WHAT A TRIP
Klein Collins routed former district rival Dekaney in a 49-9 win, riding 452 total yards of total offense along the way.
Westfield handled Stratford 42-10.
Could Klein Collins and Westfield be on a collision course for a Region II championship again?
Five touchdowns between Josh Oglesby and Deondrick Glass helped Katy to a 45-14 win over Travis. The running back duo will be key for yet another Katy run.
Lamar did just enough to get rid of a feisty Cypress Falls team, defeating the Golden Eagles 14-10. The Texans meet Ridge Point in a star-studded area round matchup in Class 6A Division I Region III.
Clear Springs breezes into area round
Pearland and Clear Springs might know each other too well.
Pearland beat Clear Springs twice last year — once to open the season in a four-point win and the other time in the bi-district playoffs by three. The teams were supposed to meet in a non-district contest again this year until Hurricane Harvey changed the schedule.
Clear Springs saved revenge for the playoffs in a 54-29 win. Head coach Craig Dailey has the Chargers in the area round for the first time in two seasons and has the program zeroed in on a run like 2009, when it made a regional final.
No passing offense needed for Taylor
Imagine a team winning a playoff game — or any game — with negative-6 passing yards.
Thanks to Katy Taylor, we no longer have to imagine such a feat.
The Mustangs pulled if off in a 14-0 win over Bush, which is a bit of a shocker.
Bush had rolled all year, only losing to Ridge Point in its district. Katy Taylor is without its best defensive player in defensive end Max Wright, who is out for the year with an injury.
Katy Taylor does have Ean Beek, who scored both touchdowns with 29 carries for 174 yards.
Manvel, Marshall look strong in Region III
Manvel and Fort Bend Marshall made easy work of Madison and Sterling, respectively, Texas City ended Waltrip’s hopes, and Galveston Ball survived.
Manvel quarterback Kason Martin was 13-of-20 for 183 yards and three touchdowns in Thursday’s bi-district playoff 49-6 win over Madison.
Jerry Davis’s eight carries for 145 yards and three scores were more than enough for the Buffs in their 49-0 playoff win over Sterling.
Texas City staved off Waltrip, ending the Rams’ dream season in a 24-14 win.
Galveston Ball is in the area round for the first time since 2003 after a 22-17 win over Austin.
Class 5A Region III looks to have a few dangerous teams from this district alone. Manvel and Marshall are known commodities and benefit from being in separate divisions for the playoffs. Texas City wants to revel in the playoff success after missing the playoffs by three points last year.
Spring, Klein to meet in talent-loaded clash
Saturday’s playoff schedule isn’t lacking, and Spring meeting Klein a Class 6A Division I Region II clash might be one of the most interesting games.
Klein started 2017 as one of Houston’s hottest teams, starting 4-0 and winning six of its first seven. Klein has lost two straight heading into the playoffs.
The only blemish on Spring’s record comes from rival Westfield, and that was only by three points in overtime.
No one should be happy with a first-round exit, but the loser of this one certainly won’t considering the talent on both sides and expectations.
Landmark victories for trio of area teams
Already on a landmark run, Brazosport shut out Worthing 66-0 to win its first playoff game since 1999.
Clear Lake defeated George Ranch 24-8 in the Class 6A Division II Region III bracket. It’s the first playoff win since 2008 for the Falcons.
New Caney has two playoff wins in two years after a 28-21 triumph over Vidor in Class 5A Region III. New Caney had zero all-time before 2016. The school has been playing football since 1955.
There is some heartbreak, too. Austin’s season ends at the hands of Galveston Ball. Austin is now on a 64-year wait for a playoff win.