Marshall vs. South Oak Cliff

What: Class 5A Division II Region II Area Playoff

Where: Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Records: Marshall (7-4); South Oak Cliff (8-3)

Last Week’s Results: Marshall 67, Nacogdoches 42; South Oak Cliff 42, Lancaster 35

2013 Result: Did not play

About Marshall: A decade ago at this time the Marshall Mavericks were on their way to eventually facing Matthew Stafford and Highland Park in the state championship game. Marshall reached state the following year also, finishing as runner-up both times. Marshall is fresh off its first playoff win since 2010 as the Mavericks took down a Nacogdoches team totaling 575 yards in the process. Marshall QB Justin Hart was 10 for 12 for 206 yards and two scores while tailback Cameron Haller finished with 24 carries for 190 yards and four touchdowns. The Mavericks won despite giving up 417 yards passing and other 159 rushing.

About South Oak Cliff: A school known nationwide for its state titles and prowess on the hardwood, SOC is trying to add a little more hardware to the trophy case, this time on the gridiron. SOC took down a Lancaster squad last week that entered that game as winners of four of their last five contests. SOC scored a touchdown with 37 seconds remaining to achieve the victory. SOC made it to the third round last year, tying for the furthest advancement in program history. The Bears are led by quarterback David Johnson, who enters with 2,430 yards passing and 32 touchdowns while tailback Jordan Stevenson has already surpassed 2,000 yards rushing to go with 25 scores.

Next Up: Winner vs. Colleyville Heritage-Terrell winner in regional round.

 

Kennedale vs. Athens

What: Class 4A Division I Region II Area Playoff

Where: Forney City Bank Stadium

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Records: Kennedale (11-0); Athens (8-3)

Last Week’s Results: Kennedale 62, Wilmer-Hutchins 20; Athens 47, Pittsburg 27

2013 Result: Did not play

About Kennedale: It has been a special season thus far for the Wildcats, who are not only lighting up the scoreboard (55.7 points per game), but also demoralizing their opponents with a defense that is giving up just 11.3 points per contest. Kennedale hasn’t been involved in anything related to a “game” since Week 2 when it defeated Gainesville 14-7. The rest of the schedule has featured a parade of blowout victories with the most recent last week over Wilmer-Hutchins. In this era of passing on every down, Kennedale does its damage on the old fashioned way. Led by Juwan Washington (216-2115 40 TDs), Kennedale enters this contest with 4,815 yards rushing and 76 scores on the ground.

About Athens: The Hornets took care of Pittsburg in their opening round game to avenge what happened last year when Athens entered the postseason unbeaten only to be knocked out at the first hurdle. Athens is averaging 43.1 points per game this season and features the Fuller brothers. Logan Fuller is within striking distance of 2,000 yards rushing while Travon Fuller is eyeing 1,000 yards rushing. The two have combined for over 30 touchdowns on the ground already and will look to take down Kennedale.

Next Up: Winner vs. Argyle-Kaufman winner in regional round.

 

Navasota vs. Chapel Hill

What: Class 4A Division I Region III Area Playoff

Where: Moorhead Stadium, Conroe

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Records: Navasota (11-0); Chapel Hill (6-5)

Last Week’s Results: Navasota 55, Needville; Chapel Hill 57, Huffman Hargrave 43

2013 Result: Did not play

About Navasota: The 2012 state champions, Navasota was taken out in the third round last season, but look primed to add more hardware to the trophy case. The unbeaten Rattlers have surrendered an astounding 6.6 points per game this season. If that wasn’t enough, Navasota is scoring 63 points per outing. Needless to say, Navasota hasn’t been in anything resembling a close game unless you call a 35-14 win over Coldspring-Oakhurst close. The team is coached by Lee Fedora, who is the brother of North Carolina head football coach Larry Fedora. Junior quarterback Shelton Eppler enters with 3,432 yards and 48 touchdowns. Navasota employs several running backs, led by senior Derrion Randle, who has 1,104 yards and 14 touchdowns. Rattlers junior receiver Tren’davian Dickson has 52 catches for 1,374 yards and 28 scores.

