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GAME PREVIEW

It’s a state title game that most of the state has had their eyes on for the past two weeks as the two most dominant programs in 2A Division I in 2020 hook up for a state title. After blowing past everyone in their path through the first 14 weeks, Post finally got a test last week as they held off Crawford 28-14. RB Ashton Jefferson ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns and QB Slayden Pittman accounted for a touchdown through the air and on the ground. Big plays carried the day for Post as Jefferson broke loose for a 72-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game and then Pittman hooked up with Nathan McDaniel for a 76-yard touchdown right before halftime to put Post up 21-7. Post’s offense struggled in the second half and Crawford was able to close the gap to 21-14, but Pittman’s one-yard touchdown run with just under three minutes left put the game away for the Bold Gold. After their epic win over Refugio in the regional final, Shiner showed no signs of a hangover as the Comanches drilled previously unbeaten Timpson, 49-7, to get back to the state title game for the first time since 2013. Shiner was led by three touchdown runs from Dalton Brooks and Tyler Palmer's rushing and passing TD. Shiner raced out to a 35-0 lead at halftime while outgaining 321-43. These two teams play similar styles and are led by punishing defensive units. Post has the edge as they played in the state title game a year ago and have the experience at AT&T Stadium, but Shiner’s big edge is up front; they should have a big edge in the trenches on both sides of the ball and that is what will key the Comanches to their first state title since 2004. 

Stepp’s Pick: Shiner by 10

- Matt Stepp

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Post

RB Ashton Jefferson – Jefferson has been Post’s playmaker on back-to-back state final runs. The senior back has a quick first step and is slippery in the open field. If he hits the edge often, Shiner’s in for a long day.

QB/LB Slayden Pittman – Head coach Michael Pittman’s son is Post’s point-man within the Bold Gold rushing attack with over 800 yards rushing and over 1,300 yards through the air. On defense, he’ll have to be sideline-to-sideline in containing Shiner’s talented backs.

LB Isaiah Crawford – Along with Aldo Mendoza, Post’s star sophomore linebacker has a big task in slowing down Shiner’s punishing rushing attack. Crawford’s youth is balanced out by his gifted physicality that allows him to mix it up in the trenches.

Shiner

RB/DL Doug Brooks – Shiner’s steamrolling junior is impossible to bring down without help. Don’t be fooled by Doug Brooks’ size; he’s powerful but the Comanches love to swing it to him in the screen game and let his underrated explosiveness spark big gains. Defensively, he’s a force in the middle against the run as well.

WR Dalton Brooks – The younger Brooks brother is the lightning to Doug’s thunder but packs a physical punch of his own. Dalton keeps defense’s honest with his edge speed and vision and on the other side of the ball, is sideline-to-sideline in the secondary.

LB/RB Zane Rhodes – The Comanches’ spark on defense is their explosive outside linebacker. Against a Post team that lives in the trenches, having Rhodes patrolling the next level of the defense and the outside will be massive and arguably more significant than his offensive contributions.

- Ish Johnson

KEY MATCHUPS

Post DL vs. Shiner’s OL

You don’t make it to the state championship game undefeated without winning in the trenches, and these two teams do it better than most. Post’s elite defensive line led by Taye Perez helped contain its last four opponents to a combined 20 points. However, offensive linemen Brock Sestak and A.J. Patek make Shiner a formidable team up front. Something’s got to give. 

Shiner’s LBs vs. Post’s edge

With so much talent on the interior, Post’s offensive line will have a difficult time containing the inside. That creates an interesting battle on the perimeter, where Post’s running game will try to find space against Shiner’s linebackers. Post’s rushers are quick, but Shiner’s linebackers are solid and make great decisions. Can Post find space? 

- Shehan Jeyarajah

PREDICTIONS

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