Other than the titans of Class 6A football in Greater Houston, Katy Taylor and Fort Bend Elkins can hang with just about anyone. That's what makes their evenly-matched 1st-round (bi-district) playoff game against each other on Saturday so intriguing, and you can listen to what transpires inside Hall Stadium at vypefortbend.com starting at 12:45PM.
The Mustangs (5-5) and Knights (8-2) are in the UIL's 6A Division II playoff bracket, based on overall student enrollment. In District 19-6A, Katy and Katy Tompkins also qualified for the playoffs, and they have more students than Taylor; and the same is true for 20-6A's Fort Bend Travis and Ridge Point, whose enrollment numbers exceed Elkins.
Therefore, Taylor and Elkins should be more than happy in 6A's Division II. In Taylor's five wins, they outscored their opponents by an average of nearly 27 points (45.2 to 18.4). Their five losses were to a quartet of teams state-ranked by MaxPreps (Atascocita, #26; Dickinson, #23; Katy, #1; and Tompkins, #20) and a district rival, Mayde Creek – which went 8-2, losing only to Katy and Tompkins.
The Knights had an easier schedule. Their only losses were to Travis (ranked #28) and a Ridge Point team that is 27-1 in district games vs. Fort Bend ISD foes over the last four seasons. In all other games, Elkins dominated, outscoring the opposition 46.9-12.4.
Elkins is looking for its first playoff win since the Knights beat Madison 28-20 in the 2016 bi-district round. In the last 10 seasons, they are 3-8 in playoff games including two wins in 2013 when Jonathan Giles was their quarterback.
Taylor has broken even (7-7) in playoff games over the last 13 seasons, including three straight 1st-round wins over Fort Bend opponents: Kempner (2016), Bush ('17) and Dulles ('18).
WHERE: Birkelbach Field -- Georgetown, TX
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WAKELAND WOLVERINES
Wakeland has seemingly made Georgetown its home away from home, as Friday will mark the ninth time the Wolverines compete for a UIL crown. Last week also marked the team’s tenth appearance in the State Tournament, a testament to the deep-rooted soccer culture that has helped to define Wakeland since the school opened in 2006.
Setting history aside, head coach Andy Holt and his squad now turn their focus to Pieper—the final obstacle standing between them and a sixth state championship, as well as their first banner since 2022.
Boasting a 26-1-1 record, the Wolverines feature one of the most high-octane midfield cores in Texas, led by seniors Waleed Hadj-Hamou and Cameron Warner, alongside junior Axel Alvarado. Up front, senior striker DJ Summons adds another dynamic element to Wakeland’s already potent attack.
PIEPER WARRIORS
Groundbreaking is one of the few ways to describe Pieper’s unprecedented 20-2-5 campaign this winter. After a 1–1 draw that went to a tense penalty shootout, the Warriors edged Austin LASA 4–3 last Friday, securing their long-awaited UIL State Final debut and riding a wave of peak momentum.
Seniors Blake Dildy and Nolan Masker were pivotal in the decisive penalties. Dildy, the team’s captain and leading midfield scorer, converted the game-winning kick, while Masker made two crucial saves to give the Warriors the edge.
Beyond the semifinal triumph, coach Corwyn Ritch has relied on an exceptionally balanced starting 11, featuring the talents of juniors Landon Villarreal (MF), Dominic Tondre (MF/F), Jack Blische (F), and Jackson Blankenship (MF).
WHERE: Birkelbach Field -- Georgetown, TX
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LAKE CREEK LIONS
In just her third season at the helm, head coach Alyssa Maynard has guided Lake Creek to its first-ever UIL State Final appearance. That’s not to say the Lions haven’t come close—just a year ago, they advanced to the Region III Final.
This time, however, Lake Creek broke through, securing thrilling victories over Friendswood (4–2) and Pieper (4–3) last week. Now sitting at 17-6-2, the Lions are just 80 minutes away from championship glory—fully embodying their calling card: “Leave No Doubt.”
LC is propelled by a balanced mix of youth and veteran composure, most evident in its attack—featuring juniors Hallie Montgomery, Lainy Zabiegala, and Harper Montgomery, along with sophomore Kenley Housman.
Anchoring the group is senior goalkeeper Pyper Johnson, whose presence and voice will be crucial in organizing the defense and helping dictate the tempo of the match.
GRAPEVINE MUSTANGS
From a team making its title game debut to one well-versed on the stage, Grapevine advanced to the Final Four for the ninth time since 2015, further cementing its place among the state’s elite.
At that point, the Mustangs delivered a dose of poetic justice, flipping the script on Wakeland with a 1–0 victory—the same team that eliminated them in the 2025 Semifinals. The win pushed Grapevine to 18-5-6 and secured another trip to Birkelbach Field.
Riding that momentum, the Mustangs now have the opportunity to capture their second state championship, adding to the title they claimed in 2023.
While Lake Creek has thrived behind its imposing attack, Grapevine has stifled opponents with a suffocating defensive effort. The Mustangs have recorded a program-best 24 shutouts this season, a testament to the cohesion that has become increasingly evident under head coach Steve McBride.
GAMES
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