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

Carthage, Wimberley on collision course for a UIL state championship rematch

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. We took a look at Division I. Now?

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

WEST PLAINS (12-1) VS. GLEN ROSE (9-4)

The region 1 final pins two district champions against one another who have had similar paths to get this far. Both teams are looking for the first stat championship in school history.

West Plains seems to have the advantage with experience, however Glen Rose has a strong class of 2025 that lead the way on both sides of the ball.  

Both offenses are prolific and both defenses are stingy - something has to give in this one. 

GLENROSE'S ROAD

Def. Greenwood 52-7 in the bi-district round, Def. Perryton 70-13 in the area round, Def. Seminole 48-34 in the regional semifinals.

THREE TO SEE

Canyon Evans, quarterback, 2025

The junior quarterback is the leader in a high octane offense - Evans tossed five touchdown passes for nearly 300 yards in their regional semifinal win.

Josiah Groeneweg, wide receiver, 2025

Groeneweg is the top target for the Glen Rose QB with 21 touchdown receptions and averages 106 yareds per game.

Kelyton Raymond, defensive tackle, 2025

The junior defensive tackle has spent a lot of time in the opposing offense's backfield racking up 11.5 sacks this  year.

Adrian Sanchez, defensive back/wide receiver, 2025

The two-way star for Glen Rose has six interceptions and seven receiving touchdowns.

WEST PLAIN'S ROAD

Def. Clint 41-14 in the bi-district round, Def. Graham 35-17 in the area round, Def. Monahans 42-21 in the regional semi finals.

THREE TO SEE

Jordi Herndanez, ATH, 2024

The do-it-all playmaker for the Wolves will certainly have an impact in West Plains advancing to round four as he has 30 total touchdowns on the year.

Reid Macon, quarterback, 2026

The sophomore QB has led the Wolves to a 12-1 overall record in his first year starting and  has tossed 35 touchdown passes. 

Crockett Henry, linebacker, 2024

Henry is a two-way star for the Wolves leading the team in tackles at 102 and has also recorded four sacks on the year.

SCORE PREDICTION: West Plains, 41-28

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GILMER (10-2) VS. CARTHAGE (13-0)

As defending state champions, the Bulldogs have the target on their back and are sure receive Gilmer's best shot this week. 

The Buckeyes have a prolific rushing attack and it will take their best effort rushing and in the trenches to defeat the Bulldogs who are seeking state championship no. 10 in program history. 

Gilmer looks to put a halt on Carthage's 29 game win streak with their dynamic rushing attack. 

Can the sophomore backfield for Carthage propel them to another state semifinals?

GILMER'S ROAD

Def. Center 69-42 in the bi-district round, Def. Sunnyvale 41-38 in the area round, Def. Aubrey 34-21 in the regional semifinals. 

THREE TO SEE

Will Henderson, running back, 2024

The senior running back has been terrific all season with 2,135 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns;  he is the true workhorse back.

Ta'Erick Tate, wide receiver, 2024

Tate is the Buckeyes' top target with over 1,000 yards receiving, 51 catches, and 12 total touchdowns. He is a big play waiting to happen averaging nearly 20 yds per reception

Kamryn Brown, defensive end, 2024

The Buckeyes edge rusher leads the team in tackles and sacks ; 110 and 10.5 respectively.

CARTHAGE'S ROAD

Def. Liberty-Eylau 42-0 in the bi-district round, Def. Van Alstyne 49-7 in the area round, Def. Pleasant Grove 34-31 in the regional semifinals.

THREE TO SEE:

Bradan Manning, wide receiver, 2024

Manning is a home run waiting to happen in the Bulldog passing game with 10 touchdown receptions in nine games played.

Jett Surratt, quarterback, 2026

The sophomore QB has solidified himself as one of the best in the Lone Star State in his sophomore campaign throwing for 2,829 yards and 31 touchdowns.

