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December 07, 2023

Braggin' Rights: Will we see some Houston-Dallas clashes at state football?

Plus: See the winners of our Athlete of the Week polls  ͏  ͏  ͏
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December 7, 2023

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Braggin' Rights: Will we see some Houston-Dallas clashes at state football?

Most football coaches refuse to look past the next game on the schedule. And that's perfectly acceptable.

But that doesn't stop us spectators from imagining what could be next week at AT&T Stadium where the UIL football state championships start on Wednesday.

A Houston-Dallas matchup is always something of major interest, even to the casual Texas high school football fan.

In Class 6A, we've been treated to five straight years of H-Town and Metroplex clashes. Houston is 4-1 in those games, but Dallas prevailed a year ago when Duncanville beat North Shore in the Division I final.

Depending on how things play out Saturday in the state semifinals, we could be looking at multiple Houston-Dallas games. And interestingly enough, just two district would be represented.

North Shore (Division I) and Summer Creek (Division II) both represent District 21 while Duncanville (Division I) and DeSoto (Division II) are from District 11. For those wondering, North Shore (14-0) defeated Summer Creek (13-1) on Oct. 5, 31-21, while DeSoto (14-0) beat Duncanville (12-1) on Oct. 28, 49-35. Duncanville and DeSoto both won state titles last year.

We broke down the four state semifinal games (with predictions!) that could result in a Houston-Dallas championship games.

For those looking to catch some high school football closer to home, there are several state semifinal games in the Houston area starting tonight.

Three things to watch

Brahma Drama: It's been over a decade since the Bellville Brahmas have reached this point — the state semifinals. Bellville (14-0) has proven to have the best of both worlds all season. An offense that can pile up yardage and points, and a defense that doesn't allow much of anything. The Brahmas take on Wimberly (14-0) Friday night in a Class 4A Division II battle of unbeatens. Bellville hasn't been to state since 1977 and are tasked at preventing the Texans from returning for the second consecutive year.

Bear Essentials: The No. 9 Montgomery Bears girls basketball team begins District 19-5A play Friday night at Bryan Rudder. Montgomery (14-2) is trending towards its third consecutive 20-win season. A solid run in a challenging district would net the Bears a playoff spot for a third straight year, something that hasn't happened since 2012-14. A big reason for Montgomery's ascension the past three seasons is the production of senior Savannah Piro and junior Janessa Tennison, who both recently reached 1,000 career points. In the same game.

First-rate Bates: Seven Lakes basketball standout Anthony Bates Jr. — with guidance at a young age from his father  — was taught to be a pass-first guard. Bates is that team-first guy. So it's ironic that the Louisiana Tech commit recently became the Spartans' all-time leading scorer. The senior is at 1,700 points and counting as he is averaging 23 points per game on 56 percent shooting. No. 11 Seven Lakes has already started District 19-6A play and hosts Morton Ranch Friday night.

Note to coaches: Submit scores and stats on game nights by emailing hssports@houstonchronicle.com.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Photo of Rob Tate

Rob Tate, Deputy High School Sports Coordinator

rtate@houstonchronicle.com


Top stories

North Shore quarterback Kaleb Bailey (9) fakes a handoff to running back D'andre Hardeman Jr. (28) during the first half of the Region III-6A Division II championship at Pasadena Veterans Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Pasadena.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Here are the state semifinal football games to watch this week with staff predictions.

Check out our predictions as we break down the UIL state semifinal games this week. 

North Shore defensive back Khamani Hudson (22) celebrates alongside free safety Paul Porter (17) and cornerback Lavonte Johnson (5) after intercepting a pass intended for Atascocita wide receiver Jelani Watkins during the second half of the Region III-6A Division II championship at Pasadena Veterans Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Pasadena.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Here is the schedule of UIL state semifinal games across Texas.

Check out this week's schedule for the fifth round of the high school football playoffs.

Fourth-quarter spurt separates Shadow Creek from Houston Christian in non-district win.

Photo by: Staff Illustration

Fourth-quarter spurt separates Shadow Creek from Houston Christian in non-district win.

Shadow Creek used a big fourth-quarter run to pull away from Houston Christian in a non-district game.

Hightower basketball coach Jasmine Brewer reacts in the first half of a high school girls basketball game against Fulshear Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023 at Hightower High School.

Photo by: Kirk Sides, Staff Photographer

Hightower girls top Fulshear in what could be future district matchup.

Jasmine Brewer says she'll fulfill the promise she made her Hurricanes if they ever draw three charges, which they did in a six-point victory. 

Cy-Fair senior outside hitter Kenna Webb, right, gets some one-on-one instruction from Asst. Coach Lyndsay Hodges during a timeout against Stratford in the second set of their district matchup at Cy-Fair High School on Oct. 4, 2022.

Photo by: Jerry Baker/Contributor

Lyndsay Hodges, who led Clear Falls to state twice, named Cy-Fair head coach.

Lyndsay Hodges, who led Clear Falls to state tournament appearances in 2013 and 2014, will replace replacing longtime coach Donna Benotti, who is retiring after 24 years.


Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to Jersey Village basketball player Jayla Lewis, who was voted the Girls Athlete of the Week. Lewis averaged 29 points in four games as Jersey Village won the Memorial Holiday Showdown. Lewis is averaging 25 points per game this season for the 12-7 Falcons.

Congratulations to Summer Creek football player Kordell Rogers, who was voted the Boys Athlete of the Week. Rodgers made several key catches during the Bulldogs' regional championship win over Hightower and finished with 94 yards and a touchdown on seven grabs.

Check out Monday's newsletter for a new set of polls.


Shout out

All-Greater Houston Cross Country

Pearland senior Maddie Peters capped her decorated high school cross country career with a third-place finish in the UIL Class 6A state championship. Peters is our choice Girls Runner of the Year.

Bridgeland junior Ben Montgomery improved by over a minute at this year's UIL Class 6A state championship for a bronze-medal finish, the best individual performance in Bears history in Round Rock. Montgomery is our choice for Boys Runner of the Year.


Stat of the day

22: The number of points Langham Creek's Heather Baymon has reached in eight straight games. Baymon scored 24 points on Tuesday against Kempner. The senior Texas State commit was selected District 16-6A Offensive MVP last year.

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