Grandview (13-2) vs. Yoakum (13-2), 3 p.m. Thursday at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium

The state’s wildest classification features an unlikely title game of a pair of district runners-up as Grandview, which is seeking their third state title, takes on Yoakum, which is making just their third ever title game appearance.

The Zebras have had a fantastic offensive attack all season long, but the past two weeks it’s been the defense that’s gotten the job done by holding Pottsboro and Peaster to under 20 points.

Grandview’s offense looked sharp facing a tough Peaster defense as QB Mason Landers had a strong game, while freshman ATH Briggs Jentsch had a touchdown run. Elijah Dominguez’s fourth quarter scoring run put the game away at 21-10 to clinch their first spot at UIL State since 2019.

Yoakum, which emerged out of a brutal Region III race, had no troubles in the state semifinals as the Bulldogs obliterated Llano, 71-27.

Jace Morales ran for four scores to lead the Bulldogs, while SMU commit X’Zavier Barnett added a pair of touchdown runs. Additionally freshman RB Germarquis Robinson found the end zone once, his 21st rushing touchdown of the season.

Yoakum’s defense doesn’t get the credit they probably deserve, but last week they were outstanding in holding a dynamic Llano attack in check.

Expect a shootout in this one. Both teams are extremely explosive, but this Yoakum team with their speed and athleticism at the skill positions is the key difference.

Stepp’s Pick: Yoakum 41, Grandview 37

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Grandview

Sr. WR/MLB Bleu Hubbard - At 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds, there aren’t many high school athletes that are put together like Hubbard. The senior doesn’t come off the field for Grandview, serving as one of the leading wide receivers and starting MLB. Oh, and he’ll line up at wildcat QB if need be.

Sr. RB/LB Elijah Dominguez - Dominguez is a two-time All-County honoree who plays linebacker and edge rusher the same way - violently. In the state semifinal against Peaster, he had multiple sacks and also stuffed a critical fake punt to set up a go-ahead score. Dominguez is a nice defensive complement to Hubbard.

Fr. ATH Briggs Jentsch - That name sounds familiar, no? Briggs’s older brother, Dane, led Grandview to back-to-back state championships in 2018 and 2019 and now coaches the Zebras. Briggs is making a name for himself as a two-way starter his freshman year. He stuffed a fourth-and-goal attempt in the semifinal against Peaster.

Yoakum

Sr. WR X’Zavier Barnett - They call Barnett “The Terminator” because he looks like he was made in a lab. At 6’3 with 4.5 40-yard dash speed, Barnett can take the top off of the defense at any point. An SMU commit, Barnett will feel at home at AT&T Stadium.

Fr. RB Germarquis Robinson - Robinson isn’t just having one of the best freshman seasons in the state; he’s having one of the best seasons in the state, period. Robinson had 297 rushing yards in a Round 2 win against Fairfield, one of many highlight reel performances in the playoffs.

Sr. ATH Jace Morales - The question isn’t what Morales can do - it’s what can’t he do? The senior had four total touchdowns in the state semifinal win over Yoakum, rushing for 213 yards and throwing for 81. He also had four special teams touchdowns in the regular season.

- Carter Yates

PREDICTIONS

THE PICK