For fuck's sake, I decided I was going to spend forever trying to winnow down a preview to only the best games of the week, and I'm not getting any work done the day before Thanksgiving anyways, so here's 4000+ words about EVERY game this week:
Class 6A Division I
Region I
North Crowley (12-0) vs. Prosper (11-1), 3 p.m. Saturday at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium
Two pretty good defensive teams here, though NC did get gashed by EP Pebble Hills in a 49-42 win last week. Prosper has played a much tougher schedule and has lost to only Guyer. This is also the Eagles' 4th straight trip to this round. I think it's their year.
Keller (10-2) vs. Lewisville (11-1), 11 a.m. Saturday at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium
Lewisville pitched a shutout against a normally-potent Martin team last week. Keller hasn't been this far in the playoffs since... holy shit, 1966. You have to like the Farmers in this one.
Region II
Duncanville (11-0) vs. The Woodlands (10-2), 3 p.m. Saturday at Pflugerville’s The Pfield
TWHS put themselves on notice last week with a 62-21 thrashing of a good Klein Cain team last week. Duncanville's playoff scoreboard shows 115-13 so far, and they're just too good.
Waxahachie (10-2) vs. Spring Westfield (11-1), 2 p.m. Saturday at Hutto’s Memorial Stadium
Call me crazy, but I think Hachie has a good chance to win this. Just a damn good matchup, as the two teams have lost to only Duncanville, Desoto, and North Shore.
Region III
Katy Cinco Ranch (9-3) vs. Galena Park North Shore (12-0), 2 p.m. Friday at Katy’s Rhodes Stadium
CR's normally porous D stepped up in a 13-10 win over Cy-Fair last week, but this will likely be a brutal ass-kicking.
Fort Bend Ridge Point (10-2) vs. Humble Atascocita (10-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Cypress’ Cy-Fair FCU Stadium
This will be the rubber match of three straight years of playoff meetings. RP hasn't exactly dominated in its first two rounds. I have seen 'Cita play a couple of times and they are huge and athletic. If they limit turnovers, RP has no chance.
Region IV
Lake Travis (7-4) vs. San Antonio Brennan (11-1), 6 p.m. Friday at New Braunfels’ Cougar Stadium
All the adversity that LT has faced seems to be an afterthought now, as the soph starters have gotten a ton of experience. The coaches didn't draw it up this way, but the Cavs are peaking now, at exactly the right time. Brennan's schedule hasn't exactly prepared them for this one, and I think they'll get got.
Austin Westlake (12-0) vs. San Benito (11-1), 2 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Alamo Stadium
Mudhole.
Class 6A Division II
Region I
Trophy Club Nelson (11-1) vs. Denton Guyer (12-0), 2 p.m. Saturday at The Star in Frisco
These two also played this game last season, with Guyer winning in OT. Nelson has one of the best offenses in the state, but Guyer might be the best team in the state. Their stars pulled them out of a pickle with Highland Park last week. They'll do it again.
Southlake Carroll (12-0) vs. McKinney (8-4), 3:15 p.m. Friday at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium
McKinney has allowed 308 points this season, and they would need a huge D effort to pull an upset. SLC easy.
Region II
DeSoto (10-2) vs. Tomball (8-4), 4 p.m. Friday at Pflugerville’s The Pfield
Tomball rallied from 3-13 to shock undefeated New Caney last week 16-15. That'll be the highlight of their season, as DeSoto will kick their asses.
Killeen Harker Heights (11-1) vs. Spring Dekaney (9-3), 6 p.m. Friday at Waco’s McLane Stadium
HH's only blemish was a 1-pointer against Permian; they also have nice wins over Temple and Smithson Valley. Dekaney started 2-3 and has won 7 straight. I think Harker's underrated and they win easily.
Region III
Katy (12-0) vs. Humble Summer Creek (8-4), 2 p.m. Friday at Humble’s Turner Stadium
SC's losses are to Kleins Cain and Collins, North Shore, and Atascocita by a total of 17 points. And now Katy? Jeez... Katy has just bludgeoned everyone, 607-157 on the season and 121-21 in the playoffs. SC is good, but not good enough.
Fort Bend Hightower (10-2) vs. Houston C.E. King (8-4), 1 p.m. Friday at Cypress’ Pridgeon Stadium
King's district still has all 4 teams alive (NS, Atascocita, and Summer Creek), so you know Hightower is not going to intimidate them.