About Chapel Hill: We meet again. This is the third time in five years Chapel Hill has faced Navasota in the playoffs, defeating the Rattlers in 2010 and 2011. On paper this looks like a mismatch, but doubt the Bulldogs at your own peril. Chapel Hill has already taken out a favored Huffman Hargrave team thanks to 600 yards of offense. Bulldogs QB Konnor Hitchcock came back from injury a week ago to pass for 333 yards and four touchdowns. Michael Bledsoe added 133 yards rushing on 17 attempts and three touchdowns (11, 14, 40). The Bulldogs gave up the first points of the game to Huffman, but responded with a 26-point outburst. Chapel Hill still needed to outscore Huffman 23-12 in the final frame to secure the victory.

Next Up: Winner vs. El Campo-Carthage winner in regional round.

 

Gilmer vs. Waco Connally

What: Class 4A Division II Region II Area Playoff

Where: E.H. Hanby Stadium, Mesquite

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Records: Gilmer (11-0); Waco Connally (7-4)

Last Week’s Results: Gilmer 50, Pleasant Grove 7; Waco Connally 34, Madisonville 14

2013 Result: Did not play

About Gilmer: The Buckeyes have been pummeling opponents all season, rarely needing to leave their starters in past the second quarter of games. That has produced a well-rounded stat sheet led by quarterback Mclane Carter, who has passed for 2,626 yard and 32 touchdowns. On the ground, six different ball carriers have at least two scores, led by Kris Boyd (57-694, 14 TDs) and Blake Lynch (40-600, 11 TDs). Last week against PG, Carter was an efficient 12 of 17 for 239 yards and three scores before giving way to Lynch and Zac Spears (combined 4 for 6, 64 yards). On the ground, no one surpassed 70 yards rushing as Gilmer raced away from Pleasant Grove as it continues its quest of a first state championship since 2009.

About Waco Connally: The Connally Cadets have given as good as they’ve received this season and managed to do enough to scrape out seven victories and reach the second round of the playoffs. Connally is enjoying a four-game win streak after losses to Fairfield and Mexia and outscored those four opponents 192-82. This will be an altogether different kind of challenge for Connally, which has given up 35.4 points per game this season. Gilmer has scored 35 in the first quarter of games this season. The Cadets are led by senior quarterback Kristian Brown, who enters with 1,344 yards passing and 17 touchdowns while also has rushed for 1,747 yards and 20 scores. When defenses load up to stop Connally’s quarterback on read-option, Brown hands off to Joshua Terrell, who has 1,147 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Next Up: Winner vs. Gladewater-Fairfield winner in regional round.

 

Gladewater vs. Fairfield

What: Class 4A Division II Region II Area Playoff

Where: Lobo Stadium, Longview

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Fairfield 9-2; Gladewater 10-1

Last Week’s Results: Fairfield 24, Shepherd 16. Gladewater 66, Nevada Community 14

2013 Result: Did not play

About Fairfield: Coming off its best football season in school history — reaching the Class 3A Division II State Finals against Argyle in 2013 — Fairfield is striving to make another deep run in the playoffs, averaging 42.3 points per game and allowing opponents just 16.3 ppg. in 9 wins. Their two losses came against Waco Robinson in non-district play 35-7, and Mexia in District 7-4A Division II action, 34-21, three weeks ago. Junior QB Haisan Myers leads the offense passing for 1,714 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is also a capable runner, rushing for 426 yards and nine TDs. Gladewater will face a balanced rushing attack of not only Myers, but Charles Oliver (88-869, 13 TDs), Dominic Brackens (149-723, 15) and Rahiem Hayes (17-113, 1). The Eagles have three receivers with 26 or more receptions. They are Cameron Hicks (26-429, 3), Colby Minze (34-469, 2) and Chance Carroll (37-606, 5). Inside LB Devin Eggers anchors the defensive unit with a team-leading 167 tackles, nine TFL and two sacks. The sack leaders are DL Dedrick Garner with eight and outside LB Jarett Carpenter with 12. DB Michael Gibson leads the unit in interceptions with three.

