This is The Gridiron Geek’s favorite Week 10-11 scenario to recap this postseason. Not because our beloved Birds of Prey lost at Bradley’s Farm last week, but due to what Week 9’s outcome sets up for November, capping a special season on the river flat.
The Crystal City Hornets have seeded #2 in Class 1, District 2, meaning that at least one playoff game will be held at J.J. Commerford Stadium in the school’s Centennial football season. That’s such a happy development that it can hardly be put into words. CCHS didn’t make a big deal out of Year 100 ceremonies following the dedicatory concert in August. But it is simply sensational that there’s going to be a 2026-style playoff game hosted by an Est. 1926 brand, in front of that big moon.
It’s crazy that the Hornets jumped so high as #2 in a five-team district. Principia, the #3 seed that will visit on November 6, had a superior performance against common opponents in 2026, defeating Confluence and Veritas a combined 136-41. Tristan Coon is among the top quarterbacks in Class 1, having thrown for 32 touchdowns, plus over 2200 yards for the Panthers this campaign.
Crystal City’s outstanding win on Senior Night changed more than the location of the Hornets’ next game. The surprising effort, in which CCHS stood up to an OL that had pierced St. Vincent’s defensive front in Week 8, also earned the Hornets a bye week in Week 10, while relegating Grandview to play in the district’s only quarterfinal contest against Veritas Christian this October 30.
Talon Clayton’s big run for a touchdown got the win over Grandview going early in the second half, following the first half’s terrific goalline stand at the CCHS 1-yard line keyed by DT Gage McPherson’s successful Jet Blitz on 4th down. We’ve heard that McPherson is more of a “weight-room kingpin” than an actual big guy with massive bone girth. A-HEM! Get a gander at the senior and be the judge for yourself.
Yes, the Crystal City Hornets won the line-of-scrimmage, which is how the newfangled team with an occasionally fancier offense can look better than Dan Fox’s teams when it wins, even though it tends to look way worse when it’s losing. When you’re blocking, sealing, and executing, all things become possible. Such as doing what Don Coryell’s offenses used to on occasion (or Southern Mississippi’s under Larry Fedora), and lining up in fancy formations before running straight up the gut. Crystal City has adjusted to give kids like Tristyn Munton, an O-lineman who has slimmed down and who doubles as a skill player this season, an opportunity to shine in run-heavy game plans. Last Friday, the Hornets handed the egg off close to 40 times and barely asked their quarterback Kolton Adams to pass. The physical style took its toll on Grandview’s starters. DT Elias Miller recovered an Eagles fumble. McPherson and CB Conner Miller caught interceptions, as Grandview’s injury woes yet again extend to the QB position.
The Geek is also fond of the performance of freshman Brody Parker, a 6’2″ prodigy who has racked up a stat line comparable to Clayton’s on defense, while catching two touchdown passes from Adams. Parker is part of a nice underclass group which includes four linemen topping 200 pounds, and all kinds of new options at linebacker.
The Hornets have modified their offense to get Adams under center, going from Run & Shoot looks to the regular A-Back motion, like Hawaii when Ken Niumatalolo was the offensive coordinator back in the day. That helps the team continue to develop a sophomore quarterback while also putting the backfield in better position to run for first downs. To praise the Hornets’ Xs & Os after weeks of questioning them would be a cheap move worthy of Brian Burwell or Bernie Miklasz, but it is a strategy that can help Crystal City’s execution stay crisp and clean. There’s no choice except to play keep-away against Principia, which means avoiding flags.
Oh, and in the second half, the Hornets began giving the pigskin to Gale Sayers Alex Parham.
Don’t count Crystal City out against Principia. The Hornets are always more dangerous when they’re performing at home. Besides, when a team outplays its Friday Night Prediction by 50 points, it’s usually a sign that they’re not going back to the wayward form that inspired the bad predictions in the first place. Principia’s celebrity head coach Maty Mauk may want to prepare to get spooked by a ball-hogging opponent on the week after Halloween.