Timpson, Lovelady Among East Texas Teams Rolling Through Playoffs

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Sixteen Teams

Take a look at the playoff brackets from 2A - 6A in UIL Texas High School Football, and there are only sixteen teams left in each classification and division. It's time for the regional semifinals which means any team that wins their next four games will be a state champion.

There are still some Deep East Texas area teams still in the hunt. Let's break down their upcoming 3rd round games.

Kilgore Bulldogs (9-3) vs Lindale Eagles (8-4)

Friday, November 25, 1 pm at Rose Stadium in Tyler

This game is a rematch of two district foes from District 9-4A, Division I. Kilgore finished second in district, and Lindale finished third. Kilgore won their earlier meeting 49-35. The only loss either team has suffered since that game is to the district champion - Tyler Chapel Hill.

Prediction: Both these teams have huge offensive firepower. Kilgore's defense has gotten better since these two teams met several weeks ago. I believe the Bulldogs will get the victory and meet the winner of the Tyler Chapel Hill vs Lumberton game in the regional finals.

Kilgore 45    Lindale 27

Carthage Bulldogs (12-0) vs Gilmer Buckeyes (12-0)

Friday, November 25, 6 pm at Longview Lobo Stadium

This may be the best game of the year in Texas High School Football. Carthage is ranked number one in the state in Class 4A, Division II, and Gilmer comes in ranked number two. These two teams have a long, storied history of deep playoff runs and state championships, and these two teams are no strangers to each other and because of that familiarity, I don't see either team intimidating the other.

Prediction: If these two teams played each other 10 times during the regular season, I think Carthage would win 8 or 9 of those meetings. If Gilmer is to pull off the upset, they will need to get some help in the turnover battle and in special teams, or maybe a trick play or two. The rain that is predicted for Friday night could also be a game-changer.

The winner will advance to the regional finals to play the winner of the Pleasant Grove/Aubrey match-up.

Carthage 34  Gilmer 26

Timpson Bears (12-0) vs Centerville Tigers (10-2)

Friday, November 25, 7 pm at the Tomato Bowl in Jacksonville

Timpson is ranked number one in the state in Class 2A, Division I, Centerville is ranked ninth. Many folks are thinking that the Bears will march through the playoffs before having another state semifinal showdown with either Shiner or Refugio. If Timpson gets over-confident or looks beyond this game with Centerville, they will lose.

Centerville is the real deal. They played a brutal non-district schedule and then coasted undefeated through district play. Their two losses are to undefeated teams, including a one-point loss to top-ranked Mart.  Keep in mind that outside of that game, Mart has been defeating their opponents by an average of 57 points!

Prediction: If Timpson brings their 'A game' from the start to the finish of this showdown, then the Bears should prevail. Anything less than that will probably result in a Tiger victory. Either way, this should be a doozy of a game with the winner advancing to play the winner of the Cooper/Joaquin game.

Timpson 28   Centerville 22

Newton Eagles (11-1) vs Daingerfield Tigers (10-2)

Friday, November 25, 6 pm at Homer Bryce Stadium at SFA in Nacogdoches

Newton comes in as the number 3 team in the state in their division. The Eagles have put up point totals in the 60s, 70s, and even an 81-point game this year.  Daingerfield is no slouch. They went four rounds deep in the playoffs last year and they have been steamrolling opponents this year.  The Tigers may keep this close for a half, but the Eagles just have too much firepower.

Prediction: Newton marches on to the next round to face the winner of the West Rusk/Harmony game.

Newton 44    Daingerfield 24

Lovelady Lions (11-0) vs Price Carlisle Indians (11-1)

Friday, November 25, 7 pm at Palestine Westwood

Carlisle comes in ranked number 8 in the state in their division. Lovelady is not in the top ten despite their perfect record. The Indians have had a tougher schedule than the Lions, but these two teams seem to be evenly matched.  They both easily handled like-opponents such as Evadale and Overton.

Prediction: This should be another great, close game. If Lovelady is able to get off to a fast start - advantage Lions. If it's a grind-out, close game - advantage Carlisle. The winner advances to play the winner of the Mart/Simms Bowie game...which means the winner will play Mart.

Carlisle 34   Lovelady 32