Ozzy
12-12-2003, 09:35 AM
CLASS 5A DIVISION I STATE FINAL
The Woodlands vs. Galena Park North Shore
Noon Saturday, Rice Stadium, Houston
TV: FSN
Playoff road: The Woodlands (14-0) – d. Jersey Village, 14-13; d. Temple, 28-20; d. Tyler Lee, 50-48 (3 OT), d. Arlington Lamar, 35-20. North Shore (14-0) – d. Houston Clear Lake, 52-0; d. Humble, 35-7; d. Houston Lamar, 42-19; d. Austin Westlake, 49-7.
Update: The Woodlands, the Region II champion, makes its first appearance in the state title game. ... RB Samson Taylor (1,621 yards, 28 TDs) rushed for 168 yards and had three rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown against Arlington Lamar in the semifinals. WR Danny Armendola (60 receptions, 8 TDs) has orally committed to Texas Tech. ... North Shore is the Region III champion. RB Justin McNeese (1,602 yards, 28 TDs) rushed for 136 yards and three TDs against Austin Westlake last week. ... North Shore has allowed only 8.3 points per game in the playoffs.
Damon L. Sayles
CLASS 5A DIVISION II STATE SEMIFINAL
SL Carroll vs. Allen
4:00 Saturday, Texas Stadium, Irving
Radio: KSKY-AM 660, KDKR-FM 90.5/91.3, KXEZ-FM 92.1
Playoff road: Carroll (14-0) – d. Irving MacAthur, 55-14; d. Arlington, 42-7; d. Lubbock Monterey, 38-31; d. Irving, 29-16. Allen (13-1) – d. Samuell, 57-27; d. Garland, 34-31 (OT); d. Klein Forest, 36-14; d. Leander, 49-35.
Update: Carroll is looking for its 31st consecutive win. ... This is Carroll's 10th appearance in the state semifinal round. It has won four of the first nine. ... Carroll junior QB Chase Daniel is averaging 271.5 total yards in the playoffs. ... Allen is enjoying its greatest postseason run in school history. ... Allen senior RB DeMyron Martin has run for 1,032 yards in the last six games. ... Allen's defense has forced 13 turnovers in the playoffs and returned three of them for touchdowns. ... Carroll coach Todd Dodge and Allen coach Joe Martin have won 5A Division II state titles. Dodge won his last year with Carroll. Martin won his in 1999 with Garland.
Kevin Lonnquist
CLASS 4A DIVISION I STATE FINAL
North Crowley vs. Bay City
7:30 Saturday, Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
Records: North Crowley (10-4); Bay City (13-1)
Surface: Grass
Radio: KTFW-AM 1460
Tickets: $10 at gate.
Players to watch: North Crowley – QB/DB Lance Moss, RB/DB Brandon Martin, WR/DB Andre Dixon, LB/FB Tyson Reich, FS/WR/K/P Matt Panfil. Bay City – QB Scott Elliott, WR/DB Shaun Green, FB/DB Anthony Smith, WR/DB Cortley Blackmon, DE/TE John Reeves.
North Crowley update: This is North Crowley's first season to reach the playoffs and its first winning season. The school's all-time record entering this season was 13-37. ... Senior LB Tyson Reich has a team-high 161 tackles to lead a defense that is allowing 232.7 yards per game. ... Senior Matt Panfil, who has orally committed to TCU, leads the team with seven interceptions. ... During North Crowley's nine-game winning streak, it has outscored its opponents, 97-51, in the second half, including a 51-28 second-half edge in its four playoff victories.
Bay City update: Bay City employs a balanced offense, having run for 2,246 yards and passed for 2,764 yards. ... QB Scott Elliott completed 15 passes for 248 yards to seven receivers in last week's win over previously unbeaten Corpus Christi Calallen. ... Elliott, who has orally committed to Tulane, is ranked No. 62 on Rivals100.com's top 100 state recruiting list.
Brandon George
CLASS 4A DIVISION II STATE SEMIFINAL
Highland Park vs. Denton Ryan
1:00 Saturday, Texas Stadium, Irving
Radio: FOX-AM 1190, KDKR-FM 90.5/91.3
Playoff road: Highland Park (13-1) – d. Sulphur Springs, 49-28; d. Lincoln, 35-7; d. Ennis, 38-28; d. Kilgore, 31-28. Denton Ryan (13-1) – d. Mineral Wells, 49-0; d. Brownwood, 22-6; d. Plainview, 51-27; d. Aledo, 17-0.
Update: Highland Park QB Matthew Stafford, who has statistically become the most productive quarterback in coach Randy Allen's 22-year career, needs 36 yards to eclipse 3,000 on the season. ... The last time Highland Park went this far in the playoffs was 1996, when it lost to Denison. ... Denton Ryan is aiming for its fourth straight appearance in a Class 4A final. ... Denton Ryan tackle Derek Lokey is expected to give Highland Park fits after his eight-tackle, two-sack outing last week. Highland Park DT Lee Koons had 14 tackles and two sacks a week ago.