Region IV
Austin Vandegrift (11-1) vs. San Antonio Harlan (10-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Alamodome
Vandy by a bunch.
Dripping Springs (11-1) vs. Harlingen (12-0), 11 a.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Alamodome
I watched some of Harlingen's game last week, and while I'd love to pick them to win this, I just didn't see anything that's really going to give Dripping trouble. I think the Drip D can control things while playing straight up, and Harlingen's D hasn't seen anyone nearly as good as Novosed.
Class 5A Division I
Region I
Abilene (6-6) vs. Burleson Centennial (11-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium
Abilene has scored only 270 all season, and their only chance is to get a lead and force BC out of their wishbone offense comfort zone, which seems unlikely.
Aledo (10-2) vs. Midlothian (12-0), 6 p.m. Friday at Midlothian ISD Stadium
Midlothian's really good. They run a flexbone offense, but can actually pass. They're playing at home. But their D has allowed 140 points in just the last 5 games, and most critically, they're playing Aledo now.
Region II
Mansfield Timberview (12-0) vs. Frisco Reedy (12-0), 3 p.m. Friday at Bedford’s Pennington Field
SAUCY!!! Reedy fell behind 21-3 to Lancaster last week before rallying. Timberview has scored an absurd 678 this season, and has one of the best ground games in the state. But Reedy has played a much tougher schedule and will be ready for them.
Longview (12-0) vs. Port Arthur Memorial (11-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Lufkin’s Martin Stadium
Longview is an ultra-complete team, and they've allowed only 109 points all season. PAM's loss was to Baytown Lee (WTF?) and they have struggled in the playoffs, with a 48-41 win and a 52-50 4OT victory. Lobos win easily.
Region III
Georgetown (10-2) vs. College Station (10-2), 6 p.m. Friday at Waco’s Waco ISD Stadium
Georgetown won the district matchup 49-38. Complete coin flip in this one, with the addendum that CS needs a lower-scoring game to win.
Fulshear (11-1) vs. Smithson Valley (11-1), 1 p.m. Friday at Seguin’s Matador Stadium
Fulshear is not exactly a playoff perennial. This is only their 5th season, and it's the first season they've won more than 5. They played in an excellent district and beat a really good A&M Con team last week, so they'll be ready. SV beat Fulshear's district mate Manvel last week using defense and special teams. Surviving a speed team like Manvel with have SV ready for Fulshear.
Region IV
McAllen (7-5) vs. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (10-2), 2 p.m. Friday at McAllen’s Memorial Stadium
McAllen, which started 1-3, looks like the least likely RGV team to still be playing. Vets beat Vela (a much better RGV team last week). They should win this easily.
PSJA North (12-0) vs. Brownsville Veterans Memorial (10-2), 6 p.m. Friday at Brownsville’s Sams Stadium
I watched some of Vela last week and they reminded me of the old Brock Fitzhenry Giddings teams. Their wonderfully-named QB, Ale Aparicio, is a little guy who just kind of leans in behind a mammoth OLine that shoves the line of scrimmage downfield, making it very hard to force them into negative plays. Their defense was nails too. Vets hung 74 points last week thanks to 451 yards and 9 TDs from RB Bryan Chavez. That won't happen again.
Class 5A Division II
Region I
Canutillo (10-2) vs. Abilene Wylie (9-3), 3 p.m. Friday at Fort Stockton’s Panther Stadium
AW lost 3 in a row in non-district, but has been hot since. Canutillo struggled with Arlington Heights last week. You'll never go broke betting against El Paso teams in the 3rd round.
Argyle (12-0) vs. Grapevine (11-1), 6 p.m. Friday at Southlake’s Dragon Stadium
Argyle won this 31-15 in September. Matt Stepp picked Grapevine to get revenge; I think he has lost his mind. Argyle struggled through a 7-0 win over Rider last week, but that will only get their attention, and I'll pick them to win this by 20+.
Region II
Midlothian Heritage (11-1) vs. South Oak Cliff (9-3), 3 p.m. Friday at Mansfield’s Newsom Stadium
MH hasn't lost since the opener to Stephenville. But SOC is battle tested, last season and this, and while they haven't looked great in the playoffs, I think this is where they get it going.
