Texas high school football playoffs: 4A Division I preview, regional final predictions

Chapel Hill, Calhoun look to avenge 2022 regional final losses; Davenport seeks first state semifinal appearance in program history

The regional final round of the Texas high school playoffs kicks off on Thursday and games continue across all UIL brackets across the Lone Star State Friday and Saturday.

The regional finals are Thursday through Saturday, followed by the state semifinals Dec. 7-9, which sets up championship week (Dec. 13-16) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

SBLive is previewing each bracket in Class 6A, Class 5A and 4A We started 6A Division I and Division II, then 5A Division I and Division II. Now? We move to Class 4A.

Here is an inside look at every UIL Class 4A Division I matchup:

DECATUR (9-4) VS. BROWNWOOD (12-1)

Brownwood comes into the 2023 regional finals winning their first three games by convincing margins and are looking to win the eighth state championship in school history.

Led by senior quarterback Ike Hall, the Lions wrapped up a district 2-4A championship in the regular season and have allowed just 69 points to the opposition in the last five games. 

Decatur enters the regional final contest with a prolific offense that creates fits for opposing defenses. Despite starting the season 0-3,  the Eagles wrapped an undefeated district season and have reeled off an eight game win streak. 

The big question is can the Eagles offense solve the Lions' suffocating defense? Will the Lions be able to create turnovers against the Eagles' offense?

BROWNWOOD'S ROAD:  Def. San Elizario 56-0 in the bi-district round, Def. Randall 37-10 in the area round, Def. Springtown 37-17 in the regional semifinals.

THREE TO SEE:

Ike Hall, quarterback, 2024

The senior quarterback has led the Lions to their first regional final appearance since 2016. 

Stevie Ramirez, linebacker, 2024

The outside edge rusher is the unprecedented leader of the the Lion defense that allows just 14.9 points per game. He has recorded 138 tackles and four sacks. 

Sam Kallman, linebacker, 2024

Kallman is the leader in the middle of the defense racking up 137 tackles, six sacks for the championship worthy defense. 

DECATUR'S ROAD: Def. Dumas 45-14 in the bi-district round, Def. Andrews 56-14 in the area round, Def. Estacado 52-21 in the regional semifinals. 

THREE TO SEE:

Nate Palmer, running back, 2024

The explosive feature back can hit the home run on any play as he racked up 200 yards rushing in last week's semifinal win.

Landon Felts, wide receiver, 2024

Felts is the top Eagles' target in the passing game hauling in 47 receptions for 547 yards and three touchdowns. 

Antwan Gilbreath, defensive back, 2025

The senior defensive leader helped secure the win last week with an interception return for a touchdown.

SCORE PREDICTION: Brownwood, 31-21

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ANNA (12-1) VS. STEPHENVILLE (11-2)

Both teams were district champions and come into this regional final with a ton of confidence. 

Stephenville has a young core in the 2025 class and two future stars on the defensive side of the ball in the class of 2026 and they have shown that they can win a closely contested matchup or win big; they have answered to adversity this season.

The Anna Coyotes knocked off back-to-back defending state champions, China Spring, in the area round and looking to win their program's first state championship. 

Anna is well balanced offensively and defensively and has also won by two scores or won narrowly this season.

STEPHENVILLE'S ROAD

Def. Western-Hills 47-12 in the bi-district round, Def. Carter 20-10 in the area round, Def. Celina 7-3 in the regional semifinals. 

THREE TO SEE:

Tristian Gentry, wide receiver, 2025

Gentry has given Stephenville  a reliable weapon in the passing game this season hauling in 15 touchdown receptions.

Hudson Butchee, linebacker, 2026

The sophomore linebacker has announced his presence for the Eagle defense averaging nearly 13 tackles per game.

Ryan Gafford, quarterback, 2025

The junior signal caller has been a steady hand under center for the Yellowjackets all season propelling them to another deep playoff run,

ANNA'S ROAD

Def. Wilmer-Hutchins 17-0 in the bi-district round, Def. China Spring 45-21 in the area round, Def. Frisco Panther Creek 42-38 in the regional semifinals.

THREE TO SEE:

C.J. Miller, linebacker, 2024

Miller is the senior leader in the middle of the defense as the leading tackler for the Coyotes at nearly 13 tackles per game. 

