2023 Texas High School Football

[HornsOverIthaca 2,333]

WTF how can an AI know all that shit!?!?

Edited November 28, 2023 by HornsOverIthaca

[TreatyOak 16,332]

51 minutes ago, Boss Hogg said:

That is so bad. Thank you for posting this. Might bring some AI doomers back from the edge. 

Also the video of the robot that couldn't walk up one step without falling over, haha. 

[Bateshorn 9,927]

6 hours ago, Mittens said:

I miss the days when they held a regular season MILF Bowl game at DKR and there were a legit 25K at the game.

Fuck I miss shopping the Westlake HEB as a fresh divorcee in the spring after church. Sundresses for miles. 
 

Edited November 28, 2023 by Bateshorn

[cmontexas 3,271]

[billfromlaketravis 11,481]

I assume LT-Westlake won’t be on TV? 

[YGIFS 19,450]

9 minutes ago, Bateshorn said:

Fuck I miss shopping the Westlake HEB as a fresh divorcee in the spring after church. Sundresses for miles. 
 

You can still go by there and enjoy yoga pants season.  I filled out my bracket in advance.  I often volunteer to go shopping there while daughter is in 'sunday school' at the nearby church.  The weekday crowd candy is nice as well because of all the ladies getting out of the myriad yoga/pilates/fitness centers nearby.  I hate city living, but between the local haunts in the area plus working on campus a couple days a week, my cup runneth over in terms of ass viewing.  I dunno how you fellas in the rural corners of Texas function properly with nothing pleasing to the eye.  

1 minute ago, billfromlaketravis said:

I assume LT-Westlake won’t be on TV? 

That'll suck.  I was hoping to DVR it and watch it later.  No TV at all for an Elite 8 game seems weird to me, but I still don't get the fucking UIL after all these years.

[billfromlaketravis 11,481]

1 minute ago, YGIFS said:

You can still go by there and enjoy yoga pants season.  I filled out my bracket in advance.  I often volunteer to go shopping there while daughter is in 'sunday school' at the nearby church.  The weekday crowd candy is nice as well because of all the ladies getting out of the myriad yoga/pilates/fitness centers nearby.  I hate city living, but between the local haunts in the area plus working on campus a couple days a week, my cup runneth over in terms of ass viewing.  I dunno how you fellas in the rural corners of Texas function properly with nothing pleasing to the eye.  

That'll suck.  I was hoping to DVR it and watch it later.  No TV at all for an Elite 8 game seems weird to me, but I still don't get the fucking UIL after all these years.

Bally’s Southwest lists HS Football at 7pm CST with no description. LT-Westlake play at 2, so not happening. 

[Beau Vine 54,230]

44 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said:

Bally’s Southwest lists HS Football at 7pm CST with no description.  

Guessing that's Steele-Drip from the Alamodome, where they did the game and scoreboard show last week, too.  

WL-LT has to be on KBVO, doesn't it?

Edited November 28, 2023 by Beau Vine

[Helobious 9,454]

Will be pulling for Steele something fierce this weekend. Beyond sick of Austin schools winning. #NotMyRegion4

[TreatyOak 16,332]

7 hours ago, Helobious said:

Will be pulling for Steele something fierce this weekend. Beyond sick of Austin schools winning. #NotMyRegion4

Our district currently has 3 teams in the 6A state quarterfinals: Westlake, Lake Travis and Dripping Springs. That's the best we've ever done.  

[BurntOrange&White 39,933]

33 minutes ago, TreatyOak said:

Our district currently has 3 teams in the 6A state quarterfinals: Westlake, Lake Travis and Dripping Springs. That's the best we've ever done.  

My district in HS, when only 3 teams made playoffs, had two teams meet up in the d2 regional final and the 3rd made it to the regional final in D1. The winner of the d2 game ended up making it to state. 

[TreatyOak 16,332]

13 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

My district in HS, when only 3 teams made playoffs, had two teams meet up in the d2 regional final and the 3rd made it to the regional final in D1. The winner of the d2 game ended up making it to state. 

That's impressive! Where was that? 

[Dennis Taylor 18,828]

12 hours ago, TreatyOak said:

Okay, @Longhorn94, since I am a very pessimistic person, (being a Horns fan will do that to you) I asked ChatGPT to say why why Lake Travis could defeat Westlake this Saturday. Now I've gone from feeling low to feeling entirely hopeless: 

 

1. Strong Offense: If Lake Travis High School has a powerful and versatile offense with skilled players, they may be able to outscore Westlake High School.

2. Solid Defense: A strong defense is crucial in football. If Lake Travis has a robust defensive strategy and skilled defenders, they may be able to prevent Westlake from scoring.

3. Effective Coaching: Good coaching can make a significant difference. If Lake Travis has a well-prepared coaching staff that can make effective in-game decisions, it could give them an advantage.

