Duncanville (13-0) vs. Allen (14-0) 4:00 p.m. Saturday at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium:
It’s the matchup most fans in the DFW area have waited two years to see as unbeaten Duncanville gets its showdown with unbeaten Allen in the biggest stage of all, AT&T Stadium. Both teams are coming off dominating 51-7 regional final wins last week. Allen comes in with a 30-game winning streak, while Duncanville has won 24 of its last 25 games. It’s got all the makings of an absolute classic. Both defenses forced numerous turnovers in the wins last week (Duncanville's five vs. Southlake Carroll and Allen's four vs. Hewitt Midway) and both offenses are led by major FBS recruits at QB, Duncanville by four-star junior QB Ja’Quinden Jackson and Allen’s Grant Tisdale who is committed to Ole Miss.
The key in this game is which offense’s supporting cast can make plays and rise to the occasion, both defenses are going to be laser-focused on corralling the dynamic playmakers at the QB spot. That edge goes to Allen, Celdon Manning and WR Theo Wease have been outstanding all season long and in these big moments on the big stage it’s really hard to put your money on anyone but the Allen Eagles, until proven otherwise.
Stepp’s Pick: Allen by 4
Galena Park North Shore (14-0) vs. Lake Travis (12-1) 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Houston’s NRG Stadium:
Last week, Lake Travis played what amounted to a road game in a hostile environment against a very talented Converse Judson, but the Cavaliers came away with an impressive 38-21 win. LTHS must do the same this week against an even more talented squad as it heads east on Highway 290 to take on unbeaten Galena Park North Shore. Lake Travis’ stars stepped in the key moments last week in the win over Judson as Texas commit QB Hudson Card threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns, with Ohio State commit WR Garrett Wilson hauling in three of those scores. This week, the underrated Lake Travis defense will deal with offense loaded with playmakers who have speed to burn in North Shore.
The Mustangs admittedly didn’t play their best game of the year last week and still earned a comfortable 38-21 win over defending Division II state champion Cy-Fair. Junior RB Zach Evans, who many consider in recruiting circles to be the top 2020 running back in the entire country, accounted for four rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown, while sophomore QB Dematrius Davis accounted for 389 yards offense in the victory. North Shore’s defense struggled a little at times with Cy-Fair’s slow paced bruising offense that was very precise in the playaction passing game. They’ll matchup a little better in space with the more wide open Lake Travis offense, and with injuries being a concern for the Lake Travis offensive line, North Shore will definitely want to try and rush QB Hudson Card to prevent him from picking apart the Mustangs secondary. It’s tough for me to pick against Lake Travis in these situations, but North Shore’s won some big games recently and it's track record has been better than LT’s previous opponent Judson. The edge goes to North Shore, at home and with what looks to be a better defense, but this will easily be the biggest test of the season.
Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 3
Amarillo Tascosa (11-3) vs. Longview (14-0) 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium:
Amarillo Tascosa is the surprise story of the 6A playoffs without question. The Rebels are the first team from the city of Amarillo to advance to the state semifinals since 1992 and are peaking at the right time. Last week, Tascosa rolled past previously unbeaten Haltom 48-27 behind RB King Doerue’s huge night. The Purdue commit ran for 137 yards and three touchdowns and also hauled in an 83-yard scoring pass from QB Joseph Plunk who is a total operator of the Tascosa flexbone attack. RB De’Andre Campbell had a big game as well chipping in 118 yards rushing and two scores and Plunk topped the 100-yard mark on the ground as well.
Longview’s defense will have its hands full, but the Lobos are peaking at the right time as evidenced by a stellar performance in a 14-0 win over Spring Westfield last week. Longview’s offense played its worst game of the year, but a lot had to do with Westfield who has one of the state’s top defenses. The Lobos turned the ball over four times. But Westfield was unable to take advantage and, in the second half, LHS got going as Jesse Anderson ran for 106 yards and a touchdown, while junior QB Haynes King threw a fourth quarter scoring pass to salt the game away. Don’t expect back-to-back sloppy efforts from the Longview offense. The Lobos should be able to thrive indoors with their variety of playmakers and unique ways to attack a defense from multiple offensive sets. The real matchup here is watching Longview’s defense try to contain Tascosa's attack which is clicking at an incredibly efficient rate. Longview has some experience playing this offense going back to its days playing John Curtis out of New Orleans in non-district a few times. If the Lobo defense comes out and set the tone early they should be fine. But if Tascosa finds its stride, this will be a wild nightcap at AT&T Stadium.
Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 13
Beaumont West Brook (12-2) vs. Austin Westlake (13-1) 4:00 p.m. Saturday at Katy’s Legacy Stadium:
There’s no question that Austin Westlake comes into this game beat up as the Chaps are on their backup QB and by the end of last week’s 26-0 win over San Antonio Brandeis, were down to their third string running back. None of that mattered to David Neil and that Chaps defense that totally smothered Brandeis holding the Broncos to just 52 yards of offense and three first downs. In fact, it’s the second straight playoff shutout from that unit as two weeks ago it knocked off Edinburg Vela. Westlake needs to ride that defense again this week taking on a very explosive offense from Beaumont West Brook.
The Bruins led by three-year starting QB L’Raven Elia jumped out to a big led early and held off a late Cypress Creek charge in a 31-21 win last week. The big question for West Brook will be the health of RB Robert McGrue who only had seven carries for five yards last week. He was held out of most of the second half, but WBHS had a big lead. The Bruins need all hands on deck if its offense wants to move the ball with any consistency against the Westlake D. The X-factor is Westlake WR Mason Mangum. Even with the Chaps' struggles on offense, Mangun has stepped up when Westlake has needed a big play in the passing game. Expect a low-scoring slugfest and that’s just how head coach Todd Dodge’s team likes to play.
Stepp’s Pick: Austin Westlake by 7
Denton Ryan (14-0) vs. Highland Park (14-0) Noon Saturday at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium:
For the third straight season, Denton Ryan meets up with Highland Park in the Class 5A Division I semifinals and for the second straight year, both teams come into this one unbeaten. Denton Ryan has fallen to the Scots in back-to-back seasons, but with an absolutely fearsome defensive front, the Raider faithful are hoping that this is the year they can get back to the state title game. Last week, Denton Ryan’s defense was suffocating in a 28-0 win over Birdville. The Raiders held the Hawks to just six first downs and 118 yards of offense. Denton Ryan hasn’t allowed a point in the playoffs through 10 straight quarters.
Highland Park needed a miracle fourth quarter rally to escape John Tyler in a 42-35 win. The Scots trailed the Lions 35-14 in the fourth quarter when QB Chandler Morris and the HPHS offense woke up scoring four straight touchdowns to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Morris tossed a pair of touchdown passes and ran for two scores, including the game-winner with nine seconds left. Credit to Highland Park's defense, which had been gashed all day, but stepped up in the fourth quarter when it counted. Highland Park’s quick passing game and high level of execution has given Denton Ryan all kinds of problems, especially a year ago when it routed the Raiders. Until the Raiders prove otherwise, you’ve got to think Highland Park gets the edge in this one, despite Denton Ryan’s defensive dominance.
Stepp’s Pick: Highland Park by 9