HS Playoffs move to Houston; Dallas Boycotts

Sam Ehlinger. (Will Gallagher/IT)

What if the UIL held State Championships and most of Dallas decided to not show up? I knew Houston was on a better talent cycle than Dallas, and that Cen-Tex was improving in that department by leaps and bounds, but that still doesn’t explain the absence of known DFW powers. Aledo, Cedar Hill, Allen — gone gone gone.

In the four big games of the weekend, including last night’s George Ranch thrashing of Mansfield Lake Ridge, DFW only has two representatives. Pretty surprising.

Celina also made it but never had a chance after its quarterback was injured on the game’s first drive.

Look at Cen-Texas, three teams sporting a 44-1 record, and the one loss, was Westlake losing to Lake Travis.

Here’s a list of scores thus far. Also check out the Inside Scoop: Ep. 1 and Ep. 2 – Texas recruiting awakens

Malik Navidad: Dec 19th (all games on FSSW)

12 noon: 5A D-II
Frisco Lone Star 14-1 v Cedar Park 15-0

Prospects of note:

FLS: DB Chris Miller, 2016 – SPARQ sensation committed to Baylor; QB Jason Shelley, 2017 – Bobby Reid-ish but more affective passer and smaller. He’ll likely be one of the guys you remember today. Holds SMU and Clemson offers.

CP: ATH Jack Grimm, 2016 – WR for the most part, they’ll move the big target around to get him the ball; OT Eli Duane, 2016 – you’ll notice him because of his height, we’d know more about him if he weighed more; ATH Javelin Guidry, 2017 – the star that stirs the drink, he’s one-part athlete, one-part real mf’n football player, he plays both ways, Texas is watching him; DB Elisha Guidry, 2018 – those Guidry’s have good genes, he’s a bit taller than his brother

4:00 PM: 6A D-I
Austin Westlake 14-1 v Galena Park North Shore 12-3

Prospects of note:

AW: WR Reed Klubnik, 2016 – one of a handful of Ehlinger’s reliable targets, also good size at 6-foot-3, could miss the game; DB Max Mangum, 2016 – Harvard bound, I bet he takes good angles; QB Sam Ehlinger, 2017 – nothing more needs to be said but get that W, Sam; LB Levi Jones – From the esteemed Robert Jones clan, very active, aggressive and twitchy, a take for nearly any school

NS: DB Eric Monroe, 2016 – we know all about the LSU commit, he’ll be tested today; ATH Maciah Long, 2016 – affective HS QB who will likely be a LB at KU (steal for them); DE K’Lavon Chaisson, 2017 – blur off the edge who earned All-State honors, highly rated, would be a Fox at UT; DB Kieston Roach, 2017 – if he’s half the athlete his brother Kerwin – Texas basketballer – is, he’s a great prospect.

8:00 PM: 6A D-II
Austin Lake Travis 15-0 v Katy 15-0

Prospects of note:

LT: DL Tevin Paul, 2016 – Cal commit will need the game of his life (he’ll surprise you today in at least one way); WR Maleek Barkley, 2017 – they like him split out wide or in the backfield; QB Charlie Brewer, 2017 – he’s an LT Brewer meaning he’s small and will beat you with guile

K: RB Kyle Porter, 2016 – Texas offer, not UT’s best option, imo, but will probably look goo tonight; DB Collin Wilder, 2016 – Houston commit who has been a known since he was a freshman; LB Paddy Fischer, 2016 – when Fitzgerald at Northwestern likes you, you can play; DB Travis Whillock – Katy’s other safety is joining Fischer in Chicago; DB/LB Jovanni Stewart, 2016 – active, active, active; DE Corey Bethley, 2017 – A big reason why Katy’s D is so dominant, its DL lives on the other side of the LOS, offers from Baylor, UofH, UW; DE Ryder Anderson, 2017 – Rodney’s 6-5 little brother looks the part from what I’ve seen

*Not hard to see why Katy’s pitched something like 10 shutouts this year (!).
**I’m sure I missed some prospects and @Jonathan Wells will be by to tell me about a move-in from Lower El Paso shortly

If Lake Travis somehow beats Katy (not happening) then there will be one true 6A champion. It’s very likely they win district over Westlake and Westlake wins state. Take a bow, 14-6A.

Predictions are simple, Cedar Park, Westlake, and Katy.

I’ll be at BWW in Rice Village ( 2525 Rice Blvd, Houston, TX 77005 ) from 1:00-3:00 before making the short drive over for the Westlake game.