With the calendar moving into December, there are still five teams remaining in the state quarterfinal round of the UIL Texas High School football playoffs. Here’s how Lee Passmore and Kale Steed, see Friday’s matchups involving teams across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains playing out.
FRIDAY’S STATE QUARTERFINAL GAMES
Class 4A Division I
West Plains (12-1) vs. Stephenville (13-0), 7 p.m., PlainsCapital-Park at Lowrey Field, Lubbock
They’ve been on a collision course, maybe even before the postseason started, and now they’ll meet again in one of the most anticipated games of the week. West Plains was the last team to beat Stephenville, eliminating the Yellowjackets in this round last season. Both teams return a lot of talent from last year’s epic 42-35 West Plains win, and both might be even better. Neither has exactly had to sweat it out in the playoffs, as last week’s 35-3 win by West Plains over Canyon is the closest game either the Wolves or Yellowjackets have had in the postseason. That will change this week. Stephenville has some revenge in mind and will get it, but not by much. … Stephenville 31, West Plains 28.
Class 3A Division II
Idalou (10-3) vs. Wall (13-0), 6 p.m., San Angelo Stadium, San Angelo
This is one of many rematches across the state of Texas and what a game it is. In the Week 6 meeting in Idalou, the Wildcats were able to force the Hawks into mistakes and hang around until the fourth quarter before falling 35-21. The Idalou defense has been playing stellar football and will need to continue that against a very high-flying Eagles offense behind quarterback Landon York. … Wall 35, Idalou 16.
West Texas High (13-0) vs. Cisco (12-1), 6 p.m., First United Park, Pirates Stadium, Woodrow
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Comanches have had success with standout quarterback Cayde Winters and running back Kelby Sherwood running between a massive offensive line. Expect a couple of different wrinkles, but head coach Jeff Smith will keep going with what works. The Loboes are just as talented, but give me WT High to advance. … WT High 28, Cisco 23.
Stratford (11-2) vs. Gruver (11-2), 7 p.m., Happy State Bank Stadium, Canyon
What a great game fans at Happy State Bank are getting served up for a Region I championship. The Greyhounds are making a third trip to this round since 2018, while the blue-blood Elks are making a 14th appearance in the state quarterfinals since 1999. Stratford won the first meeting 40-27 on Oct. 10, but that was almost two months ago. Neither team has lost since, and both have been playing on a high level. Both of these teams know each other so well, this will be a dandy. … Gruver 29, Stratford 21.