3rd round playoffs preview: Steele, Champion, Churchill, Somerset, Holy Cross in action

Cuero vs. Wimberley, Yoakum, Navarro also looking to move on in playoffs

(Images courtesy KSAT Digital Journalist Adrian Garcia.)

SAN ANTONIO – Eight San Antonio area teams are left in this year’s Texas high school football playoffs.

It’s been a wild first two rounds across South Texas, filled with comeback and overtime wins, heartbreak and controversial losses. (See Judson vs. Austin Westlake.)

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Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s area games. (All games Friday.)

Steele vs. Weslaco East, 6 p.m. at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi:

The Knights are the final team remaining from powerful District 27-6A. Steele outed a tough Brandeis squad in the first round and blanked Vandegrift in the second round.

The Knights have leaned on a talented defense and a strong run game led by quarterback Xavier Martin and running backs Brenden Brady and Travell Lumpkin. Martin has also been efficient throwing the ball. 

Weslaco East upset a very good Del Rio (10-1) team last week and beat Edinburg Vela in the first round.

Churchill vs. Laredo United South, 6 p.m. at Laredo SAC:

It’s been an amazing and emotional ride for the Chargers, who are playing in the third round for the first time in two decades. 

Churchill has played with heavy hearts after senior teammate Josh Pollard passed away in August.

Using a mix of big plays and great defense, the Chargers have won both playoff games; including last week’s win over Brennan; by a total of six points.

Churchill now travels to Laredo to take on a stout United South team that has an identical 10-2 record.

The road atmosphere will be tough, but this Churchill team has shown it can persevere in difficult times.

Champion vs. Corpus Christi Calallen, 2 p.m. at Farris Stadium:

The Chargers are one of two teams (Dripping Springs) to make it to the third round from the tough District 26-5A. 

Champion defeated Rosenberg Terry last week behind quarterback Davis Brin’s two rushing touchdowns and nearly 300 yards passing.  

Up next is the team that ended Champion’s season a year ago: Calallen. The Wildcats are a traditional state power and are 11-1 this season.

This is expected to be a great game with offensive fireworks and big plays. 

Somerset vs. Waco La Vega, 7:30 p.m. at Prairie View A&M:

The Somerset Bulldogs are in the third round of the playoffs for the first time in years, but it did not come easy.

Somerset won a thrilling overtime game last week against Taylor and now face defending state champion Waco La Vega.

The Bulldogs are a young team ahead of schedule. Junior quarterback Zadock Dinklemann is one of the best in the area, but Somerset will need to play its A-game and minimize mistakes if they want to take down the undefeated Pirates. 

Holy Cross vs. Austin Regents, 7 p.m. at Matador Stadium in Seguin:

The Holy Cross Knights face the only team to beat them this season in the TAPPS Division II semifinals: Austin Regents. 

The Knights beat a pair of Houston schools to reach the semifinal round. It is Holy Cross’s deepest playoff run since the mid-90s.

Regents is 12-0 this season and won its two playoff games by a combined score of 91-13.

This game, being played in Sequin, will have a state championship feel. The game between these two teams earlier this season was close, with Regents winning 31-20.

Cuero vs. Wimberley, 7:30 p.m. at Heroes Stadium:

This is a clash of 4A powers, as the unbeaten Gobblers take on the Texans at Heroes Stadium. 

Wimberley beat a good Sinton squad last week 21-14 and finished second in the district behind state ranked Navarro.

Cuero may be the most talented 4A team in the state. The Gobblers shut out Crystal City last week and easily beat Raymondville in the first round of the playoffs.

Cuero is 12-0 and has playmakers all over the field including highly recruited junior wideout Jordan Whittington and tight end Caeveon Patton. It should be a good game at Heroes.

Navarro vs. Wharton, 6 p.m. in Victoria:

The aforementioned Navarro Panthers are 12-0 this season and have shown no signs of slowing down.

The Panthers running back trio of Tanner Law, Jared Leal and Jake Wright have combined to rush for nearly 2,500 yards.

Navarro plays Wharton on Friday in Victoria after impressive wins over Poteet and Sweeny in the playoffs.

Wharton finished second in its district to Cuero, so the Tigers are battle tested. 

Yoakum vs. Goliad, 7:30 p.m. at Rutledge Stadium in Converse:

The Yoakum Bulldogs are in the third round after playoff wins over Lyford and Marion. Yoakum has won six straight after losing three straight mid-season.

The Bulldogs have arguably the most talented pair of offensive threats in Class 3A in the Moore twins, Joshua and Jordan.

The Moore twins are two of the most highly recruited players in the country and can take over a game at any moment.

Goliad enters this week’s matchup with playoff wins over Falfurrias and Edna.

Edna beat Yoakum earlier this year, so the Goliad Tigers should be confident headed into this matchup at Rutledge Stadium.


About the Author:

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.