HELP WANTED
The Woodlands among early exits; Tough schedules pay off
A look at the best coach vacancies around the nation.
First to fall
1 The Woodlands, No. 7 in the state and No. 4 in Houston, entered the playoffs looking for a repeat of last year’s run to the 6A Division I championship game. Instead, the Highlanders looking for answers after falling in the first round for only the second time in the past 10 years, 23-7 to Rockwall at home — where they hadn’t lost since 2012. The Yellowjackets silenced offensive star Kesean Carter and held the Highlanders, averaging 46 points going in, to only 164 yards by keeping them off the field with long drives, fourthdown conversions and an early onside kick recovery. But they weren’t the only top Houston-area team to tumble early — only the most surprising. Crosby, ultratalented offensively, lost 72-69 to Port Neches-Groves in a heavyweight shootout, despite nearly 400 total yards and four touchdowns from Craig Williams. Area-ranked 6As Cinco Ranch, Spring, Bush and Hastings also lost in the first round, but Cinco lost to No. 7 Ridge Point and Hastings tell to No. 20 Dickinson.
Schedules matter
2 Coaches talk about it all the time — strength of schedule matters. Of course, schools can’t control what district the UIL assigns them — and another realignment is coming up in February — but it’s better to go 6-4 against a superior slate than 10-0 against a soft one, and it shows in the playoffs. Waltrip was an undefeated district champion going into the playoffs and Texas City, at 4-5, was an afterthought, but after navigating grueling District 23-5A, the Stingarees easily dispatched the Rams 24-14. The same scenario played out at Abshier Stadium, where undefeated 22-6A champ Deer Park was upended by 6-3 North Shore, which rolled 48-7 behind a freshman quarterback making his first career start.
No cupcakes here
3 Outside a handful of shockers, the bi-district playoffs played out as expected, setting up an area round of games to give thanks for, especially in the loaded 6A Divison I Region III bracket, which features eight area-ranked teams. The most familiar foes are No. 1 Katy and No. 15 Cypress Ranch, who are meeting in the playoffs for the fourth time in six years, with Katy taking the first three. No. 6 Lamar and No. 7 Ridge Point met for the first time last year, with the Texans winning 2421. No. 13 Clear Springs is 0-5 against No. 14 North Shore, and No. 8 Atascocita and No. 20 Dickinson are first-time adversaries.
Bobcats rolling
4 Cy-Fair hasn’t won its region since Yates was a Region III football powerhouse — way back in 1985 (when the Lions were 5A champs). But after the Bobcats bounced Westside 49-14 behind two defensive TDs from cornerback Erik Hallett, it is difficult to envision a scenario where they don’t claim the 6A Division II Region III title. The bracket includes four area-ranked squads in No. 17 Strake Jesuit — their opponent this week — No. 10 Langham Creek, which they already beat 30-21, and No. 16 Clear Lake. Anything can happen in the playoffs, but this is lining up as an historic season for Cy-Fair, which has only one 13-win season (13-1-1 in ’85).
Taking care of business
5 The Houston area’s state-ranked 5As, No. 2 Manvel and No. 5 Angleton, weren’t messing around last weekend. The Mavericks minced Madison 49-6 and the Wildcats waxed San Antonio Highlands 79-14, with both teams spreading the ball around. Six players scored touchdowns and two threw TD passes for Manvel, and eight players scored for Angleton, which played without super-stud B.J. Foster. No. 6 Cedar Park still lurks in Manvel’s bracket, and No. 8 Dripping Springs is in Region IV, but so far, so good for a Manvel-Angleton state semifinal.
4A and below
6 Brazosport won a playoff game for the first time in 18 years behind RB Ameer King (263 yards, five TDs rushing), whipping Worthing 66-0 to extend its storybook campaign in 4A, and El Campo rolled Kashmere 53-6. In 3A, No. 7 Hallettsville handled Luling 47-0, La Marque leveled playoff nemesis Coldspring-Oakhurst 42-20 and East Bernard jumped on Johnson City 63-21. In TAPPS, St. Pius X sank Antonio Prep 56-12 in Division I, and Second Baptist blanked Saint Mary’s Hall 34-0.
Around the state
7 The Woodlands was the only state-ranked squad in 6A and 5A that stumbled in the first round, making for plenty of thrilling matchups in the weeks ahead. No. 6 Duncanville faces Euless Trinity, No. 9 Converse Judson takes on Lake Travis, and No. 10 DeSoto plays Southlake Carroll in 6A this week.
Lamar vs. Ridge Point
Noon Friday, Legacy Stadium 8
The Texans are the only team left in 6A Divison I Region III that struggled last week, narrowly surviving Cy Falls, 14-10, after trailing 10-0 early. No doubt the Panthers took notice. 7 p.m. Friday, Abshier Stadium 9
Two area-ranked 5As, the No. 5 Buffalos and No. 7 Eagles, collide in the second round. The Buffs were second in 235A; the Eagles were 21-5A co-champs. This is their first meeting.
Westfield vs. San Marcos
2 p.m. Saturday, Panther Stadium, Prairie View 10
This is the only area matchup featuring two 10win teams. Westfield is 10-0 and San Marcos is 10-1. Both are district champions. San Marcos’ only loss was to New Braunfels (54-42).