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7 Way-Too-Early DFW Football Predictions
Jan 19, 2021
The Texas high school football season is over. We made and we're 220 days until the start of the 2021 season - the shortest offseason in #txhsfb history.
Congrats to our teams for pulling through and getting to the finish line. But with the end of the season comes the look ahead to the next season, and what could happen.
These are the ultimate knee-jerk predictions as move forward to the 2021 season.
No Missed Games in 2021
<p>Knowing what it took to get through the 2020 season and with help on the way, my top bold prediction for the next year. While we didn't have major cancellations that affected too much of the postseason but had many cancellations or postponements in the regular season.</p><p>I don't believe we'll have that problem moving into next season. We had an unprecedented year and now with the knowledge of what it takes to get through, we're better equipped to handle it all.<br></p>6A Drought Will Continue
<p>A 6A DFW team has not won a state title since 2017 when Allen beat Austin Lake Travis. Expect that drought to continue in 2021.</p><p>Of course, the divisional situation will inevitably create some paths that will be very favorable to some teams. However, looking at rosters of the 2020 champs Katy and Austin Westlake, I expect 2021 State to run through those teams again.</p>Southlake Will Be Back
<p>With the talent at quarterback, running back and a young defense, Southlake is primed to make another run at State. </p><p>Quinn Ewers being back to 100 percent in 2021 will allow him to rack up big numbers even as Landon Samson will be the No. 1 target. Owen Allen will have another great season as the lead feature out of the backfield and a defense that made great strides with just three returning starters to begin the season.</p>Watch Out for Melissa
<p>Argyle ran through state with a senior-laden team. It was the culmination years of anguish and coming up short along with a unrelenting desire to climb the mountain and claim the title.</p><p>Now, the team to watch in 4A Division I is going to be district-mate Melissa, which had the most proficient offense in the area in 4A, averaging nearly 500 yards a game and more than 50 points per game.</p><p>The talent is there and the defense will make strides to make Melissa a force to reckon with in 2021.<br></p>Ollie Gordon Will Be Mr. Texas Football
<p>After his 400-plus-yard performance in the upset against Allen in the playoffs, Euless Trinity running back Ollie Gordon made a fan out of me. I know he had a solid season leading up to that game, but that performance put him in another category.</p><p>TexasFootball.com hands out the award, which was given to Hallettsville running back Jonathan Brooks this past year. Trinity is a ground-and-pound team with timely passes to keep defenses off balance, and barring any big injury Gordon, he'll be the best running back in the state in 2021.</p>Allen's District Win Streak Ends
<p>It nearly happened at home against Prosper, but Allen was able to preserve its district win streak and extend it to 83 straight.</p><p>Talent permeates the Allen program, but it was a very senior-laden team in 2020. With another tough slate coming up - Denton Guyer, Denton Braswell, McKinney Boyd and McKinney - I think 2021 will be the year Allen's district win streak falls.<br></p>DFW Continues its TAPPS Domination
<p>It'll be another in which DFW teams completely own TAPPS' highest classifications.</p><p>In 2020, DFW teams took home two of the 11-man state titles with the Division I matchup being all-DFW. That trend will continue with teams like Fort Worth All Saints, Fort Worth Nolan Catholic, Plano Prestonwood, Dallas Parish, Plano John Paul II, Colleyville Covenant and Dallas Christian all primed for big runs in 2021.</p>
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DFW Football: Regional Semifinals Quick Looks, Other #TXHFB Things
Nov 27, 2020
We're now three weeks into the 4A and under playoffs as we even had Thanksgiving playoff football as Springtown knocked out Dumas for the second straight year.
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There are eight, 4A and 3A playoff games involving area teams this weekend, and we'll quickly look at each of the regional semifinal matchups.
