Previews and predictions for the best Texas High School Football State Semifinals!
Canyon West Plains (11-3) vs Celina (14-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium: We expected Celina to be in this position as the Bobcats have spent much of 2024 as the No. 1 team in 4A-Division I, but there weren’t many outside of the Texas Panhandle who expected West Plains to be at this round in just its third varsity season. West Plains got here by pulling off the upset over Stephenville, 42-35, as QB Reid Macon threw for 267 yards and three scores to lead the Wolves, who turned momentum around with a key onside kick recovery in the fourth quarter. WPHS ended the game with a goal line stand to push the Wolves to their first state semifinal appearance. Celina took down previously unbeaten Alvarado 55-21 as the Bobcats outscored AHS 34-0 in the final two quarters. QB Bowe Bentley had a monster night throwing for 259 yards and two scores, while adding 118 yards and a score on the ground. RB’s Harrison Williams and Logan Gutierrez both chipped in a pair of rushing touchdowns to pace Celina’s offense that hasn’t scored less than 31 points in a single game all season. West Plains is potent on offense and will keep up for a half, much like Alvarado did, but Celina overwhelms the Wolves down the stretch. Stepp’s Pick: Celina by 17