TheOldCoach Class 4A State Championship Insider
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Senior Analyst, TheOldCoach.com
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THEOLDCOACH CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP INSIDER
Denton Guyer (13-2) vs. San Antonio Brennan (15-0) Friday 8:00pm AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Guyer was nearly upset last week, but the Wildcats came through in the clutch with a thrilling come from behind 22-16 win over Highland Park. Twice trailing in the fourth quarter QB Jerrod Heard led Guyer to scores including his one yard run with under a minute left to lift the Wildcats to the win. On the day Heard totaled 293 yards and ran for two scores.
The Wildcats defense doesn't get headlines but they are a very good group led by Colorado State commit LB Demontrie Taylor and junior DE Carl Thompson. Speaking of defense, is there a group better than Brennan? The Bears have allowed seven points or less in 14 of their 15 games and outscored opponents 816-51 on the year. That's the definition of domination right there.
The Bears defense has their share of big names with Texas commit DE Derick Roberson who has 19 sacks on the year, four of which took place last week. LB Grant Watanabe who is committed to Colorado is outstanding as well for Brennan. No one talks much about the offense, but this is a team averaging over 54 points per game.
The Bears have speed and talent at all the skill spots but can they move the ball consistently against a defense that can match their size and speed? The difference in this game for me is that I can't see Jerrod Heard letting his team lose, in crunch time he'll make a play.
Stepp's Pick: Denton Guyer by 6
Aledo (15-0) vs. Brenham (14-1) Saturday Noon AT&T Stadium, Arlington
For the first time all season, Aledo finally got tested but the Bearcats passed with flying colors in a 29-6 win over Ennis. The game was scoreless at the half, but the Bearcats defense stepped up and forced a couple of turnovers and it got their offense kick started.
RB Jess Anders who hasn't had much of a chance to tote the mail and get the tough yards because of Aledo's blowouts finally got his chance. It paid off big time as he ran for 166 yards and a touchdown.
Aledo's defense was huge containing a potent Ennis ground game to less than two yards per carry. Brenham dealt with the dismissal of their most talented player in the off-season, yet the Cubs who have massively under achieved the past four years are in the title game.
How have the Cubs rattled off 14 consecutive wins? They've done with a total team effort, no super stars just solid play. The Cubs do have one of the top offensive lineman in the Houston area with TCU commit Austin Schlottmann.
Last week Brenham rolled past Port Lavaca Calhoun 56-21 as QB Caleb Hill threw for 253 yards and four touchdowns, while Earnest Patterson ran for 152 yards and two scores. The Cubs also got two defensive scores and they showed they are more than capable of slowing down a strong ground game.
They'll be in deep this week against an Aledo squad that already holds the national scoring record and is among the deepest and most talented teams in the state regardless of class.
Stepp's Pick: Aledo by 21
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