3A-I Region I:Abilene Wylie (10-1) vs. Burkburnett (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saginaw
Wylie is clearly the favorite here, but don't count out Burkburnett, which has won five in a row, including an impressive 27-21 win over Burnet last week. The difference is that Wylie has a dominant defense that already has posted three shutouts this season and has held five more opponents to a single touchdown. Wylie QB Matt Preston returned from a sprained knee ligament to lead Wylie to a dominating 42-0 win over Andrews last week.
Prediction: Abilene Wylie 35, Burkburnett 21
Jerry Forrest's pick: Wylie by 18
3A-I Region II:Prosper (11-1) vs. Lucas Lovejoy (11-1), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Plano's Clark Field
These schools are only 20 miles apart, but their definitions of success are very different. Prosper is a defending state champion and won't consider the season a success unless they reach the pinnacle again. Lovejoy is in its second season of varsity play and has already exceeded expectations by earning the first two playoff victories in school history. Watch out for Prosper RB Juan Williams, who ran for 256 yards last week against Alvarado.
Prediction: Prosper 27, Lovejoy 14
Jerry Forrest's pick: Prosper by 10
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