The must-see state semifinals in every Texas high school football classification this week

6A: Manvel (13-0) vs. Angleton (13-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Houston’s NRG Stadium There will be plenty of talent on the field when Manvel and Angleton meet at NRG Stadium, and it’s a matchup that looked destined to happen when the playoffs got underway a few weeks ago. The Mavericks’ loaded offense, led by North Texas QB commit Kason Martin (2,394 yards, 33 TDs), is averaging more than 48 points per game. But Angleton is stacked on the defensive side of the ball, where Texas commit B.J. Foster headlines a unit giving up an average of less than seven points per contest. The Wildcats have some offensive firepower as well and have quietly scored in excess of 54 points per game behind the play of Foster (907 yards, 17 TDs) and SMU commit Tamerick Williams (1,722 yards, 21 TDs). Angleton will have to rely on that run game and the stingy defense in hopes of advancing to the state championship. 5A: Denton Ryan (14-0) vs. Highland Park (13-1), 9 p.m. Friday at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium Denton Ryan and quarterback Spencer Sanders have had this game on their minds since falling to the Scots 31-24 in this same round last season. Sanders tore his ACL in that game and has returned with a vengeance this year, throwing for 3,621 yards and 51 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,220 yards and 14 scores. On the other side, Highland Park returns with its own star quarterback in John Stephen Jones who has thrown for 3,828 yards and 48 touchdowns this year. The Scots enter the game after a scare against Lake Ridge while the Raiders have stormed through the playoffs, winning every game by 20-plus points. The rematch should be an exciting one as Sanders looks to take the next step toward capping off a tremendous bounce-back season with a state title. 4A: Carthage (14-0) vs. Waco La Vega (14-0), 7: 30 p.m. Friday at Frisco’s Ford Center This may very well be the best matchup at any level in the state as two powerhouse programs clash at The Star in Frisco. The Bulldogs are dominant offensively and are averaging more than 46 points per game, but La Vega is equally as strong on the defensive side. The Pirates are allowing less than 10 points per game and boast one of the stingiest defenses in the state. Carthage will be a whole different animal though, as the Bulldogs have a host of playmakers throughout their offense – headlined of course by Texas commit Keaontay Ingram. It’s a rematch of the 2015 semifinals when La Vega had the edge and went on to win the state championship. Ingram and company will look to turn the tables this time around in what should be no less than an instant classic. 3A: Canadian (14-0) vs. Gunter (14-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Vernon’s Lion Stadium After running the table last season, Gunter has extended its winning streak to 30 games with a 14-0 start to this year. The Tigers return to the state semifinals against Canadian for the second consecutive season looking to continue what has been a dominant season. Gunter has won every game this year by at least 26 points and have outscored playoff opponents 193-36 over the last four weeks. Canadian won’t be the favorite as they were last year, but the Wildcats are unbeaten again and have been productive on both sides of the ball. Dylan Jantz (1,061 yards, 24 TDs) is the star for Gunter while WR Matthew Lynch (1,365 yards, 19 TDs) continues to make plays on the perimeter for Canadian. There are stars all over the field for both teams, making for a game that should have some fireworks at Lion Stadium.2A: San Augustine (14-0) vs. Refugio (12-1), 7 p.m. Thursday at Cypress’ Cy Fair FCU Stadium Refugio hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in two years, but San Augustine’s K.J. Davis has rushed for 2,303 yards and 33 touchdowns this season. Is he the running back who finally puts an end to the Bobcats streak? That will be one of the most intriguing storylines in this game as Refugio aims to continue its march to a second consecutive state championship. The Bobcats defense, led by Armonie Brown, will need to build off its impressive showing in a 38-14 win over Mason last week. There will be a lot of speed on the field and it should be a fun matchup at FCU Stadium.

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