TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW - 6A/5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
(NOTE: Rankings based on final regular season poll from Dave Campbell's Texas Football. Schedule is subject to change.)
The longest season in Texas High School Football history finally draws to a close this week. After 21 weeks, hundreds of brushes with COVID-19 and scores of games canceled or postponed, we made it to the end. And, starting Friday in Arlington, we get an unprecedented second round of state championships. Aledo will be there for the fifth consecutive year, looking to become the first school to win ten state titles in UIL competition. To do it, the Bearcats will need to handle a Crosby team that has crushed the hopes of unbeaten, state-ranked opponents four weeks running. After winning multiple titles together at Southlake Carroll in the 2000s, Todd and Riley Dodge will be the opposing coaches in the season's final game between Carroll and Austin Westlake. Cedar Hill and Katy will rekindle a fierce rivalry left simmering six years ago. And Dave Henigan's Denton Ryan Raiders look to complete the perfect season, which would give them the school's first state championship since 2002. Fellow unbeaten Cedar Park will look to spoil Ryan's dream. There are four games remaining in a season that's been unlike any other. These are the 2020 6A/5A state championship matchups:
Class 6A Division 1 State Championship
6A #19 SOUTHLAKE CARROLL DRAGONS (12-1) vs. 6A #3 AUSTIN WESTLAKE CHAPARRALS (13-0)
7 p.m. Saturday, Arlington's AT&T Stadium
LAST MEETING: Austin Westlake 20, Southlake Carroll 14 (8/28/15)
SOUTHLAKE CARROLL LEADS RECENT SERIES, 2-1
LAST CARROLL WIN: 8/29/14
SOUTHLAKE CARROLL:
Champion of District 4-6A
WON 11 STRAIGHT
LOSSES: Rockwall, 44-42 (10/8/20)
DISTANCE TO AT&T STADIUM: 20 miles
PF: 607 (46.7, #8 in 6A)
PA: 328 (25.2, #96 in 6A)
HEAD COACH Riley Dodge (38-3)
TENTH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE (won 1988, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011)
PLAYOFF ROAD:
Haltom, 49-14
Odessa Permian, 38-7
Arlington Martin, 30-26
Euless Trinity, 59-35
Duncanville, 34-27
COMBINED RECORD OF FIRST FIVE PLAYOFF OPPONENTS: 43-14
NOTES:
Defeated Duncanville in state semifinal, 34-27. Soph. RB Owen Allen carried 33 times for 192 yards and 2 TDs last week, helping Carroll to its seven consecutive win in a semifinal. The Dragons are 5-1 in state championship games during that streak. Bottom line - if Carroll goes to the final, they usually know how to get it done. Jr. QB Quinn Ewers was 11 of 25 for 168 yards and a score last week. Ewers also ran for a touchdown. On the season, he has thrown for 2,089 yards with 25 touchdowns and three interceptions. Ewers missed five games this season with a sports hernia. Allen, as a tenth-grader, has run for 2,014 yards and 26 TDs this season. Carroll WR Landon Samson, who had a 65-yard TD last week, has caught 68 passes for 1,190 yards and 15 TDs this season. The Dragons may rank in the middle of the pack in 6A scoring defense, but they had big stops when it counted most against Duncanville. Carroll held Duncanville QB Grayson James to 185 yards passing in the semifinal. Southlake Carroll, with current Westlake HC Todd Dodge at the helm, defeated Austin Westlake, 43-29, in the 2006 state championship game in 5AD1, then the state's largest classification. Current Carroll HC Riley Dodge threw for 303 yards and 3 TDs in that game. RB Tre' Newton ran for 125 yards and three scores. Dodge, after missing last week's game with COVID-19, will be back on the sideline this week to face his dad's Westlake team. Carroll won its first state title as a 3A school in 1988, when they defeated Navasota.