4. Home Field Advantage: Playing on their home turf can boost the morale of Lake Travis players and contribute to their overall performance.*

5. Injury-Free Roster: If Lake Travis has a healthy and injury-free roster, they will have all their key players available for the game, giving them a better chance of success.

6. Strategic Special Teams: Special teams play, including kick and punt returns, can swing the momentum of a game. If Lake Travis excels in this aspect, it could give them an edge.

7. Motivation and Team Spirit: A motivated and cohesive team often performs better. If Lake Travis has a strong team spirit and motivation, it can positively impact their performance on the field.

8. Previous Successes: If Lake Travis has a history of success against Westlake or in similar high-pressure situations, it might boost their confidence and increase their chances of winning.

9. Adaptability: Football games can be unpredictable. If Lake Travis is good at adapting to different game situations and adjusting their strategy accordingly, they may have an advantage.

10. Fan Support: The support of enthusiastic fans can create a positive atmosphere and energize the players. If Lake Travis has a strong fan base, it could contribute to their success on the field.

11.  

* I forgot to mention that this is a neutral site game. 

Man this is good stuff...can't believe all those secrets are available for free

[BurntOrange&White 39,933]

2 minutes ago, TreatyOak said:

That's impressive! Where was that? 

District 18-3A(back when 5a was highest)

Giddings with Brock Fitzhenry was the d1 that school and lost in the regional finals to a West Orange-Stark team led by Deon Beasley and a young Earl Thomas.

Cameron and Hutto with Hutto making it to state. Jeremy Kerley was their QB that year. 

 

Cameron had one of the best players I played against named Derek Evans. Dude was a 6'4 175 lbs WR that insane. 

 

The year before this season my team played Bellville in the playoffs that had Emmanuel Sanders who was a 10+ year NFL guy.

[TreatyOak 16,332]

2 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

District 18-3A(back when 5a was highest)

Giddings with Brock Fitzhenry was the d1 that school and lost in the regional finals to a West Orange-Stark team led by Deon Beasley and a young Earl Thomas.

Cameron and Hutto with Hutto making it to state. Jeremy Kerley was their QB that year. 

 

Cameron had one of the best players I played against named Derek Evans. Dude was a 6'4 175 lbs WR that insane. 

 

The year before this season my team played Bellville in the playoffs that had Emmanuel Sanders who was a 10+ year NFL guy.

Terrific. Sounds like some great memories. I was hoping Brock would become a star in college. 

[BurntOrange&White 39,933]

2 minutes ago, TreatyOak said:

Terrific. Sounds like some great memories. I was hoping Brock would become a star in college. 

That Giddings team had some speed. I believe they set the Texas relay record in the 4x200 at the time for their classification. One of their best players was a LB named Alan Dock who ended up going to Tulsa. I think he ended his HS career with 500+ tackles.

[Beau Vine 54,230]

1 hour ago, BurntOrange&White said:

That Giddings team had some speed. I believe they set the Texas relay record in the 4x200 at the time for their classification. One of their best players was a LB named Alan Dock who ended up going to Tulsa. I think he ended his HS career with 500+ tackles.

I still can't believe those Giddings teams never won anything.   Wimberley opened the season with them after winning state in 2005, and Giddings just beat the shit out of them.  And it was worse the next year.  And I remember Alan Dock because he made every fucking tackle.  Coach Fitzhenry is still at CE King.  The Googles say that Brock is working in construction in DFW and Dock is a CPA in BCS.

[Mittens 8,284]

16 hours ago, Scholz said:

I remember watching Midland Lee (Cedric Benson) take on Westlake at DKR. Place was jam packed. Benson ended Huston Street’s football career that day luckily for Horn fans.

Everyone remembers that as El Ced and Eric Winston dominating, but iirc it was tied at half and Westlake was in it to the end.  But yeah, beautiful day + local team + UT Commit = packed house (relatively speakling).  I was there for the Eisenhower/Lee game the year before in a cold drizzle and it was friends and family for the most part.

[YGIFS 19,450]

11 hours ago, Beau Vine said:

Guessing that's Steele-Drip from the Alamodome, where they did the game and scoreboard show last week, too.  

WL-LT has to be on KBVO, doesn't it?

i'd like to think so.  I don't think I'm making the trip to Arlington for Big XII so was hoping to watch that game after ours while setting up the christmas tree with the kids (future band members hopefully).  I would think they'd make that kind of annoucnement today or tomorrow, no for Tv/travel?  

 

[F250 28,776]

On 11/26/2023 at 9:55 AM, Helobious said:

Pieper wins 53-46. That’s 3 Comal ISD schools on to the state quarterfinals. Canyon and Canyon Lake are punching air right now. 

The impressive part is that Pieper Ranch and Davenport have only been around for several years.

My nephew plays for Pieper, I've attended some games and it really is mind blowing to see how well they play. A couple of years ago they didn't even have seniors.

