Class 4A Regional Semi-Final Insider

THEOLDCOACH CLASS 4A REGIONAL SEMI-FINAL INSIDER

DIVISION I

It's rematch weekend in Region I as district rivals Stephenville and Big Spring tangle in what many expect to be another shootout. In their first meeting Big Spring knocked off Stephenville 64-57, but SHS has momentum after scoring 60 plus points in two playoff wins and they got QB Jarrett Stidham back last week. Graham knocked off Abilene Wylie early in the season and the Steers defense led by Dustin McWhorter and Mike Freeze has been outstanding all year but can they slow down a red hot Abilene Wylie squad that appears to be peaking at the right time? The big showdown is 12-0 Argyle taking on 12-0 Kennedale in a rematch of a regular season game from a year ago, won by Argyle in a rout. Argyle lost a large portion of that team but they still have back RB Nick Ralston who will try and run against a good Kennedale defense anchored by Baron Browning. Argyle will score points, the key to this one staying close will be can Kennedale's ground oriented attack keep up? District rivals Paris and Texarkana Liberty-Eylau are surprise teams to the Round of 16, Paris hasn't won two playoff games in a season since winning a state title back in 1988 while L-E is turning into an offensive juggernaut after starting the season 0-5. Paris won the regular season meeting 24-7 but since then Liberty-Eylau has been a different squad. High powered Navasota led by Baylor commit Tren'Davian Dickson at WR has been putting up points in bunches but in a win last week over Tyler Chapel Hill their defense showed signs of weakness, they'll be put to the test this week against always tough El Campo. Henderson and Jasper meet up in a battle of surprise teams, Jasper started the season slow but the Bulldogs are playing outstanding football, while Henderson after a down 2013 appears to be back among the state's elite. In Region IV, Liberty Hill and Burnet look to be headed to a regional final matchup as both will come into games this week as big favorites. Liberty Hill takes on Rockport-Fulton who won in overtime last week over Canyon Lake. While Burnet and Robinson meet up in a rematch of their district game won by Burnet 43-21.

Stepp's Picks:

Stephenville by 10

Abilene Wylie by 3

Argyle by 14

Texarkana Liberty-Eylau by 6

Jasper by 8

Navasota by 10

Liberty Hill by 21

Burnet by 9

DIVISION II

Vernon's patient ground oriented offense will hook up with high powered Sweetwater in a throwback battle of former powers who in recent years have re-established themselves. Sweetwater at 12-0 has one of the top offensive units in the state, in last week's 46-14 rout of Bridgeport QB Keagan Jeffrey threw for 270 yards and five touchdowns. Vernon will try and use their stable of running backs to control the tempo and keep Sweetwater's offense off the field. Celina's rolled through their first two playoff opponents and will likely be a huge favorite again this week against Iowa Park, who hasn't been this deep in the playoffs in over 20 years. The biggest showdown in Division II is without a doubt old rivals Gilmer and Gladewater meeting in the third round. Gilmer's been scary dominating on offense led by WR Blake Lynch and two way star DB Kris Boyd who spends most of his time on defense now but don't be surprised to see some offensive packages with him involved. Gladewater relies on a powerful ground game and their own two way star in DL turned playoff RB Daylon Mack. Gladewater doesn't have the firepower Gilmer has, so the Bears will have to play a perfect game. They keep it close for a half but then pull away late. On the other side of the bracket, Atlanta whose only loss was to Gladewater takes on resurgent Tatum who after a tough regular season has turned things around in the playoffs. The Rabbits took Tatum down 34-28 in the regular season, when two teams are this evenly matched and they play again in the playoffs go with the team who lost the regular season meeting. West Orange-Stark and LaMarque meet up in a battle of traditional powers, both rely heavily on the ground game and brutally tough defensive units. The Mustangs are flat out loaded in the secondary with Alabama commit Deionte Thompson and Louisiana Tech commit Johnny Shaw anchoring things, while on offense they rely on the talents of versatile Trey Spencer. Unbeaten LaGrange has their own pair of game breakers in Bralon Hutchison and sophomore sensation J.K. Dobbins, the Leopards will get a tough test from 11-1 Hardin-Jefferson Hawks but LaGrange just has too much playoff experience. It'll be a matchup of superstars as Cuero led by Texas State commit D'Anthony Hopkins takes on Yoakum led by TCU commit Tre'Vontae Hights. The district rivals met earlier in the season and Cuero came out on top, expect another close one but we like the Gobblers to out physical a very good Yoakum squad. Sinton who won the Region last year will take on Wimberley in the only late Saturday game on the schedule, the Pirates are quietly establishing themselves as a power once again on the Coastal Bend and they'll knock off a Wimberley squad that got a bit of a break last week taking on a wounded Orange Grove squad. Sinton advances to another game with Cuero, the Pirates eliminated Cuero in the playoffs last year and beat CHS in the regular season.

Stepp's Picks:

Sweetwater by 11

Celina by 24

Gilmer by 14

Tatum by 3

West Orange-Stark by 7

LaGrange by 13

Cuero by 5

Sinton by 10