Matt Stepp’s 10 thoughts from the Texas high school football area round

Defending champions fall After the first round, we only had one defending state champion eliminated as a rebuilding Mineola squad fell to Hughes Springs. The area round was much less kind as three defending champions were eliminated. We start in 2A Division II where three-time defending state champion Bremond saw its 18-game playoff winning streak end at the hands of upstart Timpson and its outstanding defense in a 14-11 loss. In six-man (Yes, I am talking a little six man), defending champion Richland Springs, who was missing its star player Walker Tippie, was 45-point-ruled at halftime in a 62-16 loss to Milford. Defending 6A Division II champion DeSoto got more than it bargained for on Saturday and saw Southlake Carroll avenge an area round loss to the Eagles last year in a 33-15 defeat. The Dragons used a stout defense and a time-consuming rushing attack to wear DeSoto down in the second half to send our fourth defending champion home. 7-6A bows out At the end of the regular season, the popular theory was once again that the teams in District 7-6A would be really tough outs come playoff time. After all, last year three teams from the district made it to the quarter-finals and DeSoto brought home a state title. Three teams survived round one and although South Grand Prairie was a heavy underdog to Allen, DeSoto and undefeated Duncanville looked to be solid bets to advance. On Friday, South Grand Prairie gave Allen all they wanted in a 28-14 defeat. We already mentioned what happened to DeSoto on Saturday night above and things took a surprising turn on Saturday afternoon as at AT&T Stadium Euless Trinity pulled off one of the bigger upsets of the playoffs stunning 11-0 Duncanville, 28-27, and sending one of the real contenders for a 6A Division I title home early. Humble Kingwood continues a remarkable run The suffering from Hurricane Harvey across the state was massive and one place hit especially hard was Humble Kingwood. The Mustangs continued their run this week with a 38-30 upset of Clear Lake at NRG Stadium. Kingwood’s kids and coaches and the entire school have been through a lot this year and are sharing a campus with nearby Summer Creek High School on a unique split schedule until the campus is rebuilt. The football team had to relocate as well, getting used equipment and uniforms via donations until new equipment could be purchased. The Mustang community is rally behind their team and every week, they keep playing. It all just makes what could have been a miserable fall a little brighter.

Lake Travis WR Garrett Wilson Lake Travis revenge After a humbling defeat to Converse Judson in the season opener, the Cavaliers were written off as a state contender by many. The Cavs’ young defense made strides as the season progressed and despite being an underdog in their rematch with Judson in the area round, LTHS stepped up in a major way in a 47-39 win on the campus of the University of Texas. Judson, led by Julon Williams, jumped out to a 26-14 halftime lead, but a second-half surge spurred by WR Garrett Wilson lifted the Cavs to the win. Wilson, who scored four total touchdowns on the afternoon, had three second-half touchdowns as Lake Travis outscored Converse Judson 33-13 in the final two quarters. One has to wonder if this may be Judson’s last real state title contender for a few years, as a third high school is opening in Judson ISD and if you remember when Wagner opened, Judson took a step back for a few years before slowly building back up under head coach and alum Sean McAuliffe. Parkland carries the 915 banner And then there was one. El Paso Parkland is the lone remaining team from El Paso after the Matadors knocked off Lubbock Cooper, 45-34, on Friday. Parkland jumped out to a quick 14-0 and never looked back as QB A.J. Briggs tossed three touchdown passes and Deion Hankins ran for a pair of touchdowns as well. The Matadors' defense forced a pair of key turnovers and held off a late Lubbock Cooper rally to earn the big win. It’s just the second time in school history that Parkland has advanced to the third round and now it’ll carry the torch for an entire city. Hirschi Huskies rolling Any doubt about Wichita Falls Hirschi was eliminated on Friday at Abilene Christian as the Huskies rolled to a very impressive 41-17 win over a strong Lubbock Estacado squad. Hirschi showed it can make opposing teams pay if they focused too much attention to star RB Daimarqua Foster as the Huskies passing game exploded in the final two quarters. Estacado led 17-14 in the third quarter, but the Huskies scored the game’s final 27 points as Foster broke through with three late touchdowns to finish with 127 yards rushing. The key early was Hirschi QB Mar’tez Vrana, who threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns. The Huskies now get a district rematch against Decatur whom they beat, 69-36, earlier in the year. In that game Foster ripped off over 500 yards rushing. Bushland catching fire If you are looking for a sleeper in 4A Division II, the Bushland Falcons may be your team to watch. Head coach Jimmy Thomas’ squad is tough and gritty and has a superstar QB in Colten Moore. The Falcons won their 10t straight game Friday blasting Godley, 58-20, behind 469 yards of offense and six touchdowns from their QB Moore. Bushland is into the third round for the first time since 2013 where they will take on a very strong Seminole squad.