Road to state projections

It’s once again that time for the Yoemen to begin their playoff run.  Cameron has played in four straight state championships games and will be looking to make it five in a row in 2016.  Below is who I predict the Yoemen would play in each round of the playoffs.  That will begin with the area round and end with the state championship.  If multiple teams are listed, the first team is the one I feel will be the more likely matchup. 

AREA: WOODVILLE
Woodville is going to be the heavy favorite in their bi-district game with Anahuac.  Woodville won their district, besting Coldspring, Kirbyville and Buna.  Anahuac lost big to Hitchcock, La Marque and Hempstead to finish fourth.  Anahuac did defeat East Chambers (49-28) to clinch the final playoff spot.  Woodville features a ground-heavy double wing offense.  A game with Woodville would be in Palestine or the Houston area. 

REGIONAL SEMIFINALS: TEAGUE/FRANKLIN

At this point, I would call this a toss-up.  Teague and Franklin will be playing Friday in the bi-district round, and I do feel the winner of that game should be favored over 12-3A champion Hitchcock.  Besides last week’s tough loss to La Marque (12-10), Hitchcock had been undefeated in district.  Due to points, Hitchcock remained as the number one seed.  The strength of district 9-3A (Teague) and 10-3A (Franklin) will make the difference in that game.  A game with Teague would be in the Waco area while Franklin could be in College Station or Waco.

STATE QUARTERFINALS: MALAKOFF/ROCKDALE
Last year, I said I would be shocked not to see Teague or Kirbyville in the state quarterfinal game.  This year, I would once again be surprised if that same game did not feature either Malakoff or Rockdale.  Malakoff has been the most consistent team in the region all season, going 10-0 with the only close call coming to Teague (40-36).  Malakoff has plenty of speed and can throw the ball all over the field.  Rockdale is very similar to Malakoff, with a good amount of speed and a dual threat attack on offense.  These two teams would meet in the third round of the playoffs.  A game with Malakoff would be in the Waco area.  Rockdale could be played anywhere.  After 2014’s traffic issues, Georgetown should not be in the mix.

STATE SEMIFINALS: HALLETTSVILLE/YOAKUM/GEORGE WEST/LAGO VISTA

Region IV, just like last season, could be a toss-up for who is going to make it out.  The favorite at this point has to be Hallettsville.  They Brahmas played in the toughest district in the region and went undefeated.  Yoakum, a team Hallettsville beat by a touchdown in district, will also be a contender.  Lago Vista (13-3A champion) and George West (16-3A champion) could have an outside shot.  A game with Hallettsville would ideally be played in Bastrop. 

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: BROCK/SUNNYVALE/MINEOLA

Brock is the defending state champions and has played like it most of the season.  In district, the Eagles had a 248 to 12 scoring advantage in five wins.  The Eagles were challenged in non-district by a couple of highly ranked private schools.  Sunnyvale is also undefeated and could be the region II representative.  Mineola came in as the pre-season number one team in some polls.  The Yellowjackets did lose a pair of games to 4A schools in non-district, but were dominant in the games that mattered the most.  I do believe that Brock has the clearest shot to the semifinals out of any team in any region.  The state championship game will be back in Arlington at AT&T Stadium.