Melissa (10-2) vs. Terrell (7-5), 7 p.m. Friday at The Star in Frisco
Both teams were 4A last year. Terrell started out 1-4, but pulled a huge upset over Texark in round 1; Melissa started the season 0-2. Neither team has a great D, so look for lots of points, with Melissa scoring more.
Region III
Fort Bend Marshall (11-1) vs. Montgomery Lake Creek (12-0), 1 p.m. Friday at Houston’s Delmar Stadium
Fun one here! Lake Creek has scored 672 points, including 78 against Rouse last week. But this is only their 5th season and the first time they've won more than 6 games. Marshall is 62-6 in those 5 seasons, and you'd be nuts to pick against them here.
Brenham (8-4) vs. Port Neches-Groves (10-2), 6 p.m. Friday at Houston’s NRG Stadium
I don't think anyone had either of these teams making it to round 3, but here we are. Pretty even matchup, though I'll go with PNG as they have the best win on the resumes, a 24-19 nailbiter (they led 24-6 at half) over Austin LBJ last week.
Region IV
Liberty Hill (11-1) vs. Alamo Heights (11-1), 1:30 p.m. Friday at Bastrop’s Memorial Stadium
I watched AH just disassemble G-P last week, and they're really good, lots of size on the lines, good QB. The 31-8 win was AH's lowest offensive output all season, though. As usual, LH will try to Wing-T them into submission. These two teams will score -- 1290 points combined. And as usual, LH will be totally thrown off their game if the officiating crew forces their offense to come set for a full second before the snap, but that almost never happens, so expect LH to win.
Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (9-3) vs. San Antonio Veterans Memorial (9-3), TBD
Neither of these teams would be a favorite to win either 4A title, and the winner will be cannon fodder next week, but you can expect it to be close.
Class 4A Division I
Region I
Wichita Falls (8-4) vs. Brownwood (10-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Abilene’s Wildcat Stadium
Brownwood's just a lot better. Old High's D is pretty mediocre and they're here only thanks to an upset over Dumas in round 1.
Canyon Randall (9-3) vs. Decatur (9-3), 1 p.m. Friday at Abilene’s Wildcat Stadium
Decatur has won 9 in a row after opening the season with losses to S'ville, Rider, and Anna. Randall might be the worst team still in the playoffs above 3A.
Region II
China Spring (11-1) vs. Lake Worth (10-2), 5 p.m. Friday at Waxahachie’s Lumpkins Stadium
It would be a huge upset if this is even close. LW played mostly FW-area patsies (pardon the redundancy), and won its playoff games in 2 OT and by a 7-2 score last week.
Celina (11-1) vs. Anna (12-0), 2 p.m. Friday at Allen’s Eagle Stadium
Top game of the week in the state? Anna has beaten all comers, including Celina 28-25 in Sept and 33-32 over Stephenville last week. Celina finally had another close game last week, 34-28 over Kennedale. Two really great teams, and both are very close to Eagle Stadium, which should be packed and rocking. I hate the It's-Tough-To-Beat-A-Good-Team-Twice trope, so I'll lean towards Anna. Plus, Anna's QB is a real difference-maker.
Region III
Tyler Chapel Hill (10-2) vs. Lumberton (11-1), 7 p.m. Friday at New Caney’s Randall Reed Stadium
TCH started the season 0-2, while Lumberton's only loss was to a Houston private. TCH is led by sophomores at QB (1800+ passing, 900+ rushing) and RB (1700+ rushing), both of whom started last season as freshmen when they lost in the state semis. Can't pick against experience like that.
Lindale (8-4) vs. Kilgore (9-3), 1 p.m. Friday at Tyler’s Rose Stadium
Lindale has kind of been up and down all season. As usual, they don't play much D (376 points allowed). Kilgore won the district matchup 49-35 and I don't know why you'd expect different this week.
Region IV
Port Lavaca Calhoun (5-7) vs. Boerne (12-0), 6 p.m. Friday at Jourdanton’s Indian Stadium
The Sandcrabs (what a mascot!) started 0-7! They have surprising playoff wins over Alice and Canyon Lake, but Boerne is a whole different animal. This won't be competitive.
Somerset (10-2) vs. Corpus Christi Calallen (12-0), 3 p.m. Friday at Beeville’s Veterans Memorial Stadium
Calallen's final tuneup before the showdown with Boerne; the Wildcats have allowed only 106 points all season.