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<h3>Other 6A/5A Intriguing Games</h3><div>Euless Trinity vs. Haltom</div><ul class="ee-ul"><li>A matchup for the 3-6A District title</li></ul><div>Flower Mound Marcus vs. Lewisville</div><ul class="ee-ul"><li>The annual rivalry matchup has 6-6A district title implications</li></ul><div>McKinney vs. McKinney Boyd</div><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Playoff implications for both teams as well as others in 5-6A</li></ul><div>Arlington Bowie vs. Arlington</div><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Bowie is in but Arlington needs the win to clinch a playoff berth</li></ul><div>Colleyville Heritage vs. Burleson Centennial</div><ul class="ee-ul"><li>This could determine the 4-5A DI district champion</li></ul><div>Dallas Kimball vs. Dallas SOC</div><div></div><div><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Winner essentially claims 6-5A DII district title</li></ul><h3>PICKIN' SZN</h3><p>A reminder of games this week:</p><p>Lake Highlands over Richardson (correct)<br>Azle over Northwest (correct)<br>Euless Trinity over Haltom<br>Arlington Bowie over Arlington<br>Argyle over Waco La Vega<br>Fort Worth Nolan Catholic over Plano John Paul II<br>SGP over Arlington Lamar<br>Colleyville Heritage over Burleson Centennial<br>Mansfield Summit over Midlothian<br><del>Duncanville over DeSoto</del> (cancelled)<br>Melissa over Paris<br>Byron Nelson over Keller<br>Hurst LD Bell over Fort Worth Chisholm Trail<br>Denton Guyer over Little Elm<br>Denton Ryan over Frisco Independence<br>Parish Episcopal over Plano Prestonwood</p></div>
4A DI Region I: Decatur (7-5) vs. Canyon (10-1)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0Mjk0Ny9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDI5ODI0OX0.533zfGYs-_xAJolCqNfXmTYohh5tLADreevaXMa4nu8/img.png?width=980" id="d760b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9b5be6da74987dbd35d27c71af081aa7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1918" data-height="827" /><p>Last year in this matchup, Decatur absolutely dominated Canyon 55-28 in the Bi-District round before getting knocked out two rounds later to Dumas. This year, Canyon is a much-improved team with its only loss of the season being to Dumas, which just lost to Springtown, who Decatur beat by seven earlier this season. That's all to say that this year's iteration should be good as Decatur has won six of its last seven games and Canyon has won it's last three games by giving up only 7 points, which includes a 16-0 win over Wichita Falls Hirschi, which beat Decatur. (Insert shrug emoji here).</p><p><strong>KICKOFF: </strong>3 p.m., Friday @ Anthony Field (Abilene)<br><strong>LINE:</strong> Canyon favored by 7<br><strong>NEXT ROUND:</strong> Winner plays Springtown in Regional Final<br></p>4A DI Region II: Paris (8-4) vs. Melissa (11-1)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0Mjk3Mi9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNjU4Mjg3MX0.ZaEUxga0IUQ1iZsH-D1JUGpHPA3FY5Zt9E5T0EVymSg/img.png?width=980" id="df1ad" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="be07e85111484bd33d34a627e50ac5ce" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1918" data-height="827" /><p>It's the fourth scheduled meeting between these two but will be only the third played game as Melissa beat Paris earlier this year by forfeit in 7-4A DI play. Last year in the regular season, Melissa beat Paris by 10 and in 2018, Paris won the regular season tilt by three. Melissa is on a six-game win streak and has rolled over its opponents during that stretch. After having to forfeit the first two district games, Paris has won five of its last six games. </p><p><strong>KICKOFF: 7:</strong>30 p.m., Friday @ Memorial Stadium (Commerce)<br><strong>LINE:</strong> Melissa favored by 5<br><strong>NEXT ROUND:</strong> Winner plays winner of Argyle/Waco La Vega in Regional Final<br></p>4A DI Region II: Argyle (12-0) vs. Waco La Vega (9-2)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0Mjk4MC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3NDM2MjQ5M30.2CuNSTl0LBZbEOo9epUeQRfjBKX-iO2xqzzE71nOC68/img.png?width=980" id="66c0b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ab39a316d53124d3c6a6864d4badee40" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1918" data-height="827" /><p>Stop me if you've heard this before: Argyle faces Waco La Vega. In what seems to have become a yearly tradition, Argyle and La Vega meet in the playoffs after playing in the regular season. This will be the sixth meeting between the two in three years as Argyle has won the three regular season meetings and then La Vega returning the favor to win the playoff rematch. There's a sense the 2020 Argyle team is just different, but we'll find out if third time can be the charm. </p><p><strong>KICKOFF: </strong>7:30 p.m. Friday @ Owl Stadium (Joshua)<br><strong>LINE:</strong> Argyle favored by 11<br><strong>NEXT ROUND:</strong> Winner plays winner of Paris/Melissa in Regional Final<br></p>4A DII Region I: Celina (5-4) vs Iowa Park (9-2)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0Mjk4Ny9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MzExNzgxMH0.15lvuBUzrLvpxYqYRNmoet6GtGRoEjDhdL9YPvxHuVs/img.png?width=980" id="07701" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="38c035b52dc5d151eb9e3a763528e0a5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1918" data-height="827" /><p>Celina is coming into this matchup off an impressive win over 1-4A district champ Sweetwater last week to extend its win streak to four straight after starting the year 1-4. Iowa Park had a big win in the Area Round a week after slugging it out with Sanger in the Bi-District Round. It too is on a four-game win streak and has only lost to Brock and district champion Graham this year. </p><p><strong>KICKOFF:</strong> 6 p.m. Friday @ Apogee Stadium (Denton)<br><strong>LINE:</strong> Celina favored by 8<br><strong>NEXT ROUND:</strong> Winner plays winner of Graham/Aubrey in Regional Final<br></p>4A DII Region I: Graham (9-1) vs Aubrey (11-1)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0Mjk5MS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzODA3MjcyN30.ubKz7Agvly0QGeNQloqYplewV_Z-FpI4TPQwDs-LumY/img.png?width=980" id="07a9e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="34e6f606b5c488607407aa15eb9af029" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1918" data-height="827" /><p>It's a matchup of district champions as Graham enters on an 8-game win streak and Aubrey on a 7-game streak. In the first two playoff games, Graham outscored its opponents 111 to 17 while Aubrey struggled with Midland Greenwood last week. Graham has not played a close game since an 11-point win over Everman in late September. </p><p><strong>KICKOFF: </strong>6 p.m. Saturday @ Globe Life Park (Arlington)<br><strong>LINE:</strong> Graham favored by 15<br><strong>NEXT ROUND:</strong> Winner plays winner of Celina/Iowa Park in Regional Final<br></p>4A DII Region II: Sunnyvale (6-4) vs Gilmer (11-1)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0Mjk5NC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1OTg2MTYzOX0.anEyFnVHex6OW4Ise_bV_TyuncuBXW6i7X4C0nwGRjc/img.png?width=980" id="eaa73" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1362d08778f26dc0779760288903f717" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1918" data-height="827" /><p>Since a 6-point, district-opening loss to Caddo Mills, Sunnyvale has five straight and enter the regional semifinals off a bye as Mexia had to forfeit. Two years ago, Sunnyvale had its playoff run cut short in a Bi-District loss to Gilmer. Gilmer has won seven straight as is looking to get back to the regional finals after losing to Pleasant Grove last year. </p><p><strong>KICKOFF: </strong>2 p.m. Friday @ Bruce Field (Athens)<br><strong>LINE:</strong> Gilmer favored by 10<br><strong>NEXT ROUND:</strong> Winner plays winner of Texarkana Pleasant Grove/Caddo Mills in Regional Final<br></p>3A DI Region I: Pilot Point (9-3) vs Bushland (9-2)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0Mjk5OC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NjQ4MzcxOH0.2ccsOOdYXtxYfMLU4-X65g8PxtEJEU2gnX_ytTq_0Hc/img.png?width=980" id="6b74c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="dcb0c3582587e84b8ad5e65c08303fa7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1918" data-height="827" /><p>Pilot Point has dominated its first two playoff opponents after a big loss to end the regular season against Brock. Last week, Pilot Point rolled past Shallowater by 22 points after beating Clyde by 40 in the first round. Bushland eked by Wall last week 28-27 to get back to the regional semis, this after opening the playoffs with a 56-point win. </p><p><strong>KICKOFF: </strong>5 p.m. Friday @ Lion Stadium (Vernon)<br><strong>LINE:</strong> Bushland favored by 1<br><strong>NEXT ROUND:</strong> Winner plays winner of Tuscola Jim Ned/Brock in Regional Final<br></p>3A DI Region II: Grandview (11-1) vs Malakoff (9-2)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0MzAwMi9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzOTQ3MTY1NX0.FuuCxPz70xTpSv-HBMpFATIJPwsFr9mINyw1voEzruU/img.png?width=980" id="92407" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="487ec06c73ce23296d1bb7484ed50e77" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1918" data-height="827" /><p>Like Argyle-La Vega, it seems we're destined to get a Grandview and Malakoff matchup in some form during the season. For the fifth time in three years, these two will meet and is a rematch of a Week 1 tilt that Grandview won 31-24. Grandview has actually won all four previous meetings, including the 2018 state championship. Grandview is battled tested this year, downing Glen Rose, Maypearl, Salado and Malakoff, as previously mentioned. Likewise, Malakoff enters on an 8-game win streak (playing in seven of them) and has only allowed 14 points in that stretch - that's five played shutouts in that span.</p><p><strong>KICKOFF: 1</strong> p.m., Friday @ Waco ISD Stadium (Waco)<br><strong>LINE:</strong> Malakoff favored by 3<br><strong>NEXT ROUND:</strong> Winner plays winner of Mineola/Mount Vernon in Regional Final<br></p>
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