The two semifinals in 3A Division I are exactly the same from a year ago. However, it’s hard to complain when this division had one of the best state title games last season, a slugfest between Brock and Franklin.
Here’s what to watch for in the semifinals this week.
Brock Eagles (11-3) vs. Malakoff Tigers (14-0) Thursday 7 p.m. @ Frisco
Last year, Brock knocked off Malakoff 21-10 in this game to advance to its second-straight state title game. Malakoff, meanwhile, is still on the hunt for its first state title. It lost to Grandview in its lone title game appearance in 2018.
Brock did win a game in its brutal four game non-district slate this year (last season it started 0-4). Since then, it has rattled off 10-straight wins and outscored its opponents 605-70. Not too shabby.
The Eagles will likely lean on a heavy dose of quarterback Brody Woods. In addition to his 2,238 passing yards, he leads Brock in rushing attempts and yards (148 carries for 1,095 yards and 15 touchdowns). If it’s not Woods carrying the football, it’ll probably be senior Brett Tutter (758 yards and 15 touchdowns) or Vance Guthrie (684 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns).
Defensively, Brock is physical and has a number of playmakers. Linebackers Cooper Massey (220 tackles, 40 TFLs) and Hyatt Dunaway (175 tackles and 39 TFLs) are certainly at the top of that list.
They’ll be tasked with trying to slow down Malakoff running back Jerrion Hall, who rushed for 179 yards and four touchdowns a week ago as Malakoff blew out previously undefeated Winnsboro 56-20. When it’s not Hall, quarterback Mike Jones can step up when called upon. He had 288 passing yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers’ area round win over Mount Vernon.
Malakoff appears to be better than it was a year ago. Its margin of victory over teams like Winnsboro and Grandview, 42-7, demonstrates that.
This game could come down to whether Hall can move the ball on the ground against the Brock defense. If not, it could be a frustrating night for the Tiger attack.
Franklin Lions (13-1) vs. Edna Cowboys (11-2) Thursday 7 p.m. @ Cypress
Last week, Franklin avenged its lone loss this season as it defeated district foe Lorena 49-27 in the regional final. It has the Lions on the verge of their fourth consecutive state title game appearance.
They continue to churn out yards in their slot-T offense. A week ago, they rushed for 401 yards and six touchdowns on 60 attempts. According to Alex Miller of The Eagle, Lion running back Jayden Jackson rushed for 297 of those yards and five touchdowns. He has next-level ability as well as he already possesses an offer from Texas Tech. When the Lions do turn to the air, they have Wyoming commit receiver Devyn Hidrogo, who can also star at safety defensively.
That’s not all either. Quarterback Cort Lowry is a Tarleton State baseball commit, so he certainly has the arm talent as well.
Edna, meanwhile, will be looking forward to another crack at slowing down the slot-T. Franklin rushed for 327 yards in its 41-13 semifinal win over the Cowboys last year.
Last week, Edna lit up Blanco 55-13. Quarterback Jaidan Clay and running back Kade Rodas make up a dynamic backfield duo for the Cowboys. They’ve helped Edna average just under 42 points per game. Their defense can wreck havoc too as it picked off Blanco’s quarterbacks five times in the regional finals.
Franklin has proved pretty unstoppable across the past four seasons, but Edna did raise eyebrows with how it destroyed region IV co-favorite Jourdanton back in the area round. We’ll see how much progress the Cowboys have made as a program on Thursday as they look to upset Franklin and make it back to their first state title game in 58 years.
