The Cooldown- Week 16
The Cooldown- Week 16
State championship weekend is officially here! As always, DFW is well represented with as many as nine teams that could be considered as or claimed by the metroplex. If you feel like arguing that fact, hit up @ProfessorDiggs on Twitter (X). Lost in the argument of should or shouldn’t be considered DFW is that there are some great storylines and some even better teams competing for state titles this weekend, regardless of what region those schools are located in.
I should mention that Dave Campbell’s Texas Football does a fantastic job previewing all of the state championship games. For our game previews featuring teams outside of the DFW and Houston viewing areas, I used info from several of those previews. Those can be found on the DCTF website under the “State” tab. Check those out for even more info on the title games this year. Before we can preview the last weekend of the Texas high school football season, we need to cover how we got here. Let’s recap the state semifinals before one last preview of the football weekend to come in 2024.
North Crowley eliminates Duncanville
Over the last few seasons, North Crowley has been the definition of a program establishing a culture, buying in every day, and eventually seeing results. It’s really cool to go 14-1 and five rounds deep in the playoffs, but I’m sure it would have been easy for those at North Crowley last year to lose to Duncanville by 42 points to end the season and feel like the gap to being a championship caliber program was still a mile wide. The results this season have shown that the buy-in to the program hasn’t wavered and that North Crowley is the championship caliber program it set out to be, regardless of this weekend’s result. The Panthers have now beaten both of 2023’s 6A State Championships after a 36-34 win over Duncanville.
North Crowley quarterback Chris Jimerson Jr. completed 11 of his 17 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns. Jimerson also rushed eight times for 71 yards. Cornelius Warren led the way on the ground with 178 yards and a touchdown on 42 carries and chipped in two receptions for 45 yards and a score. Quentin Gibson led the Panthers receivers with five receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns and Cam Hunter caught a touchdown pass from 16 yards out for his lone reception of the night.
Duncanville quarterback Keelon Russell completed 18 of his 27 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns and added six carries for 66 yards and a score on the ground. JaQualon Armstrong led the way on the ground with 12 carries for 83 yards and two scores. Dakorien Moore led the Duncanville receivers with seven receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown while Ayson Theus chipped in five receptions for 85 yards and a score.
Duncanville’s season ended prematurely, albeit to a great team. At the end of the day, Keelon Russell, Dakorien Moore and so many other players from this team will be remembered as the group that brought glory back to Duncanville. There’s something to be said for that, and it should be celebrated in Duncanville. The Panthers have been arguably the most fun team to watch in Texas over the last few seasons. At the same time, North Crowley has been in that group as well, and now we get to see if North Crowley can finish it off with a state title. I, for one, can’t wait to see how the 6A D-I State Championship Game plays out, but more on that below.
Highland Park eliminates Denton Ryan
If, for some reason, you didn’t attend or follow along with the state semifinals on social media this weekend, here’s a quick recap. Three of the four state semifinals featuring DFW teams in 6A or 5A were absolute bangers. The one blowout belonged to South Oak Cliff, which advanced via a 37-3 win over Argyle. I will have a quick recap of that game in the 5A D-II State Championship Game preview below. Now, let’s get to recapping the other two bangers. Highland Park is going back to state for the first time since 2018 thanks to a 24-21 walk-off win over Denton Ryan. Spoiler alert, this game wasn’t the only walk-off field goal winner. With six seconds remaining, Sutton Stock split the uprights to clinch the game for the Scots. Denton Ryan got out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Highland Park defense settled in and it was enough to power Highland Park back to AT&T Stadium.
Highland Park quarterback Buck Randall completed 18 of his 36 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown. James Lancaster led the way on the ground with 48 yards and two scores on 18 carries. Cannon Bozman led the Scots receivers with eight receptions for 145 yards and a score while Charles Olmsted added three receptions for 29 yards.
Denton Ryan quarterback Quin Henigan completed 14 of his 25 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown. Nemo Warmate led the ground game with 93 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries while Tre’Vaughn Reynolds added 51 yards on nine attempts. Braeden Mussett led the receivers with six receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown.
It’s always tough to lose in the state semifinal, but it’s especially tough to lose on a walk-off field goal. If a few plays go differently, Denton Ryan might be preparing to play for a state title right now. Instead, it’s Highland Park with a shot at another state championship. Both teams were deserving, but Highland Park threw the last punch, this one in the form of a walk-off field goal.
Southlake Carroll eliminates Longview
The other state semifinal that included a walk-off field goal was Southlake Carroll’s 20-17 win over Longview. This one was a tad more controversial as a running into the kicker penalty was called to give the Dragons another shot at the game winning field goal. If you ask me, I think it was the right call as some angles looked like there was clear contact made with the kicker's leg. Sure enough, Gavin Strange knocked through a 36 yard field goal as time expired to clinch a spot in the 6A D-II State Championship Game for Southlake Carroll.
