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STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Brock Eagles set for Malakoff
UIL State Semifinals are about to kick off. Teams all over the state that have made it this far are preparing to put up the fight of their lives to get to the state title game. With just one victory standing between them and another appearance at the biggest stage in Texas high school football, Brock fully intends on leaving it all on the field Thursday as they take on Malakoff. What can fans expect out of this 3A semifinal matchup?
Brock Eagles (10-4, 6-0)
This season, the Eagles have been on a roll. After opening the season with four straight losses during their preseason schedule, they knew they had to turn the tables and put forth a better effort on the field. With a strong mentality and dedication to fine tuning their attack, the Eagles went on a run through district play defeating opponent after opponent before finishing at the top of their district standings with an unblemished district record. Once in the playoffs, Brock continued to do what they do and steamroll their opponents ending the seasons of Iowa Park (48-0), Muleshoe (57-20), Bushland (51-27), and Whitesboro (30-19).
Led by the likes of Jhett Jones, Reid Watkins, Carson Finney, Brett Tutter, Tyler Moody, and more, Brock's offense has been able to step up and make big plays happen throughout their games. The defense led by Watkins, Zachary Brewster, Cam Harris, and more has been a wall that has proven to be difficult for opponents to get through. They enter the state semifinals on a 10 game win-streak while outscoring their opponents this season by a combined 266 points. The Eagles will look to continue their regular excellence against Malakoff.
Malakoff Tigers (13-1, 6-0)
Having lost only one game this season- an early 21-17 loss against Grandview in preseason play- the Tigers have been a force to be reckoned with in their own schedule. Defeating the likes of West Rusk, Salado, Glaewater, Eustace, Groesbeck, and more, the team was able to finish at the top of their district undefeated in district play. Outscoring their opponents by a combined 485 points this season. Through playoffs, the Tigers have defeated Dallas Madison (62-0), Winnsboro (55-10), West (35-14), and Grandview (29-17).
Jason Tennyson, Corey Phillips, Damien Jackson, Austin Massingill, Mike Jones, and more have been impactful on the Tigers offense. With the ability to set the tone and continue to raise the bar, Malakoff has laid out quite the resume headed into the state semifinals. Chauncey Hogg, Jakerry Smallwood, Asa Mondragon, and more lead the defense in creating a force that has been nearly impossible to get past all season. Malakoff will look to put a stop to Brock on Thursday.
What To Expect:
Brock has the determination and skill that it takes to really focus on the game. They're a disciplined team that not only knows what it takes to get to the state title game, but to win it. With only one team standing in their way, the Eagles are set to play a game that fans will be proud of. Malakoff, however, isn't going to be a team that just lays down and let's Brock run all over them. They are going to put up a fight and be one of the toughest teams Brock has had to face all season. Fans can expect this game to keep them on the edge of their seats.
Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 8 at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco.
REGIONAL PREVIEW: Argyle vs. Grapevine on CW33
Texas High School Football Playoffs continue to head full force towards the state championships. While teams focus on continuing their regular excellence, other teams plan and prepare to deliver the next big upset in order to keep their seasons alive. This week, CW33 will broadcast the Friday night regional matchup between undefeated Argyle and a tough Grapevine squad. VYPE DFW takes a deeper dive into the Eagles' and Mustangs' programs to lay out just what fans can expect in this Friday night playoff game:
Argyle Eagles (12-0, 6-0)
The Eagles have been back to their usual strong style of playing on the gridiron. This season, Argyle has gone undefeated as they plowed through their preseason, district, and so far playoffs schedules. Setting the tone and opening their season with a 37-18 victory over Melissa, the Eagles continued to show their strength as they defeated the likes of Lovejoy, Frisco Memorial, McKinney Emerson, Denton, Carrollton Creekview, and more throughout their regular season. So far in the playoffs, Argyle has ended the seasons of Fort Worth Wyatt (63-0) and Wichita Falls Rider (7-0).
The defense has been incredibly tough this season as they have allowed only 173 points against them- blanking three opponents and holding seven to two touchdowns or less. The offense, led by senior running back RJ Bunnell, senior running back Landon Farris, junior wide receiver Will Hodson, junior quarterback John Gailey, senior quarterback Jacob Robinson, and more has been focused on scoring early and often throughout the season. This week, they look for another strong outing against the Grapevine Mustangs.
Grapevine Mustangs (11-1, 7-0)
Grapevine has been having one of their best seasons yet- posting an undefeated district schedule while dropping only one game during the regular season... a hard-fought 31-15 matchup against Argyle. This week, the team will look to get revenge on the typically tough Eagles. Grapevine has been battle tested throughout the regular season taking down the likes of Frisco Wakeland, Fort Worth North Side, Fort Worth Wyatt, Arlington Heights, Trimble Tech, and more. So far in playoffs, the Mustangs have defeated Lake Dallas (31-14) and Abilene Cooper (38-21).
With one two shut-out victories and six games of holding their opponents to two touchdowns or less, the Mustangs defense is looking to continue a hot streak as they enter a battle against a team they have already seen this season. Coming in on a nine game win streak, the Mustangs have been able to outscore their opponents by 327 points this season. Led by senior wide receiver Parker Polk, senior wide receiver Reid Watkins, junior wide receiver Sammy Kelley, senior quarterback Evan Baum, and more the Mustang offense has been on another level this season. With Polk scoring 21 touchdowns this season, the senior will look to help guide his team against Argyle.
What To Expect:
Both teams are incredibly focused with strong offenses as well as strong defenses. This rematch game is sure to be one of the biggest in the area this week- both teams know what weak spots to look for on the other side of the ball. Looking to make a huge statement by defeating Arglye, Grapevine will come out ready to hit hard and quick. Looking to get back to the state championship tournament, Argyle will do whatever it takes to shut down this Grapevine squad for the second time this season.
Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at Dragon Stadium in Southlake, but if you can't make it to the game, be sure to catch all the action on CW33!