Mike Craven
Defending Champ Gilmer Rebounded From First-Round Score With Dominant Performance
Gilmer extended its winning streak to 28 games with a 63-14 area-round victory over Mexia. It came a week after the defending state champions were nearly upset in the bi-district round against Pleasant Grove.
Physicality Has Returned to Carthage Defense Ahead of Bulldogs’ Showdown With Navasota
Carthage is rarely an underdog. Since 2007, head coach Scott Surratt and the Bulldogs are 33-4 in the playoffs. Carthage reached that mark with a 34-0 victory over previously unbeaten Stafford, setting up a third-round playoff matchup with defending state champion Navasota.
Beckville Hoping Breakthrough Win Over Alto Only the Beginning
Beckville made history in the area round of the state playoffs, knocking off Alto for the first time in school history. The 49-20 victory allowed the Bearcats to advance to the regional semifinals for the first time since 2000.
Arp Moving on to Second Round of Playoffs Despite Dropping Five of First Six Games
Arp extended its winning streak to five games with a victory over a Hooks team that entered the game with only one loss in the entire season.
The Tigers started the season 1-5 overall and 0-3 in district play before a win over Troup became the catalyst to a playoff berth and a bi-district playoff victory.
Following Win Over Defending State Champ Ennis, Hallsville Looks to Keep It Going
Hallsville shocked the high school football landscape with a thrilling Class 5A Division II bi-district playoff win over defending state champion Ennis last Friday night.
The 24-23 victory sent a Hallsville team that ended the regular season with a 63-20 loss to Longview into the area round of the playoffs.
The Bobcats put that loss behind them to pull off a comeback victory.
Silsbee Ends Chapel Hill’s Season With 67-46 Shootout Victory
Chapel Hill’s season came to a close at the hands of Silsbee in a game that featured more than 100 total points and 1,000 combined yards Friday night.
Bullard Playing Its Best Football As Playoffs Are Set to Begin
Bullard went 7-3 during the regular season, and took second in district play after winning five of its last six games. The Panthers take on Atlanta in the Class 4A Division II bi-district round of the playoffs, and head coach Shannon Wilson hopes his team is peaking at the perfect moment.
Top-Ranked Mineola Continues to Deliver Under Weight of Big Expectations
Mineola completed its first 10-0 regular season since 1966 with a shutout victory over Quitman last week, but the quest to return to the state title game and win the final game of the season begins Friday with a bi-district contest against Pattonville Prairiland.
Ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll for weeks now, Mineola head coach Joe Drennon and his team are not strangers to expectations.
Chapel Hill Shakes Off Injuries + Early Mistakes to Turn Season Around
Despite a 1-5 start to the season, Chapel Hill clinched a playoff berth with a one-point victory over Henderson last week.
The Bulldogs suffered through injury and mistakes early in the season, but are 2-2 entering the regular season finale against Carthage.
Kilgore Has Returned to Form Following Tough 2014 Season
Kilgore is back.
The fall was fast for Kilgore following a state title game appearance in 2013. The Bulldogs finished fourth in District 9-4A Division I last season. Kilgore went 4-7 and lost in the bi-district round of the state playoffs to Jasper.
Now, Mike Wood has his Bulldogs are back on top of the district and on a seven-game winning-streak entering the final game of the regular season.
Rea