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

Lovejoy meets defending champ South Oak Cliff in fourth round of postseason

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

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

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

COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE (12-1) VS. FRISCO EMERSON (11-2)

Photo by Cody Thorn

7 p.m., Friday, Ford Center, Frisco

In his first year at the helm, Jerry Edwards — formerly at Killeen Harker Heights — has guided Colleyville Heritage to a regional final berth. Colleyville Heritage beat No. 7 Argyle last week. Emerson, a second-year program, is quickly establishing themselves as one of the best Frisco schools. 

COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE'S ROAD

Def. Denton, 71-13 in bi-district; def. Abilene Cooper, 55-21 in area; def. Arygle, 38-34 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Luke Ullrich, QB, sr.

He picked up an offer from North Texas this week. Has thrown for 2,674 yards and 36 touchdowns and ran for 860 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Ryan Kehler, RB, Sr.

He’s the feature back for the Panthers and averaged 5.6 yards per carry.

Braden Blueitt, WR, jr.

Should surpass the 1,000-yard mark this week. Enters with 66 catches, 985 yards and 20 touchdowns.

EMERSON'S ROAD 

Def. Grapevine, 34-24 in bi-district; def. El Paso Canutillo, 44-0 in area; def. Wichita Falls Rider, 55-42 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Michael Hawkins Jr., QB, sr.

The Oklahoma pledge has 37 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns.

Kylen Evans, WR, sr.

The Texas State pledge has scored 14 times and had 780 yards of receiving. 

Maliek Hawkins, DB, jr.

The little brother of Michael has 5 offers, including Texas and Oklahoma 

SCORE PREDICTION: Emerson, 45-42

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LUCAS LOVEJOY (12-1) vs. DALLAS SOUTH OAK CLIFF (11-2)

3:30 p.m., Saturday, Choctaw Stadium, Arlington

The winner here could be in the driver's seat for the state title. In the last AP/Dave Campbell poll, South Oak Cliff was No. 4 and Lovejoy was No. 5. They both have beaten Melissa, which was No. 1 most of the season. South Oak Cliff is going for a 3-peat title. Lovejoy's only loss came to North Crowley, while South Oak Cliff lost to Duncanville and DeSoto — a trio of regional finalists in Class 6A.

LUCAS LOVEJOY'S ROAD

Def. Longview Pine Tree, 34-6 in bi-district; def. Ennis, 41-7 in area; def. Texarkana Texas High, 43-21 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Payton Pierce, LB, sr.

While he has 10 touchdowns on offense, he’s going to play defense at Ohio State.

Daylan McCutcheon, WR, jr.

The 4-star recruit has 1,353 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns.

Dante Dean, RB, sr.

He’s run for more than 300 yards combined in the 3 playoff wins

SOUTH OAK CLIFF'S ROAD: def. Everman, 42-19 in bi-district; def. Melissa, 38-30 in area; def. Midlothian Heritage, 42-31 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Brandon Jones, LB, sr.

The Louisiana-Monroe pledge — after flipping from North Texas on Halloween — was the only returning starter on defense this year; has 70 tackles, 11 TFL, 3 sacks.

Danny Green, RB, sr.

He’s part of a 1-2 attack in the backfield. Enters with 942 yards, 16 TDs.

Khalil Ewell, RB, sr.

He’s leading the team with 1,178 yards and second in TDs with 15 behind Green.

SCORE PREDICTION: South Oak Cliff 31-24

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HUNTSVILLE (7-5) VS. PORT NECHES-GROVES (12-1)

Port Neches Groves huddles at the 2022 state championship / Photo by Tommy Hays

7 p.m., Friday, NRG Stadium, Houston

Port Neches-Groves made the finals last year but lost to South Oak Cliff. Now, they are the highest-ranked team left in the final regular season poll checking at No. 3 after beating No. 1 Montgomery Lake Creek last week. Huntsville was 1-3 after the first month of the season but has been winning close games to stay alive. Two of the three postseason wins were by 3 points or less.

HUNTSVILLE'S ROAD: def. Texas City, 10-7 in bi-district; def. Austin LBJ, 54-28 in area; def. Richmond Randle, 14-13 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Austin Taylor, QB, jr.

He’s an effective game manager and has come up big in the postseason.

TraeShawn Brown, RB, so.

He had the game-winning touchdown last week and is the team’s leading rusher.

Isaiah Collins, CB, sr.

The 6-foot-3, 3-star prospect committed to Texas Tech in July.

PORT NECHES-GROVES' ROAD: def. Brenham, 37-7 in bi-district; def. Leander Rouse, 51-14 in area; def. Montgomery Lake Creek, 30-27 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Connor Bailey, QB, so.

Forced into a start role early into the season due an injury, he’s thrown for 1,110 yards and 14 TDs.

Isaiah Nguyễn, RB, sr.

He’s been the lead back this year with 1,735 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Jacob Cabrera, LB/S, sr.

He has 10 TFL and his 62 tackles are shared for the team lead.

SCORE PREDICTION: Port Neches-Groves 35-10

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PIEPER (13-1) VS. LIBERTY HILL (9-4)

7 p.m., Friday, Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos

Pieper was the No. 9-ranked team in the final regular season poll. This contest is a District 13-5A rematch from Nov. 3. Pieper won that game 33-23 — part of an 11-game winning streak for the Warriors. Pieper was 2-8 in the program’s first year in 2022. Liberty Hill is looking for a 4th straight semifinal berth.

PEIPER'S ROAD:  def. San Antonio Sam Houston, 38-6 in bi-district; def. Mission Veterans Memorial, 38-6 in area; def. Alamo Heights, 53-46 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Jake South, QB, sr.

Averages 300 yards per game passing and is nearing 4,000 for the season with 3,940.

Brady Hopper, RB, so.

Has a team-high 584 yards rushing and scored a TD at a clip of 1 per 10 carries.

Jake Stratchan, WR, sr.

He’s a top target for South with 11 touchdowns and 924 yards receiving. 

LIBERTY HILL'S ROAD: def. San Antonio Harlandale, 43-26 in bi-district; def. Mission Sharyland, 62-35 in area; def. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff, 49-28 in regional semifinal

THREE TO SEE

Samuel Knox, LB, sr.

Has post eye-opening numbers: 139 tackles, 20 TFL, 8 sacks

Ben Carter, RB, sr.

In a run-first offense, he’s picked up 2,262 yards and added 31 TDs.

Noah Long, RB, sr.

Another 1,000-yard back, Long has 1,097 and has scored 16 times. 

SCORE PREDICTION: Piper 47-28

-- Cody Thorn | @sblivetx