Stamford (15-0) vs Ganado (14-1), 11 a.m. Thursday at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium: 

No team in 2A-Division I has had the consistent dominance all season like the Stamford Bulldogs.

Coming into this season, SHS had not won a playoff game since 2018, but a strong and athletic group of seniors are leading the way in a season to remember. Before last week’s 28-13 win over Hamilton, the Bulldogs had not played a game closer than 22 points all season.

Stamford ran out to a quick 14-0 lead on Hamilton and appeared to be cruising with a 21-0 lead after three quarters. However, a tough and gritty Hamilton defense kept them in striking distance, cutting the lead to 21-13 late in the fourth.

Christian Duran put the game on ice with his second of two TD runs. Duran also had a 26-yard touchdown pass to Cle Whitfield to lead the Bulldogs, who outgained Hamilton 208-59 in the first half.

Ganado, who fell to Terry Bussey and Timpson in the state semifinals a year ago, took care of a surprising foe out of East Texas last week as the Indians rolled to a 35-14 win over Joaquin.

QB Bryce Ullman threw a pair of touchdown passes to Cain Hayden and Ullman ran for a score to lead Ganado, whose defense scored the game’s opening touchdown and managed to keep a potent Joaquin Slot-T offense relatively in check.

Both teams are about as complete as you can be at the 2A level. The difference in this one, and why I give a slight edge to Stamford, is the Bulldogs team speed. Stamford has a lot of weapons and is extremely quick on defense at all three levels. That team speed is the big difference. 

Stepp’s Pick: Stamford by 4

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Stamford

FB/LB Kaston Vega - Vega is the same stud in a different number, switching from his No. 10 to the No. 4 to honor injured teammate Drew Faulks. He has 1,728 rushing yards on a whopping 11.7 yards per carry, punching in 31 touchdowns.

QB Christian Duran - Duran has piloted an offense averaging 45 points per game in the playoffs, getting the job done both through the air and on the ground. The senior has completed 69.4 percent of his passes for 2,251 yards and 21 touchdowns, while rushing for 845 yards and 23 touchdowns.

RB/LB Cle Whitfield - Whitfield is part of a three-headed monster in Stamford’s backfield, but he’s the receiver of the bunch with 1,573 all-purpose yards. He can line up next to Duran in the backfield or split out to slot wide receiver.

Ganado

QB Bryce Ullman - The senior has been the architect of an offense that's scored 84, 61,86,75, and 59 points in games this season. He's also one of the Indians' best defensive players and a leader in the secondary.

WR/LB Landon Hicks - One of the main weapons for Ullman, Hicks has incredible speed, open-field awareness and a knack for finding the endzone. He's also not afraid to jump into action to help get a criminal off the streets.

PREDICTIONS

THE PICK