Texas high school football playoff roundup: Recaps for every UIL 6A Division II regional semifinal
The regional round of the Texas high school football playoffs is done, and the UIL regional final matchups have been determined in all classifications across the Lone Star State.
First, we took a look at the Class 6A Division I bracket, then both Class 5A brackets, examining the most compelling finishes and biggest games of the third postseason round.
Then, we examined the small schools and the top 10 games across classes 2A through 4A. Now? We take a closer look at the biggest schools in Texas: the Class 6A Division II bracket.
Here is what went down in every game in the Class 6A Division II bracket on Friday and Saturday:
SOUTHLAKE CARROLL DOMINATES HIGHLAND PARK
Davis Penn showed up. And Southlake Carroll stood tall. The Dragons scored on their opening three offensive possessions and Penn reached the end zone three times in Friday's Class 6A Division II Region I semifinal against Highland Park. Southlake Carroll went on to end the Scots' season with a 45-14 win Friday afternoon at Choctaw Stadium and generated 499 yards of total offense — 367 of that on the ground — in the process. Penn had 210 of those yards on 14 carries along with those three TDs. [FULL STORY HERE]
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VON GROTE, BYRON NELSON END COPPELL'S CHARMED SEASON
Quarterback Tom Von Grote rushed for two first-half touchdowns and passed for four second-half scores as the Bobcats held off a furious late rally to defeat Coppell, 52-45, a matchup between undefeated squads in the Class 6A Division II Region I semifinals at Choctaw Stadium.
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IN DJ LAGWAY SHOW, DJ BAILEY STANDS TALL
The nation's No. 6 ranked high school football team versus the No. 2 QB prospect in the country? The stage was set, and DJ Lagway vs. DeSoto delivered. Lagway put a couple scores up early, but the nationally ranked Eagles soared, pulling away in the second half for a 65-31 win. DeSoto advances to play Cedar Hill in the regional finals/state quarterfinals.
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CEDAR HILL RUSHES PAST TOMBALL
Dayshun Reese-Williams is that dude. He turned 14 carries into 140 rushing yards and a TD and Cededrick Castleberry tacked on another 118 and two scores and Cedar Hill rolled Tomball to advance to the regional finals. The Longhorns gained 350 rushing yards and tallied an offensive output (473 yards) more than double of Tomball's total. Cedar Hill's reward? National No. 6 DeSoto in the regional finals.
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SUMMER CREEK JETS PAST STRATFORD
Blake Thomas scored four TDs and Lloyd avant rushed for three to lead Summer Creek to a blowout win to advance to the regional finals, where it will face Fort Bend Hightower.
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FORT BEND HIGHTOWER VS. KING
Kmard Kimball Vincent Jones caught a touchdown pass from Darius Clark-James to bring King within three with fewer than four minutes left, but Hightower held on to down Hightower in a battle of Houston area powers. Its prize? Hightower gets Summer Creek in the regional finals.
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STEELE TURNS BIG PLAYS INTO BIG WIN OVER HARLAN
You've seen Cibolo-Steele's prolific offense. That defense, though? How about two forced turnovers on Harlan in a 48-27 third round win to send the Knights through to the regional semis. Don't fret - the usual stars, junior receivers Jalen Cooper and Royal Capell, accounted for two TDs apiece to send Steele back to the state quarters for the first time in three years. Cappell recorded a 64-yard TD run and a 35-yard TD catch and Cooper added 37- and 7-yard TD hauls. Steele faces Dripping Springs in the regional final.
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DRIPPING SPRINGS ENDS JAY'S HISTORIC RUN
Jaceton Gotta had his playoff moment. The backup running back took 20 carries for 146 yards and second half insurance TDs of 61 and 41 yards to help pull away in a 50-27 win over Jay at the Alamodome. The results ends Jay's storied run to the regional semifinals, the furthest the program has ever advanced. Jay was led by quarterback Jackson Gutierrez, who accounted for more than 220 yards and four touchdowns. Dripping Spring gets Steele in the regional final.
-- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx
Lead photo by Robbie Rakestraw.