Southlake Carroll quarterback Angelo Renda completed 13 of his 21 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. Blake Gunter led the receivers with four receptions for 98 yards and a score. Brock Boyd caught five passes for 39 yards and Brody Knowles chipped in two receptions for 23 yards. Christian Glenn led the rushing attack with 127 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
Longview quarterback Johnny Hamilton completed six of his 15 passes for 140 yards and also added 13 yards and a score on five attempts on the ground. Kelvin Washington led the ground game with 146 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Da’Morrion Williams caught two passes for 75 yards to lead the Lobos receivers.
Southlake Carroll is competing in a state title game for the first time since it lost to Austin Westlake in the 2020 6A D-II State Championship Game. This time, the Dragons have had to do it without two talented running backs. USC signee Riley Wormley and Baylor commit Davis Penn are both out for the remainder of the season with injuries. Christian Glenn has stepped up nicely in their place and helped power Southlake Carroll back to Arlington. More on that below. Now, let’s preview the last weekend of the football season.
Games to Watch
6A D-I State Championship Game
North Crowley (15-0) vs Austin Westlake (14-1)
For just the second time since 2018 the 6A D-I State Championship Game will feature teams other than Duncanville and Galena Park North Shore. North Crowley eliminated Duncanville and Austin Westlake trounced North Shore 35-10. The Chaps defense has been particularly impressive this season, holding opponents to just 12 points-per-game. That includes holding Prosper to 14 points and Lake Travis to 17 points, in addition to the 10 points it just held North Shore to with a place in the state title game on the line.
North Crowley’s offense is unlike an offense Austin Westlake has faced so far, though. There isn’t a more dynamic duo than North Crowley QB Chris Jimerson Jr. and WR Quentin Gibson that Austin Westlake has faced this season. For me, this game comes down to how well Austin Westlake defends those two and RB Cornelius Warren. Slow that trio down and Austin Westlake has a chance. If the North Crowley offense gets rolling early, watch out. I think the Chaps defense will have a tough time defending North Crowley and that the Panthers come out on top.
6A D-II State Championship Game
Southlake Carroll (15-0) vs Austin Vandegrift (14-1)
Southlake Carroll hopes to clinch its ninth state title on Saturday afternoon in the 6A D-II State Championship Game against Austin Vandegrift. As mentioned above, Southlake Carroll walked off Longview 20-17. Austin Vandegrift eliminated Humble Summer Creek, the team that lost to DeSoto in the 6A D-II State Championship Game last year, 34-31 to advance. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football listed QB Miles Teodecki and WR Gavin Koester as players to watch for Vandegrift in this one. The Southlake Carroll secondary will need to do a good job of slowing those two down, but the offense has plenty of weapons to give the Vipers defense headaches. QB Angelo Renda and WR Brock Boyd have both had great seasons. Even though the Dragons are down two talented running backs, Christian Glenn has filled in nicely at the position. If you haven’t seen Southlake Carroll this season, tight end Jack VanDorselaer has played defensive end throughout the season and will need to get pressure on Teodecki.
Even without its two star running backs, Southlake Carroll has plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball to put up points. Receivers Brody Knowles and Blake Gunter will help out in the passing game. Glenn and Renda will combine for the majority of the carries, but I don’t imagine the Dragons have much depth beyond those two, so they will need to stay fresh and healthy throughout this game. I’m interested to see how Austin Vandegrift performs against this talented Southlake Carroll squad, but I think this could be a great game with a lot of points scored.
5A D-I State Championship Game
Highland Park (14-1) vs Smithson Valley (13-2)
Highland Park is appearing in its first state title game since 2018 when QB Chandler Morris led the Scots to their sixth state championship. Defense will be the name of the game in this one. Highland Park has allowed around 16 points-per-game while Smithson Valley has smothered its opponents to the tune of 11 points-per-game. Highland Park eliminated Denton Ryan 24-21 to advance while Smithson Valley took down Angleton 21-14. It’s the fourth trip to state for Smithson Valley, but the Rangers have never won a title.
Highland Park QB Buck Randall has a chance to win a state title in his first season as the starting QB for the Scots. He will need to play well if the Scots are to win this one, but that much is obvious. Smithson Valley will surely look to slow down WR Cannon Bozman as much as possible, so Randall may need to look elsewhere to make big plays. That doesn’t mean Bozman won’t have a big game as he has been the top target for Randall all season long. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football obviously lists Smithson Valley QB Cade Spradling as a player to watch, but Spradling also plays linebacker for the Rangers. I am interested to see how that situation plays out throughout this game. Another player to watch for Smithson Valley is defensive end Hudson Woods. The difference in this game may come down to which team can make a big play on offense at the right time. If that’s the case, I would like to have Randall and Bozman on my team.