Sadly, that whole area's talent pool was feeding Smithson Valley.

[Helobious 9,454]

36 minutes ago, F250 said:

The impressive part is that Pieper Ranch and Davenport have only been around for several years.

My nephew plays for Pieper, I've attended some games and it really is mind blowing to see how well they play. A couple of years ago they didn't even have seniors.

Sadly, that whole area's talent pool was feeding Smithson Valley.

There’s often a sweet spot for new schools around years 3-6 where you really see the benefits of having a majority of 3 or 4 year starters and minimal coach turnover. Pieper hit it in year 2 though

[Assman 1,830]

On 11/24/2023 at 8:37 PM, slorch said:

Falls City over Bremond 21-20.

Bremond was pretty salty this year, but the Beavers prevail.

Falls City is one of those schools I just would never bet against.

I say this every year in this thread, but death, taxes, and Falls City losing to Mart are the only givens in life.  Let's see if it holds true this year.

My entire mom's side of the family is from Falls City so they're my rooting interest once my Coppell Cowboys bow out, which is always by round 3.

[Guest]

Mart licked the Beavers 3 years in a row in the semis, but Falls City got a measure of revenge in 2021.

I've shared this before, but for any of your hardcore folks, you can get lost for an afternoon( or 3) exploring old coaches or playoff runs/ rivalries.  I love this site/ page.

https://www.texashighschoolfootballhistory.com/won-loss_records

Edited November 28, 2023 by slorch

[Dennis Taylor 18,828]

30 minutes ago, slorch said:

Mart licked the Beavers 3 years in a row in the semis, but Falls City got a measure of revenge in 2021.

I've shared this before, but for any of your hardcore folks, you can get lost for an afternoon( or 3) exploring old coaches or playoff runs/ rivalries.  I love this site/ page.

https://www.texashighschoolfootballhistory.com/won-loss_records

Lots of phrasing here 😆 

And yes it's an awesome website.  Some of the nicknames of coaches back in the old days are hilarious 

[Scholz 11,943]

5 hours ago, Mittens said:

Everyone remembers that as El Ced and Eric Winston dominating, but iirc it was tied at half and Westlake was in it to the end.  But yeah, beautiful day + local team + UT Commit = packed house (relatively speakling).  I was there for the Eisenhower/Lee game the year before in a cold drizzle and it was friends and family for the most part.

Don't remember the game that well.  I do remember it was a beautiful day.  I do recall poor Street playing SS and knocking heads with that bull Benson all day.  Lee won 3 state titles when he was there, the only 3 they've ever won.

Anyway, wish more games like that were at DKR including the local one this weekend.

[Beau Vine 54,230]

5 hours ago, Mittens said:

Everyone remembers that as El Ced and Eric Winston dominating, but iirc it was tied at half and Westlake was in it to the end.  But yeah, beautiful day + local team + UT Commit = packed house (relatively speakling).  I was there for the Eisenhower/Lee game the year before in a cold drizzle and it was friends and family for the most part.

What I remember about that game was Ced just absolutely trucking Huston Street repeatedly, only Street would somehow hang on to one of his shoelaces or something and get him to the ground.  If anyone but HS was playing safety that day, Ced would have had about 500 yards rushing and 10 TDs.  

And then the next year, when freshman closer Huston Street led the Horns to Omaha, people were like, "How can a freshman do that?" and I'd just think, "Because he's the toughest little motherfucker on the field."

[Beau Vine 54,230]

11 minutes ago, Scholz said:

Anyway, wish more games like that were at DKR including the local one this weekend.

What's the last one they've had there?  Allen-Woodlands?

[Mittens 8,284]

Westlake vs Vandergrift had the Regional Final there 2 years ago.

[Scholz 11,943]

1 minute ago, Beau Vine said:

What's the last one they've had there?  Allen-Woodlands?

Dunno

[Lonestar88 4,664]

8 hours ago, TreatyOak said:

Our district currently has 3 teams in the 6A state quarterfinals: Westlake, Lake Travis and Dripping Springs. That's the best we've ever done.  

6A power is really concentrated. This is one of 3 districts that still have 3 teams remaining. The other two are 21-6A with North Shore, Summer Creek, and Atascocita. And 11-6A with Duncanville, DeSoto, and Cedar Hill.

That’s 9 of the 16 6A teams remaining from 3 districts

Also, 4-6A still has two teams (Byron Nelson and Southlake Carroll) 

[Scholz 11,943]

8 hours ago, TreatyOak said:

Our district currently has 3 teams in the 6A state quarterfinals: Westlake, Lake Travis and Dripping Springs. That's the best we've ever done.  

Our district 25-6A gets these juggernauts every year in the 1st round.  Vandegrift, Vista Ridge and Round Rock all fell to these 3.  Only McNeil won 1st round (just because we drew Bowie).  Thought Vandegrift was going deep this year but LT got rolling.

