Stephenville (12-0) vs Argyle (11-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Mansfield’s Newsom Stadium: The Stephenville Yellow Jackets take on the defending 4A Division I State Champion Argyle Eagles in the regional semifinal. Stephenville has been a very trendy pick to compete for a state title at this level and they have continued to show it in the playoffs. They beat Paris, from Argyle’s district, 22-10 in the Area round. Stephenville has a very balanced attack with junior quarterback Ryder Lambert, who had 228 yards passing with a touchdown and interception, and junior running back Julian Iribarren, with 20 carries and 110 yards and 1 touchdown. Many wrote off Argyle after they lost to Melissa earlier in the year but they have the chance to prove everyone wrong in the playoffs. They had a close win over Kennedale 27-3. Quarterback Jett Copeland had a shaky performance with 161 yards passing, two touchdowns, and three interceptions while running for 73 yards and a touchdown. While it is always hard to pick against the defending champs, they might be the round to do so. Argyle has shown they are not invincible this season and Stephenville should look to exploit them. DCTF Intern Joshua Price’s Pick: Stephenville by 7
Kilgore (11-1) vs Tyler Chapel Hill (9-3), 8 p.m. Friday at Tyler’s TMF Rose Stadium: For the second straight year 9-4A Division I is making noise in Region III as two of the four semifinalists this region are meeting up. Kilgore had a tough time last week, but escaped Stafford in a 28-26 win. RB Davin Rider ran for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns helped KHS run out to a 21-6 halftime lead, but the Kilgore had to hold off a furious Stafford rally late. It was the exact opposite for Chapel Hill, who had some major transportation issues getting to the game causing the game to start twenty minutes late. CHHS started out slow, but found their stride in the second half blowing past Brazosport 51-27. Chapel Hill trailed most of the first half, but took their first lead right before halftime at 28-21 and pulled away with two quick third-quarter touchdowns. WR Tyson Berry accounted for 137 yards of offense on the night and scored three touchdowns on just five touches, three receptions and two carries. Kilgore won the first meeting and there’s a saying that it’s tough to beat a good team twice in one year and while true, Chapel Hill is relying on a freshman QB and it’s tough to make a deep run when you are so young at a key spot. Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 3