The must-see 11-man games of the regional semifinal round

Photo by Diana Porter

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Katy (11-1) vs. North Shore (12-0) 7:00 p.m. Friday at Houston’s NRG Stadium

We get a Week 1 rematch between heavyweights North Shore and Katy on Friday night. North Shore took down the Tigers 35-21 in the first clash on Katy’s home turf. Since then, the two teams have been two of the most dominant in the state.

Katy’s only other test has been Atascocita who they downed, 31-28, and have outscored their first two playoff opponents 110-28. The 2017 state semifinalists utilize a pro-style offense to move the chains and like to get the ball in the hands of feature back Deondrick Glass (1,817 rushing yards, 28 TDs). Slot receiver Jordan Patrick (937 receiving yards, 12 TDs) is a burner and has been quarterback Bronson McClelland’s (1,444 passing yards, 19 TDs) favorite target. The Tigers also have a stout 3-4 defense anchored by a lockdown secondary in Jianni Angulo and Kaden Gonzales.

North Shore has been one of the most dominant teams in the state this year and handily defeated state-ranked Dickinson last week, 65-21. Zach Evans might be the state’s most complete running back — and ran for 218 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win. The Mustangs have used a 4-3 defense with Tony Bradford, who is an explosive lineman that plays with a motor, the focal point on the defensive line.

Longview (12-0) vs. Vandegrift (12-0) 6:00 p.m. Saturday at Waco’s McLane Stadium 

We get a matchup of two undefeated teams in this showdown in Waco. Longview has been red hot all season notching key wins over Lufkin and Rockwall. The Lobos have outscored their first two playoff opponents 133-39 but will face a much tougher test on Saturday. Longview quarterback Haynes King (2,721 passing yards, 33 TDs) is one of the elite quarterbacks in the state and boasts a 73-percent completion percentage. King has linked with receiver Kamden Perry on nearly half of his completions and the two will provide a tough test to Vandegrift’s secondary. Defensive lineman Sawyer Goram Welch is a force in the Lobos’ 4-2-5 defense.

After their 28-21 double-overtime win over Klein Collins last week, Vandegrift head coach Drew Sanders said, “This team just doesn’t know how to lose.” That sentiment is further proof that the Vipers thrive with their backs against the wall. Five of the Vipers’ wins this season have been by less than 10 points. Vandegrift uses a spread offense and likes to let pro-style quarterback Dru Dawson (2,231 passing yards, 22 TDs) air it out. The Vipers 4-2-5 defense has only allowed over 21 points once this season.

Midlothian Heritage (11-1) vs. Carthage (12-0) 7:30 p.m. Friday at Frisco’s Ford Center

Heritage will attempt to reach the fourth round of the playoffs for the first time in program history as they take on perennial power Carthage. To do this the Jaguars will lean on their two-back offense that has averaged 43 points a game this season. Signal-caller Landon Ledbetter (2,997 passing yards, 43 TDs) is the focal point of the offense and has torched opposing secondaries. Shifty running back Dre Washington (823 rushing yards, 10 TDs) lines up next to Ledbetter and has the speed to get around the edge. Linebacker Konner Jones (108 tackles) anchors the Heritage 4-2-5 defense and will be pitted against a dynamic Carthage running game.

Carthage quarterback Gunner Capps (2,898 rushing yards, 35 TDs) is a pocket-passer than rarely makes mistakes, throwing just five interceptions this season. Running backs Mason Courtney (754 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and Tucker Smith (753 rushing yards, 12 TDs) have split carries which has helped preserve them and keep them fresh late in games. Carthage’s offense should be able to have its way against Heritage, but the deciding factor in the game will be whether or not the Bulldogs can slow down Heritage’s aerial attack.

Marshall (10-2) vs. Huntsville (11-1) 8 pm Saturday at the Ford Center

Yet another showdown at The Star as both teams will travel about three hours to meet at the Cowboys’ practice facility. Marshall comes into the game riding a nine-game winning streak including a 63-24 win over Nederland last week. The Mavericks’ strength has come on the offensive side of the ball as they boast a dynamic duo out wide in Dekendrick Bender (543 receiving yards, 9 TDs) and Tahj Washington (683 receiving yards, 11 TDs). Quarterback JJ Green (2,167 passing yards, 31 TDs) has shown excellent chemistry with both of the receivers specifically on deep passes. Marshall’s 3-4 defense has shown some flaws in their secondary which Huntsville will look to take advantage of.

After taking down Manvel 34-10 last week, Huntsville will be tested once more against Marshall. Matthew Southern (2,795, 34 TDs) leads the Hornets’ one-back offense and has plenty of weapons at his disposal in his receiving corps. Huntsville has playmakers scattered across their 3-4 defense including defensive end and Texas commit T’Vondre Sweat. Sed Green is a run-stuffing outside linebacker who will look to neutralize Marshall’s running attack.

Silsbee (8-4) vs. Giddings (11-1) 7:30 p.m. Friday at Porter’s Texan Drive Stadium

Silsbee opened the season with an extremely tough non-district slate, which makes its record deceiving. The Tigers are riding a five-game winning streak and playing their best football of the season. Silsbee’s two-back offense amassed over 500 yards of total offense in last week’s 56-14 rout of Wharton. Their offense was firing on all cylinders as three running backs ran for over 100 yards.

Silsbee’s offense will need to have a similar performance against a Giddings defense that has allowed an average of just nine points in their first two playoff games. The Buffaloes use a multiple scheme offense but their offensive production has suffered due to injuries. First-year head coach Wade Griffin will have to heavily lean on his 4-3 defense to stall Silsbee’s offense.

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