Kilgore (13-1) vs La Vernia (13-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Waco’s McLane Stadium: For the second straight year we get Kilgore and La Vernia meeting in the state semifinals, but this time the game takes place in Central Texas at Baylor’s McLane Stadium. Kilgore’s defense has been just incredible in four playoff games as the Bulldogs have allowed just 17 total points. In last week’s 30-3 win over Fort Bend Crawford, the Kilgore defense held an offense averaging over 48 points per game to just 144 yards. Kilgore’s ground game was as efficient as ever as Rayshaun Williams and Isaiah Watters combined for 241 yards on the ground and four scores. QB Kason Brooks wasn’t asked to do much through the air as he only threw two second half passes but he was 11-of-14 for 100 yards and added 26 yards rushing as he helped keep the chains moving. La Vernia got pushed last week by previously unbeaten San Antonio Davenport, but the Bears big offensive line and some key defense in the middle part of the game were key in a 38-27 win. The Bears junior tandem of QB Cooper Null and RB Ty Carter were simply too much as Null ran for 237 yards with three rushing scores, while Carter ran for 142 yards with a touchdown on the ground and a receiving touchdown from Null. La Vernia’s path to victory involves their offensive line continuing their outstanding play and the defense limiting the big plays against an explosive Kilgore attack. Kilgore controlled last year’s game in some poor weather conditions; the weather Friday night is expected to be perfect for football so I look for more points and I look for Kilgore’s passing game to make an appearance and be the difference. Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 12

Brock (14-0) vs Carthage (14-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Mesquite’s Memorial Stadium: In one of several battles of unbeaten in the state semifinals, Brock will look to avenge last year’s state semifinal loss to top-ranked Carthage, which is looking to go wire-to-wire as the state’s best team in 4A-Division II. Last week Brock looked every bit the contender as the Eagles used a dominant second half to roll past previously unbeaten Midland Greenwood, 35-14. Brock held Greenwood to just 50 yards of offense in the second half and picked off three passes in the fourth quarter, two by UTEP signee Colt Matlock, who returned one for a score. Matlock also hauled in a touchdown pass from QB Holt Frazier, who threw for 188 yards and two scores. After Athens pushed Carthage in their regular season meeting, the Bulldogs made quick work of the Hornets last week with a dominant 63-28 victory. Texas A&M RB signee KJ Edwards topped the 100-yard mark once again and ran for three scores, while QB Jett Surratt tossed three touchdown passes, two going to Mississippi State WR signee Keymain Henderson. LB Carson Crawford, who signed with Colorado, had an interception return for a score, one of five interceptions for the Carthage defense on the night. Brock hasn’t trailed at any point this season. The Eagles have been flat out dominant. Brock keeps it close for three quarters, but Carthage has too much firepower and too much sideline pedigree with Scott Surratt, who is 84-8 in the postseason as a head coach. Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 13

West Orange-Stark (11-3) vs Sinton (13-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Katy’s Rhodes Stadium: Surprising West Orange-Stark continues their run through the playoffs this week as they take on the final remaining team from the Coastal Bend in Sinton. Sinton avenged their only loss of the season last week with a thrilling 45-42 win over district rival Cuero. The Pirates were led by RB Mykha Green, who ran for 253 yards and four scores, and the Pirates held Cuero to 72 yards of offense in the second half after getting torched in the first half, WOS avenged a regular season loss to Waco La Vega with a come-from-behind 35-20 victory. Trailing 20-12 in the third quarter, DB Ja’Cuincy Walker returned an interception for a score that sparked the Mustangs late surge. RB Khelvy Jefferson led a methodical Mustangs attack with three touchdown runs, including two in the fourth quarter that helped seal the win. Sinton’s run defense has been outstanding all year but can they slow down one of the state’s toughest runners in Jefferson? If they can slow Jefferson, they’ll play for their first state title since 2001. If not, West Orange-Stark rolls to a comfortable win. Stepp’s Pick: West Orange-Stark by 18  

