Previews and predictions for the best Texas high school football regional final playoff games of 2024

Alvarado (13-0) vs Celina (13-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Grapevine’s Mustang-Panther Stadium: It’s a battle of unbeaten teams in Grapevine as the state’s No. 1 team, Celina, tangles with Alvarado, who ended the season No. 3 in the state. Alvarado has lived on the edge the last two weeks, but the Indians have escaped with back-to-back three point wins over Celina’s district rivals. Last week, Alvarado ran out to a big lead and held on late for a 42-39 win over Sulphur Springs. QB Cardea Collier again had a monster night with two touchdown passes and two touchdown runs to pace the explosive AHS attack. Celina’s plenty explosive too as the Bobcats did get pushed, but held off an Aubrey rally for a 63-49 win a week ago. Celina’s offensive line paved the way for RB’s Logan Gutierrez (238 yards 3 TDs rushing) and Harrison Williams (173 yards 1 TD rushing), while junior QB Bowe Bentley had another big game with 133 yards and two touchdowns passing and another three touchdowns on the ground. Celina’s defense did get touched up for 577 yards a week ago and that’s a concern as Alvarado features one of the state’s top offensive units. In the end this game will come to down to which defense can get a stop or two in key moments and Celina’s defense in 2024 has been more consistent. Stepp’s Pick: Celina by 11

Kilgore (11-2) vs Tyler Chapel Hill (10-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Forney’s City Bank Stadium: Once again, we get Kilgore and Chapel Hill for the Region III crown in 4A-Division I for the third straight year in this round and the fourth straight year in the playoffs. Kilgore’s had good success against Chapel Hill in the regular season since 2020 posting a 4-1 record, but the playoffs have been nightmare as Chapel Hill has eliminated KHS in three straight seasons. Chapel Hill was blown away by Kilgore in the regular season, but CHHS was short-handed as they did not have Baylor commit QB Demetrius Brisbon for that contest. Brisbon returned two weeks ago and has been slowly worked back into the rotation, last week he threw a touchdown pass, but the CHHS offense was held in check a bit last week in a 28-3 win over Stafford. Kilgore had no such issues as Ragin’ Red rolled to an easy 62-7 win over Navasota. KHS raced out to a 35-0 halftime lead as QB Kayson Brooks led the way throwing for 236 yards and four scores, two going to Michigan commit Jayden Sanders. RB Rayshaun Williams led the ground game with 118 yards rushing and he also caught a touchdown pass. Kilgore has been a different team since their surprise loss to Henderson in district play, the defense is among the state’s best and they are clicking on all cylinders on offense. Chapel Hill will put up a fight, but it’s Kilgore’s time and the Red Bulldogs vanquish the Blue Bulldogs and get to the state semifinals. Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 7

Sealy (10-3) vs Waco La Vega (10-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Pflugerville’s The Pfield: Surprising Region III has delivered through three weeks of the playoffs as Sealy, who finished third in 10-4A Division II will look to take down a white-hot Waco La Vega squad who has won eight straight games. Sealy after stunning Hamshire-Fannett in the area round had no hangover last week as they rolled past Gatesville 56-21. QB Kane Killough had another huge night for the Tigers offense, he ran for three scores and threw four touchdown passes to pace the explosive Sealy offense. La Vega rolled through Silsbee 49-21 a week ago as RB Bryson Roland ran for 280 yards and two scores and the Pirates defense was led by DL Warren Richardson and LB Brydrick Scott. La Vega’s speed will cause Sealy a lot of trouble and the Tigers magical run comes to an end this week. Stepp’s Pick: Waco La Vega by 11

Texarkana Liberty-Eylau (11-2) vs Malakoff (13-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Tyler’s TMF Rose Stadium: Malakoff got pushed last week against Jefferson in a 31-21 win as the Tigers winning streak was extended to 29-games which leads the state. Now Malakoff will look to take down one of the state’s most explosive teams in Texarkana Liberty-Eylau. Liberty-Eylau last week raced out to a big lead on Winnsboro and then had to hold on late for a 56-49 win. Liberty-Eylau got a monster game from QB Tripp Baysinger as he threw for 302 yards and two scores, he added 247 yards on the ground and six touchdowns, while for good measure he chipped in ten tackles on defense. Liberty-Eylau scored 56 points in the first half, but the second half the Leopards were outscored 28-0 and that’s a concern going against Mike Jones and the Malakoff attack. QB Mike Jones ran for 118 yards and two scores and added 161 yards through the air for Malakoff. If Liberty-Eylau can drag Malakoff into a shootout, the Leopards have a shot, but Malakoff is too fast and too physical on the defensive side of the ball and they’ll get a few stops and make Liberty-Eylau play from behind. Stepp’s Pick: Malakoff by 13