Paul J. Weber
CLASS 3A DIVISION I STATE FINAL
Gainesville vs. Burnet
8:00 Saturday, Texas Stadium, Irving
Records: Gainesville (14-0); Burnet (14-0)
Surface: Artificial
Tickets: $10 at gate.
Players to watch: Gainesville – QB Chris Brown, RB Terrius Purvey, WR/SS Darcel McBath. Burnet – QB Stephen McGee, WR Jordan Shipley, RB Chris Levens.
Gainesville update: Gainesville hasn't played in the state championship since a loss to Brownwood in the 1978 3A final. ... Gainesville, which has never won a state title, also lost in the 1974 and 1976 championship games. ... Senior Darcel McBath, a two-way player who has orally committed to TCU, leads the team with 15 touchdown catches and six interceptions. ... Jeremy Franklin leads the Gainesville defense with 118 tackles.
Burnet update: Burnet is playing in its second consecutive state title game. It lost the 2002 3A Division I final to Everman, 35-14. ... The Burnet football team and the town were featured on ABC's Prime Time in November. ... Burnet WR Jordan Shipley holds state records for career receptions (259), receiving yards (5,297) and touchdown catches (72). Shipley, an all-state selection last season as a wide receiver and defensive back, has also returned kicks for touchdowns this season. ... The Burnet offense averages 450 yards a game.
Scott McDonald
CLASS 3A DIVISION II STATE SEMIFINAL
Vernon vs. Atlanta
7:30 Friday, Birdville Fine Arts/Athletic Complex
Playoff road: Vernon (12-1) – d. Brady, 34-6; d. Decatur, 27-21; d. Sweetwater, 6-3; d. Kennedale, 33-26 (OT). Atlanta (10-4) – d. Mount Vernon, 42-17; d. Pilot Point, 19-0; d. Jefferson, 21-0; d. Gilmer, 34-14.
Update: This is the deepest Vernon has advanced in the playoffs since it won the Class 3A state title in 1990. Atlanta last advanced this far in 1994, when it was the Class 3A state runner-up. ... Vernon WR Matthew Gonzalez caught a deflected pass for a touchdown in overtime in Vernon's win over Kennedale last week. ... Atlanta has won nine straight games since losing four straight to Class 4A teams. ... Atlanta running backs Fred Washington, Curtis Burns and Jon Blaylock have combined for more than 2,750 yards rushing. ... Atlanta coach Ben Scharnberg said cornerback/tight end Dallas Washington has the potential to be a Division I-A recruit.
Rick Kretzschmar
CLASS 2A DIVISION I STATE FINAL
Tuscola Jim Ned vs. San Augustine
5:00 Friday, Ennis
Playoff road: Tuscola Jim Ned (14-0) – d. Dublin, 43-15; d. Jacksboro, 21-7; d. Maypearl, 35-10; d. Shallowater, 43-21. San Augustine (11-3) – d. East Chambers, 32-0; d. Corrigan-Camden, 21-17; d. Elysian Fields, 27-21; d. Comfort, 21-14.
Update: Jim Ned is led by one of the top junior quarterbacks in the state, coach's son Colt McCoy, who had a hand in five touchdowns in the win against Shallowater. He has passed for almost 4,000 yards this season. The offense is balanced by TB Terry Smith, who rushed for five touchdowns against Maypearl. He has almost 1,700 yards this season. ... San Augustine runs a balanced offense that is led by RB Tydrick Davis, who has rushed for more than 2,000 yards. WR Dominique Edison has more than 1,000 receiving yards, and QB Brandon Charles has completed 62 percent of his passes.
Melinda Weaver
CLASS 1A 11-MAN STATE SEMIFINAL
Windthorst vs. Sunray
6:00 Saturday, Lowrey Field, Lubbock
Playoff road: Windthorst (13-1) – d. Petrolia, 57-7; d. Paducah, 42-14; d. Roscoe, 55-20; d. Albany, 21-14. Sunray (12-1) – d. Farwell, 20-0; d. Anton, 41-6; d. Stratford, 28-24.
Update: This is the first meeting between the schools. ... Sunray had a rare first-round bye. ... Windthorst operates out of the Wishbone with a trio of brothers (QB Chad Green and running backs Brad and Kyle Green). ... Sunray runs the speed option out of its split-back, pro-style formation. ... The only loss for Windthorst this season was to Holliday, which lost in the Class 2A Division II Region I final last week. ... Windthorst has intercepted 38 passes this season. ... Windthorst averages 46.7 points a game and allows only 12.2 a game.
