Southlake Carroll (15-0) vs Austin Vandegrift (14-1), 3 p.m. Saturday at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium: 

Both teams come into this fresh off hard-fought three-point wins in the state semifinals.

Unbeaten Southlake Carroll has survived injuries to two FBS recruits at running back, reinventing itself on the fly to advance to the title game for the first time since 2020. The Dragons cemented their short trip to Jerry World with a 20-17 win over Longview in the semifinals. Southlake's defense held a dynamic Longview rushing attack to less than four yards per carry, while WR-turned-RB Christian Glenn ran for 127 yards and a score and QB Angelo Renda had 174 yards and a touchdown.

The game was a grind, but the Dragons got a key fourth down stop and marched down the field late to set up for the game winning kick.

Vandegrift is in the state title game for the second time in three years after the Vipers took down Humble Summer Creek, 34-31.

QB Miles Teodecki tossed a pair of touchdown passes, including a 57-yarder to TE Jack Rudberg with just under nine minutes left in the game that proved to be the game winner. Tough running Brendan Fournier ran for two scores, while speedy sophomore WR Gavin Koester’s 93-yard kickoff return woke the Vipers up after training 14-0 early.

Vandegrift’s defense will be tested by a dynamic Carroll passing game, but the Vipers offense is creative and they’ve got dynamic playmakers who can do damage. The biggest question for underdog Vandegrift is can the VHS offensive line handle a stout Carroll front seven? 

Stepp’s Pick: Southlake Carroll by 3

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Southlake Carroll

WR Brock Boyd - Boyd, the younger brother of former Southlake legend Brady Boyd, is carving out his own legacy in 2024. The junior has caught 97 passes for 1,678 yards and 18 touchdowns. He runs every route for the Dragons and can stretch the defense.

QB Angelo Renda - Renda has been sensational in his first year as the starter, completing 71 percent of his passes for 3,540 yards, 38 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He’s stepped up to the plate since star running backs Davis Penn and Riley Wormley were both lost for the year.

TE/DE Jack VanDorselaer - VanDorselaer is a Tennessee tight end commit but has made waves at defensive end for the Dragons this season. He leads the team in both tackles per game and tackles for loss, per MaxPreps. VanDorselaer will need to pressure Vandegrift quarterback Miles Teodecki.

Austin Vandegrift

WR Gavin Koester - Speed, speed and more speed. If Vandegrift makes a big play on offense or special teams, there's a good chance that Koester was involved. He's a game-changer in the return game and a nightmare in the open field. Just a sophomore, Koester will bring his 4.47 40-yard dash time to AT&T Stadium with hopes of leaving with a state title.

QB Miles Teodecki - Teodecki is just a winner, man. The 6-3, 215-pound left-hander threw for 338 yards and two touchdowns against a stout Summer Creek defense in the state semifinal. You won't find many QBs in the state with better touch on their deep ball than his.

DT Daeshon Morgan - The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Arizona State signee is a force in the trenches who demands double-teams on almost every play. A three-star DCTF recruit, Morgan has double-digit tackles-for-loss and sacks this season.

PREDICTIONS

THE PICK