Peaster (13-1) vs Grandview (12-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Fort Worth’s Crowley ISD Stadium: It’s a classic offense vs. defense showdown as Peaster’s lockdown defense tangles with Grandview’s explosive offense. Peaster has allowed just 17 points in their four playoff wins. Last week the Greyhounds took home their first regional title with a 17-14 win over district rival Paradise, avenging their only loss of the season. WR Mark Tullous from the wildcat QB spot ran for a pair of scores, and Peaster drove 80-yards in the game’s final moments to get the game winning score. ATH Cade McCollough caught a huge 63-yard pass on that final drive to set up the game-winning score, and he also kicked a field goal early in the game for PHS. Grandview trailed early 15-0, but dominated the final three quarters to roll past Pottsboro 35-18. QB Mason Landers had a hand in all five Grandview scores throwing for three scores and rushing for two scores, while WR Kason Sanders 108 yards receiving and two scores and on defense had an interception to lead the Zebras. In these types of games, especially late in the year, the lean is to the defense. Peaster gets to their first-ever state title game. Stepp’s Pick: Peaster by 10

Yoakum (12-2) vs Llano (13-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Pflugerville’s The Pfield: One of the most intriguing matchups of the weekend features Yoakum, which is among the state’s most explosive offensive attacks, taking on a Llano squad looking to make their first ever appearance in a state title game. Yoakum avenged a district loss to Columbus last week with a 20-14 win. SMU signee X’Zavier Barnett led the Bulldogs with two touchdown runs, while freshman phenom Germarquis Robinson finished the scoring with his 20th touchdown run of the season. Llano rallied for a 38-35 win over Edna as the ‘Jackets trailing 35-17 in the third quarter, scored the game’s final 20-points to get the win. RB Maverick Robertson ran for 142 yards and two scores, while QB Trevor Lloyd threw for 227 yards and two scores. The key in this game will be Yoakum’s team speed. If Llano corrals Yoakum’s playmakers, the ’Jackets will play for their first title, but that’s easier said than done. Stepp’s Pick: Yoakum by 10

Wall (14-0) vs Gunter (13-1), 6 p.m. Friday at Stephenville’s Briles Stadium: It’s the rematch everyone has been waiting on in 3A-Division II as Wall will get another shot at Gunter after losing to the Tigers in a classic in this round a year ago. Wall has been the most dominant team in the state this year at the 3A-Division II level, and the Hawks continued that dominant play with 48-7 win over Idalou. Wall’s defense forced four turnovers with an interception return for a score. QB Landon York threw for 307 yards with four touchdowns, two going to WR Reid Robertson. Gunter’s been equally dominant this season and last week the Tigers easily handled district rival Leonard, 45-14, as QB Knox Gage tossed three touchdown passes to WR Alex Fenner as Gunter for the second time this season dominated their district rivals. Both offenses are extremely potent. This game is going to come down to which defense can come up with stops. Gunter’s defense rose to the occasion in the fourth quarter last year and that was the difference. This time, Wall’s defense is the difference. Stepp’s Pick: Wall by 7

Newton (13-1) vs East Bernard (10-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at New Caney’s Randall Reed Stadium: Newton has been a buzzsaw through Region III this year and the Eagles closed out that regional run by blowing past Arp, 66-20. Newton rolled to a 46-14 halftime lead behind the running of Kendray Porter, Jr. and Cavland Hunter, who combined for six touchdowns on the ground. Newton’s defense, particularly the defensive line, completely controlled a strong Arp ground attack. East Bernard turned things around in a major way after losing to Tidehaven, 59-6, in the regular season as they stunned the previously Tigers 34-31 a week ago. Trailing 31-19 in the fourth quarter, the Brahmas were led by QB Dan Bartlett, who threw four touchdowns, including a miraculous touchdown pass as he was about to be sacked that proved to be the game winning score. The Brahmas have had plenty of magic during the playoff run, but Newton’s just a different animal. Stepp’s Pick: Newton by 24

Stinnett West Texas (14-0) vs Hamilton (12-2), 6 p.m. Thursday at Iowa Park’s Hawk Stadium: Unbeaten West Texas High and their massive offensive line will look to punch their first ticket to the state championship game if they can take down Hamilton, which is back in the state semifinals for the second straight year. West Texas High made quick work of Cisco in a surprisingly comfortable 48-22 win. QB Cayde Winters had a huge game with 216 rushing yards and four touchdowns while throwing for 149 yards and two more scores. The Comanches defense after allowing some early big plays made some key adjustments and slowed Cisco down. Speaking of defense, Hamilton’s was absolutely sensational last week as the Bulldogs cruised past Axtell, 24-3, and the offense got enough done as QB Carson Roberts tossed three touchdown passes, two going to Colten De La Garza. Hamilton’s defense is going to have their hands full trying to slow down Winters, who operates behind that big offensive line; the Comanches just don’t let your offense off the field. If Hamilton can win early downs, they should be fine. But if WTHS lives in 2nd-and-6 and 3rd-and-2, it’s going to be a long night. Stepp’s Pick: Stinnett West Texas by 9

