The moment the state of Texas has been waiting for finally arrived last Thursday as the high school football playoffs got underway.
And while the bi-district round is usually pretty chalky, there were still several upsets that shook up the playoff picture this past week.
Here is a look at some of the biggest upsets from each classification.
6A: Tomball over Cypress Park
After earning its first-ever district title in school history and with star recruit Harold Perkins on its roster, Cypress Park was considered a dark horse in the 6A Division II bracket.
Apparently, Tomball didn’t listen to that narrative.
The Cougars led wire-to-wire on the Tigers in an impressive 52-29 victory as their senior quarterback Cale Hellums threw for 138 yards, rushed for 255 yards, and totaled four touchdowns on the night.
Tomball will now fancy its chances of advancing yet again in the 6A Division II playoffs as it takes on a Willis team in the area round that it already beat 40-27 to open the season.
Honorable mentions: Tyler Legacy over Garland, Boswell over Haslet Eaton
5A: Barbers Hill over Fort Bend Marshall
Barbers Hill head coach Carl Abseck knows a thing or two about winning playoff games after leading Cedar Park to two state title games during his six years in charge there.
Fort Bend Marshall, who had made two out of the last three state title games, learned that the hard way on Friday night.
Barber Hill’s backfield starred on the night as the Eagles turned a 21-6 deficit in the second quarter into a 42-21 victory. Quarterback Brent Holdren finished with 177 passing yards, 145 rushing yards and four total touchdowns, while running back Garret Hagler rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries.
However, the road won’t get any easier for Barbers Hill from here as the Eagles will face a tough A&M Consolidated team in the area round this Friday.
Honorable Mentions: Georgetown over Dripping Springs; Cedar Park over Buda Johnson
4A: Port Isabel over Carrizo Springs
Carrizo Springs had a fairytale regular season as the Wildcats won their first district title in 24 years and finished undefeated for the first time since 1984.
However, it was Port Isabel’s turn to make history on Friday night as the Tarpons won their first playoff game since 2013.
The Tarpons used a pick-six, a safety, and a short touchdown run by Derrin Valdez to jump out to a 16-0 lead in the second quarter. The lone score in the second half was a short Gilbert Medina touchdown run as the Tarpons secured a 23-8 victory.
Port Isabel will look to keep its momentum going when it faces a talented Geronimo Navarro team this Friday in the area round.
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Chapel Hill over Vidor; Rusk over Salado
3A: Stanton over Childress
Stanton arguably secured the upset of the week when it knocked off previously unbeaten Childress on Thursday night.
The Buffaloes hadn’t won a playoff game since 2010, but it certainly didn’t seem like that against Childress.
Senior Miguel Moreno rushed for 66 yards and three touchdowns for the Buffaloes, while fellow senior Cristian Orona scored on a strip sack late to help Stanton earn a memorable 39-34 victory.
The Buffaloes will look to pull off another upset when they take on Brady on Friday in Wall.
Honorable Mentions: Troup over Paul Pewitt; Stockdale over Hebbronville
2A: Schulenburg over Mason
Mason hadn’t lost a first round playoff game since 2013. Schulenburg hadn’t won a playoff game since 2013.
On paper heading into Friday’s area round matchup, those trends looked set to continue.
Until they didn’t.
Mason led 16-14 at the half, but an 85-yard fumble return for touchdown by Schulenburg’s Keisean Johnson and an eight-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Tyler Ryba to Johnson propelled Schulenburg to a 29-16 victory.
The Shorthorns will look to keep their improbable playoff run going when they take on Kenedy in the area round this Friday.
Honorable Mentions: Wortham over Maud; West Sabine over Deweyville
1A: Happy over Springlake-Earth
Springlake-Earth was regarded as one of the top teams in 1A Division I football and a possible state contender heading into the playoffs.
Those hopes ended at the hands of the Happy Cowboys in dramatic fashion on Thursday night.
Camden Sperry sidearmed a one-yard pass to Kyton Johnson for the winning score with just seven seconds left to earn a 48-44 upset victory over the Wolverines. That was a popular combination on the night as Sperry threw for 102 yards and five touchdowns, while Johnson had four catches for 47 yards and three scores.
Happy’s next challenge will come this Friday when it takes on Borden County in Lockney.
Honorable Mentions: Oglesby over Calvert; Van Horn over Garden City
