When the Texas High School Football Playoffs get started this week, the conversation inevitably moves to these and similar talking points: “Everyone gets a trophy." “Too many teams make the playoffs.” And, of course, “Back in my day only the district champion made it.”
However, every year despite that talk, several four seeds from tough districts take down district champions in the bi-district round of the playoffs. Which 1 vs. 4 matchups are we keeping an eye on this weekend and putting on upset watch?
Sachse (9-1) vs Rockwall (5-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Garland’s HBJ Stadium: Sachse rolled to a district title in 9-6A where aside from Wylie East, the Mustangs weren’t pushed, they’ll host a battle tested Rockwall squad coming from a deep district 10-6A that features teams like Rockwall-Heath and Tyler Legacy, who missed out on the playoffs. Rockwall has playoff pedigree and the offense to match Sachse in a shootout, the only concern for Rockwall is they’ve struggled down the stretch of 2024, while Sachse is peaking going into the playoffs.
Texarkana Texas High (10-0) vs Nederland (7-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Texarkana’s Tiger Stadium: This is a tricky bi-district matchup for third ranked Texas High who has to host a strong Nederland team. The Bulldogs boast a win over defending state champion Port Neches-Groves and they were a Week 11 overtime loss from being the one seed in 8-5A Division II, so this is not a normal four seed. Nederland’s got a LONG road trip so a fast start will be key, but Texas High has had some recent playoff struggles so keep your eyes on this one.
El Paso Austin (9-1) vs Dumas (4-6), 6 p.m. Friday at Denver City’s Mustang Stadium: Don’t let Dumas’ record fool you, Aaron Dunnam’s squad has five losses by ten points or less and the Demons battled a rash of injuries in the early part of the season. Dumas will need to get off to a fast start and make run-oriented El Paso Austin play from behind.
Blanco (7-3) vs Van Vleck (4-6), 7 p.m. Thursday at Seguin’s Matador Stadium: Van Vleck will come into this game as a heavy underdog against a strong Blanco squad, but the Leopards come in flying high after some Week 11 heroics enabled them to sneak into the playoffs. VVHS has one of the state’s best kept secrets in RB Corey Austin who has over 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns, they are sneaky athletic and they play in one of the state’s toughest 3A-Division II districts with the likes of Tidehaven and East Bernard.
Marlin (7-3) vs Holland (7-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Waco’s Waco ISD Stadium: Most of the 4 vs 1 upsets occur in the larger classifications, but this could be the exception to that rule as Holland is an unusually strong four seed out of 14-2A Division I. The Hornets, who run the Slot-T offense now started the year out 6-1 before dropping two of their last three games. If Holland can keep Marlin’s team speed in check, the Hornets should be right in the mix Friday night in Waco.
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