KJ Edwards, running back, 2026

Edwards has game-breaking speed in the Bulldog's backfield averaging 10 yards per touch and has burst for 18 touchdowns on the year in 10 games played. 

SCORE PREDICTION: Carthage, 52-27

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BELLVILLE (13-0) VS. JASPER (9-4)

The undefeated Bellville Brahmas look to be a heavy favorite in this region three final with their explosive rushing attack that has three players over 1,000 yards this season. 

However, Jasper has shown fight and battled adversity in close games all season as that always seems to play a role in December football games in Texas High School football playoffs. 

Each team is looking for the first state championship in program history.

JASPER'S ROAD

Def. Columbia 35-12 in the bi-district round, Def. Waco-Connally 50-7 in the area round, Def. Cuero 28-7 in the regional semifinals. 

THREE TO SEE

Zykeelan Hadnot, running back, 2024

The senior lead back has 15 touchdowns on the year rushing for 1,182 yards. 

Andre'von Thomas, cornerback, 2024

Thomas has a nose for the ball on defense as he has seven interceptions on the season. 

Isaiah Coleman, quarterback, 2025

The junior QB has accounted for 30 touchdowns for the Bulldogs this season - 28 passing, two rushing.

BELLVILLE'S ROAD

Def. West Orange Stark 49-7 in the bi-district round, Def. Madisonville 67-0 in the area round, Def. Silsbee 61-7 in the regional semifinals.

THREE TO SEE

DD Murray, running back, 2025

The junior slot-T back is the home run hitter for Bellville with 32 touchdowns this season.

Sam Hranicky, running back, 2024

In the vaunted slot-T offense, Hranicky is the second explosive, hard-nosed runner as he averages 128  yards per game and found the endzone 22 times this season. 

Cory Richardson, defensive tackle, 2024

Richardson has wreaked havoc all season with 24 QB hurries and has 9.5 sacks on the year. 

SCORE PREDICTION: Bellville, 49-21

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WIMBERLEY (13-0) VS. SINTON (10-2)

After finishing as state runner-ups a year ago, Wimberley has been determined to avenge that loss in Arlington all season looking to get stronger every week. The Texans feature a balanced attack offensively scoring 681 points this season and allowing just 151 to the opposition.  

Sinton has been able to overcome a 1-2 start to the season with nine straight wins and a district championship. Forcing turnovers and playing stout defense has helped Sinton turn the season around forcing 32 turnovers. 

Will the Pirates offense be able to score enough points to keep pace with the prolific Wimberley offense? 

SINTON'S ROAD

Def. Bishop 34-7 in the bi-district round, Def. Lago Vista 45-35 in the area round, Def. Navarro 50-14 in the regional semifinals.

THREE TO SEE:

Rob Thomas, defensive back, 2024

The senior has snagged seven interceptions this season to help the Pirates bounce back from a slow start. 

Triston Handson, quarterback, 2025

The dual-threat QB  has accounted for 37 total touchdowns and nearly 2,400 total yards.

Jacoby James, wide receiver, 2025

James is Handson's favorite target in the passing game and is one of the best deep threat receivers in South Texas with 15 total touchdowns. 

WIMBERLEY'S ROAD

Def. Pearsall 68-0 in the bi-district round, Def. Orange Grove 49-7 in the area round, Def. Ingleside 63-14 in the regional semifinals.

THREE TO SEE

Cody Stoever, quarterback, 2025

The junior dual-threat is Mr, Do-It-All for the Texans offense  accounting for 63 total touchdowns on the year.

Noah Birdsong, wide receiver, 2024

In his final season, Birdsong is the Texans' leading receiver with 53 receptions, 841 yards, and 12 touchdowns. 

Nolan Waida, wide receiver, 2025

The junior wideout leads Wimberley in yards per reception at nearly 22 yards per catch and has 13 touchdowns on the year. 

SCORE PREDICTION: Wimberley, 49-28

-- Ryan Childers | @sblivetx

Lead photo by Robbie Rakestraw.