Texas high school football playoffs: UIL 5A Division I preview, regional final predictions

Ranked Aledo looks to roll, Lancaster's cinderella run continues and more from fourth round

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, 5A and 4A, starting with 6A Division I, then 6A Division II. Now? We move to the second 6A bracket.

Here is an inside look at every Class 5A Division I bracket:

ALEDO (13-0) VS. ABILENE (11-2)

Photo by Brian McLean

7 p.m., Friday, Memorial Stadium, Stephenville

Aledo is the defending champion and owns the UIL record for most state championships. The No. 1-ranked team in the final regular season poll is a favorite to bring another title back to Parker County. The Bearcats have won 27 in a row. The Eagles secured their first 11-win season since 2016 and have won their past 9 games.

ALEDO'S ROAD

Def. Killeen Shoemaker, 27-6 in bi-district; def. Lubbock Cooper, 48-31 in area game; def. Red Oak, 59-35 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Raycine Guillory, WR/RB, so.

He’s a weapon either running or catching. He has 1,171 yards and 17 TDs rushing and 4 TDs on 10 catches.

Hauss Hejny, QB, sr. 

The TCU pledge has thrown for 2,279 yards with 23 touchdowns but often didn’t play full games most of the season.

Carson Dempsey, DE, so.

He shares the team lead with 4 sacks and has added 10 QB hurries.

ABILENE'S ROAD

Def. El Paso Hanks, 84-14 in bi-district; def. Denton Ryan, 31-21 in area; def. Justin Northwest, 27-16 in region semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Brayden Henry, RB, so.

The 5-foot-9 athlete is tops for the team in rushing yards (680) and also had 149 yards receiving with 11 total touchdowns 

Dylan Slack, QB, sr. 

He should surpass 2,000 yards this season in this game. He has 1,922 yards this fall and averages 174 yards per game

Bryce Neves, LB, sr.

He's a ballhawk with 5 INTs and 4 fumble recoveries while leading the team with 127 tackles.

SCORE PREDICTION: Aledo, 47-14

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LANCASTER (8-5) VS. FORNEY (12-1)

2022 file photo / File photo by Brian McLean

7 p.m., Friday, Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium, Rockwall

A rematch of a 7-5A district matchup earlier but probably not the one many expected. The two face off again following a 21-20 win by Forney on Oct. 13. Lancaster, once 2-5 this year, won its sixth in a row and upset previously No. 2-ranked Longview in the regional semifinal. This is the Tigers’ first regional finals since falling to Frisco Lone Star in 2019. For Forney, it hasn’t been this far since 2002. The Jackrabbits, ranked No. 8 in the final regular season poll, have only lost to Longview. 

LANCASTER'S ROAD

Def. La Porte, 27-13 in bi-district; def. Frisco Wakeland, 35-19 in area game; def. Longview, 27-24 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Tobias Steppes, OT, sr.

The TCU pledge blocks for an offense that has run for more than 2,000 yards and passed for more than 1,600 yards.

Corian Gipson, CB, sr.

The Clemson pledge is part of a defense that is yielding 15 points per game during the winning streak.

Kewan Lacy, RB, sr.

The uncommitted running back — who has 1,449 yards and 19 touchdowns — holds 37 offers.

FORNEY'S ROAD 

Def. La Porte, 27-13 in bi-district; def. Frisco Wakeland, 35-19 in area game; def. Longview, 27-24 in regional semifinal.

THREE TO SEE

Kelvion Riggins, LB, jr.

The composite 4-star recruit holds 38 offers. He has 82 tackles and 5 sacks.

Javian Osborne, RB, so.

He surpassed the 2,000-yard mark last week (2,054) and has 34 touchdowns.

Aaron Flowers, DB, sr. 

The Oregon pledge has 73 tackles, 6 INTs and 4 pass breakups. 

SCORE PREDICTION: Forney, 42-28

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SMITHSON VALLEY (12-1) VS. A&M CONSOLIDATED (10-3)

Smithson Valley huddles during the 2022 UIL state playoffs.  / Photo by Dustin Nguyen

7 p.m., Friday, Gupton Stadium, Cedar Park 

Smithson Valley was No. 4 in the final regular season poll and is the second-highest-ranked team still alive. The Rangers have won 12 in a row heading into this game and avenged a loss to College Station after losing in the same round last year. A&M started 2-2 but have won eight of nine — including beating No. 3 Fulshear.

SMITHSON VALLEY'S ROAD

Def. Georgetown, 41-25 in bi-district; def. Magnolia West, 20-17 in area game; def. College Station, 26-21 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Brad Sowersby, RB, jr.

He ran for 118 yards and a pair of scores last week.

Freddie Dubose, WR, sr. 

The 4-star recruit has committed to Texas. 

Jaxson Maynard, DE, sr. 

The defensive standout returned from injury on Nov. 11 and holds numerous D-I and D-II offers. 

A&M CONSOLIDATED'S ROAD

Def. San Antonio Wagner, 45-17 in bi-district; def. Fulshear, 31-19 in area; def. Cedar Park, 44-20 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Will Hargett, QB, jr.

Both his dad and grandfather played quarterback at Texas A&M.

Payton Bjork, WR, sr.

Has the team-high in yards (571) and touchdowns (10).

Trace Meadows, DB, sr.

The team's leading tackler with 50 stops decommitted from Utah Tech on Nov. 25. 

SCORE PREDICTION: Smithson Valley, 27-14

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VETERANS MEMORIAL (11-2) VS. CORPUS CHRISTI MILLER (13-0)

CC Miller file photo from 2022 UIL football playoffs / Photo by Blake Purcell

7 p.m., Friday, Sams Stadium, Brownville

Veterans Memorial enters on a 9-game winning streak and knocked off No. 7-ranked PSJA North last week. The 11 wins are the most for the school that opened in 2010. Miller posted its first undefeated regular season since 2019. It's the most wins for the school in at least 20 years. The teams last met in 2011, a 17-3 win for Veterans Memorial.

VETERANS MEMORIAL'S ROAD

Def. McAllen 55-21 in bi-districts; Def. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial 17-7 in area round; Def. Pharr San Juan Alamo North 45-28 in regional semifinals.

THREE TO SEE

Alvin Trevillon, RB, jr. 

Leads the rushing attack with 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns, which is second on the team. 

Gerry Gomez, WR, sr. 

The Chargers don't pass often, but he is the main target when they do with 20 catches for 568 yards and 4 TDs. 

Gilbert Trillo, RB, sr.

Of his 14 catches, 9 have been for scores; also leads the team in rushing scores with 12 on 66 totes.

CORPUS CHRISTI MILLER'S ROAD

Def. Laredo Martin, 77-0 in bi-district; def. Edinburg Vela, 49-28 in area game; def. Victoria West, 51-48 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Delson Cavaness, LB, jr.

He's one of four Bucs with more than 100 tackles, leading the team with 144.

Jonah Stafford, DB, jr. 

The junior has four interceptions, one forced fumble, 76 tackles, 8 TFL.

Trevor Long, QB, jr.

He broke the single-season touchdown passing record of 47 two weeks ago and now has 56.

SCORE PREDICTION: Miller, 42-28

-- Cody Thorn | @sblivetx