[TreatyOak 16,332]

9 minutes ago, Scholz said:

Our district 25-6A gets these juggernauts every year in the 1st round.  Vandegrift, Vista Ridge and Round Rock all fell to these 3.  Only McNeil won 1st round (just because we drew Bowie).  Thought Vandegrift was going deep this year but LT got rolling.

Major shout-out to the Round Rock QB. That is one tough SOB. Our Chaps went after him legally and after the whistle, as well. (and got repeatedly flagged for it) I've never seen a kid take such a beating and get back up over and over. He would get helped to the sidelines, and then come in on the next possession and get hit again. The Chaps radio announcers named him player of the game. I think he is going to play baseball in college. Warrior. 

[Scholz 11,943]

4 minutes ago, TreatyOak said:

Major shout-out to the Round Rock QB. That is one tough SOB. Our Chaps went after him legally and after the whistle, as well. (and got repeatedly flagged for it) I've never seen a kid take such a beating and get back up over and over. He would get helped to the sidelines, and then come in on the next possession and get hit again. The Chaps radio announcers named him player of the game. I think he is going to play baseball in college. Warrior. 

Yeah Cochran.  He's been doing it for a few years.  He dragged us as a Soph and our coach was pissed.

[Beau Vine 54,230]

 

OK, I guess I should do one of these this week because I love this week and I got nothing better to do than crank out 3000 words on Texas HS football while sitting in an empty house in Colorado.  

First and foremost, these games need to be called the REGION FINALS, not the “state quarterfinals,” for fuck’s sake.  Winning your region should be a big deal.

Note: I count nine district rematches.

Class 6A Division I

Region I
13-0 North Crowley vs. 9-4 Allen, 1 p.m. Saturday at Southlake’s Dragon Stadium
I watched Allen a couple of weeks ago and thought they looked shitty, and then I looked at their bracket and saw a couple of shitty teams in front of them and commented that they had a good chance of making the region finals even though they’re shitty and here they are.  NC’s average score this season is 56-13, and they have a 43-20 blowout of a damn good 5A Lovejoy on their resume, plus they punked defending region champ Prosper 35-7 last week.   I doubt they have much trouble with the Eagles.  

Region II
11-1 Duncanville vs. 11-2 Spring Westfield, 3 p.m. Saturday at The Palace in Round Rock
There will be a ton of D1 prospects on both sides in this one, just like last year when Duncanville won 28-21.   Westfield lost in weeks 2 & 3 (to NS and Hightower), scoring only 18 points total, but they’ve apparently fixed their offense, hanging 77 on Rockwall last week and posting 338 points over the last 5 weeks.   But you’d be stupid to pick against the Panthers, and you’d also be stupid not to go to this game if you have the chance, because it should be a great track meet.

Region III
13-0 Galena Park North Shore vs. 11-2 Humble Atascocita, 2 p.m. Saturday at Pasadena’s Veterans Memorial Stadium
NS won the district matchup 61-35, and beat them twice in both 2022 and 2021, and once each the two years before that.  2017 is Cita’s last win in the series, so you could say that NS is the boulder and Cita is Sisyphus.  The crazy thing is that Cita might be the most athletic-looking team in the state.   They look bigger and faster than NS, but NS always kicks their asses.  No reason to expect that to change.

Region IV
11-2 Lake Travis vs. 13-0 Austin Westlake, 2 p.m. Saturday at Pflugerville’s The Pfield
Not calling anybody out here, but there are certain Westlake supporters who like to sandbag their team’s chances.  Maybe they’re getting to me, because I could see LT winning this, even though WL won the district matchup 20-14, as LT has improved a lot in the last month, and their D is playing great.  But LT hasn’t beaten WL since 2019, so I’d still bet on the Chaps.

Class 6A Division II

Region I
12-1 Southlake Carroll vs. 13-0 Trophy Club Byron Nelson, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium
Interesting district rematch here as SLC has kind of flown under the radar since losing to Nelson 34-17 in October.  But pedigree matters in the playoffs, and I think the Dragon avenge that loss.   This might be Nelson’s best chance for a while, as SLC plays a bunch of sophomores.  

Region II
12-0 DeSoto vs. 8-5 Cedar Hill, 7 p.m. Friday at Kincaide Stadium
Yet another district rematch, 35-13 Desoto in October.  CH started the season 1-4 against a ridiculous schedule, but they have laid the wood since the Desoto loss.  Desoto should win this again, because despite what the talking heads like to claim, it’s actually not that hard to beat a good team twice if you’re a really good team.  

