MALAKOFF'S R.J. CARR (11) runs past a tackle attempt by Brock's Luke Dillingham (10) during a Class 3A Division I state semifinals game on Friday at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco. Malakoff beat Brock 23-21 and Carr had 66 yards rushing on nine carries.

Two years ago the Malakoff Tigers were oh so close to making the state football championship game. They dropped a 28-24 heartbreaker to Yoakum in the state semifinals.

In 2018, the Tigers are in the state finals, but they say their mission is far from complete.

Malakoff (12-2) plays the Grandview Zebras (13-2) with state title dreams on their mind.

The Tigers and Zebras meet for the Class 3A Division I state football championship on Thursday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Fox Sports Southwest-Plus will broadcast the game on TV.

This is a rematch as the two clubs met Sept. 20 in Grandview with the Zebras winning 28-7.

Malakoff has won 10 of 11 games since that defeat, with its only loss a 22-20 decision to Kemp on Nov. 9.

Since that Kemp game, the Tigers have been rolling with five straight wins — 63-35 over Pottsboro in Mesquite on Nov. 16 (bidistrict), 31-21 over previously unbeaten Jefferson in Mineola on Nov. 23 (area), 35-7 over Gladewater in Tyler on Dec. 1 (regionals), 37-22 over Atlanta in Longview on Dec. 8 (state quarterfinals) and 23-21 over

Brock in Frisco on Friday (state semifinals).

Malakoff was the runner-up in District 6-3A to Kemp, but is now the Region II champion.

Grandview tied for the District 9-3A championship with West, but entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed as the Zebras lost to West 42-41 in overtime on Sept. 28 in Grandview.

The Zebras, the Region III champions, have won 10 straight since then and their only other loss was 52-30 at Glen Rose on Aug. 31.

Grandview playoff wins include 45-21 over Rockdale in Waco on Nov. 17 (bi-district), 42-14 over Woodville in Tyler on Nov. 23 (area), 24-21 over Franklin in Waco on Nov. 30 (regionals), 36-35 in overtime over Winnie East Chambers in Madisonville on Dec. 8 (state quarterfinals) and 28-14 over Yoakum in Pflugerville on Friday (state semifinals).

This will be the second time the schools have met in the playoffs. Malakoff won 45-0 in a 1990 bi-district game.

A LITTLE HISTORY

Joe Lee Smith, of Tyler, operates the TexasHighSchoolFootballHistory.com and he said Malakoff began playing football in 1925 and has compiled a record of 440-42927 with 19 playoff appearances and 11 district titles.

The Tigers’ playoff record is 1817.

Grandview began playing football in 1909 and has a record of 479418-43. The Zebras have made the playoffs 30 times with 20 district titles. Their playoff record is 26-28.

Neither team has won a state title and this is the first state championship game for both.

BAG POLICY

All fans will be subject to the stadium’s clear bag policy and will be searched upon entering the stadium. Fans will walk through metal detectors upon entering the stadium.

No powder, confetti or streamers will be allowed in the stands.

NOISEMAKERS

No artificial noisemakers are allowed at this event in the stands. No air horns or whistles will be permitted in the stands. Only manmade noisemakers will be allowed — jugs with beads, inflatable boom sticks, clackers and cowbells.

TICKETS THROUGH SEAT GEEK

Tickets are good for all games on that day. No re-entry allowed. All spectators age 1 and up must have a ticket.

Go to https://seatgeek.com/uil-football-state-championshipstickets.

Tickets will be available at the stadium on the day of the game. Gates will open one hour before the start of the first game of the day.

Free admission will be allowed to members of the Texas High School Coaches Association and/or the Texas Six Man Coaches Association at the UIL Football State Championship games. The THSCA/TSMCA member is required to show their membership card and a picture ID at the pass gate to enter. Only the THSCA/TSMCA member is allowed free admission.

PARKING

Parking will be $10 (credit card) and $15 (cash) per vehicle. If you are bringing a fan bus, bus parking will be $50 per bus.