Texas High School Football Playoffs: 2019 Sleepers

Jim Ned Football (Photo by Monica Weatherly)

Share or Save for Later

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Save to Favorites

These are the sleepers for the 2019 Texas high school football playoffs.

Be sure to check out our PLAYOFF CENTRAL page, which is the hub for all things TXHSFB Playoffs!

6A Division I

Midland Lee: It’s hard to peg a team that is 9-1 heading into the playoffs and has been state ranked since Week 2 as a sleeper. But in the land of giants that is 6A-Division I, Clint Hartman’s Rebels fall into that category. Despite the regular season ending with a disappointing loss to rival Odessa Permian, Lee is as dangerous as anyone. Its offense is one of the state’s best with junior QB Mikey Serrano and WR Loic Fouonji grabbing the headlines, but the supporting cast is outstanding as well. The Rebels will be big favorites in bi-district, but after that it’s a cavalcade of teams ranked ahead of them in the rankings. Don’t be surprised if Midland Lee tries to get a home-and-home flip against a DFW team. If they can get someone to have to travel to Grande Communications Stadium it could be a very tough challenge for anyone in the state.

_____

6A Division II

Clear Falls: Aside from Beaumont West Brook, all of Class 6A Region III Division II could be potentially classified as a sleeper. But in a region of sleepers, Zach Head’s Clear Falls Knights look to be particularly intriguing. They roll into just their second playoff appearance in school history with an impressive 7-2 record and have had a week to heal up some bumps and bruises. QB Gavin Esquivel leads an offense that has the potential to be quite dangerous. Add in the fact that Coach Head has plenty of big game experience from his time as an assistant at Katy and this is a team to watch.

_____

5A Division I

New Caney: The Eagles head into the playoffs unbeaten but with the looming shadow of Alvin Shadow Creek in Region III. Don’t expect Brady Pennington’s squad to be a real popular pick to win the regional title. The Eagles do have a chance to build some momentum before a potential third round clash with Shadow Creek as they will be favored in the bi-district and area round. With a guy like QB Zion Childress, who is capable of putting a team on his back, the Eagles will be a real tough out.

_____

5A Division II

Mission Pioneer: Last year’s Rio Grande Valley Cinderella story was Mission Veterans Memorial. This year that slipper looks to be moved to the Mission Pioneer Diamondbacks. PHS has one of the state’s most explosive offensive attacks with QB Eddie Marburger and WR Lavar Lindo leading the way. Region IV in Class 5A Division II has a fairly workable playoff route for the Diamondbacks through the first couple of rounds. This could be the team that plays through to that elusive fourth round.

_____

4A Division I

Andrews: The Mustangs dropped an early season game to Lubbock Cooper, but since then Andrews has rolled to nine straight wins. QB Brett Leach and WR Markeese Lawrence are flat out lethal in the passing game and the much-maligned Mustangs defense has certainly gotten better each and every week of the season. A year ago, Andrews lost a hard fought game in the area playoffs to eventual regional champion Decatur, so this is a playoff-tested team and they wouldn’t run into Decatur until the fourth round potentially.

_____

4A Division II

Mexia: The Black Cats are surging down the stretch, winning five of their last six games with the lone loss coming to Waco Connally. Frank Sandoval’s squad has grown up a lot and they’ve got unusually good depth for a school their size after throwing a bunch of young players into the fire a year ago due to a rash of injuries. Mexia’s speed will be a problem early on in the playoffs and it could lead them to a date with top-ranked Texarkana Pleasant Grove in the regional semifinals.

_____

3A Division I

Tuscola Jim Ned: The Indians hit a rough patch late in the season in maybe the state’s toughest district in 3A-Division I, but this is a fourth place team no one in the region wants to face. Matt Fanning’s squad has one of the best defensive units in the state. If Jim Ned can get that offense on track they will be a team that no one wants to see on their side of the bracket.

_____

3A Division II

Comfort: The Bobcats are the surprise team out of 13-3A Division II as the district champion, owning wins over Blanco, Sonora and Brady; their only two losses are to playoff teams from 3A Division I and 4A Division II. Expect Brandon Easterly’s squad to be a favorite in the first two rounds of the playoffs before a potential regional semifinal showdown with regional favorite East Bernard.

_____

2A Division I

Weimar: All the attention in Class 2A Division I Region IV will be on a potential Shiner-Refugio showdown in the third round. But at 9-1, Weimar is a team that you overlook at your own peril. Ryan McIvor’s bunch was blown out by Shiner, but there were plenty of lessons learned in that defeat that could come in handy in the postseason. An area round rematch with Mason will be the chance Weimar has been waiting for to announce they are a real threat to the Region IV “Big Three” of Shiner, Refugio and Mason.

_____

2A Division II

Agua Dulce: There may not be a quieter 9-1 team in UIL 11-man football than the Longhorns, who are tucked away just east of Alice along the Texas coast. For the most part, Robert Beard’s squad has been dominant, save for close wins in district over LaVilla and Premont. The running game is the catalyst for this bunch and they should be in good position to advance to the third round before a showdown with regional favorite Falls City.

_____

Become a DCTF Insider today for exclusive insight from the best team of reporters in the Lone Star State! CLICK HERE!

Your subscription will include:

  • Instant access to all of our content that is marked Insider at www.texasfootball.com.
    • Includes exclusive podcasts, recruiting news, and our full High School Football rankings and score predictors
  • A mailed copy of the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Preview 
  • A mailed copy of the Recruiting/Rising Edition of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football
  • Access to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football vast array of archived magazines

This article is available to our Digital Subscribers.
Click "Subscribe Now" to see a list of subscription offers.
Already a Subscriber? Sign In to access this content.

Sign In