Region III
12-1 Humble Summer Creek vs. 12-1 Fort Bend Hightower, 2 p.m. Saturday at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium
SC gave NS their closest game of the season, and I saw them just whip a much bigger Atascocita team, so I’ve been a believer for a while now.  They have a stud RB in Lloyd Avant who’s woefully underrecruited (Tulsa commit) and looks like an old school RB in the Chuck Foreman or Shaun Alexander mold.  Hightower has had a hell of a season, losing only a shootout to Ridge Point, but they would need some sort of Bralon Addison clone to win this, and they don’t have that.

Region IV
12-1 Cibolo Steele vs. 11-2 Dripping Springs, 7 p.m. Saturday at San Antonio’s Alamodome
I’m a big believer in teams that are coming back for a second crack at things, and that’s Dripping, who lost in this round last season in a heartbreaker to Vandy. They don’t have the stud QB like last season and they’re dealing with injuries, but they have a roster of kids who have spent a year thinking about what they could have done differently to win that game, and I think that counts for a lot deep in the playoffs.  Steele has won 11 in row easily since losing to LT in September, and they have a freaky good junior QB in Chad Warner, who’s thrown for over 3000 yards and 33 touchdowns.  Steele is probably favored, but I think the Drip D gets it done.

Class 5A Division I
Region I

11-2 Abilene vs. 13-0 Aledo, 7 p.m. Friday at Stephenville’s Memorial Stadium
Abilene is not bad, but I think Aledo wins this by 30+.  

Region II
8-5 Lancaster vs. 12-1 Forney, 7 p.m. Friday at Rockwall’s Wilkerson-Sanders Stad.
Another district rematch, Forney won 21-20 in OT in October.   Lancaster is only 8-5, thanks to a brutal non-district slate (Guyer, SOC) and they were actually the 4th-place team in 7-5A1, but the Tigers will never lack athleticism.  Forney is 12-1, losing only to Longview 13-7, but this is really uncharted territory for them – they were 0-9 in 2020 and haven’t made noise in the playoffs since winning state in 3A in 2003.  But the coach they hired after that 2020 debacle has them humming – they hung 61 on unbeaten Richland last week, and knocked off powerhouse Lone Star the week before.   I think they win a close one.

Region III
10-3 A&M Consolidated vs. 12-1 Smithson Vallery, 7 p.m. Friday at Cedar Park’s Gupton Stadium
SV hasn’t lost since Reagan edged them 17-16 in the season opener and they got revenge over College Station (who ended their season in ’22) last week.  AMC is 10-3 and knocked off my region favorite Fulshear a couple of weeks ago.  But SV has Larry Hill coaching them, which gives them a coaching edge against just about everyone, but especially AMC since they ran off Lee Fedora.  

Region IV
13-0 Corpus Christi Miller vs. 11-2 Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 7 p.m. Friday at Brownsville’s Sams Stadium
This one has me flummoxed after B-Vets pulled the biggest upset of the entire playoffs last week.  I do know that Miller can score – 778 points and only 1 game with fewer than 7 TDs.  I don’t see the Chargers slowing that down enough to win.

Class 5A Division II
Region I
11-2 Frisco Emerson vs. 12-1 Colleyville Heritage, 7 p.m. Friday at Frisco’s Ford Center at The Star
Emerson lost consecutive weeks to Argyle and Lake Dallas by 8 points in October, but has rolled otherwise.  They’re led by stud QB and OU commit Mike Hawkins (47 total TDs), who was run out of Allen by racism.  CH lost by 3 to Texarkana on 9/1 and have cruised since.   They look to have a much better D and they took out region power Argyle last week, so I think they deserve the edge in this one.  

Region II
11-2 South Oak Cliff vs. 12-1 Lovejoy, 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium
SOC just doesn’t lose in the playoffs.  MidloH had them down 10 at half last week, and the Bears came out with two long TD drives in the 3rd and won by 11.  They came from behind against a great Melissa team the week before.  Lovejoy as usual has a dynamic offense, but their D looks better this year.  You’d still have to be stupid to pick against SOC, though.

Region III
12-1 Port Neches-Groves vs. 8-5 Huntsville, TBD
If you had this game on your pre-playoffs bracket, you’re a liar.  PNG upset #1 Lake Creek 30-27 last week, while 8-5 Huntsville pulled a bigger shocker, beating district mate Randle 14-13, three weeks after losing to them 35-6.   PNG lost in State last year, so that experience should make the difference.

Region IV
12-1 San Antonio Pieper vs. 9-4 Liberty Hill, TBD
Another district rematch, as Pieper won the regular season finale 33-23.  LH always seems to get it going in the playoffs, but their D is kind of subpar this year, only allowing fewer than 20 points once all season.  Pieper’s only loss was to Wimberley in week 2, and they rallied to win a huge 53-46 shootout over region favorite Alamo Heights last week.  I think they win a 55-52 type of game again.  

Class 4A Division I

Region I
12-1 Brownwood vs. 9-4 Decatur, 7 p.m. Friday at Waco’s McLane Stadium
Decatur started the season 1-4 thanks to a non-district slate that included Anna, Rider, and Stephenville.   Brownwood’s only loss was also to S’ville, but they’ve played a pretty week schedule.  Don’t be surprised  to see Decatur win this.

