The Vega Longhorns huddle during a Class 2A Division II area round game against Sudan last Friday. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
Saturday’s game
Class 6A
Division II
Regional semifinals
Tascosa (9-3) vs. Flower Mound Marcus (11-1), 3 p.m. Memorial Stadium, Wichita Falls.
Of course Marcus is legit. Any team winning 11 in a row after losing its opener and has a QB (Garrett Nussmeier) committed to LSU has opened eyes. But Tascosa is on one of the great playoff runs in Amarillo ISD history winning six playoff games the past 13 months. Marcus has to prove it can stop the run of Tascosa’s Flexbone offense. Led by QB Joseph Plunk (a 2,000-plus yard rusher). I don’t see it happening. … Tascosa 42, Marcus 38
Friday’s games
Class 5A
Division II
Regional semifinals
Lubbock Cooper (12-0) vs. Randall (5-7), 4 p.m. Kimbrough Stadium.
How bout those Raiders! Winner of three games in the regular season, Randall coach Gaylon Selman has his team on a playoff roll and in third round. Randall will play in the friendly confines of The Bro and nearly pulled off the big district upset of Cooper back on Nov. 8 losing on the road 37-31. Randall has a shot in this one, but I think Cooper has too much offense ending the Raiders terrific playoff effort. … Cooper 38, Randall 24
Class 4A
Division I
Regional semifinals
Dumas (12-0) vs. Decatur (12-0), 7 p.m. PlainsCapital Park-Lowrey Field, Lubbock.
Decatur has been on a two-year roll reaching the state semifinals last year and cruising through two playoff wins over Canyon (55-28) and Mountain View (69-0). But Decatur hasn’t run into a defense like Dumas offers up. Something magical is happening in Dumas, but the Demons don’t want any part of a shootout. Go with the Demons in the upset.…Dumas 28, Decatur 24.
— Lance Lahnert
Last week: 2-1 (.666)
Season: 45-17 (.725)
Class 3A
Division I
Regional semifinals
Brock (10-2) vs. Bushland (12-0), 3 p.m. Hawks Stadium, Iowa Park.
A prestigious Brock team is no stranger to deep playoff runs, making four trips to the state semi’s in the past five years, while winning a state title in 2015. It will be Bushland’s toughest test to date, but the Falcons are undefeated for a reason with a potent offense and stingy defense. This should be a dandy.… Bushland 27, Brock 24.
Division II
Regional semifinals
Friona (10-2) vs. Abernathy (11-1), 3 p.m., PlainsCapital Park, Lowrey Field, Lubbock.
The Chieftains are in the third round of the playoffs for the first time since the 1996 season when they made a run to the state semi’s. Abernathy is going to be a very tough opponent. No one has been able to tame QB Bryson Daily, and don’t look for him to slow down this week. … Abernathy 41, Friona 16.
Canadian (12-0) vs. Cisco (11-1), 2 p.m. Leo Brittain Field at Lions Stadium, Vernon
This is the fourth meeting between the two powerful program’s since 2007. In two of the three meetings the winner has gone on to win a state championship. Canadian beat Cisco in 2007 on the way to its first title. The Loboes repaid the favor in 2013, on the way to a state championship. Will it happen for the winner again?…Canadian 35, Cisco 20.
— Kale Steed
Last week: 6-1 (.857)
Season: 91-19 (.827)
Class 2A
Division I
Regional semifinals
West Texas (10-2) vs. Post (12-0), 4 p.m. Bobcats Stadium Dimmitt
The Comanches are red hot after a series of four consecutive blowouts. On the other side, a mighty Bold Gold team has made a buzz in conference Class 2A Division I, beating anyone in their way. Look for the Antelopes to come out on top in a fantastic matchup. … Post 39, West Texas High 34.
Division II
Regional semifinals
Vega (9-3) vs. Wink (9-3), 7 p.m. Lobos Stadium, Levelland.
The Longhorns didn’t disappoint taking down previously unbeaten Sudan. This week the road gets tougher against a solid Wildcat team. … Wink 42, Vega 32.
Stratford (11-1) vs. Gruver (8-4), 2 p.m. Dick Bivins Stadium, Amarillo.
A District 3-2A rematch takes place Friday in at the heralded confines of Dick Bivins Stadium when the Elks put a 10-game win streak ok the line against the Greyhounds. There will be no secrets between the rivals, who meet up for the fourth time within a calendar year. Stratford is hitting on all cylinders, while the Hounds have been playoff darlings as a No. 4-seed. Expect a better game than three weeks ago, but the mighty Elks prevail.… Stratford 49, Gruver 28.
Region II
Division II
Regional semifinals
Wellington (11-1) vs. Windthorst (9-2) 7 p.m. Leo Brittain Field at Lions Stadium, Vernon.
The Trojans garnered statewide attention by taking down Albany last week.The Skyrockets are a bigger challenge, and are driven to get past the regional semi’s after coming up short in this round last year. … Wellington 46, Windthorst 20.
Hamlin (9-2) vs. Wheeler (10-2), 6 p.m. Fair Park Stadium, Childress.
Wheeler finds itself in the regional semifinal game for the second year in a row. The Mustangs have played well so far behind the fierce running of Hesston Marshall. The Pied Pipers dominated Wheeler in an early season week 2 meeting, 44-15, but lots of football has been played since. … Hamlin 42, Wheeler 34.
— Bo Dickinson
Last week: 5-1 (.833)
Season: 96-21 (.820)
Class 1A
Division I
State quarterfinals
McLean (11-1) vs. White Deer (10-2), 6 p.m. Friday, Bulldog Stadium, Borger
It’s a rematch of district rivals meeting for a fourth time in a calendar year.. White Deer has a bad taste in its mouth after the first three matchups, being outscored by 42.3 points a game in three losses. Coach Justin Rucker and his team will be ready to go in this fourth contest, but can they figure out how to slow down Ben Crockett and the Tigers offense?… McLean 68, White Deer 42
Division II
State quarterfinals
Groom (10-2) vs. Motley County (9-3), 7 p.m. Friday, Nazareth.
Groom comes in as the underdog, but the Tigers are going to be more than some may expect. The Matadors will be a difficult opponent for the Tigers, but both teams can score. This one is a toss-up, but the Tigers get the upset. …. Groom 85, Motley County 73.
— Tommy King
Last Week: 3-0 (1.000)
Season: 61-10 (.859)
