Texarkana Pleasant Grove (14-1) vs. Wimberley (12-3): 4A Division II UIL Football State Championship Preview

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GAME PREVIEW

Texarkana Pleasant Grove is making its third straight appearance in the state title game after the Hawks rolled past Midland Greenwood, 48-20, last week at the Ford Center. T

he Hawks were without BYU commit RB Bruce Garrett, who only had one carry in the game as he’s battling an undisclosed injury. The Hawks raced out to a 20-3 lead but had to hold off multiple Greenwood rallies before pulling away in the fourth quarter. QB Ben Harmon made the Rangers pay for loading the box to stop the run as he threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns.

The big question for Pleasant Grove will be the health of not only Garrett, but also two-way star Nick Martin, who left the game in the first quarter with an injury.

Wimberley is playing for a state title for the first time since 2011 as it knocked off Silsbee last week in Katy, 56-43. Wimberley raced out to a 28-9 halftime lead and led 49-16 late in the third quarter before Silsbee rallied to cut the lead to six before the Texans added a final score to lock the win up.

Wimberley QB Cooper McCollum led the way for the Texans with 331 yards passing and five touchdowns, while two key fumble recoveries by the Texans defense preserved the victory.

The biggest question going into this game is can Wimberley’s offensive line give McCollum enough time to get the ball to his talented receivers? The Pleasant Grove defensive line is one of the state’s best with big-time recruits Landon Jackson and Marcus Burris leading the way.

Pleasant Grove doesn’t have to deal with Jordan Whittington this year in the title game. If the Hawks get that lethal Wing-T attack going, their defense will find a way to make some plays and win a shootout. 

Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Pleasant Grove by 6

- Matt Stepp

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PLAYERS TO WATCH

Texarkana Pleasant Grove

Junior DE Landon Jackson (HUDL)

Landon Jackson’s chomping at the bit to get on the field of AT&T after missing last season’s title game against Cuero. The superstar edge rusher is the toughest individual matchup on the field with his mix of speed and power on the end. He’ll also feature on offense.

Junior DT/TE Marcus Burris (HUDL)

Just when you thought you could breathe if you happen to contain Landon Jackson, his counterpart plows his way into the backfield. Burris is the thunder to Jackson’s lightning on the defensive line, another nightmare of a matchup, just in a different way.

Senior QB Ben Harmon (HUDL)

I could’ve gone with Bruce Garrett, the Hawks’ tough runner but Ben Harmon is what makes Pleasant Groves’ Slot-T the most versatile use of the formation in the state. Harmon’s arm allows the Hawks to keep defenses honest when they try and pack the box to key in on Garrett. Don’t be surprised if he throws on the first offensive play from scrimmage.

Wimberley

Senior QB Cooper McCollum (HUDL)

It’s never a true Wimberley team without a top-quality signal caller and that’s what Cooper McCollum has proven to be this season. Throwing for almost 3,500 yards and 47 touchdowns, the senior also has nearly 700 yards on the ground as well and has a knack for fitting the ball into tight windows.

Sophomore RB Moses Wray (HUDL)

What’s given Wimberley a new dimension this season has been the emergence of Moses Wray as a potent running threat to throw opposing defenses off-balance. The sophomore has 1,223 yards on the ground and will be needed to keep Pleasant Grove’s defense honest.

Wimberley’s offensive line

Point blank, this is the matchup that will decide the game. Pleasant Grove’s Landon Jackson and Marcus Burris are arguably the best pass-rushing tandem in the state at any level and Wimberley’s offensive line has a big task ahead of it if the Texans’ high-octane offense averaging 47 points per game is going to stay in high gear.

- Ish Johnson

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PREDICTIONS

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TEPPER'S PICK

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