Brock (11-3) vs. Malakoff (14-0), 7 p.m. Thursday at Frisco’s Ford Center: Brock and Malakoff meet up in the state semifinals for the second straight year with Malakoff looking to avenge last year’s defeat to the Eagles in a close game.

Brock knocked off district rival Paradise, 21-7, a week ago as the Eagles used a ball-control offense and lock-down defense to knock off a strong Paradise team for the second time this year.

QB Brody Woods led the way for Brock with 162 yards passing, 96 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, while Brock’s defense limited Paradise to just 179 yards of offense.

In a much-anticipated showdown of unbeaten teams in Region II, Malakoff made quite the statement with a dominant 58-20 win over Winnsboro. The Tigers overall team speed and physical running game simply overwhelmed Winnsboro as sophomore RB Jerrion Hall and senior QB Mike Jones had monster games for MHS.

Malakoff’s defense had to be ready to keep up with defending Winnsboro’s wide open spread offense a week ago. This week they’ll need to be ready to match the physicality that Brock brings to the table.

After last year’s disappointment, Malakoff returns to the state title game with a win in a knock-down drag out, old school style game.

Stepp’s Pick: Malakoff by 2