Playoff kickoff

By Greg Tepper // TexasFootball.com

In a lot of ways, we’ve been waiting almost three months for today.

Today is the first day of the 2011 Texas high school football playoffs, and I, for one, think it couldn’t have gotten here soon enough.

Here are your Thursday games. I’ll preview the best game in each region. If you want my picks (or, say, managing editor Travis Stewart’s), you can find them here.

Onward! To Playoff-land!

5A DI
EP Franklin vs. Lubbock Monterey, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Wolfforth
We start at the tippy-top of the 5A Division I bracket as El Paso Franklin takes on Lubbock Monterey. Coach Daren Walker’s Franklin squad boasts an impressive amount of firepower led by QB Brandon Layne; stopping him will be Priority No. 1 for Monterey’s defense, which was among the worst in District 2-5A, allowing almost 30 points per game. The good news for Monterey: they should be able to score thanks to the emergence of sophomore RB Travon Benton...just not sure it’s going to be enough.

Alief Elsik vs. Cy Falls, 7 p.m. Thursday, Houston's Crump Stadium
The only other game in the biggest bracket of them all is over in Region III. I think this is an excellent bell-cow for how Districts 18-5A and 17-5A actually are; remember, Cy Falls’ district is such that the teams only play one non-district game, meaning that we don’t have a great barometer on how they measure up. In the end, I think I like Cy Falls’ explosiveness with QB Troy Mitchell and RB Brice Peters a little more than I like the grind-it-out game of Elsik’s Jerry Bynum.

5A DII
Weslaco vs. PSJA Memorial, 7:30, Thursday at Weslaco
Just one game in 5A DII, and it takes us way down to the Valley. With all of the attention paid to Harlingen, I think it’s easy to forget that Weslaco had an outstanding year, thanks in large part to a sturdy defense led by DE Juse Montiel and LB Ernest Tafolla. They’ll be challenged in their bi-district matchup by PSJA Memorial’s dual-threat signal-caller Manny Mancillas, but ultimately, I think the Weslaco D and their big offensive line (two guys, Miguel Rodriguez and Rudy Sanchez, tip the scales at over 300 pounds) win the day.

4A DI
EP Chapin vs. Canutillo, 8 p.m. Thursday, EP Irvin
Birdville vs. FW Arlington Heights, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Justin Northwest
Over in Region I of the 4A DI bracket, this game intrigues me greatly. Birdville is, in short, that other team from the Aledo district, but do not sleep on the Hawks: they have a QB named E.A. Northey who can beat you on the ground as well as with his arm. And FW Arlington Heights...well, the huge night allowed to FW Southwest’s Robbie Rhodes and Wesley Harris aside, you could argue that they’ve been the best team in Fort Worth ISD. I think Arlington Heights’ underrated defense, led by LBs Nate Guidry and Alex Faoro, leads them to a win.  
Hewitt Midway vs. Burleson, 7 p.m. Thursday, Arlington's Cowboys Stadium
  Dallas Kimball vs. Dallas Adams, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Wilmer-Hutchins
  Waxahachie vs. Pflugerville Connally, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Waco ISD Stadium
Do we really know who Waxahachie is? The Indians’ 2011 season has been equal parts exceptional wins (beating Corsicana, a red-hot West Mesquite team) and underwhelming losses (Flower Mound Marcus in the opener is understandable, but a scuffling Mesquite Poteet team?). The high-flying QB Don King III will be tested by an at-times-dominant Connally defense, led by LB Anthony Allen and DB Edd’Rick McDonald. Should be a good one, with the winner of Sherman and Whitehouse looming for the winner.
  Vidor vs. Crosby, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Lamar University
  Houston Worthing vs. Houston Reagan, 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Barnett
  Pearland Dawson vs. Lamar Consolidated, 7 p.m. Thursday, Rosenberg's Traylor Stadium
OK, so Dawson’s season ended more with a whimper than a roar, dropping its last two, albeit to excellent Manvel and La Marque teams. But QB Garry Kimble, big time OT recruit Kennedy Estelle and S Jarell Crenshaw don’t have time to mope; a dangerous Lamar Consolidated team is on the horizon, complete with hard-to-stop running game with 1,000-yard rusher Keshon Leonard and a sometimes-stout defenseled by FS Lonnie Gray. Be very wary, Dawson.
  Lake Travis vs. Austin McCallum, 7 p.m. Thursday, Lake Travis
The Drive for Five -- Lake Travis’ quest for a fifth consecutive state championship -- begins in earnest tonight as it hosts McCallum. I’ve gone on and on about how great LT has been, but let’s not forget that McCallum gave them fits last year in bi-district, with the Cavs ekeing out a 28-20 win. And McCallum’s got the same M.O. this year: big-time defense (thanks to DT Steven McDade) and an offense that, while not overly explosive, grinds you to a fine dust with efficient passing from QB Grant Stuesser and RB Braylon Cannon. LT’s the better here -- probably better than anyone they’ll face this season -- but McCallum is definitely capable of pulling of what would be the biggest stunner in some time.
  Austin LBJ vs. Cedar Park, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Austin's Nelson Field