Scott McDonald
The Woodlands vs. Galena Park North Shore
Noon Saturday, Rice Stadium, Houston
TV: FSN
Playoff road: The Woodlands (14-0) – d. Jersey Village, 14-13; d. Temple, 28-20; d. Tyler Lee, 50-48 (3 OT), d. Arlington Lamar, 35-20. North Shore (14-0) – d. Houston Clear Lake, 52-0; d. Humble, 35-7; d. Houston Lamar, 42-19; d. Austin Westlake, 49-7.
Update: The Woodlands, the Region II champion, makes its first appearance in the state title game. ... RB Samson Taylor (1,621 yards, 28 TDs) rushed for 168 yards and had three rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown against Arlington Lamar in the semifinals. WR Danny Armendola (60 receptions, 8 TDs) has orally committed to Texas Tech. ... North Shore is the Region III champion. RB Justin McNeese (1,602 yards, 28 TDs) rushed for 136 yards and three TDs against Austin Westlake last week. ... North Shore has allowed only 8.3 points per game in the playoffs.
Damon L. Sayles
CLASS 5A DIVISION II STATE SEMIFINAL
SL Carroll vs. Allen
4:00 Saturday, Texas Stadium, Irving
Radio: KSKY-AM 660, KDKR-FM 90.5/91.3, KXEZ-FM 92.1
Playoff road: Carroll (14-0) – d. Irving MacAthur, 55-14; d. Arlington, 42-7; d. Lubbock Monterey, 38-31; d. Irving, 29-16. Allen (13-1) – d. Samuell, 57-27; d. Garland, 34-31 (OT); d. Klein Forest, 36-14; d. Leander, 49-35.
Update: Carroll is looking for its 31st consecutive win. ... This is Carroll's 10th appearance in the state semifinal round. It has won four of the first nine. ... Carroll junior QB Chase Daniel is averaging 271.5 total yards in the playoffs. ... Allen is enjoying its greatest postseason run in school history. ... Allen senior RB DeMyron Martin has run for 1,032 yards in the last six games. ... Allen's defense has forced 13 turnovers in the playoffs and returned three of them for touchdowns. ... Carroll coach Todd Dodge and Allen coach Joe Martin have won 5A Division II state titles. Dodge won his last year with Carroll. Martin won his in 1999 with Garland.
Kevin Lonnquist
CLASS 4A DIVISION I STATE FINAL
North Crowley vs. Bay City
7:30 Saturday, Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
Records: North Crowley (10-4); Bay City (13-1)
Surface: Grass
Radio: KTFW-AM 1460
Tickets: $10 at gate.
Players to watch: North Crowley – QB/DB Lance Moss, RB/DB Brandon Martin, WR/DB Andre Dixon, LB/FB Tyson Reich, FS/WR/K/P Matt Panfil. Bay City – QB Scott Elliott, WR/DB Shaun Green, FB/DB Anthony Smith, WR/DB Cortley Blackmon, DE/TE John Reeves.
North Crowley update: This is North Crowley's first season to reach the playoffs and its first winning season. The school's all-time record entering this season was 13-37. ... Senior LB Tyson Reich has a team-high 161 tackles to lead a defense that is allowing 232.7 yards per game. ... Senior Matt Panfil, who has orally committed to TCU, leads the team with seven interceptions. ... During North Crowley's nine-game winning streak, it has outscored its opponents, 97-51, in the second half, including a 51-28 second-half edge in its four playoff victories.
Bay City update: Bay City employs a balanced offense, having run for 2,246 yards and passed for 2,764 yards. ... QB Scott Elliott completed 15 passes for 248 yards to seven receivers in last week's win over previously unbeaten Corpus Christi Calallen. ... Elliott, who has orally committed to Tulane, is ranked No. 62 on Rivals100.com's top 100 state recruiting list.
Brandon George
CLASS 4A DIVISION II STATE SEMIFINAL
Highland Park vs. Denton Ryan
1:00 Saturday, Texas Stadium, Irving
Radio: FOX-AM 1190, KDKR-FM 90.5/91.3
Playoff road: Highland Park (13-1) – d. Sulphur Springs, 49-28; d. Lincoln, 35-7; d. Ennis, 38-28; d. Kilgore, 31-28. Denton Ryan (13-1) – d. Mineral Wells, 49-0; d. Brownwood, 22-6; d. Plainview, 51-27; d. Aledo, 17-0.
Update: Highland Park QB Matthew Stafford, who has statistically become the most productive quarterback in coach Randy Allen's 22-year career, needs 36 yards to eclipse 3,000 on the season. ... The last time Highland Park went this far in the playoffs was 1996, when it lost to Denison. ... Denton Ryan is aiming for its fourth straight appearance in a Class 4A final. ... Denton Ryan tackle Derek Lokey is expected to give Highland Park fits after his eight-tackle, two-sack outing last week. Highland Park DT Lee Koons had 14 tackles and two sacks a week ago.
