GAMES
RANKINGS
THE CRYSTAL BALL: Who advances in 5A, 4A, 3A TXHSFB playoffs?
Thanksgiving week is a monumental time in Texas high school football, as only the top teams get to continue their playoff journey. Here's a look at some key matchups in Classes 5A, 4A, and 3A, with insights and predictions:
Randle vs. Brenham (5A Regional Semifinal)
Randle, under HC Brian Randle, is a juggernaut this season with a 12-0 record, including dominant playoff wins. Facing Brenham (11-1), fresh off a tight win over Liberty Hill, presents their toughest test yet.
Keys to Victory:
- Randle: The Lions rely on their dynamic backfield with QB Keilan Sweeny and 5-star RB Landen Williams-Callis, who averages nearly 143 yards per game. Defensively, Texas A&M commit Chase Sims and DB Sh’Rhod Revis are key to containing Brenham’s ground game.
- Brenham: RB Jacoby “Man Child” Dixon, averaging 187 yards per game, must shoulder the offensive load against a fierce Randle defense.
Prediction: Randle’s defensive dominance and Callis’ big game propel the Lions to a 14-point win.
...
FB Marshall vs. Iowa Colony (5A Regional Semifinal)
Iowa Colony (22-2 over two years) meets a familiar foe in FB Marshall, a rematch from earlier this season where the Pioneers triumphed.
Keys to Victory:
- Iowa Colony: Sophomore QB Carson White must distribute the ball effectively to playmakers like Jayden Warren. RB Aaron Tenner adds explosiveness on the ground, while Baylor commit Chris Johnson anchors the defensive line.
- Marshall: QB KK Johnson will look to his standout WRs Ja’kayden Ferguson and Andre Feast for big plays. Defensively, Texas commit Caleb Chester leads a secondary tasked with containing Iowa Colony’s versatile offense.
Prediction: Iowa Colony edges out Marshall late to move to the Regional Final.
...
Bay City vs. Calallen (4A Regional Semifinal)
Bay City hadn’t won a district championship in almost two decades until this year where the Blackcats won the district out right. Posting an 11-1 record on the year, the Blackcats are on a mission to make it to Jerry’s world as one of the most slept on teams in 4A texas high school football. They play Calallen this week, and will need a big game from Sr. QB Alex Estrada who has thrown for 3,155 yards this year. Expect Estrada to get the ball to big play threat Sr. WR Xylan Williams to help open up the run game with Sr. RB Jada Andrews.
Prediction: Bay City continues its dream season, beating Calallen by 17.
...
Other Predictions in 5A, 4A, and 3A:
- Angleton vs. College Station: Angleton wins a high-scoring thriller.
- A&M Consolidated vs. La Porte: Consolidated remains unbeaten with a narrow victory.
- Chapel Hill vs. Stafford: Chapel Hill’s potent rushing attack overwhelms Stafford.
- Hitchcock vs. Franklin: Hitchcock stuns Franklin in an upset.
- Columbus vs. Yoakum: Columbus powers through for a rematch with Hitchcock.
These games highlight the best of Texas high school football, with Thanksgiving week showcasing the grit and skill of the state’s top programs. Stay tuned as teams fight for a spot in the Regional Finals and beyond!
...
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR OUR VYPE ON MY WHISTLE FOOTBALL PODCAST!!
VYPE/ESPN Austin Central Texas Game of the Week Preview: Liberty Hill vs. Brenham
Liberty Hill’s running back corps was wracked with injuries – not that you would know it. Even with their top two backs out of the lineup, the Panthers, as advertised, amassed 565 rushing yards, with three different backs cracking the century mark, and scored 69 points in a 69-26 Bi-district playoff win over Sam Houston. The questions now are, can a team that’s had 17(!) different rushers carry the ball replicate that performance in Round 2; and can the Panthers slow down a Brenham ballclub that’s averaging nearly 45 points and 430 yards-per-game in its own right?
It looks to be an explosive night of fireworks when the Liberty Hill Panthers face the Brenham Cubs in Friday night’s 5A D2 Area round matchup in the VYPE Central Texas High School Football Game of the Week, simulcast on 102.7 FM ESPN Austin radio.
Panther senior running back Kyle May and junior Bryce Muchaw have accumulated nearly 2,300 yards and 33 touchdowns between the two of them. With both sidelined in last week’s playoff opener, sophomores P. Dylan Belinga (18-223, 12.4 YPC, 3 TDs) and Spencer Ballew (14-109, 7.8 YPC) and junior Dj Seaborn (7-105, 15.0 YPC) each rushed for over 100 yards. And then there was junior Preston Benefield, who carried the ball 14 times for 75 yards – and five touchdowns.
Liberty Hill (9-2) may need every yard they can muster in what threatens to turn into a track meet with Brenham (10-0). The Cubs scored over 31 points in every game this season, crushing all comers in District 10-5A-2 and blanking Texas City in last week’s Bi-district playoff game. Brenham also held their opponents to a modest 20.2 PPG, posting two shutouts and holding their opponent to a single score in two other games.
Senior quarterback Jordan Harvey (89-142, 1,538 Yds., 20 TDs, 5 INTs) commands a dangerous passing game, set up by the success sophomore running back Jacoby Dixon (246-2249, 9.1 YPC, 32 TDs) has found on the ground.
It’s supposed to get harder the deeper teams go in the playoffs. Along with their season-opener against 6A Steele and their regular season finale against Bastrop, this will be Liberty Hill’s toughest test of the season.
What: 5A D2 Area: Liberty Hill vs. Brenham
When: 6:45 Pregame, 7:00 Kickoff
Where: The Pfield, Pflugerville
Who: Adam Mueller, Matt Lorenz
Television/Streaming: Fan Duel Sports Network
Listen: https://www.vype.com/7pm-5a-dii-football-area-playoff-liberty-hill-vs-brenham
Listen: 102.7 FM ESPN Austin, https://www.1027espn.com/