4A DII
  Aledo vs. FW Dunbar, 7 p.m. Thursday, Aledo
  FW Wyatt vs. Byron Nelson, 7 p.m. Thursday, FW's Clark Stadium
  I could talk about Aledo and Dunbar here -- Aledo’s the highest-ranked Region I team -- but I think this game’s more interesting (Aledo, for what it’s worth, I expect to beat Dunbar comfortably). FW Wyatt’s a hard team to get a read on, as their defense has ranged from excellent to bafflingly bad. But there’s talent there with LB James Persley, and the offense will punish you with the run game of Donny Rodgers and company. Byron Nelson is playing its first playoff game in school history, and they’ve got a gunslinger in QB Andrew Mitchell. It all depends, to me, on which Wyatt defense shows up; this Nelson team can definitely beat them, but if Good Wyatt D shows, it’ll be hard. Dallas Lincoln vs. Seagoville, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dallas' Kincaide Stadium Kilgore vs. Royse City, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Mount Pleasant
  Hutto vs. Lancaster, 7 p.m. Thursday, Waco Midway
Speaking of teams hard to get a read on: the Hutto Hippos! The offense has been spectacular with QB Ryan Higgins and underappreciated RB Tae Howard...most of the time. It’s also had disappearing acts (see: 7-0 win over McCallum, 24-21 loss to Hendrickson). And the defense, while good, isn’t what I’d want to depend on in the playoffs if I’m coach Steve Hale. Lancaster’s going to bring their signature bruising style -- if you haven’t seen Lancaster, that defense, especially up front, will bring the wood -- but it’ll be up to Davon Hodge to solve the Hippos D from the QB position. This should be a fun one; a battle of wills, in a sense.
  Houston Sharpstown vs. Houston Washington, 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Butler
  Rosenberg Terry vs. La Marque, 7 p.m. Thursday, Alvin's Memorial Stadium
Now this is a tasty bi-district matchup! Defending 4A runner-up La Marque looks to start its journey back to the state title game, and a lot of the same pieces -- most notably all-world RB Tim Wright -- are back. But Terry’s a tricky first-round matchup for La Marque because the Rangers can beat you in so many ways. Passing? They’ve got Antoine Arboleda. Rushing? They’ve got Eugene Wright. Defense? Heck, they held La Marque to 21 points in the opener. This one was a 22-21 thriller in Week Zero...I expect nothing less the second time around.
Houston Kashmere vs. Houston Yates, 7 p.m. Thursday, Houston's Del Mar Stadium
  Austin Travis vs. Leander Vandegrift, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Austin's House Park
  Vandegrift first turned heads across the state when they took Cedar Park to the wire, and though it failed to pull off the big upset, they’re roaring into the playoffs courtesy of a grinding offense from RB Yuron Shears and a defense that can stop almost anyone. I think this is a bad matchup for Travis, who snuck into the playoffs with a 3-6 record, but if QB Jonathan Caldwell can hit a few big plays...hey, who knows? It’s the playoffs.

3A DI
Kaufman vs. Lindale, 7:00 Thursday at Tyler’s Rose Stadium
I’m going to come across as biased (most people already think I hate their favorite team), but I think 3A DI is my favorite bracket to watch. It’s a little smaller, each game means a little more, and they’re full of great matchups. Lindale’s a sleeper in this bracket -- their lone loss is to state No. 1 Tyler Chapel Hill -- and they’ll go as far as QB Clay Price can take them. Kaufman, on the other hand, needs this game to be high-scoring, as its defense has struggled this season. Expect some fireworks from RB Jemikal Jobes and QB Ryder Bounds...but mostly on the ground. Winner gets the winner of Henderson/Paris, another great 3A DI matchup.
  West Columbia vs. Rockport-Fulton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Victoria
Region IV looks like West Columbia’s to lose -- the combination of a defense allowing less than 9 points per game and an offense, led by Sean Flannel, that rushes for almost 300 yards a game, is daunting -- but first things first: a tricky Rockport-Fulton squad coming out of one of the more talented districts in 3A (30-3A). Can the R-F defense, specifically LB Darren Pham, slow down the West Columbia rushing attack? Can talented QB Stratton Williams crack the WC D’s code? Can they make first-year coach Huey Chancellor a winner in the playoffs? Can they shake up Region IV? I say no...but what do I know?

