East Texas Football Playoffs: Bi-District Preview Capsules

The following are preview capsules for bi-district football playoff games involving East Texas schools.

Full game previews will be available for:

• McKinney North vs. Lufkin
• Whitehouse vs. A&M Consolidated
• Carthage vs. Waxahachie Life
• Mount Vernon vs. Tatum
• Copperas Cove vs. Longview (Thursday)
• Tomball vs. John Tyler (Thursday)
• Rosenberg Lamar Consolidated vs. Marshall (Thursday)
• West Rusk vs. Atlanta (Thursday)

CLASS 5A DIVISION II
Region II

Sulphur Springs Wildcats (6-3)

vs.

Frisco Raccoons (6-4)

7:30 p.m. Thursday
Ford Center, Frisco

Coaches

• Sulphur Springs: Greg Owens
• Frisco: Vance Gibson

Last week

• Sulphur Springs: lost to North Forney, 39-24
• Frisco: def. Lucas Lovejoy, 48-45

Next week

• Winner vs. Dallas South Oak Cliff or Everman, 5A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Frisco head coach Vance Gibson is the father of Pleasant Grove head coach Josh Gibson.

Region III

Nacogdoches Dragons (5-5)

vs.

Huntsville Hornets (9-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Bowers Stadium, Huntsville

Coaches

• Nacogdoches: Bobby Reyes
• Huntsville: Rodney Southern

Last week

• Nacogdoches: def. Mount Pleasant, 56-27
• Huntsville: def. Bryan Rudder, 50-7

Next week

• Winner vs. Manvel or Barbers Hill, 5A Division II bi-district playoff

Did you know?: Huntsville head coach Rodney Southern was the head coach at Marshall from 2002-06, guiding the Mavericks to state finals appearances in 2004 and 2005.

Montgomery Bears (5-5)

vs.

Lindale Eagles (6-4)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Eagle Stadium, Lindale

Coaches

• Montgomery: John Bolfing
• Lindale: Chris Cochran

Last week

• Montgomery: def. Montgomery Lake Creek, 43-20
• Lindale: def. Jacksonville, 36-34

Next week

• Winner vs. Port Neches-Groves or Houston Northside, 5A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Lindale's last playoff win came in 2011.

CLASS 4A DIVISION I
Region III

Kilgore Bulldogs (3-7)

vs,

No. 6 Midlothian Heritage Jaguars (9-1)

7 p.m. Friday
City Bank Stadium, Forney

Coaches

• Kilgore: Mike Wood
• Heritage: Lee Wiginton

Last week

• Kilgore: lost to Carthage, 48-23
• Heritage: def. Mabank, 56-28

Next week

• Winner vs. Navasota or Little Cypress-Mauriceville, 4A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Heritage has played football for just three seasons, but is 32-4 in program history.

Athens Hornets (5-4)

vs.

Van Vandals (8-2)

7 p.m. Thursday
Mesquite Memorial Stadium

Coaches

• Athens: Paul Essary
• Van: Jared Moffatt

Last week

• Athens: lost to Crandall, 48-14
• Van: def. Henderson, 21-20

Next week

• Winner vs. Splendora or Houston North Forest, 4A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Van and Athens were in the same district from 2012-17.

Henderson Lions (6-4)

vs.

Crandall Pirates (7-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Wildcat Stadium, Palestine

Coaches

• Henderson: Phil Castles
• Crandall: Joe Dale Cary

Last week

• Henderson: lost to Van, 21-20
• Crandall: def. Athens, 48-14

Next week

• Winner vs. Houston Wheatley or Lumberton, 4A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Henderson has advanced to at least the third round of the playoffs in each of its last six postseason appearances.

CLASS 4A DIVISION II
Region II

Gilmer Buckeyes (4-6)

vs.

Sunnyvale Raiders (9-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Ford Stadium, Greenville

Coaches

• Gilmer: Matt Turner
• Sunnyvale: John Settle

Last week

• Gilmer: lost to Liberty-Eylau, 54-42
• Sunnyvale: def. Farmersville, 46-13

Next week

• Winner vs. Fairfield or Wills Point, 4A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Gilmer hasn't lost in the first round of the playoffs since 2006.

Dallas Roosevelt Mustangs (5-5)

vs.

