Football Game Preview: Grand Prairie Gophers vs. Martin Warriors

The Grand Prairie Gophers will head out to take on the Martin Warriors at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Grand Prairie has given up an average of 45.5 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Grand Prairie is headed into the contest out to prove that what happened against Bowie on Friday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. The Gophers were outmatched by the Volunteers and fell 64-14. While losing is never fun, the Gophers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Texas football rankings (they are ranked 692nd, while the Volunteers are ranked 161st).

The losing side was boosted by Xavier Clinton, who rushed for 64 yards and one score.

Meanwhile, Martin lost to Lamar on the road by a 40-21 margin last Thursday.

Grand Prairie will need to focus on slowing down Javian Jones-Priest, one of several Martin players who made an impact when they last played. He rushed for 126 yards on only 13 carries. Martin also got a significant boost from Daylon Cobb, who ran away from the competition to the tune of 84 yards.

Martin's defeat dropped their record down to 1-3. As for Grand Prairie, their loss dropped their record down to an identical 1-3.

Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Grand Prairie has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 209 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Martin struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 229.2 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.

Grand Prairie took a serious blow against Martin in their previous meeting back in September of 2024, falling 55-20. Thankfully for the Gophers, Brooks Brigance (who rushed for 122 yards and a pair of TDs on only six carries, and also threw for 158 yards and three touchdowns on only eight passes) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.