AUSTIN WESTLAKE:
Champion of District 26-6A
WON 23 STRAIGHT (defending 6AD2 state champion)
LOSSES: None
DISTANCE TO AT&T STADIUM: 205 miles
PF: 685 (52.7, #1 in 6A)
PA: 72 (5.5, #1 in 6A)
HEAD COACH TODD DODGE (87-13 at school, 216-72 overall)
TENTH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE (won 1996, 2019)
PLAYOFF ROAD:
Round Rock Cedar Ridge, 57-14
Smithson Valley, 62-3
San Antonio Stevens, 71-14
Cibolo Steele, 34-0
Galena Park North Shore, 24-21
COMBINED RECORD OF FIRST FIVE PLAYOFF OPPONENTS: 44-17
NOTES:
Defeated Galena Park North Shore in state semifinal, 24-21. Westlake Jr. QB Cade Klubnik scored on a one-yard run with 1:43 left to give the Chaps the comeback victory, avenging an overtime loss to North Shore in the 2015 state championship game. Klubnik is highly-skilled at leading the Westlake offense. He threw for 164 yards and 2 TDs last week, and for the season, Klubnik has thrown for 3,263 yards and 34 scores. He also has run for 13 touchdowns. Sr. RB Zane Minors has run for nearly a thousand yards and 19 TDs this season, while Sr. RB Grey Nakfoor has scored 17 times on the ground. Klubnik has several outstanding targets in his receiving corps, including Soph. WR Jaden Greathouse, who has 12 TD receptions this season. Westlake's top-ranked defense can be impenetrable. Galena Park North Shore came in averaging 50.4 ppg last week, and was held to 21, bringing North Shore's 29-game win streak (including two state titles) to an end. Westlake HC Todd Dodge will square off against his son, Riley, for the first time. The two won three state championships at Southlake Carroll from 2004-06. Westlake and Carroll were scheduled to meet in the 2020 season opener in August, but the game was canceled as a result of COVID. Todd Dodge won four state championships at Carroll, and added a fifth last year at Westlake. In school history, the Chaps are 2-7 in state title games. They won the 1996 5AD2 championship over Abilene Cooper with 17-year-old junior Drew Brees at quarterback. In last year's 6AD2 title matchup, Westlake shut out Denton Guyer, 24-0.
Class 6A Division 2 State Championship
6A #8 CEDAR HILL LONGHORNS (12-1) vs. 6A #9 KATY TIGERS (13-1)
1 p.m. Saturday, Arlington's AT&T Stadium
LAST MEETING: Cedar Hill 23, Katy 20 (12/20/14, 6AD2 state championship)
CEDAR HILL LEADS RECENT SERIES, 2-1
LAST KATY WIN: 12/22/12 (5AD2 state championship)
CEDAR HILL:
Runner-up in District 11-6A
WON 7 STRAIGHT
LOSSES: Duncanville, 28-14 (11/13/20)
DISTANCE TO AT&T STADIUM: 19 miles
PF: 465 (35.8, #47 in 6A)
PA: 208 (16.0, #22 in 6A)
HEAD COACH Carlos Lynn (35-11, 80-61)
FIFTH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE (won 2006, 2013, 2014)
PLAYOFF ROAD:
Bryan, 27-0
Tyler Legacy, 45-0
Tomball Memorial, 38-21
Rockwall-Heath, 27-24 (OT)
Denton Guyer, 27-17
COMBINED RECORD OF FIRST FIVE PLAYOFF OPPONENTS: 44-16
NOTES:
Defeated Denton Guyer in state semifinal, 27-17, avenging a second-round loss to Guyer in the second round of the 2019 playoffs. QB Kaidon Salter was 19 of 25 passing (76%) for 190 yards and a TD. Salter also ran for 120 yards and a score, and even had a touchdown reception on a pass from Cedric Harden, Jr., last week. For the season, Salter has thrown for 2,599 yards, with 30 touchdowns and five interceptions. WR Anthony Thomas IV had seven catches for 67 yards and a score last week. The opportunistic Longhorn defense forced three Guyer turnovers, all on interceptions by QB Eli Stowers. The Texas A&M signee was held to 192 yards passing and 96 on the ground. While Salter gets the bulk of the carries for Cedar Hill, Sr. RB Kevin Young, Jr., is a key contributor who has run for more than 600 yards this season. Salter's go-to receiver is WR Javien Clemmer, who has ten touchdown receptions this season. When Cedar Hill and Katy get together, you know it's a big game. Their last three meetings came in state championship games from 2012-14. Cedar Hill is 3-1 in title games, with their only loss coming to Katy in 2012. Longhorns HC Carlos Lynn returned to the school in 2017. He coached the defensive line at Cedar Hill from 1998-2008. As a player, Lynn helped Wilmer-Hutchins to the 4A state championship in 1990, when they defeated Austin Westlake. Incidentally, Cedar Hill has the shortest trip to AT&T Stadium this week, at 19 miles.