No. 8 Pleasant Grove Hawks (8-2)

7 p.m. Thursday
Wildcat Stadium, Paris

Coaches

• Roosevelt: Aaron Wallace
• Pleasant Grove: Josh Gibson

Last week

• Roosevelt: lost to Nevada Community, 55-26
• Pleasant Grove: idle

Next week

• Winner vs. Bullard or Waco Connally, 4A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Pleasant Grove's two losses are by a combined 14 points, to Gladewater and Carthage, which are a cumulative 19-1 on the season.

Waco Connally Cadets (7-3)

vs.

Bullard Panthers (3-7)

7 p.m. Thursday
Lion Stadium, Ennis

Coaches

• Connally: Shane Anderson
• Bullard: Scott Callaway

Last week

• Connally: def. Robinson, 39-14
• Bullard: def. Canton, 41-27

Next week

• Winner vs. Dallas Roosevelt or Pleasant Grove, 4A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Connally handed District 8-4A champion Lorena its only loss this season.

Robinson Rockets (5-5)

vs.

Rusk Eagles (4-6)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Moorhead Stadium, Conroe

Coaches

• Robinson: Tommy Allison
• Rusk: Jowell Hancock

Last week

• Robinson: lost to Waco Connally, 39-14
• Rusk: def. Wills Point, 48-6

Next week

• Winner vs. Pittsburg or Nevada Community, 4A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Rusk is outscoring opponents, 173-60, during its current four-game winning streak.

Nevada Community Braves (4-6)

vs.

Pittsburg Pirates (7-3)

7 p.m. Thursday
Ford Stadium, Greenville

Coaches

• Community: Jeremy Turner
• Pittsburg: Brad Baca

Last week

• Community: def. Dallas Roosevelt, 55-26
• Pittsburg: def. Spring Hill, 41-20

Next week

• Winner vs. Robinson or Rusk, 4A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Pittsburg's three losses are to Jefferson, Van, and Pleasant Grove, which are a combined 26-4 on the season.

Brownsboro Bears (3-7)

vs.

Lorena Leopards (9-1)

7 p.m. Thursday
Tiger Stadium, Corsicana

Coaches

• Brownsboro: Greg Pearson
• Lorena: Ray Biles

Last week

• Brownsboro: idle
• Lorena: def. Mexia, 64-9

Next week

• Winner vs. Caddo Mills or Liberty-Eylau, 4A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Lorena is outscoring opponents by an average of 22.4 points per game.

Liberty-Eylau Leopards (3-7)

vs.

Caddo Mills Foxes (6-3)

7 p.m. Friday
Wildcat Stadium, Emory

Coaches

• Liberty-Eylau: Steve Wells
• Caddo Mills: Steve Sumrow

Last week

• Liberty-Eylau: def. Gilmer, 54-42
• Caddo Mills: def. Dallas Lincoln, 23-0

Next week

• Winner vs. Brownsboro or Lorena, 4A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: The cumulative record of the seven teams that have defeated Liberty-Eylau this season is 56-15.

Region III

Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns (5-5)

vs.

No. 9 Jasper Bulldogs (10-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Raider Stadium, Lumberton

Coaches

• Hamshire-Fannett: Mark Waggoner
• Jasper: Darrell Barbay

Last week

• Hamshire-Fannett: lost to West Orange-Stark, 34-10
• Jasper: def. Center, 54-25

Next week

• Winner vs. Bellville or La Marque, 4A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Jasper was last 11-0 in 1983.

Huntington Red Devils (3-7)

vs.

West Orange-Stark Mustangs (6-4)

7:30 p.m. Thursday
Texan Drive Stadium, Porter

Coaches

• Huntington: Jim Kerbow
• West Orange-Stark: Cornel Thompson

Last week

• Huntington: lost to Shepherd, 27-7
• West Orange-Stark: def. Hamshire-Fannett, 34-10

Next week

• Winner vs. Sweeny or La Grange, 4A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Huntington is making its playoff appearance in school history, while West Orange-Stark has reached the state title game in each of the last four seasons.

Liberty Panthers (6-4)

vs.

Center Roughriders (6-4)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Eagle Stadium, Woodville

Coaches

• Liberty: Chad Taylor
• Center: Barry Bowman

Last week

• Liberty: def. Hardin-Jefferson, 35-13
• Center: lost to Jasper, 54-25

Next week

• Winner vs. Giddings or Houston Washington, 4A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Center is shooting for its first playoff win since 2015.

CLASS 3A DIVISION I
Region II

Mineola Yellowjackets (6-3)

vs.

