Picks
Highland Park – II
Temple – II
Advantage
Push
Reasoning
Saturday is going to be the best day of the UIL State Championships, and it starts with, yet again, two teams that few thought would make it to this level. Highland Park had to make it through a tough 5A slate from DFW that included Frisco Independence and Denton Ryan, and Temple had to make it past Manvel (who many thought could compete for a 6A title) and Richmond Foster.
Both of these teams are battle-tested, both of these teams have beaten the odds. There is no underdog story, both of these teams are underdogs this season.
This one is very close for many reasons. Highland Park had their way with a very good Denton Ryan front 7, but Ta’Quon Graham of Temple is a whole other problem for them. Temple was able to drive the ball on Manvel, but Highland Park’s linebacker corps can be just as good as Manvel’s.
It’s hard to call a victor here. Both teams have beaten teams they arguably shouldn’t have. Both teams are playing well outside their ceilings. One thing is for sure, this is going to be the best matchup of the entire state championship week.
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