6A-5A Area Round Ultimate Preview

https://www.texasfootball.com/articles/article/default.aspx?url=2025/11/17/tep-stepp-podcast-area-round-txhsfb-playoff-preview

North Forney (10-1) vs Waxahachie (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium: It’s a rematch from the area round of the playoffs a year ago as North Forney looks to avenge a 32-12 defeat and push into the third round of the playoffs for just the second time in school history. Last week the Falcons used a dominant second half to race past Sachse 42-7. Recent Ohio State QB commit Legend Bey was contained for the most part — he did run for two scores and throw for a score. But it was RB Andikan Asuquo who did the most damage tallying 188 yards and a pair of scores to lead the Falcons attack. Waxahachie had a road game in the bi-district round as they lost a three-way tiebreaker in 11-6A. But the trip didn’t faze the Indians as they rolled into Waco and blasted a good Midway team 48-16. TCU QB commit Jerry Meyer, III didn’t need to do much as the WHS ground game was sensational rolling up 389 yards. RB Taylen Furlough-Strange led the way with 175 yards and two scores. Texas WR commit Kohen Brown had 79 yards on the ground and a score as well as 34 receiving yards. Two other backs chipped in at least 50 yards on the night. The money matchup in this game is Waxahachie’s defense against that explosive North Forney attack. A year ago, Waxahachie kept NFHS in check and that was the difference. Both teams bring a lot of key pieces back and Waxahachie’s defense is uniquely positioned to slow North Forney because they have elite speed and talent at all three levels. But slowing Bey and North Forney hasn’t been done in 2025. I’m going to go with North Forney because I think they lure Waxahachie into a track meet and I don’t know if the Indians offense can keep up as they haven’t shown consistency in 2025. Stepp’s Pick: North Forney by 6