No. 7 Jefferson Bulldogs (10-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Pirate Stadium, Longview

Coaches

• Mineola: Luke Blackwell
• Jefferson: Antwain Jimmerson

Last week

• Mineola: def. Winnsboro, 27-21
• Jefferson: def. Redwater, 62-7

Next week

• Winner vs. Malakoff or Pottsboro, 3A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Jefferson hasn't been 11-0 since 1994.

Pottsboro Cardinals (6-4)

vs.

Malakoff Tigers (7-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Hanby Stadium, Mesquite

Coaches

• Pottsboro: Matt Poe
• Malakoff: Jamie Driskell

Last week

• Pottsboro: def. Lone Oak, 61-14
• Malakoff: lost to Kemp, 22-20

Next week

• Winner vs. Jefferson or Mineola, 3A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Malakoff has reached the playoffs in all 10 seasons under head coach Jamie Driskell.

Hughes Springs Mustangs (5-5)

vs.

No. 9 Gladewater Bears (9-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Bobcat Stadium, Hallsville

Coaches

• Hughes Springs: Chris Edwards
• Gladewater: John Berry

Last week

• Hughes Springs: idle
• Gladewater: def. Tatum, 36-35 (OT)

Next week

• Winner vs. Bonham or Eustace, 3A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Gladewater is looking for its first playoff win since 2014.

Eustace Bulldogs (3-7)

vs.

Bonham Warriors (8-2)

7 p.m. Thursday
Hanby Stadium, Mesquite

Coaches

• Eustace: Steve Smith
• Bonham: John Fish

Last week

• Eustace: def. Dallas Madison, 31-26
• Bonham: lost to Van Alstyne, 78-63

Next week

• Winner vs. Gladewater or Hughes Springs, 3A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Eustace hasn't won in the playoffs since 2011.

Region III

Crockett Bulldogs (7-3)

vs.

East Chambers Buccaneers (9-1)

7 p.m. Thursday
Eagle Stadium, Woodville

Coaches

• Crockett: Jimmy Thompson
• East Chambers: Russ Sutherland

Last week

• Crockett: lost to Franklin, 73-28
• East Chambers: def. Warren, 62-0

Next week

• Winner vs. West or Little River Academy, 3A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Crockett's three losses are to Buffalo, Diboll, and Franklin, which are a combined 27-2 this season.

Buna Couagrs (8-2)

vs.

Diboll Lumberjacks (9-1)

7:30 p.m. Thursday
Bulldog Field, Jasper

Coaches

• Buna: Bradley Morgan
• Diboll: Blake Morrison

Last week

• Buna: def. Kirbyville, 28-7
• Diboll: def. Trinity, 48-0

Next week

• Winner vs. Cameron Yoe or Whitney, 3A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Diboll's last playoff win came in 2003.

Coldspring-Oakhurst Trojans (3-7)

vs.

Woodville Eagles (10-0)

7:30 p.m. Thursday
Abe Martin Stadium, Lufkin

Coaches

• Coldspring-Oakhurst: Jim Bird
• Woodville: Ty Robinson

Last week

• Coldspring-Oakhurst: def. Palestine Westwood, 46-12
• Woodville: def. Hardin, 48-7

Next week

• Winner vs. Grandview or Rockdale, 3A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Woodville has never won 11 games in a season.

CLASS 3A DIVISION II
Region II

Rogers Eagles (6-4)

vs.

Edgewood Bulldogs (8-1)

7 p.m. Thursday
Wildcat Stadium, Whitney

Coaches

• Rogers: Charlie Roten
• Edgewood: Kevin Bachtel

Last week

• Rogers: lost to Clifton, 41-8
• Edgewood: def. Mildred, 63-19

Next week

• Winner vs. Comanche or Nocona, 3A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Edgewood's only loss this season is to undefeated Buffalo, 54-36.

Region III

Winona Wildcats (6-4)

vs.

Cooper Bulldogs (8-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Sam Parker Field, Mount Pleasant

Coaches

• Winona: Keylon Kincade
• Cooper: Rod Castorena

Last week

• Winona: def. Quitman, 40-0
• Cooper: def. Bells, 34-33

Next week

• Winner vs. Corrigan-Camden or Elysian Fields, 3A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: None of Winona's six wins have come against a team with a winning record.

Elysian Fields Yellowjackets (6-4)

vs.

Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs (8-2)

7 p.m. Thursday
Dragon Stadium, Shelbyville

Coaches

• Elysian Fields: Scott Ford
• Corrigan-Camden: Seven Armstrong

Last week

• Elysian Fields: def. DeKalb, 39-21
• Corrigan-Camden: def. Hemphill, 47-6

Next week

• Winner vs. Winona or Cooper, 3A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Corrigan-Camden allowed a total of six points in its four district wins.

