Brennan targets Westlake’s run
Four San Antonio area teams remain in the state quarterfinal round of the UIL football playoffs.
Brennan and Poth look to break through after falling short in the same round last year. Smithson Valley is making its deepest playoff run since 2015. Boerne is off to its best start in school history.
Here is how they match up in their playoff games this weekend.
CLASS 6A DIVISION I BRENNAN VS. AUSTIN WESTLAKE
When/where: 2 p.m. Saturday, Alamodome.
Radio: KYTY 840 AM.
Brennan (12-1) playoff path: def. Laredo Alexander (58-7), def. Los Fresnos (42-7), def. Austin Lake Travis (34-17).
Brennan update: Senior quarterback Ashton Dubose accounted for all five of Brennan’s touchdowns (four rushing, one passing) against Lake Travis last week. Dubose, a starter since he was a freshman, has passed for 9,214 career yards, which is No. 2 all-time in the city. He is 39 yards shy of Stevie Joe Dorman’s city mark of 9,253 (2007-10, Somerset).
Westlake (13-0) playoff path:
def. Round Rock Cedar Ridge (58-10), def. New Braunfels (45-14), def. San Benito (44-7). Westlake update: The Chaparrals haven’t lost a step under first-year head coach Tony Salazar, a longtime assistant to Todd Dodge, who retired after last season. Junior quarterback Paxon Land has passed for 1,564 yards and 16 touchdowns in nine games. Westlake hasn’t allowed more than 20 points in a game and
has topped the 70-point mark three times. Notable: Brennan has won 12 in a row since dropping a 35-34 decision against Steele to open the season in the Alamodome. The Bears are 35-4 in their last three seasons and are in the state quarterfinals for the second year in a row. Brennan last advanced to the state semifinals in 2013 when they lost to Denton Guyer in the Class 5A Division I championship.
Westlake is a threetime reigning state champion and hasn’t lost since 2019 — a streak of 53 wins.
They have met twice — both times in the playoffs — with Westlake prevailing each time (49-7 in 2018 and 24-6 in 2019). Next up: Galena Park North Shore or Humble Atascocita.
CLASS 5A DIVISION I SMITHSON VALLEY VS. COLLEGE STATION
When/where: 2 p.m. Saturday, Pflugerville. Smithson Valley (12-1) playoff path: def. Cedar Park (30-7), def. Manvel (38-28), def. Fulshear (31-13).
Smithson Valley update:
Senior quarterback Chase Senelick passed for 187 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score against Fulshear last week. He has thrown for 2,152 yards, 26 touchdowns and one interception. Senior defensive back David De Hoyos registered 22 tackles last week. He spot plays as a running back and has 338 yards (second-best on the team) and five scores.
College Station (11-2) playoff path:
def. Wagner (37-19), def. Angleton
(27-20), def. Georgetown (52-28).
College Station update: Sophomore running back Aydan Martinez-brown has 1,758 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. Junior Arrington Maiden has thrown for 1,805 yards and 12 scores.
Notable: Smithson Valley and College Station are meeting for the first time. Smithson Valley last advanced to the state semifinals in 2008 when it lost to Katy 41-19.
College Station lost to Katy Paetow 27-24 in overtime, in last year’s Class 5A Division I final.
Next up: Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial or Pharr-san Juan-alamo North.
CLASS 4A DIVISION I BOERNE VS. CORPUS CHRISTI CALALLEN
When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday; Alamo Stadium.
Boerne (13-0) playoff path:
def. Taylor (42-13), def. Pleasanton (50-21), def. Port Lavaca Calhoun (51-0).
Boerne update: Sophomore quarterback Jaxon Baize has passed for 3,041 yards and 46 touchdowns in his first season as the starter. His brother, senior Braden Baize, has been his main target with 54 receptions for 964 yards and 17 scores.
Calallen (13-0) playoff path:
def. Beeville (30-6), def. Davenport (22-14), def. Somerset (31-7). Calallen update: The Wildcats have opened up their offense to a more balanced attack under first-year coach Steve Campbell, who replaced retired Phil Danaher, the state’s all-time winningest coach (490 wins). Senior quarterback Bryce Burnett has thrown for 1,585 yards on 96-of-148 passing with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. In 12 games last year, the Wildcats were 40-of-76 for 563 yards and seven scores through the air.
Notable: This is their first meeting. Boerne has never won 13 games in a season before. The Greyhounds have advanced to the state semifinals once before (2004, 21-3 loss against Marshall).
Calallen is 94-39 alltime in the postseason. The Wildcats last advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2019 when the lost to Boerne Champion 49-42 at the Class 5A level.
Next up: Tyler Chapel Hill or Kilgore.
CLASS 3A DIVISION II POTH VS. TIDEHAVEN
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday, Texas State.
Poth (12-1) playoff path: def. George West (64-0), def. Boling (42-34), def. Taft (55-13).
Poth update: Quarterback Zane Raabe leads the team in rushing (1,453 yards, 30 TDS) and has passed for 688 yards and 12 scores. Senior Matthew Bunn has rushed for 1,403 yards and 26 TDS.
Tidehaven (11-2) playoff path:
def. Clifton (27-7), def. Nixon-smiley (56-8), def. Brazos (47-0).
Tidehaven update: The Tigers are in the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2018 and last made the semifinals in 1981.
Notable: Poth is 3-0 alltime (all playoff games) against Tidehaven and ended the Tigers’ season last year in the third round.
Up next: Gilmer Harmony or Newton.