As we’re in the third round of the playoffs, certain paths to state titles are clearer than ever. Let’s take a look at who has toughest road to Arlington and how has the easiest road.
6A Division I
Easiest: Allen– Yes the Eagles have a tough game this week on the road against San Angelo Central. However, if they can get past it, they should find themselves playing for another title. The toughest game looks to be a state semifinal against The Woodlands, which other than San Angelo would be the biggest threat. The Eagles haven’t looked outstanding in the playoffs, but they have a fairly easy path to the title game.
Hardest: Lake Travis/Westlake– These two region four teams have the most difficult path to a trip to Arlington. With wins this week, they will face each other in the region final, then a potential state semifinal against reigning 6A champions Katy or Galena Park North Shore. If either of these teams makes the title game, they will have run through a gauntlet to get there.
6A Division II
Easiest: DeSoto– The Eagles toughest game might have been their last one, a 48-30 win over Southlake Carroll. The Eagles can fly to the title game with their toughest test potentially being a Region final against Cedar Hill, who they beat 33-18 during the regular season. The toughest game for DeSoto is a potential state title game against Cibolo Steele. If the Eagles can’t win the title with this path and Shawn Robinson, they may never do it.
Hardest: Cedar Hill– They have to play DeSoto, and that’s why they have the toughest road. The third round game against Mansfield isn’t a cake walk either for Cedar Hill. Division II is the easier of the 6A division but for the Longhorns, they got stuck with the toughest task.
5A Division I
Easiest: Denton Ryan– With Spencer Sanders at the helm, the Raiders have dominated all year and that hasn’t changed in the postseason. The toughest challenge before the title game is a potential state title matchup against Highland Park. Region 1 has paved the way for favorable path for the Raiders.
Hardest: Temple– Once ranked in the top ten of our power rankings, Wildcats had a couple of stumbles in the regular season. Temple has Port Arthur Memorial in round 3, then Manvel or Cedar Park, then a potential state semi against Dripping Springs. That’s a tough task ahead for the Wildcats if they want to make it to the title game.
5A Division II
Easiest: Aledo– Region 1 is always an advantage for DFW teams playing West Texas teams, and for the Bearcats that’s the case again this year. Trying to find the toughest game for them before the state title is tough, it’ll likely be the semifinal against the Region 2 champion. Aledo seems to always be playing for a state title and that probably won’t change this year.
Hardest: College Station– The Cougars have a tough third round game against Port-Neches Grove, then a forth round of either A&M Consolidated or Fort Bend. They did beat Consolidated earlier in the year 23-14, but beating a team twice in the same year is difficult. After those two games, a potential matchup with Corpus Christi Calallen looms for the rights to trip to the state championship. Regions 3 and 4 are loaded this year and that makes College Station’s path extremely difficult.
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