It’s officially Halloween, which means the Texas high school football playoffs are right around the corner.
While all eyes are on some of the state’s top undefeated teams, some one-, two-and even three-loss teams are getting hot at the right time and are poised to make deep postseason runs.
Here is a look at one scary team in each classification.
6A Galena Park North Shore (4-3) — After suffering an upset loss to Atascocita in the state playoffs last season, North Shore appeared to be in a state of rebuilding. The Mustangs dropped their first two games — albeit to state-ranked Manvel and Spring Westfield — which raised some questions about the Mustangs.
However, North Shore has won four out of its last five games with its only loss coming to the aforementioned Atascocita. North Shore has a number of key underclassmen leading the way, including star sophomore running back Zachary Evans and freshman quarterback Dematrius Davis, who already holds a Baylor offer. This team is growing up in a hurry and should be a force in the playoffs.
5A Temple (6-2) — Remember Temple? You know that team from Central Texas that upset Manvel last season en route to an appearance in the 5A DI state title game.
Well, the Wildcats are winners of their last four after starting the season 2-2. Temple is getting it done with defense again as the Wildcats are led by a feisty group of seniors as well as junior defensive end TJ Franklin, who committed to Baylor over the weekend. Temple will face College Station on Friday in what is arguably the de facto 18-5A district championship game.
That contest should be telling but regardless of the result, Temple is a team to avoid in the postseason.
Courtesy of TexasAgs.com
4A Seminole (8-1) — Seminole had high expectations heading into the season but fell to Lubbock High in its opener. After that, it just seemed like people just forgot about the Indians.
But Kent Jackson and his team quietly won their next seven games and made it eight in a row with a statement come-from-behind victory over region power Sweetwater. Seminole is poised to capture the 2-4A DII district title and potentially win Region I.
The Indians have a stingy defense led by jack-of-all-trades linebacker Cade Barnard, who is committed to Army. The offense loves to pound the ball and has an advantage in the trenches with Texas offensive line pledge Reese Moore leading the way.
3A Rockdale (6-2) — Rockdale opened up the season 1-2 suffering wide margin defeats to West and Lexington. But that was without their star player, Jaquayln Crawford. Since his return, the Tigers have won five straight and are a major threat in 3A-DI.
Crawford, an Oklahoma commit, is one of the most explosive players in the state and has racked up 630 yards and 11 touchdowns during Rockdale’s win streak.
With Crawford back in the fold, this is a completely different team. Rockdale will face Franklin this Friday in what should result in the winner capturing the district title.
2A Burton (7-1) — It wasn’t an ideal start for Burton as it dropped its season opener to Holland. Since then, Burton has been playing with an unmatched attitude. The Panthers are winners of seven straight, with most of their victories coming by way of blowouts.
Burton has been making key plays on defense and has one of the most intriguing small-school players leading the way on the offensive side of the ball in junior wide receiver Dee Winters, who has early offers in hand from Houston, Northwestern and SMU.
Burton quarterback Caleb Harmel isn’t too shabby either and has been connecting with Winters early and often. The duo is truly a terrifying sight for opposing defenses.
1A Iredell (6-2) — After opening the year with a 31-0 loss to Jonesboro, it seemed like Iredell might be in some trouble. However, the Dragons have rebounded in a big way, winning six of their last seven games with their only loss coming by three in a wild shootout with Stephenville FAITH. All six of Iredell’s wins have come by 40 points or more. Keep an in eye on the Dragons in 1A DII.
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