KATY:
Runner-up in District 19-6A
WON 8 STRAIGHT
LOSSES: Katy Tompkins, 24-19 (11/5/20)
DISTANCE TO AT&T STADIUM: 272 miles
PF: 638 (45.6, #17 in 6A)
PA: 152 (10.9, #5 in 6A)
HEAD COACH Gary Joseph (226-22)
15TH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE (won 1959, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2015)
PLAYOFF ROAD:
Fort Bend Elkins (FORFEIT)
Houston Lamar, 60-7
Alvin Shadow Creek, 49-24
Clear Falls, 51-14
Buda Hays Consolidated, 63-7
COMBINED RECORD OF FIRST FIVE PLAYOFF OPPONENTS: 32-21
NOTES:
Defeated Buda Hays Consolidated in state semifinal, 63-7. Soph. RB Seth Davis ran for 168 yards and three scores last week, and also threw a TD pass in the rout of Hays Consolidated. Davis' brother, Sr. RB Jalen Davis, ran for 110 yards and 2 TDs last week. When the Katy ground game is clicking behind the Davis brothers, the Tigers attack is extremely difficult to stop, as was the case last week, when they ran for 360 yards. Soph. QB Caleb Koger is a great game manager. He had a touchdown pass last week. Katy cruised to a 42-0 halftime lead in the semifinal. After picking up a victory by forfeit in the playoff opener against Fort Bend Elkins, Katy has won its last four postseason games by an average of 42.8 points. Katy's 15 state championship appearances are the most in UIL competition, with Mart standing second at 13. If it's possible for one of the top coaches in the state to be underrated, that may apply with HC Gary Joseph, when you consider he averages just over ten wins for every loss throughout his head coaching career, which has been spent exclusively at Katy. Katy High made its first title game appearance as a Class A school in 1959, when the Tigers defeated Sundown for the state championship. Katy this year fell into the 6AD2 playoff bracket for the first time since 2015, when they won their last championship.
Class 5A Division 1 State Championship
5AD1 #1 DENTON RYAN RAIDERS (14-0) vs. 5AD1 #4 CEDAR PARK TIMBERWOLVES (14-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Arlington's AT&T Stadium
FIRST RECENT MEETING (SINCE 2004)
DENTON RYAN:
Champion of District 5-5A-1
WON 14 STRAIGHT
LOSSES: None
DISTANCE TO AT&T STADIUM: 42 miles
POINTS FOR: 633 (45.2, #10 in 5AD1)
POINTS AGAINST: 223 (15.9, #8 in 5AD1)
HEAD COACH Dave Henigan (89-10 at school, 144-63 overall)
SEVENTH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE (won 2001, 2002)
PLAYOFF ROAD:
Dallas Bryan Adams, 69-6
College Station, 52-21
Longview, 27-9
Highland Park, 17-7
Mansfield Summit, 49-35
COMBINED RECORD OF FIRST FIVE PLAYOFF OPPONENTS: 43-16
NOTES:
Defeated Mansfield Summit in state semifinal, 49-35. After Summit pulled to within one point in the fourth quarter last week, DL Michael Gee blocked a punt, and DB Billy Bowman, Jr., broke up the resulting desperation pass. WR Ja'Tavion Sanders then threw a touchdown pass and LB D.J. Arkansas returned a Summit fumble 32 yards for a score to seal the win. Ryan DB Ty Marsh also returned a fumble for a TD last week. As reported by the Denton Record-Chronicle, Ryan defensive coordinator Aaron De La Torre rewards players who score on defense/special teams with a steak dinner. After last week, he's had to pay off 39 times. Overall, the Ryan defense forced four turnovers last week. Denton Ryan has scored 50+ five times this season. QB Seth Henigan was 21 of 34 for 207 yards last week, with 2 TDs and an interception. Sanders was held to three catches for six yards, but is one of the nation's most dangerous receivers. RBs Ke'Ori Hicks and Anthony Hill, Jr., each ran for scores last week. On top of Bowman's usual heroics on defense, he also caught 13 passes for 134 yards and his 14th receiving touchdown of the season. Ryan has two wins over 6A opponents (Arlington Martin, Denton Guyer) this season, and Guyer is the only team to stay within ten points of the Raiders in a game this season. Denton Ryan is seeking its first state title since 2002. They have lost their last three appearances, including the 2019 5AD1 state championship game against Alvin Shadow Creek.
CEDAR PARK:
Champion of District 11-5A-1
WON 13 STRAIGHT
LOSSES: None
DISTANCE TO AT&T STADIUM: 193 miles
PF: 702 (54.0, #3 in 5AD1)
PA: 233 (17.9, #16 in 5AD1)
HEAD COACH Carl Abseck is 71-9
FOURTH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE (won 2012, 2015)
PLAYOFF ROAD:
San Antonio Veterans Memorial, 72-20
Richmond Foster, 51-15
New Braunfels Canyon, 27-16
Manvel, 52-42
Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, 61-28
COMBINED RECORD OF FIRST FIVE PLAYOFF OPPONENTS: 46-14
NOTES:
Defeated CC Veterans Memorial in state semifinal, 61-28. After trailing 21-17 at halftime last week, Cedar Park reeled off 35 consecutive points and outscored their opponent 44-7 in the second half. Cedar Park QB Ryder Hernandez threw for 380 yards and seven touchdowns to five different receivers last week. WR Josh Cameron had five receptions for 121 yards and 2 TDs. WR Jack Hestera caught seven balls for 104 and a score. WR Gunnar Abseck, the coach's son, had five catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns. After another spectacular performance last week, Hernandez now has 58 touchdown passes this season. Like Denton Ryan, Cedar Park has two victories over 6A opponents (Austin Vandegrift, Round Rock Cedar Ridge), and only Manvel has stayed within ten points of the Timberwolves this season. Cedar Park has scored 50+ ten times this season. Their only blemish in a state championship game came in 2014, when they lost to Ennis, 38-35.