Class 4A Division II
Region I
Monahans (9-3) vs. Godley (7-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Sweetwater’s Mustang Bowl
Godley started out 2-5, but pulled a big upset over 10-1 Seminole last week. Their D has been shaky (448 points allowed). Monahans started 0-3, but made hay in a weak district. If I ignore the records and just look at who each has played, Godley would be my favorite in this, but either gets stomped next week.
Wichita Falls Hirschi (9-2) vs. Glen Rose (11-1), 3 p.m. Friday at Mineral Wells’ Ram Stadium
Great matchup here. I was on the GR bandwagon early, as the Tigers have scored 605 points and lost only to Brownwood (17-3), so I'm not getting off now.
Region II
Aubrey (10-2) vs. Texarkana Pleasant Grove (10-2), 2 p.m. Friday at Paris’ Wildcat Stadium
Aubrey is a great story, 33-6 in the last 3 years, but PG is really battle-tested and whipped an undefeated Caddo Mills team last week, and they'll just be too tough.
Gilmer (11-0) vs. Carthage (12-0), 6 p.m. Friday at Longview’s Lobo Stadium
1 vs 2 in the state here! Carthage's scoreboard shows 610-132 this season. The Bulldogs have beaten the Buckeyes 7 in a row in this rivalry, including 28-7 last season and 70-14 in the 2020 state championship. The difference is usually Carthage's D and there no reason to expect anything different.
Region III
Silsbee (12-0) vs. Madisonville (8-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Spring’s Planet Ford Stadium
Madisonville pulled a shocker last week, 9-3 over unbeaten Bellville, but now they run into Silsbee, a really solid program that is finally having its breakout season.
Hamshire-Fannett (9-3) vs. Cuero (11-1), 6 p.m. Friday at Katy’s Legacy Stadium
HF knocked off a good Waco Connolly team 33-30 last week but Cuero is just a really well-rounded team that has only lost to Calallen and has blitzed basically everyone else.
Region IV
Wimberley (12-0) vs. Jarrell (6-6), 6 p.m. Friday at Cedar Park’s Gupton Stadium
Wimberley won the first game 73-14. It should be closer but not really interesting.
Lago Vista (9-3) vs. Geronimo Navarro (8-4), 1:30 p.m. Friday at Hutto’s Memorial Stadium
Navarro won the first game 42-21, but LV has really turned it around since, with a 31-28 loss to Wimberley and a bunch of blowout wins, including a 42-7 shocker over Sinton last week. I wouldn't bet money, but I think LV pulls an upset Friday.
Class 3A Division I
Region I
Whitesboro (10-1) vs. Paradise (10-2), 2 p.m. Friday at River Oaks’ Barnes Stadium
Ironically-named Paradise is located in Wise County, on 114 between Bridgeport and Boyd. Both teams lost to Brock in district and Whitesboro beat Paradise 18-7 in the district matchup. Paradise shocked Shallowater 17-14 last week, while Whitesboro has beaten two west Texas teams by 126-21. Give me Whitesboro because it's not that hard to beat a team twice if you're the better team.
Bushland (11-1) vs. Brock (8-4), 2 p.m. Friday at Vernon’s Lion Stadium
What a war this will be! Brock started 0-4 against the who's who of 4AD2 (and Gunter), and they have cruised since. I jumped on Bushland's bandwagon early in the season and am not getting off now. I like their D (145 points allowed) and their big OLine is kind of what you need to beat Brock.
Region II
Pottsboro (11-1) vs. Grandview (10-2), 1 p.m. Friday at Mesquite’s Memorial Stadium
3 weeks ago, I would have picked Pottsboro, but the Cardinals' 62-49 win over Whitney has me worrying about their D. Grandview lost its opener to Glen Rose and a district game to West, but now seems to be peaking at the right time, and their D is playing very well. Give me the Zebras in a slight upset.
West (11-1) vs. Malakoff (11-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Corsicana’s Tiger Stadium
Malakoff had one of the best wins in the state last week, a 55-10 thrashing of a good Winnsboro team. They have only lost to Grandview back on 9/2. West is badass, too, with big big lines and a punishing run game. PF-PA is remarkably similar (565-113 for MHS and 568-110 for WHS). I'll take Malakoff, but all 4 teams in this region are good enough to go to Jerryworld.