Region II
12-1 Anna vs. 11-2 Stephenville, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Birdville FAAC
Stephenville won a really uncharacteristic rock fight over Celina 7-3 last week, which really impressed me, because you expect to see the Yellowjackets just outscore people.  But Anna is one of the biggest and most athletic 4A teams I’ve ever seen, so I think the Coyotes take this one.

Region III
12-1 Kilgore vs. 11-2 Tyler Chapel Hill, 7 p.m. Friday at Longview’s Lobo Stadium
Another district rematch, with Kilgore winning 39-16 in October, and it’s the third year in a row for them to meet in the region finals, with this the rubber match.  Man, if you want playoff experience, meet QB Demetrious Brisbon and RB Ricky Stewart (both SMU commits as juniors), who led CH to the state semis in both their freshman and soph seasons.  But this Kilgore team is big and nasty and only lost 30-27 to Carthage in the season opener.   So if anyone can contain those two kids, it’s the Bulldogs.

Region IV
10-3 San Antonio Davenport vs. 9-4 Port Lavaca Calhoun, 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Alamodome
These two teams have 7 losses between them, so no one expected this matchup for the region title.  PLC hasn’t exactly faced a murderer’s row to get here in Zapata, Burnet, and Alice.   If Davenport can get a lead, the Sandcrabs will be in big trouble with their Slot-T trying to play catch-up.  Davenport can really score, but as usual, this will come down to whether their D can play the disciplined, assignment football required to contain a Slot-T.  I think they win it 60-something to 40-something.

Class 4A Division II

Region I
12-1 Canyon West Plains vs. 9-4 Glen Rose, 6 p.m. Friday at Wichita Falls’ Memorial Stadium
Everyone wrote GR off after they started 1-4, but they haven’t lost since, and they’re another bunch that learned a ton last season, barely losing in the state semis to Carthage.  Second-year school WP has ripped everyone after losing its season opener.   What a massive contrast!   WP looks like the more dominant team and should be favored, but that’s underselling GR’s experience.  

Region II
10-3 Gilmer vs. 13-0 Carthage, 7 p.m. Friday at Tyler’s Rose Stadium
Carthage by 30+.  Gilmer has scored 660 points, but has allowed an absurd 460, including 71 to Chapel Hill and 63 to Pleasant Grove.  Carthage has a shaky QB this season (Surratt’s kid), but he’s good enough to light up this D.  This will be a 70-40 type of game.

Region III
13-0 Bellville vs. 9-4 Jasper, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Shenadoah’s Woodforest Bank Stadium
Bellville pulled a stunner, beating undefeated defending region champ Silbee 61-7 last week.  But the Brahmas can’t throw the ball at all, and Jasper has a big tough D that held Cuero to 7 points last week, so this is a fascinating strength vs. strength matchup that could go either way, though I’d take Bellville in a defensive battle just on what I saw last week.

Region IV
13-0 Wimberley vs. 10-2 Sinton, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Von Ormy’s Southwest Legacy Stadium
This Wimberley team might be better than either of their state championship teams.  QB Cody Stoever is unstoppable, and the D is really good.  Sinton doesn’t have a chance.

Class 3A Division I

Region I
12-1 Paradise vs. 10-3 Brock, 7 p.m. Friday at Mineral Wells’ Ram Stadium
Another district rematch, with Brock winning 26-14 in October.  Paradise is 22-4 in the last two seasons, but 0-2 against Brock.  I think Brock wins this by 20+.

Region II
12-0 Winnsboro vs. 13-0 Malakoff, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Forney’s City Bank Stadium
Two unbeaten teams here that are the real deal.  Winnsboro has scored 145 the last two weeks.  But Malakoff is on a different level – they’ve only allowed 101 points and no one has gotten within 30 of them all season.  Winnsboro’s best chance is catching the Tigers looking ahead at a revenge game against Brock, but I don’t think that happens.  

Region III
12-1 Franklin vs. 11-2 Lorena, 7 p.m. Friday at Georgetown ISD AC
All season I would have practically guaranteed Franklin-Columbus in this game, but Lorena pasted the Cards 42-21 last week.   This is a district rematch – Lorena broke Franklin’s 39-game winning streak on a last-play FG in a 52-49 classic in October.   This is where that tough-to-beat-a-team-twice saying does come into play, because I think that would be two upsets and I don’t see Lorena pulling that off.

Region IV
10-2 Edna vs. 11-2 Blanco, 7 p.m. Friday at Bastrop’s Memorial Stadium
This one looks pretty even, but Edna has the best win (46-6 shocker over Jourdanton two weeks ago) and they have the experience, having won the region last season, so I expect the Cowboys to take it.

