STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Breaking down the biggest games in Texas high school football

Allen (14-0) vs. Round Rock Cedar Ridge (13-1), 2 p.m. Saturday at Waco’s McLane Stadium Allen advanced to the state semifinals for the sixth straight year after the Eagles knocked off Euless Trinity 41-20 last Saturday at Apogee Stadium. There’s no question that the Eagles had some breaks in the game, but credit Allen for capitalizing on them. The Eagles also continued their run of domination in the second half as they outscored Trinity 20-7 in the final quarters. Combine that with a disputed touchdown on the final play of the second half and you have the recipe for another Allen surge. Arizona State commit RB Brock Sturges did a lot of his damage in the second half as he finished with 177 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Eagles look to get over that state semifinal hump this week against upstart Round Rock Cedar Ridge who blew past district rival Pflugerville Hendrickson on Saturday, 30-2. The Raiders have played second fiddle in the Austin area to Lake Travis and Austin Westlake but at least for 2017, they are in that same tier. The Raider defense put together a dominant effort last week holding Pflugerville Hendrickson to just 117 yards of offense, while QB Ezekiel Coss threw for 150 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Cross is having to take on a much bigger role in the offense as RB Simi Bakare, still battling an injury, was limited to just five carries. The hope for Cedar Ridge is another week of rest and treatment will get Bakare closer to 100% as the task to beat Allen will be large with all hands-on-deck. Allen’s lost in this round two straight years and has a chip on its shoulder after the talk of controversy in last week’s win. Look for a very Allen game, where its close for a half, but Allen in the second half with that superior depth just puts the squeeze on this one. Stepp’s Pick: Allen by 15 Max’s Pick: Allen Ishmael’s Pick: Allen Brady’s Pick: Allen Check out Tepper's breakdown for this game — and the other 19 state semifinal matchups Katy (12-0) vs. Lake Travis (12-2), 3 p.m. Saturday at San Antonio’s Alamo Stadium It’s a rematch of the 2015 state title game that Katy dominated at NRG Stadium. The Tigers have to hit the road to get it done as this game will be played in the elements at Alamo Stadium. But despite the long drive, expect it to be a partisan Katy crowd. Katy’s defense is starting to remind us of that legendary 2015 unit as during the playoffs, the Tigers have taken it to another level. In the last three weeks in wins over Cy Ranch, Humble Atascocita and Galena Park North Shore, Katy has allowed a total of 10 points.  Last week, the Tigers avenged a playoff loss to North Shore last season with a dominant 31-3 win. RB Deondrick Glass ran for two scores and the Katy defense forced three turnovers and allowed just nine first downs. The Tigers have a big test once again this week against Ohio State commit QB Matt Baldwin and that explosive Lake Travis spread offense. The Cavaliers pulled away late last week for a 38-17 win over previously unbeaten San Antonio O’Connor. The LTHS defense held a high-powered O’Connor passing game to just 100 yards while versatile Garrett Wilson made quite the impact as well. Wilson had three touchdowns, two receiving and one rushing and spent spot duty on defense and when he was out there, he made some plays in the secondary. Katy’s defense is the key here. The Tigers make you work incredibly hard to just get a first down and I don’t think this Cavaliers offense is quite as dynamic as the two previous editions. I’m taking Katy and that defense to return to Arlington. Stepp’s Pick: Katy by 8 Max’s Pick: Katy Ishmael’s Pick: Katy Brady’s Pick: Katy Check out Tepper's breakdown for this game — and the other 19 state semifinal matchups