Kilgore (13-1) vs La Vernia (13-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Waco’s McLane Stadium: For the second straight year we get Kilgore and La Vernia meeting in the state semifinals, but this time the game takes place in Central Texas at Baylor’s McLane Stadium. Kilgore’s defense has been just incredible in four playoff games as the Bulldogs have allowed just 17 total points. In last week’s 30-3 win over Fort Bend Crawford, the Kilgore defense held an offense averaging over 48 points per game to just 144 yards. Kilgore’s ground game was as efficient as ever as Rayshaun Williams and Isaiah Watters combined for 241 yards on the ground and four scores. QB Kason Brooks wasn’t asked to do much through the air as he only threw two second half passes but he was 11-of-14 for 100 yards and added 26 yards rushing as he helped keep the chains moving. La Vernia got pushed last week by previously unbeaten San Antonio Davenport, but the Bears big offensive line and some key defense in the middle part of the game were key in a 38-27 win. The Bears junior tandem of QB Cooper Null and RB Ty Carter were simply too much as Null ran for 237 yards with three rushing scores, while Carter ran for 142 yards with a touchdown on the ground and a receiving touchdown from Null. La Vernia’s path to victory involves their offensive line continuing their outstanding play and the defense limiting the big plays against an explosive Kilgore attack. Kilgore controlled last year’s game in some poor weather conditions; the weather Friday night is expected to be perfect for football so I look for more points and I look for Kilgore’s passing game to make an appearance and be the difference. Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 12
Brock (14-0) vs Carthage (14-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Mesquite’s Memorial Stadium: In one of several battles of unbeaten in the state semifinals, Brock will look to avenge last year’s state semifinal loss to top-ranked Carthage, which is looking to go wire-to-wire as the state’s best team in 4A-Division II. Last week Brock looked every bit the contender as the Eagles used a dominant second half to roll past previously unbeaten Midland Greenwood, 35-14. Brock held Greenwood to just 50 yards of offense in the second half and picked off three passes in the fourth quarter, two by UTEP signee Colt Matlock, who returned one for a score. Matlock also hauled in a touchdown pass from QB Holt Frazier, who threw for 188 yards and two scores. After Athens pushed Carthage in their regular season meeting, the Bulldogs made quick work of the Hornets last week with a dominant 63-28 victory. Texas A&M RB signee KJ Edwards topped the 100-yard mark once again and ran for three scores, while QB Jett Surratt tossed three touchdown passes, two going to Mississippi State WR signee Keymain Henderson. LB Carson Crawford, who signed with Colorado, had an interception return for a score, one of five interceptions for the Carthage defense on the night. Brock hasn’t trailed at any point this season. The Eagles have been flat out dominant. Brock keeps it close for three quarters, but Carthage has too much firepower and too much sideline pedigree with Scott Surratt, who is 84-8 in the postseason as a head coach. Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 13