Class 3A Division II
Region I
11-2 Wall vs. 13-0 Canadian, 6 p.m. Friday at Lubbock’s Pirate Stadium
Air Canada is humming this season.  They’ve scored 820 points.  Their lowest point total is 45.  Their closest game was 55-35.  Wall is known for great D, and they’ve only allowed 95 all season, have pitched 4 shutouts and haven’t allowed more than 17 ponts in a game.  But the Hawks are going to get fucking trucked in this one.  

Region II
13-0 Jacksboro vs. 13-0 Gunter, 7 p.m. Friday at Denton’s Collins Stadium
Jacksboro is undefeated and has been a great story, but Gunter is Gunter.   The Tigers have outscored opponents 790-62, 203-6 in the playoffs.  Gunter by 30+.

Region III
10-3 Daingerfield vs. 11-2 Newton, 7 p.m. Friday at Jacksonville’s Tomato Bowl
This is the kind of matchup that is going to overload Smoaky’s servers and make Surly’s playoff ranking thread look like calm, reasoned discussion in comparison.  Two traditional Beast Texas powers who play tough D and have stud athletes.  Transitive scores never work, but it’s kind of hard to ignore Harmony beating Daingerfield in the regular season finale, then losing by 30 to Newton last week.

Region IV
12-0 Tidehaven vs. 12-1 Poth, 7 p.m. Friday at Victoria’s Memorial Stadium
Two really good teams with great defenses.  Tidehaven has allowed only 41 points all season, including 21 last week.  Poth has only allowed 82, and beat Tidehaven in a 12-6 rockfight in the 2022 playoffs on their way to the region title.  But Tidehaven has the best player on the field in RB Joe Dobbs (Baylor commit), and when the schools get small, you don’t go broke betting on the team with the best player.

Class 2A Division I
Region I

13-0 Stratford vs. 11-2 Hawley, 6 p.m. Friday at Lubbock’s Lowrey Field
Awesome matchup here as Stratford is unbeaten and Hawley won it all last season.  Hawley is looking for a third straight regional title and they have done nothing but win since they hired coach Mitch Ables, so I think they win this, though Stratford also has a helluva coach in Wayne Hutchinson.  

Region II
12-1 Tolar vs. 11-2 Marlin, 7 p.m. Thursday at Midlothian ISD Stadium
Tolar’s only loss came to a Dallas pvt school that’s still playing.   They made it to the region finals last year, including a 71-18 pasting of Marlin along the way, so they’re another one of my “second crack” teams, and I think they take advantage of that, though the score should be closer.

Region III
12-1 Garrison vs. 13-0 Timpson, 7 p.m. Thursday at Longview’s Lobo Stadium
If a 2A team has a 5-star recruit, you’d be stupid to bet against them, and I think most of us already know about Timpson’s Terry Bussey.  This is a district rematch, with Timpson winning 35-26 in the regular season finale.  Garrison’s really good, because that’s the only time a 2A team has stayed within 38 points of Timpson, but Bussey will be too much, as usual.

Region IV
11-2 Ganado vs. 12-1 Refugio, 7 p.m. Thursday Victoria’s Memorial Stadium
Another district rematch, with Refugio winning 30-7 in the regular season finale.  Expect something similar.

Class 2A Division II

Region I
10-3 Clarendon vs. 11-2 Sunray, 7 p.m. Friday at Canyon’s Happy Bank Stadium
Clarendon started 0-3 and has reeled off 10 straight, while Sunray lost two games by four points total but upset region favorite New Home easily a couple of weeks ago.  Give me Sunray.

Region II
13-0 Albany vs. 12-1 Collinsville, 7 p.m. Thursday at Iowa Park’s Hawk Stadium
Two really good teams, but Albany has Denney Faith and his 357 wins coaching, and to say they have playoff experience understates things – they haven’t played fewer than 12 games in a season since 2002.

Region III
13-0 Mart vs. 13-0 Lovelady, 7 p.m. Friday at Athens’ Bruce Field
Lovelady is undefeated and hung 50 on Tenaha last week, but Mart is Mart again and has only allowed 93 points all season.  Besides, Mart beat undefeated Lovelady 56-6 in this game last season.   I think it will be a little closer than that, but still expect Mart to win easily.

Region IV
10-3 Falls City vs. 12-1 Chilton, 7 p.m. Friday at Buda’s Shelton Stadium
FC started 1-3, but have strung 10 wins in a row.  But Chilton is 12-1 and playing pissed off after they needed a last-minute UIL emergency decision to overturn a district committee ruling that Chilton forfeit games for using an ineligible player, which would have kept them out of the playoffs, and they should toss another FU at their district foes Friday.
 

