Of the more than 600 11-man high school football programs that started the postseason one week ago, exactly half have been sent home. As we enter the area round of the playoffs, the dream of a state championship remains alive for 320 teams. As the weeks pass, the competition only gets tougher. Based on the second round matchups, some very good squads will be bowing out this week. KRLD's Chris Sommer looks at Ten Key Games in North Texas in Week 13:
Class 6A Division I
Region I
1. Odessa Permian (8-3) vs. Euless Trinity (10-1) - 2 p.m. Saturday, Abilene's Shotwell Stadium
2. Midland Legacy (9-1) vs. Southlake Carroll (11-0) - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Arlington's Globe Life Field
These two matchups feature the top big schools in West Texas against what may be the top two state championship contenders in this regional bracket. Odessa Permian has had a fine season, but the Euless Trinity rushing attack led by QB Ollie Gordon should be able to wear them down. Midland Legacy was ranked in the top 20 in the state at the end of the regular season, but they face a big task against the Carroll Dragons. In last week's win, Carroll RB Owen Allen became the school's all-time leader in rushing yards, and he's only a junior. Allen still has the potential to play 21 more games for the Dragons, giving him an opportunity to put the record out of reach. If things go as anticipated, a epic third-round matchup between Trinity and Carroll will be set.
Region II
3. Rockwall (9-2) vs. DeSoto (9-2) - 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Arlington's Globe Life Field
This is the middle game of Saturday's tripleheader at the home of the Texas Rangers. Neither Rockwall nor DeSoto was a district champion this season, but both are extremely dangerous and capable of derailing higher-ranked opponents. The winner of this game most likely faces undefeated Houston-area power Spring Westfield in a regional semifinal.
Class 6A Division II
Region I
4. Prosper (7-4) vs. Grand Prairie (7-4) - 7 p.m. Friday, Coppell's Echols Field
The top half of this regional bracket includes three 10-1 teams (El Paso Eastlake, Denton Guyer and Dallas Jesuit), along with 8-3 Trophy Club Byron Nelson. But in the bottom half, a four-loss team is guaranteed to advance to the state quarterfinal. Prosper could be the most likely of the four to ultimately grab that spot, but this Grand Prairie team has shown a lot of moxie this year. Don't count out the Gophers this week.
Class 5A Division I
Region I
5. Colleyville Heritage (10-1) vs. Amarillo (9-2) - 2 p.m. Saturday, Wichita Falls' Memorial Stadium
Colleyville Heritage is the only one-loss team alive in this regional bracket, and that single defeat came by three points to 6A Euless Trinity. Amarillo's two losses are to 6A Midland Legacy and district rival Amarillo Tascosa, who is the potential opponent next week for the winner of this game. An important thing to consider is that Colleyville Heritage has eliminated Amarillo from the playoffs each of the last two years, so the Sandies have extra motivation to break through this year.
Region II
6. Denton Ryan (10-1) vs. Magnolia West (10-1) - 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Waco ISD Stadium
7. Lancaster (10-1) vs. Longview (8-3) - 7:30 p.m. Friday, Mesquite's Memorial Stadium
8. College Station (11-0) vs. Frisco Lone Star (9-2) - 7 p.m. Friday, Tyler's Rose Stadium
The four area round games in this regional bracket (Highland Park-Frisco Wakeland is the other) constitute a blockbuster buffet of big games in the second round. Denton Ryan is the top-ranked defending state champion in 5AD1. Magnolia West's only loss this season is to undefeated district rival College Station. Lancaster has won ten straight since opening the year with a loss to Port Arthur Memorial. Longview seemed to hit its stride at the perfect time after coming in as runner-up to Highland Park in 7-5A-1. Some look at College Station as the best 5A Division I team in the state. And Frisco Lone Star is one of those playoff opponents no one wants to face. I would be shocked if the eventual state champion does not come out of this bracket.
Class 5A Division II
Region II
9. Aledo (11-0) vs. Frisco Liberty (10-1) - 7 p.m. Friday, Denton's Apogee Stadium
Aledo's drive for an 11th state championship started with a 77-0 romp over Dallas Hillcrest. This Bearcats squad is rock solid from top to bottom. Only Frisco Lone Star and Mansfield Timberview have come within 14 points of taking Aledo down this season. The X-factor that makes this matchup intriguing is Frisco Liberty QB Keldric Luster. Two weeks ago, he led Liberty to an upset win over Lucas Lovejoy. Luster has accounted for 50 touchdowns in 11 games. If he finds his groove Friday night, Aledo could be in for a battle.
Class 4A Division I
Region II
10. Kennedale (10-1) vs. Argyle (10-1) - 7 p.m. Friday, Stephenville's Memorial Stadium
This is a fascinating game to me. It makes me think back to early October, when Melissa executed their game plan to perfection and handed Argyle its first shutout loss in 15 years. Kennedale is extremely capable of doing the same this week. The Wildcats have allowed 50 points in 11 games this season. That shakes out to 4.6 points per game. But don't forget Argyle is the defending state champion, and they won't back down from the challenge. Points will be hard to come by in this one. Not sure who will survive and advance, but I smell something along the lines of a 17-14 head-knocker here.
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