Southlake Carroll (13-0) vs. Duncanville (12-0) 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Frisco’s Ford Center:
Expect nothing less than a total sellout on Saturday as two of the DFW's top teams meet up in what is a much-anticipated showdown. Southlake Carroll, under first-year head coach Riley Dodge appears to be peaking at the right time. In its three playoff wins, SLC has outscored Coppell, DeSoto and Trinity by a combined 130-37. Last week’s 35-7 win over Trinity may have been the Dragons' most impressive performance to date. T.J. McDaniel had over 100 yards rushing and two scores and QB Will Bowers tossed a pair of scoring passes. However, it was the Dragons defense that was the story, the front seven was dominant against Trinity holding the typically vaunted Trojans rushing attack to just 118 yards for the evening.
After a sluggish start to the playoffs against South Grand Prairie, Duncanville’s defense has totally dominated the last two weeks. Last week in a 45-6 rout of Arlington Lamar, the Panthers held an explosive Lamar offense to just two first-quarter field goals, while QB Ja’Quinden Jackson totaled 298 yards of offense and three touchdowns. Both of these defenses are playing lights out. The key is going to be which offense (specifically the passing game) can get some consistency going. I’ve stuck with Duncanville all season as the team to beat in Region I and there’s no reason to deviate from that thought based on its performance.
Stepp’s Pick: Duncanville by 3
Lake Travis (11-1) vs. Converse Judson (12-0) 2:00 p.m. Saturday at San Antonio’s Alamodome:
The much-anticipated Region IV showdown is a rematch of a game played twice a year ago. Judson rolled to a win in the regular season opener over the defending state champions and then in the rematch at DKR Memorial Stadium in Austin, Lake Travis got its revenge in the area playoffs and eventually advanced all the way to the title game before falling to Allen. Neither team had any trouble last week with overmatched opponents from the RGV as Lake Travis, behind seven touchdown passes from Hudson Card, rolled past Weslaco 56-14, while Judson went down to the Valley and demolished San Benito, 69-18.
On paper, Judson gets the edge having more team speed across the board with playmakers like do-it-all RB Sincere McCormick, QB Mike Chandler and maybe the state’s most dominating defensive player in DE DeMarvin Leal. The Rockets can fly and are as explosive as teams get, but Lake Travis led by Card a Texas verbal commit and WR Garrett Wilson an Ohio State commit (and finally healthy) has plenty of talent as well. This one comes down to pedigree in the big games and Lake Travis has the massive edge here. Judson has faltered in these big moments the past few years, while LTHS has thrived.
Stepp’s Pick: Lake Travis by 6
Longview (13-0) vs. Spring Westfield (12-1) 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Waco’s Waco ISD Stadium:
In last week’s showdown of undefeated teams, Longview made quite the statement putting up 56 points on the vaunted Austin Vandegrift defense in a 56-28 win. The Lobos led by just seven at halftime, but three touchdowns in less than four minutes in the third quarter broke the game wide open. Longview got 265 rushing yards from QB Haynes King and RB’s Jesse Anderson and Keilyn Williams and the trio combined for five touchdowns on the ground to lead a Longview attack that rolled up 533 yards on the ground. The Lobos will face another stout defense this week in Spring Westfield who has the size and athleticism to deal with the balanced Longview offense.
Westfield had a big fourth quarter last week to pull away from feisty Mesquite Horn for a 35-16 win. Trailing 16-14 heading into the final quarter, the Mustangs scored two touchdowns in less than a minute, sparked by an interception after the first touchdown to end the Horn upset bid. RB Rayshawn James led the Westfield attack with 158 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground. Westfield’s defense has carried them all season long, but the challenge with Longview’s balanced offense will be its biggest test since the North Shore loss. Expect the Mustangs to hold Longview in check, but I don’t think the offense can do enough damage and by the fourth quarter, Longview pulls away.
Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 10
Beaumont West Brook (11-2) vs. Cypress Creek (8-5) 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Houston’s NRG Stadium:
The Bruins dug themselves quite the hole on Saturday at NRG Stadium falling behind upstart Katy Tompkins, but, led by a dynamic offense piloted by QB L’Raven Elia, West Brook battled back for a thrilling 49-45 win a trip to the regional finals. Elia and RB Robert McGrue combined for 410 rushing yards and six touchdowns to led the comeback and carry the flag of the large schools in the Golden Triangle for another week.
Another surprise story in the Houston area has been the Cy Creek Cougars. After finishing 5-5 on the regular season, they’ve caught fire in the playoffs winning three straight. Last week’s 43-14 win over Humble Summer Creek may have been their best effort of the season to date as the Cougars had a pick six less than a minute into the game and ran out to a 24-0 halftime lead and never looked back. QB Julian Brown led the attack throwing for 330 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while RB Eddie Jimmerson ran for three scores as well. Both offenses have been high-powered all year so expect a real shootout in the opening game of a doubleheader at NRG, and in these situations, West Brook has thrived all season long.
Stepp’s Pick: Beaumont West Brook by 7
Birdville (12-1) vs. Denton Ryan (13-0) 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Frisco’s Ford Center:
It’s a district rematch of a game played in Week 11 to decide the 4-5A Division I title, but this week it’s a regional title on the line as Birdville looks to take down unbeaten Denton Ryan. After rolling past Grapevine in district play, Birdville needed overtime to escape the Mustangs 28-21. RB Laderrious Mixon ran for 142 yards and two scores and also chipped in 78 receiving yards and a touchdown to lead the Hawks to the hard fought win. Now they’ll look to win their first regional title in school history this week against a Denton Ryan squad that defeated them by 28 points just a month ago.
Last week the Raiders went out to Abilene and completely dismantled Lubbock Coronado, 30-0. The Ryan defense, which has been stellar all year, was the story shutting out one the most prolific offenses in West Texas and holding them to just 192 yards of offense. Denton Ryan’s defense is one of the state’s best at this stage and barring a couple of busted assignments or the Raiders offense having a rash of turnovers, I just don’t think Birdville’s offense can do enough damage.
Stepp’s Pick: Denton Ryan by 13