Regional Semifinal Football Outlook

Teague (10-2) Vs. Cameron Yoe (10-2)

This is the point in the season where the games start to get really interesting.  Teague and Cameron have played a couple of classic playoff games the past two seasons, and this one could easily match the previous two.  I personally got a chance to watch Teague in the bi-district round versus Franklin.  The Lions were clearly the better team in that game, controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.  Cameron took a positive step in the right direction in their 48-26 win over Woodville. To win this game, it's going to take another positive step.  For the Cameron offense, I believe an efficient passing attack will be key in this game.   I've mentioned all year that the defensive front would decide how far Cameron would go this season, and this will be a big test for that unit.  The Yoemen need to get Teague in third and long and not allow big, explosive plays.  This game is in Temple, so I encourage all Yoe fans to be there.  

Josh's Pick: Cameron Yoe by 3. 

Rockdale (11-1) Vs. Malakoff (12-0)

The other big game in the region features another matchup between 9-3A and 10-3A teams.  Rockdale has not been overly impressive with their first two wins over Groesbeck (42-28) and Coldspring (21-13), but the Tigers are winning.  To beat Malakoff, Rockdale will need to get big stops on the defensive end.  Both teams have big play capabilities on offense and special teams.  I believe this game will come down to who can limit the other team's top athletes.  

Josh's Pick: Malakoff by 14. 

Lexington (10-2) Vs. East Bernard (11-1)

For most of the season, no one has been able to stop the Lexington offense.  In five district games, the Eagles never scored less than 60.  That number has somewhat cooled off in the playoffs, with 32 points in the win over Wallis Brazos and 35 points in the area round victory over Stockdale.  The winner of this game should win the region.  If Lexington can keep that scoring average in the 30s, they will have a good shot at winning this one. 

Josh's Pick: East Bernard by 7. 

Liberty Hill (8-3) Vs. China Spring (11-1)

For China Spring, this season is playing out a lot like 2015.  Last season, the Cougars finished right behind La Vega at the number two spot in the district.  Fast forward to this year and China Spring is the number two seed in the district, right behind La Vega.  In the third round of last year's playoffs, China Spring played the third place team (Gatesville) from the district.  This season, China Spring will be playing Liberty Hill, the third place team from the district.  As long as there is no looking ahead, we should get that China Spring and La Vega re-match that we saw in the quarterfinals of 2015. 

Josh's Pick: China Spring by 21. 

R12 Liberty (10-2) Vs. Giddings (10-2)

Giddings hung on last week to defeat Hardin-Jefferson, 28-21.  Now, they will get another team from that district in Liberty.  Liberty pulled off an impressive win over Lorena (28-14) to advance to the third round.  To compare, Hardin-Jefferson did defeat Liberty in district, 17-14.  

Josh's Pick: Giddings by 14. 

Bellville (9-3) Vs. West Orange-Stark (12-0)

Can anyone play a competitive game with West Orange-Stark?  That is something Bellville will try to accomplish this week.  The Mustangs have easily been the most impressive team in 4A division II all season, giving up only 44 points in 12 ball games.  I believe Robinson did a decent job of holding WO-S to 47 points, but the normally high-powered Rockets offense could only muster 14 points.  For Bellville to have a shot, they must limit the Mustangs possessions and chew clock with the slot-t offense. 

Josh's Pick: West Orange-Stark by 28.  

Crawford (11-1) Vs. Mart (12-0)

Crawford and Mart are two of the best 2A programs across this area, so seeing this matchup in the third round should really come to no surprise to anyone.  After picking up good wins over Lexington, West and McGregor in non-district, Mart has never been challenged and has a 96-22 scoring advantage in two playoffs games.  Crawford has also been dominate, giving up only 16 points in district while winning their first two playoff games convincingly. 

Josh's Pick: Mart by 10.