Jamison Adams, safety, 2024

Adams is a star in the Coyote defensive backfield leading the team in interceptions with six on the season.

Ziondre Williams, quarterback, 2026

In his first year as starting quarterback, Williams has had an impressive year under center for Anna throwing 33 touchdown passes and has added seven more with his legs.

SCORE PREDICTION: Anna, 38-31

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TYLER CHAPEL HILL (11-2) VS. KILGORE (12-1)

These two teams just played each other in the regular season finale as the Bulldogs won the district championship, 39-16.

Chapel Hill certainly would love to be able to avenge that loss as they are looking to get back to their second straight state semifinal appearance. 

Will the Kilgore defense be able to stand up against the Chapel Hill rushing offense?

KILGORE'S ROAD 

Def. Livingston 49-8 in the bi-district round, Def. Bay City 37-28 in the area round, Def. Needville 35-14 in the regional semifinals. 

THREE TO SEE:

Zaylon Stoker, defensive back, 2024

The University of Lamar commit is a playmaker in the defensive backfield for the Bulldogs.

Braydon Nelson, offensive lineman, 2024

Nelson is the leader on the offensive line and has been impressive helping the Bulldogs average nearly 40 points per game in the playoffs. 

Derrick Williams, quarterback, 2024

The dual-threat QB for the Bulldogs has been explosive all year leading Kilgore to a district championship as they seek their second state championship in program history.

CHAPEL HILL'S ROAD

Def. Little Cypress Mauricville 35-7 in the bi-district round, Def. El Campo 54-18 in the area round, Def. Iowa Colony 45-21 in the regional semifinals.

FOUR TO SEE

Demetrius Brisbon, quarterback, 2024

Brisbon is a dual-threat leader of the high-octane offense that likes to play fast combining for 30 total touchdowns.

Rickey Stewart, running back, 2024

The senior workhorse back has been nothing but impressive leading the charge with 2,347 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns this season. 

Da'Veon Ross, linebacker, 2024

Ross is a menace all over the field racking up 143 tackles on the season averaging 11 per game

Trevor Brooks, defensive end, 2025

Brooks has spent a lot of time in the opposition's offensive backfield with 11 sacks this season.

SCORE PREDICTION: Chapel Hill, 35-32

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CALHOUN (9-4) VS. DAVENPORT (10-3)

Davenport is in the regional finals for the first time in program history with a senior laden squad flying  under the radar all season. 

The Wolves are a balanced team with offensive firepower and a stout defense and Calhoun with their run game always presents matchup problems in the slot-T offense.  

The Sandcrabs made an historic run last year to the regional finals with a 5-8 record, and they have continued that momentum winning nine games this year. 

Both teams are experienced and looking for the first state championship in program history.

DAVENPORT'S ROAD

Def. Fredericksburg 62-14 in the bi-district round, Def. Beeville-Jones 63-23 in the area round, Def. La Vernia 45-31in the regional semifinals.

THREE TO SEE:

Zahir Livingston, linebacker, 2024

Livingston has led the defense all season as one of the best playmakers in the area averaging nearly 12 tackle per game, and six sacks on the year.

Triston Hamlin, quarterback, 2024

The southpaw QB has been nothing but spectacular for the district champions Wolves throwing for 3,500 yards and 41 touchdown passes.

Barrett Fallon, running back, 2026

Fallon has burst onto the scene as a top prospect in the 2026 class rushing for more than 1,700 yards and 25 touchdowns.

CALHOUN'S ROAD

Def. Zapata 62-36 in the bi-district round, Def. Burnet 42-14 in the area round, Def. Alice 27-14 in the regional semifinals.

THREE TO SEE

Darrik Salinas, running back, 2025

Salinas needs just 34 yards rushing to reach 1,000 this season being the Sandcrabs home run hitter. 

Jayce Campos, running back, 2024

The senior back is the leader in a run-first offense with 1,483 yards rushing this season. 

Coltyn Judd, linebacker, 2025

Judd burst onto the scene and became the leader of the defense racking up 119 tackles and two interceptions on the season.

SCORE PREDICTION: Davenport, 48-31

-- Ryan Childers | andy@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx