Regional Playoff Picks 2017

Round 2 is here with plenty of drama. As they say, there are no turkeys left after Thanksgiving. Some rematches to add intrigue to the slate. Will we see a big upset or just continue the march to the expected?

This Week: (Season: 69-23)

Division II

Fort Worth Christian vs. Dallas Christian @ Burleson HS -- The longtime rivals rematch a Week 3 game in which the Chargers raced to a 19-0 lead in North Richland Hills before the Cardinals defense clamped down and the offense nearly caught the Chargers losing only 19-14. Since then the 19 points allowed was the most scored on the Cardinals until last week's playoff opener. T.K. Gorman notched 21 in the first quarter but had no answers for the Cardinals on offense as they ran away to a 56-35 win. Does that performance show some weakness in the FWC defense? Maybe just an aberration, but DC did hold the same TKG offense to just 13 in Tyler. The Chargers have had some up and down moments. Largely being dominated by TCCH in the first half before holding them to 0 points in the 2nd half. Last week the defense completely controlled Grapevine Faith, but the offense had moments of difficulty. I'm not sure any result here would really surprise me. The Cardinals offense could erupt for 40+. Both defenses could control the other and find a low scoring game. Maybe a DC offensive outburst would surprise, but they did put a number of TKG much like FWC. Common opponents are T.K. Gorman, which DC defeated 50-13 and FWC defeated 56-35, and Grapevine Faith, who DC beat 29-0 and FWC beat 38-13. The number of times these two have flipped results in a rematch probably shouldn't be ignored either. Hopefully, we understand by now who the author is picking. DC wins a tight one 22-20.

Trinity Christian - Cedar Hill vs. Midland Christian @ Jim Ned HS -- For two schools that have played relatively few times it feels like there is plenty of history to fall back on. The 2008 TCCH win in Brownwood is a virtual legend at this point. MCS took apart the Tigers in a 1st round game in the Tall City in 2011. The Tigers have been an incredible force offensively scoring 70 against Southwest last week and with a 60-0 road blowout of Tyler Grace to their credit. The defense is certainly no slouch. Holding playoff teams Tyler Grace, DC, Southwest, and Faith to just 36 points combined. The 33 put up by TKG is the season high for a TAPPS school but probably shouldn't be worried about since the offense was marching up and down the field on the way to 75. If a couple of injured players come back for the Mustangs it could tip the balance in the game. It might also make no difference. The Mustangs are always going to be a tough out. The form of the early season would have the Mustangs in position to win this one, but I think there are just too many obstacles to overcome. Tigers defense will keep things in check and guide them to victory. TCCH wins 28-10.

Austin Regents vs. San Antonio Holy Cross @ Buda HS -- The Knights and the Knights hook up for seemingly the 100th time in the last 5 years. Earlier this year Regents shutout Holy Cross, scoring a 21-0 win. This result is typical for the two as Regents tossed 4 shutouts in district play and Holy Cross reached 23 points just once in the district schedule. Holy Cross has dropped 4 in a row to Regents since a 30 point win in 2014. The 24 points that St. Mary's scored on Regents might have been causing for alarm but they immediately followed that with showings of 0, 7, and 7. Holy Cross scored the only road playoff win in the division at Westbury last week. In their 3 losses, they've scored 0, 6, and 9. 22 would have won their first meeting and if the Regents defense slips up they could be in trouble. I think this comes down to if Holy Cross can score 20. If they do they win. I don't think they will though. Regents heads to the semis 22-7.

Houston Second Baptist vs. Austin Hyde Park Baptist @ Brenham HS -- The Eagles were an expected member of the final 8 going into the year and delivered on their district title. The Panthers were an expected playoff team, but I think most projections would have them behind Holy Cross. A testament to the good year Hyde Park is having. The Panthers dropped the District Championship game to Regents but prior to that had rolled off 5 in a row. We should also mention Shiner St. Paul's impressive non-district win here. The Eagles are a regular visitor to this round and are also the last school South of the I-20 corridor to win a title in the 2nd largest division. After a 0-3 start left us thinking this might be the year they are pushed from the top in District 4, the Eagles won 7 in a row to reach round 2. Second Baptist has secured 3 shutouts in 4 weeks since Lutheran South posted 37. That type of defense should best the Panthers, but Hyde Park is likely the best opponent in that stretch. In common, both teams lost to Regents. Hyde Park went down 26-7 and Second Baptist 21-10. The Eagles defeated CC John Paul 26-7 and the Panthers bested them 32-3. This shapes up to be a close one. Eagles get a rematch with Regents and win 29-22.

Division I

Fort Worth All Saints over Brownsville St. Joseph @ SA Central Catholic -- The Saints first foray into TAPPS has been dominant for the most part. They've won every game by at least 11 and 7 of 10 by 23 or more. The Bloodhounds have been on the uptick in recent years, reaching the 2nd round for the 2nd straight season having lost to MCS by just 7 the year before. The teams met just 3 weeks ago in a Saints 42-8 victory. Despite having the far superior mascot, St. Joesph's path to victory appears very narrow and uphill. Seeing them again it will probably be closer than a 34 point margin, but I can't see the Bloodhounds getting over the top. All Saints jogs away 44-13.

Houston St. Pius X vs. Bishop Dunne @ Temple HS -- Probably the feature game of the week, rematching last year's semifinal that ended in a 21-18 Falcon victory. That doesn't begin to tell the story of that game, scroll back on the message board and look for a locked thread if you're interested. Dunne won 38-21 in the semis in 2015 as well. This Panthers team looks to be the best they've had in that time. This is just the 10th game for St. Pius after Harvey did a number on the schedule, and the only defeat is by 12 to All Saints. Dunne dropped 4 on the season but avenged one with last week's shutout of Liberty. The Falcons have regained form since being demolished by Bishop Lynch to open district play and I'm sure will be looking for a chance to avenge that loss. The Panthers are certainly no the team to look past. Outside of the 2 out of state opponents when the Falcons held the opponent to 17 or less they won and when they didn't they lost. Panthers will score but I think Dunne gets them again. Falcons sneak by, 28-22.

Quick Hits: (Season: 95-25)

Bishop Lynch over Parish Episcopal
Plano Prestonwood Christian over Trinity Christian - Addison
Lubbock Christian over Dallas Shelton School
Willow Park Trinity Christian over McKinney Christian
Waco Reicher Catholic over Boerne Geneva
Houston Cypress Christian over Austin Brentwood Christian
Colleyville Covenant Christian over Muenster Sacred Heart
Fort Worth Temple Christian over Dallas First Baptist Academy
Shiner St. Paul over Bryan Brazos Christian
The Woodlands Legacy Preparatory Christian over Hallettsville Sacred Heart