Paul J. Weber
CLASS 3A DIVISION I STATE FINAL
Gainesville vs. Burnet
8:00 Saturday, Texas Stadium, Irving
Records: Gainesville (14-0); Burnet (14-0)
Surface: Artificial
Tickets: $10 at gate.
Players to watch: Gainesville – QB Chris Brown, RB Terrius Purvey, WR/SS Darcel McBath. Burnet – QB Stephen McGee, WR Jordan Shipley, RB Chris Levens.
Gainesville update: Gainesville hasn't played in the state championship since a loss to Brownwood in the 1978 3A final. ... Gainesville, which has never won a state title, also lost in the 1974 and 1976 championship games. ... Senior Darcel McBath, a two-way player who has orally committed to TCU, leads the team with 15 touchdown catches and six interceptions. ... Jeremy Franklin leads the Gainesville defense with 118 tackles.
Burnet update: Burnet is playing in its second consecutive state title game. It lost the 2002 3A Division I final to Everman, 35-14. ... The Burnet football team and the town were featured on ABC's Prime Time in November. ... Burnet WR Jordan Shipley holds state records for career receptions (259), receiving yards (5,297) and touchdown catches (72). Shipley, an all-state selection last season as a wide receiver and defensive back, has also returned kicks for touchdowns this season. ... The Burnet offense averages 450 yards a game.
Scott McDonald
CLASS 3A DIVISION II STATE SEMIFINAL
Vernon vs. Atlanta
7:30 Friday, Birdville Fine Arts/Athletic Complex
Playoff road: Vernon (12-1) – d. Brady, 34-6; d. Decatur, 27-21; d. Sweetwater, 6-3; d. Kennedale, 33-26 (OT). Atlanta (10-4) – d. Mount Vernon, 42-17; d. Pilot Point, 19-0; d. Jefferson, 21-0; d. Gilmer, 34-14.
Update: This is the deepest Vernon has advanced in the playoffs since it won the Class 3A state title in 1990. Atlanta last advanced this far in 1994, when it was the Class 3A state runner-up. ... Vernon WR Matthew Gonzalez caught a deflected pass for a touchdown in overtime in Vernon's win over Kennedale last week. ... Atlanta has won nine straight games since losing four straight to Class 4A teams. ... Atlanta running backs Fred Washington, Curtis Burns and Jon Blaylock have combined for more than 2,750 yards rushing. ... Atlanta coach Ben Scharnberg said cornerback/tight end Dallas Washington has the potential to be a Division I-A recruit.
Rick Kretzschmar
CLASS 2A DIVISION I STATE FINAL
Tuscola Jim Ned vs. San Augustine
5:00 Friday, Ennis
Playoff road: Tuscola Jim Ned (14-0) – d. Dublin, 43-15; d. Jacksboro, 21-7; d. Maypearl, 35-10; d. Shallowater, 43-21. San Augustine (11-3) – d. East Chambers, 32-0; d. Corrigan-Camden, 21-17; d. Elysian Fields, 27-21; d. Comfort, 21-14.
Update: Jim Ned is led by one of the top junior quarterbacks in the state, coach's son Colt McCoy, who had a hand in five touchdowns in the win against Shallowater. He has passed for almost 4,000 yards this season. The offense is balanced by TB Terry Smith, who rushed for five touchdowns against Maypearl. He has almost 1,700 yards this season. ... San Augustine runs a balanced offense that is led by RB Tydrick Davis, who has rushed for more than 2,000 yards. WR Dominique Edison has more than 1,000 receiving yards, and QB Brandon Charles has completed 62 percent of his passes.
Melinda Weaver
CLASS 1A 11-MAN STATE SEMIFINAL
Windthorst vs. Sunray
6:00 Saturday, Lowrey Field, Lubbock
Playoff road: Windthorst (13-1) – d. Petrolia, 57-7; d. Paducah, 42-14; d. Roscoe, 55-20; d. Albany, 21-14. Sunray (12-1) – d. Farwell, 20-0; d. Anton, 41-6; d. Stratford, 28-24.
Update: This is the first meeting between the schools. ... Sunray had a rare first-round bye. ... Windthorst operates out of the Wishbone with a trio of brothers (QB Chad Green and running backs Brad and Kyle Green). ... Sunray runs the speed option out of its split-back, pro-style formation. ... The only loss for Windthorst this season was to Holliday, which lost in the Class 2A Division II Region I final last week. ... Windthorst has intercepted 38 passes this season. ... Windthorst averages 46.7 points a game and allows only 12.2 a game.
Scott McDonald