Texas State Championship Game Thread, Preview, and Predictions
The state championships are finally here in the state of Texas. for the 5A and 6A divisions. The action starts today at 1 p.m. with the heavy favorite Aledo vs. the cinderella team Crosby and ends tomorrow at 7 p.m. with Austin Westlake vs. Southlake Carroll in a highly anticipated quarterback matchup.
Follow along with the action on SicEm365!
5A D2 - Aledo (12-1) vs. Crosby (12-3)
Friday at 1 p.m.
WR #1 JoJo Earle
The Alabama commit is one of the most explosive players in the country and I expect him to put on a show in this one.
TE #89 Jason Llewellyn
One of the most recent Baylor offers will lineup out wide, in the slot, or on the line as he does a lot of things for this Aledo team in the passing and running game.
S #7 Bryan Allen
The LSU commit has not had the most impressive season up to this point but he has a chance to show the country just how good he can be in this state title matchup.
Crosby Key Players
ATH #1 Reggie Branch
Branch has a crazy stat line this yea because he played quarterback, running back, and wide receiver this season as he is probably the most important offensive weapon Crosby has on the roster. He has completed 61% of his passes for 1,527 yards and 15 touchdowns to go along with 1,661 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He also has 477 yards receiving and six more touchdowns.
QB #2 Deniquez Dunn
Branch isn’t the only one playing all those positions as they have two guys who play all over the field. Dunn has completed 59% of his passes for 1,621 yards and 18 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He also has 909 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground to go along with 401 yards and five touchdowns through the air.
#90 DE Wade Lewis and #8 LB Jeremiah Issac
The senior defensive duo has been ridiculously disruptive this season as they have combined for 170 tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 45 quarterback hurries, and four forced fumbles.
Prediction: Aledo 41-27
5A D1 - Denton Ryan (14-0) vs. Cedar Park (14-0)
Friday at 7 p.m.
Denton Ryan Key Players
WR/CB #2 Billy Bowman Jr
Bowman has 81 receptions for 1,144 yards and 18 touchdowns as an offensive weapon for this team. He is also the lockdown corner back as well for the defense. The Oklahoma commit is going to be be one of if not the most talented player on the field all night.
WR/DE #1 Ja'tavion Sanders
The best player on the field will be Mr. Sanders. This kid is a freak show and one of the most fun player sin the country to watch. At 6’4, 225 pounds he 1,079 yards and 15 touchdowns at wide receiver. He will also lineup on defense quite a bit and get after the quarterback which is what he will do in college at Texas.
Cedar Park Key Players
QB #4 Ryder Hernandez
So impressed by what this kid has done all season long, he is a winner and a stat sheet stuffer. On the season he is completing 70% of his passes for 4,240 yards and 58 touchdowns with only two interceptions. He also has 184 yards and four touchdowns on the ground but is much more of a pocket passer than dual threat type. His top targets are three seniors: #34 Josh Cameron #19 Jack Hestera, and #13 Gunnar Abseck who have combined for over 3,000 yards and 44 touchdowns.
OL #58 Luke Williams
Well it’s pretty simple the 6’5, 300-pounder will be going up against a stout defensive line He has to hold up for a lot of this game if Cedar Park wants to have consistent success moving the football.
Prediction: Denton Ryan 45-31
6A D2 - Katy (13-1) vs. Cedar Hill (12-1)
Saturday at 1 p.m.
Katy Key Players
RB #23 Seth Davis and #28 Jalen Davis
The dynamic brother duo has piled up over 3,000 yards rushing and 41 touchdowns this season has they have been the focal point of Katy’s high powered offense. Both running backs have big play ability and are going to get the ball at least 30+ times in this matchup.
CB #7 Hunter Washington and S #3 Bobby Taylor
Both are highly touted and rated defensive backs who will be a focal part in shutting down Cedar Hill’s offense. Washington signed with Florida State and has had a great senior season after a little bit of a let down junior year. Taylor on the other hand has been inconsistent at safety this season but has a ton of talent to get the job done.
Cedar Hill Key Players
QB #7 Kaidon Salter
Huge year for the Tennessee signee as he has completed 60% of his passes for 2,571 yards and 31 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He has also ran for 1,075 yards and 14 more touchdowns. Salter has led his team to a state title and now has a chance to prove he is one of the best quarterback sin the country against a stout Katy defense that held Baylor signee Kyron Drones to just 163 yards of total offense.
DB #28 Jalon Peoples
He will be counted on to hold up against Katy’s number one wide receiver Nicholas Anderson while also helping in the run game when the Katy running backs get loose on the outside or down the field. The Baylor offer needs to have a big day.
Prediction: Katy 38-34
6A D1 - Austin Westlake (13-0) vs. Southlake Carroll (12-1)
Saturday 7 p.m.
Austin Westlake Key Players
QB #6 Cade Klubnik
The four-star signal caller is a top priority in Baylor’s 2022 class. He has completed 66% of his passes for 3,274 yards and 34 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He has also ran for 493 yards and 13 touchdowns. You can bet Klubnik will be out to prove that he is the best quarterback in the state in this matchup.
WR #9 Jaden Greathouse
Every star quarterback would love to have a star receiver like Greathouse. The sophomore has tallied 1,050 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. The 6’2, 205-pound prospect earned a Baylor offer back in January as the Bears were his first offer.
LB #13 Nick Morris
STUD. I think is worth a Baylor offer but with no room at linebacker that isn’t going to happen unfortunately. The Duke signee has made the most of his one season at Austin Westlake as he has piled up 88 tackles, eight for loss, and 16 sacks. Don’t be surprised if he takes over this football game. This Westlkake defense has been out of this world this season and he has been a big reason why.
Southlake Carroll Key Players
QB #3 Quinn Ewers
The best player in the country according to ESPN has led the Dragons through a very tough side of the bracket to get tho this point. He continues to lead this offense to points points and more points. They have not scored under 30 points all season and have scored 42 or more points 10 times. On the flip side they are playing a team that has given up 72 points the whole season and no team has scored more than 21 points. Something has to give in this matchup and we will see if Ewers can find points like he has all year.
RB #2 Owen Allen
281 carries for 2,023 yards and 26 touchdowns….I feel like those numbers are the only thing you need to know about the sophomore running back who has been on an absolute tear this season.
Prediction: Austin Westlake 31-21