When Gruver and Muenster meet up in a UIL Class 2A Division II state semifinal set for 7 p.m. Thursday on Charlie Johnston Field at Fair Park Stadium in Childress, it will be the first-ever meeting between the two towns separated by 349 miles.

While it’s the first meeting and the two communities aren’t familiar with one another, both Gruver and Muenster are similar in so many other ways.

The Greyhounds are making only their second state semifinal in school history and the first since 2018. For the No. 1-ranked Hornets, this is only their third state semifinal appearance and the first since winning the program’s only state title in 2017.

Not only that, Gruver and Muenster, both led by veteran coaches, are built eerily the same with extremely good offensive and defensive lines, attacking run games and versatile quarterbacks.

“When I look at Gruver, I see a team that mirrors us,” said Muenster head coach Brady Carney, who is in his 16th season guiding the program. “They have a team that isn’t the biggest but play fast with a talented quarterback. Walker Maupin is very scary in the backfield, and they have athletic receivers. They have a defense that gets after it as well. It’s everything that we do.”

Both have also been cruising through their respective regions.

The Greyhounds, who are in the midst of an incredible 14-0 season so far, are averaging 47.5 points a game with the closest matchup coming by way of Ropesville 42-28 during last week’s Region I championship.

“This has been an awesome ride,” said Gruver’s Kurt Haberthur, who will head coach in the state semifinals for the first time. “This is a veteran staff that is very close and we’re enjoying every second of this. This team is close-knit and very special. We are just looking to get another win this week and move one.”

The Hornets (12-2) answer by posting 60 points through four playoff games running over every single opponent by an average of over 40 points that include Hamlin, Wheeler, defending state champion Albany and Collinsville.

“We had a very tough schedule,” Carney said. “We lost to Holliday and Pottsboro and that really helped us. We know Gruver is going to be another very difficult challenge and we’re looking forward to it.”

The Greyhounds have plenty of weapons on both sides of the ball to keep Muenster honest.

It starts with dual-threat quarterback Briggs Satterfield. The junior is dangerous at all times going 144-of-221 this year throwing for 2,773 yards with 34 touchdowns. Satterfield has also rushed for another 885 yards with 17 TDs.

In the backfield, Walker Maupin has used his vision and speed behind a solid offensive line rushing for an eye-popping 2,068 yards on 181 carries with 27 touchdowns, and Nick Shepard leads a stacked group of receivers with 39 catches for 732 yards with 11 TDs.

Defensively, linebackers Victor Flores and Emmanuel Valverde are two downhill players that have combined for 225 tackles and nine sacks. On the back end, defensive back Stephen Cowan leads the team in tackles with 129 and has seven interceptions.

“Gruver is a scary team,” Carney said. “They can throw but they want to run the ball and then stop the run. If we stop the run, then we have to defend the pass. We’ll need to do what we’ve done all year and that’s great upfront and protect the next guy.”

Muenster counters with a dual-threat quarterback of its own.

Casen Carney, the son of head coach Brady, is having a junior season to remember. The offense all goes through Casen behind the Hornets excellent offensive front. Through 14 games Casen has shown his talent going 133-of-203 passing for 2,839 yards.

He’s also broke the 1,000-yard mark on the ground totaling 1,288 yards and has a combined 57 touchdowns.

Complimenting Casen is running back Nolan Peel and his 904 yards with 16 scores as well as his favorite receivers Garrett Hess (982 receiving yards, nine touchdowns) and Caden Klement (855 yards, 13 touchdowns).

“When you watch film on Muenster they are never out of position,” Haberthur said. “They never put themselves in a bad spot and come off the ball fast. Their strength is the lines and Casen Carney can go. He can extend plays and is hard to tackle. He’s a coach’s kid and you can tell he takes a lot of pride in it.”

Kale Steed’s prediction 

There is nothing groundbreaking to say here. On paper, the two teams look very similar but, on the gridiron, can Gruver match the speed that No. 1 Muenster brings. It will take a perfect effort for the Greyhounds to win this matchup and get back to AT&T Stadium. … Muenster 46, Gruver 24.