Bells Panthers (4-6)

vs.

Harmony Eagles (9-1)

7 p.m. Thursday
Wildcat Stadium, Emory

Coaches

• Bells: Scott Ponder
• Harmony: Tim Russell

Last week

• Bells: lost to Cooper, 34-33
• Harmony: def. Grand Saline, 55-13

Next week

• Winner vs. Daingerfield or Anderson-Shiro, 3A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Harmony's lone loss came to West Rusk, 28-14, in Week 3.

Anderson-Shiro Owls (6-3)

vs.

Daingerfield Tigers (6-3)

7:30 p.m. Thursday
Bruce Field, Athens

Coaches

• Anderson-Shiro: Brad Hodges
• Daingerfield: Davin Nelson

Last week

• Anderson-Shiro: lost to Newton, 47-0
• Daingerfield: def. New Diana, 58-7

Next week

• Winner vs. Bells or Harmony, 3A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Daingerfield is averaging 46.9 points per game.

Hemphill Hornets (4-6)

vs.

Waskom Wildcats (9-1)

7 p.m. Thursday
Bulldog Stadium, Carthage

Coaches

• Hemphill: Gary Vanya
• Waskom: Whitney Keeling

Last week

• Hemphill: lost to Corrigan-Camden, 47-6
• Waskom: def. Ore City, 41-6

Next week

• Winner vs. Troup or Paris Chisum, 3A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Waskom is 67-15 since 2013 under head coach Whitney Keeling with state championships in 2014 and 2015.

Paris Chisum Mustangs (5-4)

vs.

Troup Tigers (8-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Gerald Prim Stadium, Sulphur Springs

Coaches

• Chisum: Darren Pevey
• Troup: John Eastman

Last week

• Chisum: lost to Blue Ridge, 14-12
• Troup: def. Arp, 48-6

Next week

• Winner vs. Hemphill or Waskom, 3A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Troup's last playoff win occurred in 2006.

Paul Pewitt Brahmas (8-2)

vs.

No. 1 Newton Eagles (9-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Bulldog Stadium, Carthage

Coaches

• Pewitt: Triston Abron
• Newton: W.T. Johnston

Last week

• Pewitt: def. Queen City, 43-0
• Newton: def. Anderson-Shiro, 47-0

Next week

• Winner vs. Blue Ridge or Grand Saline, 3A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Newton has outscored opponents, 1,273-223, during its 24-game winning streak.

Grand Saline Indians (6-3)

vs.

Blue Ridge Tigers (6-4)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Terrell Memorial Stadium

Coaches

• Grand Saline: Michael Ridge
• Blue Ridge: James Thurn

Last week

• Grand Saline: lost to Harmony, 55-13
• Blue Ridge: def. Paris Chisum, 14-12

Next week

• Winner vs. Newton or Paul Pewitt, 3A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Grand Saline's last playoff win came in 1999.

CLASS 2A DIVISION I
Region II

Como-Pickton Eagles (3-5)

vs.

Collinsville Pirates (8-1)

7:30 p.m. Thursday
Anna ISD Coyote Stadium

Coaches

• Como-Pickton: Charles Swann
• Collinsville: Dale West

Last week

• Como-Pickton: lost to Wolfe City, 39-0
• Collinsville: def. Trenton, 38-0

Next week

• Winner vs. Riesel or Crawford, 2A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Como-Pickton is in the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

Region III

Cushing Bearkats (6-3)

vs.

Centerville Tigers (7-3)

7 p.m. Friday
Monte Jack Driskell Stadium, Crockett

Coaches

• Cushing: Josh Moore
• Centerville: Kyle Hardee

Last week

• Cushing: lost to Big Sandy, 38-0
• Centerville: def. Jewett Leon, 38-29

Next week

• Winner vs. Shelbyville or Tenaha, 2A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Cushing hasn't reached the playoffs since 1997.

Tenaha Tigers (7-3)

vs.

Shelbyville Dragons (5-5)

7 p.m. Friday
Wildcat Stadium, Waskom

Coaches

• Tenaha: Greg Jenkins
• Shelbyville: David Benbow

Last week

• Tenaha: def. Linden-Kildare, 42-14
• Shelbyville: lost to San Augustine, 28-14

Next week

• Winner vs. Cushing or Centerville, 2A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Tenaha's three losses have come by a combined 12 points.