Class 5A Division 2 State Championship
5AD2 #2 ALEDO BEARCATS (12-1) vs. CROSBY COUGARS (12-3)
1 p.m. Friday, Arlington's AT&T Stadium
FIRST RECENT MEETING
ALEDO:
Champion of District 5-5A-2
WON 10 STRAIGHT
LOSSES: Cedar Hill, 27-17 (10/16/20)
DISTANCE TO AT&T STADIUM: 33 miles
PF: 635 (48.8, #6 in 5AD2)
PA: 304 (23.4, #40 in 5AD2)
HEAD COACH Tim Buchanan (254-54-3)
12TH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE (won 1998, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019)
PLAYOFF ROAD:
Dallas Hillcrest, 77-13
North Forney, 49-24
Frisco, 45-27
Lucas Lovejoy, 52-48
Wichita Falls Rider, 55-28
COMBINED RECORD OF FIRST FIVE PLAYOFF OPPONENTS: 47-13
NOTES:
Defeated Wichita Falls Rider in state semifinal, 55-28. Bearcats RB Demarco Roberts ran for 155 yards and 4 TDs. WR Jo Jo Earle had two receptions for 28 yards, and ran for a 45-yard touchdown. QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi was 5 of 9 for 103 yards. With a win this week, Fowler-Nicolosi will become the sixth Aledo quarterback to lead the school to a state title, and only the second not named Bishop to do it since 1998. Brothers Matt, Luke and Jake Bishop won a combined seven state championships at Aledo High from 2009-19. The lone exception in that run was Dillon Davis, who quarterbacked the 2016 state champs, which had Fr. RB Jase McClellan. Aledo was ranked No. 2 in the state in 5AD2 all season (behind Ennis). The Bearcats ran for 245 yards last week (6.6 yards per carry), but were outgained by Rider in total offense, 365-348. The Aledo defense forced two turnovers in the semifinal. The Bearcats have scored 50+ six times this season. Aledo is 9-2 overall in state championship games. Their first appearance came as a Class A school in 1974, when they fell to Grapeland, 19-18. A win this week would make Aledo the first school to win ten state football titles in UIL competition.
CROSBY:
Co-champion of District 12-5A-2
WON 5 STRAIGHT
LOSSES: Richmond George Ranch, 31-24 (9/24/20), Manvel, 53-20 (10/2/20), Nederland, 29-24 (12/4/20)
DISTANCE TO AT&T STADIUM: 270 miles
PF: 640 (42.7, #13 in 5AD2)
PA: 369 (24.6, #37 in 5AD2)
HEAD COACH Jerry Prieto (18-8)
SECOND STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE (lost 1960)
PLAYOFF ROAD:
Fort Bend Willowridge, 66-0
Texarkana Texas High, 62-42
Huntsville, 32-29 (OT)
Fort Bend Marshall, 37-28
Liberty Hill, 62-61 (OT)
COMBINED RECORD OF FIRST FIVE PLAYOFF OPPONENTS: 53-7
NOTES:
Defeated Liberty Hill in a thriller in the state semifinal, 62-61. After taking a seven-point lead in overtime, Crosby allowed a touchdown, and Liberty Hill went all-in on a two-point conversion attempt. The exchange on the play was fumbled, the play was stopped, and Crosby had its first state championship berth in 60 years. Crosby RB Reggie Branch has carried his team in the playoffs. Last week, Branch ran for 114 yards, caught nine passes for 88 yards and scored five touchdowns, including the eventual game-winner in overtime. QB Deniquez Dunn can make plays with his arm and legs. He will try to keep the Aledo defense off-balance. Dunn accounted for four touchdowns last week. The Crosby defense, which forced four turnovers last week, is led by Sr. LB Jeremiah Isaac, who had three tackles for loss last week. Jr. S Desmond Tisdom added ten tackles from the secondary. Based on the combined record of their postseason opponents, Crosby arguably has had the toughest road to Arlington. The Cougars have handed their last four opponents (Liberty Hill, FB Marshall, Huntsville and Texas High) their only loss of the season, and each of those teams was ranked top ten in the state in 5AD2. To see a team eliminate five schools with a combined 50-or-more wins in the postseason is simply remarkable. This Crosby team is battle-tested and will not be intimidated by the Aledo mystique. Crosby started the season 0-2 before reeling off 12 wins in 13 games. They have scored 50+ seven times this season, including three in the playoffs. Crosby's only other state championship appearance, in 1960, ended in a 20-0 loss to Albany in the Class A title game.