Region III
Columbus (11-1) vs. Cameron Yoe (9-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Bastrop’s Memorial Stadium
I said earlier in the season that Columbus looks like a state contender -- big size, tough ground game, good QB with NFL bloodlines. Nothing's changed. Yoe likes shootouts, but I don't think the Cardinals will let that happen.
Franklin (12-1) vs. Hitchcock (11-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Shenandoah’s Woodforest Bank Stadium
Hitchcock has come out of nowhere (5-6 last season and hasn't won more than 7 since 2015); led by soph QB Lloyd Jones, they have wins over Columbus and Refugio. But Franklin is just a different animal, with a 28-game winning streak and the best player on the field in Bryson Washington. No 3A team has gotten to within 12 points of the Lions, and Hitchcock needed a miracle to get here, turning a 31-14 deficit into a 36-31 win last week. Franklin comes alive again!
Region IV
Llano (12-0) vs. Vanderbilt Industrial (10-2), 1 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Heroes Stadium
Llano will ride a D that has allowed only 111 points all season with 2 playoff shutouts. VI is an interesting team, but lost to Edna and Shiner by a combined 93-0. Llano is more similar to those two than the rest of the schedule, so this one won't be close.
Edna (11-1) vs. Blanco (8-4), 6 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Farris Stadium
Edna's only loss was to Refugio, and they've got a solid D. I don't think this one will be close, either.
Class 3A Division II
Region I
Idalou (9-3) vs. Wall (11-1), 1 p.m. Friday at Sweetwater’s Mustang Bowl
Wall has allowed only 80 points all season, losing only 18-14 to Cisco. Idalou has only scored 278, so look for Wall to win yet another low-scoring rock fight.
Canadian (10-2) vs. Spearman (5-7), 2 p.m. Friday at Borger’s Bulldog Stadium
Canadian started 1-2, but have scored 633 points now, including 112-22 in the playoffs, so this looks like Canadian again. Spearman pulled the biggest upset of round 1, beating Abernathy and cruised over Alpine last week. Canadian won the district matchup 42-3. This one should be similar but closer?
Region II
Bells (10-2) vs. Holliday (12-0), 2 p.m. Friday at Denton’s Collins Stadium
Holliday's D is very good, as they've only allowed 104 points all season. But Bells has played the tougher schedule, with losses to Gunter and Whitesboro, so the records are misleading. Either way, this game will take about 2 hours max and won't see the ball in the air much. Give me Bells, simply because they've been playing better lately.
Palmer (11-0) vs. Gunter (11-0), 1 p.m. Friday at Royse City’s Royse City ISD Stadium
Gunter's scoreboard is at 508-71 even with a couple of forfeits. Palmer (on I-45 north of Ennis) looks really good, but not good enough for Gunter.
Region III
West Rusk (10-2) vs. Gilmer Harmony (7-5), 1 p.m. Friday at Longview’s Pirate Stadium
WR started 2-2 with losses to Malakoff and Tatum. They got a miracle last week on a last-second TD pass to beat Waskom 41-37. Harmony started 0-4, lost their district finale to Daingerfield and barely won their 1st round playoff game, so they're just happy to be playing after Thanksgiving. And yeah, there's another McCown playing QB for WR.
Daingerfield (10-2) vs. Newton (11-1), 6 p.m. Friday at Nacogdoches’ Bryce Stadium
Two real East Texas bluebloods face off. D'field has won 8 straight after losing to Timpson and Center, giving up 139 total in those two games. Their district was pretty weak this year, so I think it's fair to call them "untested," and that's not the kind of thing that works out against Newton. The Eagles have won their two playoff games by 123-8.
Region IV
Wallis Brazos (9-3) vs. Tidehaven (10-2), 2 p.m. Friday at Iowa Colony’s Freedom Field
Brazos finished 4th in district, but shocked Lexington in the 1st round. Tidehaven beat Brazos 33-13 in district play and have been pretty solid all season, so no reason to expect anything different.
Poth (11-1) vs. Taft (10-2), 6 p.m. Friday at Victoria’s Memorial Stadium
Poth lost 22-21 to Shiner in September, but has been nails since, allowing only 90 points total. Taft lost non-district games against Mathis and 3 Rivers, and cruised through a shitty district. Poth, easily.
Class 2A Division I
Region I
Cisco (10-2) vs. New Deal (9-3), 2 p.m. Friday at Colorado City’s Wolf Stadium
Cisco wins this easily, as long as they don't get caught looking ahead to a rematch with Hawley.