Cayuga Wildcats (5-5)

vs.

No. 7 Carlisle Indians (10-0)

7 p.m. Thursday
Westwood Panther Stadium, Palestine

Coaches

• Cayuga: Cody Mohan
• Carlisle: Clay Baker

Last week

• Cayuga: def. Cross Roads, 32-0
• Carlisle: def. Hawkins, 73-0

Next week

• Winner vs. Joaquin or West Sabine, 2A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Carlisle is outscoring opponents by an average of 45.9 points per game.

West Sabine Tigers (5-5)

vs.

Joaquin Rams (8-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Dragon Stadium, Nacogdoches

Coaches

• West Sabine: Jerred Wallace
• Joaquin: Wade Lawson

Last week

• West Sabine: def. Deweyville, 41-24
• Joaquin: def. Harleton, 58-14

Next week

• Winner vs. Cayuga or Carlisle, 2A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Joaquin shut out its first four opponents this season.

Groveton Indians (5-5)

vs,

Garrison Bulldogs (8-2)

7:30 p.m. Saturday
Abe Martin Stadium, Lufkin

Coaches

• Groveton: Richard Steubing
• Garrison: Larry Prince

Last week

• Groveton: def. Hull-Daisetta, 32-18
• Garrison: idle

Next week

• Winner vs. Alto or Normangee, 2A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Garrison is averaging 41.5 points per game during its current eight-game winning streak.

Normangee Panthers (5-5)

vs.

Alto Yellowjackets (7-3)

7 p.m. Thursday
Monte Jack Driskell Stadium, Crockett

Coaches

• Normangee: Nelson Kortis
• Alto: Ricky Joe Meeks

Last week

• Normangee: def. Kerens, 28-0
• Alto: def. Union Grove, 34-0

Next week

• Winner vs. Garrison or Groveton, 2A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Alto hasn't won in the playoffs since 2015.

Timpson Bears (4-6)

vs.

San Augustine Wolves (8-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Lion Stadium, Henderson

Coaches

• Timpson: Kerry Therwhanger
• San Augustine: Marty Murr

Last week

• Timpson: def. Beckvile, 46-3
• San Augustine: def. Shelbyville, 28-14

Next week

• Winner vs. Jewett Leon or Big Sandy, 2A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Timpson was a regional finalist in 2A Division II, while San Augustine was a 2A Division I semifinalist last season.

Big Sandy Wildcats (5-5)

vs.

Jewett Leon Cougars (7-3)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Westwood Panther Stadium, Palestine

Coaches

• Big Sandy: Larry Minter
• Leon: Jeremy Colvert

Last week

• Big Sandy: def. Cushing, 38-0
• Leon: lost to Centerville, 38-29

Next week

• Winner vs. Timpson or San Augustine, 2A Division I area playoff

Did you know?: Big Sandy's five losses this season are its most since 2013.

CLASS 2A DIVISION II
Region III

Mount Enterprise Wildcats (4-5)

vs.

No. 8 Muenster Hornets (9-1)

7:30 p.m. Thursday
Panther Stadium, Mabank

Coaches

• Mount Enterprise: Scott Holzhauer
• Muenster: Brady Carney

Last week

• Mount Enterprise: lost to Clarksville, 46-0
• Muenster: def. Windthorst, 52-21

Next week

• Winner vs. Lovelady or Dawson, 2A Region II area playoff

Did you know?: Defending state champion Muenster's loss this season came to Childress, which is ranked No. 6 in the state's Associated Press 3A top 10 poll.

Simms Bowie Pirates (6-4)

vs.

Era Hornets (6-4)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Patriot Stadium, Prairiland

Coaches

• Bowie: Eddy May
• Era: Aaron Fortenberry

Last week

• Bowie: def. Overton, 47-20
• Era: lost to Cumby, 50-30

Next week

• Winner vs. Mart or West Hardin, 2A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Bowie has its first winning season since 2013.

Hubbard Jaguars (6-4)

vs.

Grapeland Sandies (9-1)

7 p.m. Friday
Bruce Field, Athens

Coaches

• Hubbard: Russell Anderson
• Grapeland: Wayne Mahaffey

Last week

• Hubbard: def. Meridian, 14-6
• Grapeland: def. Spring Legacy School of Sports Science, 63-35

Next week

• Winner vs. Cumby or Detroit, 2A Division II area playoff

Did you know?: Grapeland's only loss this season is to Crockett (19-18), which is a Class 3A Division I playoff team.