis (QB), #65, Austin Hughey (OL), #63, Derrick Okafor (OL)