Joaquin (10-4) vs Refugio (13-0), 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Cypress’ Cy-Fair FCU Stadium: Joaquin has done it again, this time as a third-place team as the Rams are back in the state semifinals for the second straight year. They’ll get a chance to get to AT&T Stadium but standing in their way is top-ranked Refugio. Joaquin avenged a district loss to San Augustine last week with a 35-24 win as RB Cooper Bragg ran for two scores, while QB Trenton Runnels added a pair of touchdown runs to pace the Rams potent rushing attack. Refguio took out Mason in a 27-13 slugfest as the top-ranked Bobcats dominated down the stretch. WR/DB Laytyn Garza had a big night with a touchdown reception from QB Ray Lewis and he had a pair of interceptions on defense. Lewis and RB Zander Willis combined for 293 yards rushing and three scores on the ground, while a speedy Refugio defense locked down after allowing an early touchdown pass on a broken coverage. Joaquin’s Slot-T offense is tough to stop, but Refugio sees it often in South Texas. The Bobcats know how to stay disciplined, and they tend to tackle well. Refugio gets back to the title game with a big effort this week. Stepp’s Pick: Refugio by 11

Gruver (12-2) vs Muenster (12-2), 6 p.m. Thursday at Canyon’s Happy State Bank Stadium: It’s a rematch of last year’s state semifinal game, but this time underdog Gruver gets the defending state champions in the Panhandle as they won a home/neutral flip. The Greyhounds avenged their only district loss of the season last week with a hard-fought 19-14 win over Stratford. QB Briggs Satterfield tossed a pair of early touchdown passes to stake Gruver to an early 13-0 lead that they held going into the fourth quarter. Stratford rallied back to take a 14-13 lead with under six minutes left in the game, before Satterfield piloted the game-winning drive for Gruver that was punctuated by a one-yard touchdown run from Dax Conyers with 2:34 left in the game. Brock Butler’s interception on the ensuing drive would seal it for Gruver. Muenster also had to play a district rival last week, but the Hornets didn’t blink against Lindsay as they took care of the Hornets, 28-14. Leading 7-0 at halftime after a touchdown run from Nolan Peel, the Hornets extended the lead to 20-0 as QB Casen Carney had a touchdown run and a touchdown pass. LHS rallied to cut the lead to 20-14 midway through the fourth quarter, but a long touchdown pass from Carney to Clayton Cunningham would seal it for MHS, which has won 10 straight playoff games. Muenster dominated Gruver a year ago. This one will be much closer but I’m leaning to the Muenster championship pedigree in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Muenster by 9

Mount Enterprise (14-0) vs Shiner (14-0), 7 p.m. Friday at New Caney’s Randall Reed Stadium: Mount Enterprise will look to take one more step in their incredible 2025 run as they take on a loaded Shiner squad in one of the state’s most anticipated games of the weekend. The reason being is not just because you have two 14-0 teams going at it, but Mount Enterprise RB Kaegan Ash can make some history Friday night. The Texas Tech signee broke Ken Hall’s unbreakable single season rushing record last week, one that had stood since 1953. With 90 yards on the ground this week, Ash can break Hall’s career mark, one that has also stood since 1953, and a record most also considered unbreakable. There’s a good chance he breaks the mark, as in last week’s 64-58 win over Bremond he ran for an incredible 503 yards, while adding 102 receiving yards and he tallied nine touchdowns. He’ll need another big effort against this Shiner defense that has allowed just under 11 points per game this season. The Comanches brought back the house from a team that nearly won a state title a year ago and last week their defense dominated in a 22-6 win over previously unbeaten Junction. The Shiner combination of QB Jarvis Williams and RB Quincy Jones did enough against that stingy Junction defense to lift the Comanches back to the brink of a state title game. This game is a pace game. Mount Enterprise is a “cut the brakes” team, onside kicks, lots of action and high scoring. If they push the game in that pace, they’ll win as they thrive in those games. Shiner’s going to hope to generate a couple of stops and hope that Mount Enterprise’s defense, which has struggled, will again have their issues. I lean to the Shiner defense in this one. I think they find a way to get a stop or two and put Mount Enterprise into an early two-score deficit and make them chase. Stepp’s Pick: Shiner by 6

Last Week’s Record: 18-6

Last Week’s Win %: 66.7%

Playoff Record: 125-45

Playoff Win %: 73.5%

Season Record: 317-117

Season Win %: 73.0%