Edited November 29, 2023 by Beau Vine

[WBT 20,572]

On 11/28/2023 at 9:28 AM, Mittens said:

Everyone remembers that as El Ced and Eric Winston dominating, but iirc it was tied at half and Westlake was in it to the end.  But yeah, beautiful day + local team + UT Commit = packed house (relatively speakling).  I was there for the Eisenhower/Lee game the year before in a cold drizzle and it was friends and family for the most part.

Don't forget about Nick Hand(off).

I was at those 2 finals and Ced was amazing.  It was also amusingly impressive how HS always held on after getting trucked.

Edited November 30, 2023 by WBT

[Vic Mackey 47,038]

Forney didn't win state in 2003. Or ever for that matter. They went to state my sophomore year in 2000 and lost to Ty Gunn's LaGrange team. Then lost to Everman 2 years in a row after that, 2002 being in the state semifinals. Since 2003, it's been pretty bad for Forney. They finally got on track and show promise this year. Defense left something to be desired last week, though. Lancaster will be a very tough matchup.

[TreatyOak 16,332]

16 hours ago, Beau Vine said:

.Region IV
11-2 Lake Travis vs. 13-0 Austin Westlake, 2 p.m. Saturday at Pflugerville’s The Pfield
Not calling anybody out here, but there are certain Westlake supporters who like to sandbag their team’s chances.  Maybe they’re getting to me, because I could see LT winning this, even though WL won the district matchup 20-14, as LT has improved a lot in the last month, and their D is playing great.  But LT hasn’t beaten WL since 2019, so I’d still bet on the Chaps.

I guess you missed how AI predicts how Lake Travis will beat us and AI is NEVER WRONG. 

Joking side, thanks for all the great analysis. I really love your posts.

[Beau Vine 54,230]

Refugio is getting wrecked.  It's 35-6 Ganado with 8 min left.  

About time for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and cheap shots!

[Beau Vine 54,230]

39 minutes ago, Beau Vine said:

Refugio is getting wrecked.  It's 35-6 Ganado with 8 min left.  

About time for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and cheap shots!

41-12 final

Tolar beat Marlin 42-19 and Albany was leading whomever they were playing 52-7.

[chainsaw 9,869]

54 minutes ago, Beau Vine said:

Refugio is getting wrecked.  It's 35-6 Ganado with 8 min left.  

About time for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and cheap shots!

Ganado Ganaron?

[Helobious 9,454]

2 hours ago, Beau Vine said:

Refugio is getting wrecked.  It's 35-6 Ganado with 8 min left.  

About time for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and cheap shots!

I always pull for Refugio because puro south Texas but they do make it hard. My coworker a couple years ago lived in Poth and had a son playing middle school football. They scrimmaged Refugio and she said they were just outright mean and played dirty even at that level.

[Helobious 9,454]

10,000 seat Sams Stadium in Brownsville is already sold out for the B-Vets vs CC Miller game tomorrow. BISD has said they’ll be offering shuttle services from different spots around town to the game. I believe it’s that stadium’s first sellout since Billy Garza was drawing insane crowds at Porter in the 2000s. 

[Guest]

Albany took down Collinsville.

[UpperWestside 6,165]

On 11/28/2023 at 7:12 AM, TreatyOak said:

Our district currently has 3 teams in the 6A state quarterfinals: Westlake, Lake Travis and Dripping Springs. That's the best we've ever done.  

30 years ago two of those three were in 3A and were very, very bad at football. I remember that Lampasas beat Lake Travis 63-16 that year and played a group on offense for the 4th quarter called Roy’s Boys. This involved our starting DT playing tailback and we still scored a TD. Drip was not much better and lost 44-15 that year to the Badgers.
 

Another true story that happened because of that game with Lake Travis is this. Troy Rogers (Current Lampasas head coach and former North Shore OC), the 3A Offensive MVP was 2nd team all-district because Lake Travis and one other school wouldn’t vote for him in the all-district meeting because of how bad they were beaten. 

Edited December 1, 2023 by UpperWestside

[UpperWestside 6,165]

3 hours ago, slorch said:

Albany took down Collinsville.

I am guessing the QB for Collinsville still went over 5000 yards for the season. He needed around 150 yards through the air to pull that off.

[Herbie Hancock 7,348]

Albany led 24-0 at halftime and from what I can find Collinsville never made it across midfield in the first half.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, UpperWestside said:

I am guessing the QB for Collinsville still went over 5000 yards for the season. He needed around 150 yards through the air to pull that off.

Found some good pics on the Wichita paper site, but no write up/ stats.

https://www.timesrecordnews.com/picture-gallery/sports/2023/11/30/albany-surges-past-collinsville-52-14/71762587007/

[Herbie Hancock 7,348]

Abilene Vs Aledo for anyone else in my shoes that couldn't get Fud to be their DD to see it in person

https://www.texanlive.com/video/6564fa10f509300001d90faf

[tx 3 putt 76,958]

From last night 

 

 

[Fudbelty 2,788]

4:32 played in the first quarter and Aledo doing Aledo things. 21-0