Sonora (10-2) vs. Hawley (12-0), 6 p.m. Friday at Big Spring’s Memorial Stadium
Hawley wins this easily, as long as they don't get caught looking ahead to a rematch with Cisco. Hell, they could win this even if they do get caught looking ahead.
Region II
Tolar (12-0) vs. Hamilton (7-5), 2 p.m. Friday at Fort Worth’s Crowley ISD Stadium
Tolar is 611-88 on the season scoreboard; Hamilton is 283-330. Tolar won the district game 56-7. It could be worse Friday.
Riesel (7-5) vs. Crawford (12-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Hewitt’s Panther Stadium
Another district rematch mismatch. Crawford has allowed 59 points all season and won the district game 43-0.
Region III
Cooper (12-0) vs. Joaquin (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Tyler’s Rose Stadium
Part of me wants to pick Joaquin. Their losses are 25-22 to Timpson and 42-41 to Beckville, which they avenged last week. Cooper rolled through a terrible district, but pasted a good Corrigan-Camden team 40-14 last week, so I guess I'll stick with Cooper.
Timpson (12-0) vs. Centerville (10-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Jacksonville’s Tomato Bowl
#1 Timpson is simply on a mission, led by several 3-year starters, including 4-star 2024 recruit Terry Bussey at QB (and wherever else he's needed). They've scored 696 points, won 2 playoff games 109-10, and beat Centerville 48-13 in the region finals last season.
Region IV
Flatonia (11-1) vs. Shiner (10-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Hallettsville’s Brahmas Memorial Stadium
Flatonia's only loss was to Hallettsville on 9/2. Shiner also lost to H'ville (and Refugio). I said a couple of weeks ago that big Doug was the Brooks that really made Shiner great, but Dalton is an amazing runner for 2A and I don't see Flatonia stopping him.
Refugio (11-1) vs. Ganado (9-3), 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Heroes Stadium
Another district rematch mismatch. Ganado finished 4th and lost to Refugio 52-26 in the regular season finale. They've won two playoff games by 134-18, so there's reason for optimism, but not much.
Class 2A Division II
Region I
Vega (8-4) vs. Wellington (11-1), 3 p.m. Friday at Canyon’s Happy State Bank Stadium
Wellington lost to Lubbock Christian 28-24 on 9/2 and has not been tested since. They've allowed only 82 points. Vega's a pretty good team that got a very favorable draw; their two playoff victims ended the season with a combined 11-12 record. Blowout upcoming.
Clarendon (9-3) vs. New Home (11-1), 2 p.m. Friday at Floydada’s Tyer Stadium
New Home hasn't lost since its opener in August. Clarendon was 2nd place in Wellington's district. I'll take NH in a close one.
Region II
Wink (12-0) vs. Albany (10-2), 5 p.m. Friday at San Angelo’s San Angelo Stadium
Game of the week in this bracket. Wink is relatively untested. Albany was won 10+ games in 13 of the last 15 years. Albany's losses were to Hawley and 10-2 3A Comanche. I think Albany gets it done.
Windthorst (8-4) vs. Collinsville (11-1), 1 p.m. Friday at Springtown’s Porcupine Stadium
Collinsville lost to undefeated Cooper in September. Windthorst is always good, but are definitely not dominant this season. Odd neutral site in this one.
Region III
Simms Bowie (9-2) vs. Mart (12-0), 2 p.m. Friday at Van’s Memorial Stadium
Mart big, as usual. Mart has outscored opponents 700-76. If you're wondering, Simms is about a half hour west of Texarkana.
Price Carlisle (11-1) vs. Lovelady (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Palestine’s Wildcat Stadium
Lovelady's season scoreboard says 585-68. PC has scored 602. Lovelady has won its playoff games by 118-0. Gimme Lovelady.
Region IV
Chilton (12-0) vs. Burton (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Bryan’s Green Stadium
Really even matchup, but Chilton won arguably the best 2A district in the state, so I like them. Burton is 103-0 in 2 playoff games.
Falls City (8-4) vs. Granger (10-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Seguin’s Matador Stadium
Granger was 2nd in Chilton's district. After making it to Jerryworld last season, Falls City started out 1-4, including shutouts in their first two games, and both playoff wins have been by single digits. I like Granger to set up a rematch with Chilton.