Holliday (11-2) vs Gunter (11-2), 7 p.m. Thursday at Melissa’s Kenny Deel Stadium: Can Holliday be the team to end Gunter’s run of dominance in Region II? The Eagles have run into the Tigers in the playoffs in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 and each time they’ve fallen short. Is 2024 the year HHS breaks through? Last week Holliday drilled Tolar 46-20 as the Eagles were led by QB Hunter Jones who tossed four touchdown passes and WR Ty Harrison who was the recipient of three of those scoring passes. HHS led 46-7 early in the third quarter before Tolar performed a bit of window dressing late. Gunter hammered Holliday’s district rival Jacksboro 44-14 as the Tigers raced out to a 28-0 first quarter lead and the put it on cruise control for the remainder of the afternoon. Easton Overman returned the opening kickoff 70-yards for a score and the rout was on from there, QB Preston Tarpley tossed three touchdown passes and also kicked a 31-yard field goal to lead GHS. Holliday knows Gunter well and they’ve found ways to control the Gunter offense some in the past, but the offense just couldn’t move the ball. I think this meeting will be the most competitive matchup to date, but Gunter still has a bit too much firepower. Stepp’s Pick: Gunter by 13

Tidehaven (11-2) vs Lexington (12-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Cypress’ Pridgeon Stadium: Tidehaven is quietly beginning to put together another memorable run as the Tigers last week for the second time in 2024 dispatched of their Matagorda County rivals Van Vleck with a 42-20 win in front of a packed house in Bay City. Junior QB Kale Russell who has started since his freshman season led the Tidehaven attack Friday as he ran for three scores and added a touchdown pass to pace the Tidehaven offense. Speaking of impressive performances there may not have been a more dominant effort in the state than Lexington’s blowout win over Poth 50-27. It was a complete effort with Noah Harris leading the offense for the Eagles with 228 yards on the ground and three scores. Lexington didn’t need the arm of QB Kase Evans last week, but he gives the offense an incredible amount of balance and that explosive offense is the key as LHS zeroes in on Tidehaven QB Kale Russell. Stepp’s Pick: Lexington by 12

Post (13-0) vs Stamford (13-0), 7 p.m. Thursday at Snyder’s Tiger Stadium: It's a battle of unbeatens in the Big Country as surprising Post, who was picked to miss the playoffs in the preseason, will look to take down their second undefeated team in a row as they tangle with Stamford. A week ago Post in an upset took down Sunray 34-31 as RB Ian Vergara had another huge game for the Bold Gold Antelopes with 236 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. It was a back and forth game that featured five lead changes with Vegara’s 90-yard touchdown run being a key blow. Stamford continued its dominant run through the playoffs by blasting past Cisco 55-7. The duo of Cle Whitfield and Kaston Vega shredded Cisco to the tune of 240 yards rushing and five touchdowns as Stamford’s big plays were the key. The Stamford defense also forced a trio of Cisco turnovers as well. Stamford ended the year as the state’s No. 1 team in 2A-Division I and there’s no reason to believe the Bulldogs won’t continue this dominant run. Too much speed and too many weapons for SHS in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Stamford by 14

Collinsville (12-1) vs Muenster (11-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Denison’s Munson Stadium: A district rematch highlights the regional final slate in 2A-Division II as Collinsville will look to even the score with Muenster, who won the meeting on November 1, 34-20. Collinsville was dominant last week as the Pirates blew past Windthorst, 52-34, behind a dominant rushing attack. Muenster avenged their heartbreaking playoff loss to Albany a year ago with a dominant 56-14 win last week to eliminate the two-time defending state champions. QB Casen Carney led the Hornets attack with two rushing touchdowns and two passing scores. Muenster’s playing at a state championship level at the moment and a young Collinsville squad may be a year away from taking that next step as this is the second straight year to make the regional finals. Stepp’s Pick: Muenster by 16

Quick Picks

Canyon West Plains (10-3) vs Stephenville (12-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Midland’s Astound Broadband Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Stephenville by 10

La Vernia (10-3) vs Bay City (12-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Bastrop’s Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Bay City by 12

Brock (12-1) vs Graham (12-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Stephenville’s Tarleton Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Graham by 14

Van (10-3) vs Carthage (12-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Longview’s Pirate Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 18

Shallowater (11-2) vs Paradise (11-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Shallowater by 8

Llano (12-1) vs Edna (13-0), 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Heroes Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Edna by 17

Canadian (10-3) vs Wall (12-1), 6 p.m. Friday at Lubbock’s Patriots Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Wall by 10

Woodville (11-2) vs Daingerfield (8-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Palestine’s Wildcat Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Daingerfield by 6

Hamilton (13-0) vs Axtell (12-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Belton’s Tiger Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Hamilton by 5

Honey Grove (12-1) vs Joaquin (9-4), 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Frisco’s Ford Center Stepp’s Pick: Honey Grove by 14

Marlin (10-3) vs Ganado (12-1), 7 p.m. Thursday at San Marcos’ Toyota Rattler Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Ganado by 12

Gruver (13-0) vs Ropesville Ropes (12-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Canyon’s Happy State Bank Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Gruver by 11

Grapeland (10-3) vs Bremond (11-2), 6 p.m. Friday at Madisonville’s Mustang Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Bremond by 6

Junction (12-1) vs Shiner (10-3), 7 p.m. Thursday at San Antonio’s Heroes Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Shiner by 13

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Last Week: 34-14 70.8%

Playoff Record: 113-31 78.5%

Season: 242-82 74.7%