3A DII
  Snyder vs. Graham, 7 p.m. Thursday, Abilene's Shotwell Stadium If there’s a region in the 3A DII bracket that I think is wide open, it’s Region I. Snyder has a chance to establish itself as the team-to-beat if it can get rolling against Graham in the bi-district round. Snyder’s rattled off nine straight wins after dropping the opener to Monahans, and it’s because of a great defense (thank you, LB Josh Sandoval) and a dynamic offense (thank you, QB Keenon Ward). If Graham’s going to spring the upset, they’ll need a huge game from safety Brian Sides; if he can make Ward’s life miserable, the Steers have a chance to vault themselves into contendership.
  Bowie vs. Brownwood, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Breckenridge
  Texarkana Liberty-Eylau vs. Carthage, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Longview
Two great matchups in Region II, but the nod has to go to the defending champs Carthage. I think it’s easy to write off Carthage this year -- after all, they have three losses, which is very un-Carthage-like -- but do so at your own risk. Ed Pope is a beast on both sides of the ball, and you know coach Scott Surratt always ups his game come playoff time. Liberty-Eylau has played a murderer’s row of a schedule, opening with a win over Paul Pewitt and playing games against Gilmer, Henderson, Paris, Atlanta...what’s one more slobberknocker? The defense is the key here: if Liberty-Eylau can get a big game from LB A’Keylan Ware, they’re in business.
  Van vs. Ferris, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Mesquite's Memorial Stadium

2A DI
  Littlefield vs. Alpine, 7:30 Thursday, Midland’s Grande Comm. Stadium
I think Littlefield has caused as much conversation in the DCTF office this season as any other team (well, maybe except one team...more on them in a moment). I think they’ve got all the makings of a deep playoff run, what with QB Tracy Huseman, LB Matt Johnson and a battle-tested core. But Alpine could give them some trouble in the opener, because, well, if you haven’t heard, Alpine QB Evan Moore is a beast-and-a-half, throwing for 16 touchdowns and running for another 11. This is a closer game than most people think, and with Eastland looming for the winner, the road gets no easier.
  Winnsboro vs. Daingerfield, 7 p.m. Thursday, Gladewater
Oh, Daingerfield. You lose your coach that one three state titles. You lose your QB that won three state titles. And here you are, facing an underrated Winnsboro team that can score in bunches with QB Luke Tebbens and a big offensive line. And yet, I’m picking you, because you’ve got LB Devin Smith and WR Edwin Mims and by golly, you’re the defending champs. Why can’t I quit you, Daingerfield?
  Woodville vs. Tatum, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Lufkin's Abe Martin Stadium
That other team that has caused so much conversation in our office? Tatum. The Eagles have as much upside as anyone in this bracket -- and that’s saying something -- what with QB Jalen Overstreet leading the way. But they haven’t always put it together...in fact, they’ve been downright pedestrian at times. If they’re napping against Woodville, that experienced defense led by Tyler Skinner could swallow Overstreet up. Nap time’s over, Tatum; time to rise and shine.

2A DII
Leonard vs. Alba-Golden, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Royse City Corrigan-Camden  vs. West Rusk, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Center
Corrigan-Camden’s going to give up points -- they’re giving up almost 26 a game -- but they’re also going to score in bunches thanks to RB Derrick Petty and QB Patrick Parker. Can West Rusk take advantage of an exploitable Bulldogs defense? It’ll be up to the big offensive line of Colton Allen and Levi Wingate to plow the road for George Anthony in company. And they’d better do well...because West Rusk’s defense is even worse statistically than C-C’s.

1A DI
Valley Mills vs. Kerens, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Groesbeck Shiner vs. Kenedy, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Floresville
I mean this absolutely and without any sort of pretense or tongue-and-cheek: I think Shiner’s the best five-loss team in the playoffs. This is still, I think, a very good defensive team with DT Sabino Rodriguez and LB Jacob Stafford. This is still, I think, a team adept at running the ball with RB Marlon Wallace. Now, they have to prove it, and the first step is taking on Kenedy, an experienced team with explosive elements like WR Tristen Mejia and QB Rolie Zepeda. The Lions would love to make the Comanches just another six-loss team out of the playoffs.

1A DII
Gruver vs. Memphis, 7 p.m. Thursday, Pampa
Sure, the records aren’t pretty -- Gruver is 4-6, Memphis is 5-5 -- but I expect a fun game out of Region I tonight. Gruver’s going to do what it did all season: lean on its workhorse running back Jerrod Collier, who’s already run for over 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns. And Memphis is going to try to do what it’s done in games that it’s won: control the clock and win with defense, which QB/LB Tanner Gorman can do on both sides. I think Memphis wins this one because 2-1A DII, quite frankly, is stronger than 1-1A DII, and so the Cyclones are more battle-tested.

6M DI
Valley vs Paducah, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Paducah
Irving Universal vs. Avalon, 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Grandview
Aquilla vs. Oakwood, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Rice
6M DII
Miami vs. Hedley, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Lefors
Loop vs. Grandfalls-Royalty, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Grady
Lueders-Avoca vs. Strawn, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Throckmorton
Bryson vs. Fannindel, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Saint Jo