About Gladewater: A year ago, Gladewater really came into its own about this time of the season, reaching the fourth round of the postseason. This year’s Bears have been consistently hitting on all cylinders all season. Since a 25-21 comeback victory on the road against Kilgore in their final non-district game, the Bears have outscored opponents by an average of 35.3 points per contest. For the season, Gladewater is averaging 45.4 (50.8 against district opponents) and allowing an average of just 18.7 (15.8 in district). The Bears rolled up 594 yards a week ago in bi-district play, gaining 484 of it on the ground behind the rushing of Daryl Polk (10-182, 4 TDs) and Marcello Jackson (4-125, 1). A talented and deep running corps has rushed for 3,866 yards and 46 touchdowns, and QB Nick Canaguier has thrown for 1,264 yards (73 of 104) and 14 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Texas A&M verbal commit DT Daylon Mack anchors the Bears’ defense. Last week he had one tackle, one TFL, a sack and a caused fumble. The leading tacklers in the victory over Nevada Community were Duke Gordon (eight), Deion Russell (five) and Jackson (five). Gladewater’s D came away with five take-aways: fumble recoveries by Kenneth Ainsworth, Eric Abston and Matt McNamara, and picks by Gordon and Austin Hawley. The Bears have won eight in a row since falling to St. Thomas More of Lafayette, Louisiana, on Sept. 12 as part of the Battle on the Border Classic in Shreveport, Louisiana. This season marks the seventh time for the Bears to make the playoffs since 2001. Gladewater, one of the most storied programs in the history of East Texas football, had not won a playoff game since 2001 prior to last season when the Bears defeated Canton, Atlanta and Gainesville before falling to eventual Class 3A Division II state champion Argyle in the quarterfinals. This marks the 23rd time for Gladewater to make the playoffs since 1969.

Next Up: The winner of tonight’s game will meet the winner of Friday’s game between unbeaten No. 3-ranked Gilmer (11-0) and Waco Connally (7-4) at a site and time to be determined.

— Joe Hale

 

Gunter vs. Arp

What: Class 3A Division II Region II Area Playoff

Where: Royse City ISD Stadium

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Records: Gunter (10-1) vs. Arp (9-1)

Last Week’s Results: Gunter 55, Edgewood 8; Arp 44, Hooks 0

2013 Result: Did not play

About Gunter: The Tigers were knocking on the door of state glory in 2010 and 2011, reaching the quarterfinals in both seasons. Gunter is enjoying its 16th consecutive postseason trip and began No. 16 by dispatching Edgewood last week. Gunter is averaging 38.6 points per game while giving up 14.5 per contest. Gunter is enjoying a seven-game win streak and hasn’t allowed an opponent to score over 14 points in any of those games since its 31-15 loss to Pilot Point.

About Arp: The Arp Tigers, like Gunter, were stopped in the state quarterfinal round in 2008, 09 and 11. Arp reached the third round last season and is eyeing a return trip thanks to an offense that is averaging 288 yards rushing and 111 passing per game with 57 total touchdowns. Arp annihilated Hooks last week in a matchup that looked closer on paper. Arp’s lone loss is to fellow perennial power Waskom. The Tigers are led by human highlight reel senior Marcalas Johnson (126-1443), who is averaging 11.5 yards per carry and 17 touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Kayce Medlock has completed 64 of 124 pass attempts for 1,110 yards and 10 touchdowns for an offense that likes to do its damage more with the ground game. Arp has three players with over 200 yards rushing as Isaiah Baker, Deandre Jones and Medlock have combined for 1,187 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Next Up: Winner vs. S&S Consolidated-Elysian Fields winner in regional round.

 

Union Grove vs. Lovelady

What: Class 2A Division I Region III Area Playoff

Where: Panther Stadium, Bullard

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Union Grove 10-0; Lovelady 9-2

Last Week’s Results: Union Grove bye; Lovelady 17, Kerens 16

2013 Result: Did not play

About Union Grove: The Lions have been forced to wait 14 days before their postseason journey can begin. That is the prize, or curse of having a bye in the first round because of winning district. The Lions finished league play with dominant wins over Simms Bowie (42-8) and Harleton (22-6). Union Grove now will try to get past a Lovelady team that is allowing 13 points per game. UG is led by a three-headed rushing attack of Tristen Thompson, Shayne Brown and Corey Sturrock, which has helped the Lions average 274 yards rushing per game. Thompson is also a threat to put the ball in the air with the senior completing 63 of 107 passes for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He also is UG’s leading rusher with 882 yards and 13 toucdowns. Seniors Rans Mullins (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries) and Cole Wood (three interceptions) lead a defense that is giving up 14.7 points per game while forcing 27 turnovers.

About Lovelady: The Lions did just enough to get past Kerens last week and now try to take down an undefeated Union Grove squad. Lovelady is a defensive-minded team and that has helped counter an offense that is scoring 28 points per game. This game could be a potential stumbling block for Union Grove as Lovelady has reached the third round in three of the last four years.

Next Up: Winner vs. Alto-Ore City winner in regional round.