5A D-II State Championship Game
South Oak Cliff (13-2) vs Richmond Randle (15-0)
After dominating 5A D-II throughout the 2010’s, Aledo moved on to 5A D-I. South Oak Cliff made sure to send the Bearcats out with a loss, and the Golden Bears have dominated 5A D-II ever since. Now making a fourth straight 5A D-II State Championship Game appearance, South Oak Cliff is looking for its third state title. South Oak Cliff already got its get back at Port Neches-Groves with a dominant 56-14 win, and now a new challenger awaits. Richmond Randle opened in 2022 and is continuing the theme of new schools in the Houston area to make it to a state title game within the first few seasons of opening.
Once again, defense could be the story in this one. South Oak Cliff has allowed 11 points-per-game this season, though three 6A teams inflated that number at the start of the season. Richmond Randle has allowed just a touchdown per game. South Oak Cliff has physically dominated the 5A D-II opponents it played throughout this year, including a 37-3 win over Argyle in the state semifinal. Richmond Randle beat Boerne 42-7 to advance. Offensively, South Oak Cliff QB Carter Kopecky makes plays in the passing game when it's needed. On the ground, Mikail Trotter and Levon Morton combine for the majority of the production. Jayden Shelton and Kamauryn Morgan lead the defense for SOC. As for Richmond Randle, RB Landen Williams-Callis is one of the best young running backs in the state. Keilan Sweeny also makes plays for the Randle offense, but Williams-Callis will be the focus of the Golden Bears defense. I honestly think this game could go either way. In that situation, give me the championship caliber squad that has been here before. I like South Oak Cliff to win its third state title in the last four years.
4A D-I State Championship Game
Celina (15-0) vs Kilgore (13-2)
It’s been a minute since Celina has been to the state title game, but the Bobcats are back. QB Bowe Bentley leads the offense through the air and on the ground and has help from several playmakers. RB Logan Gutierrez carries the load on the ground, along with Harrison Williams. Ethan Rucker and Colton Rodriguez lead the receiving corps. The three players Dave Campbell’s Texas Football singled out as difference makers for Kilgore include QB Kayson Brooks, DB Jakalen Sheffield and S Jayden Sanders.
Celina won a thriller last week over Canyon West Plains 43-36 while Kilgore advanced to the state title game with a 38-13 win over La Vernia. This game seems to be fairly evenly matched with playmakers all over the field on both teams. Of all the state title matchups this weekend, don’t sleep on this one. Even though it isn’t one of the two largest classifications, the 4A D-I State Championship Game could end up being one of the best games of the weekend.
Other DFW Teams Competing at State
There has been debate, as mentioned above, about if Gunter, Malakoff, Muenster and Gordon qualify as DFW teams. For Inside High School Sports purposes, all of those teams count except for maybe Gordon based on TV market coverage. Malakoff (15-0) takes on Columbus (14-1) in the 3A D-I State Championship Game. We’ll have social coverage of this one, as well as highlights on the show. QB Mike Jones won Offensive MVP of the state title game last year and he will need to have maybe the best game of his Malakoff career in order to beat a talented Columbus squad. Gunter (13-2) faces Woodville (13-2) in the 3A D-II State Championship Game. The Tigers have been a mainstay in Arlington over the last few years and have a chance to add a fifth state title to the trophy case this weekend. QB Preston Tarpley and RB Brock Boddie lead the way for an offense scoring nearly 44 points-per-game. I like Gunter in this one. Muenster (13-2) takes on Shiner (12-3) in the 2A D-II State Championship Game. QB Casen Carney and TE Garrett Hess are the playmakers on offense for the Hornets. A magical 2017 season ended in a state title for Muenster, but that is the Hornets first and only appearance, until now. I will take Muenster to win its second title on Wednesday night with a win over Shiner.
Offensive Player of the Week
My Offensive Player of the Week is North Crowley running back Cornelius Warren! North Crowley’s 36-34 win over Duncanville powered the Panthers to the 6A D-I state title game and was made possible in part by Warren’s performance. Warren finished with 42 carries for 178 yards and a touchdown and chipped in two receptions for 45 yards and a score. That is 44 total touches to help North Crowley’s high powered offense hang 36 points on the board against a quality defense. That’s not to mention that North Crowley needed every point it scored. The game essentially came down to a failed two-point conversion from Duncanville. Had North Crowley scored 35 or less, Duncanville could have kicked an extra point, and who knows what would have happened in a potential overtime period. QB Chris Jimerson Jr. and WR Quentin Gibson also deserve a big shoutout here. There is more on their performance above, but beating a team like Duncanville isn’t possible without those two, and the offensive line while we’re at it.
Defensive Player of the Week
My Defensive Player of the Week is North Crowley safety Aaron Bradshaw! As I just mentioned, North Crowley needed all of the 36 points it scored to beat Duncanville, as well as the failed two-point conversion Duncanville attempted to try to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Bradshaw broke up the pass attempt on that two-point conversion attempt and also picked off Duncanville quarterback Keelon Russell in the third quarter. That interception didn’t result in points for North Crowley, but it did keep Duncanville’s offense off the field. Making those two plays is what stepping up when it matters most looks like.