Wednesday, December 16, 2020

State Final Playoff Picks 2020

The final week of the TAPPS season is here at last. Certainly there were doubts we'd get this far, but its a great tribute to everyone involved that we appear to have made it. Still a few hurdles to clear, but it should be an exciting conclusion in Waco this Saturday. So this will be the latest and shortest picks section that we may ever see. When its over, we'll all take a breath and try to keep it rolling to basketball. So for one more week, Good Luck and Safe Travels! 

Division II State Championship: Dallas Christian vs. Austin Regents -- The Knights return for a 5th consecutive title game after losing to Grapevine Faith in 2OT in 2016 and 3 straight losses to TCCH. With TCCH departing TAPPS, Regents figured to be a strong contender. 2020 played out exactly that way in the southern districts of Division II with the Knights winning all 9 games by at least 24 points and 6 of the 9 by at least 34 points. The Chargers are always a contender in Division II as they look for a 9th TAPPS title. The 63 points outing against Tyler Grace probably cemented the Chargers status as the favorites and ultimately have been largely unchallenged at the top. In matching Regents 9-0 mark, DC has won every game by 28 or more. The Chargers are 8-8 all time in state finals, having lost the last two appearances in 2014 and 2015. The Chargers most recent title was in 2008. The Knights are 5-6 all time in TAPPS finals with their most recent title coming in 2010. In a version of the 2020 schedule these two were going to play to start the season in August. As it happens each would have been the best opposition for the other this season, and they ultimately will be. A fitting end to the Division II season. Both teams have potent offenses and stingy defenses and there hasn't been any overlap in their opponents. This should be a great game, but I really don't know what type of game to expect. Probably a turnover to decide this one, and much more mystery in the game than in the pick if you know what I mean. Chargers win their 9th state title, 35-28. 

Division III State Championship: Colleyville Covenant Christian vs. Houston Cypress Christian -- The Cougars played just 7 games this season and will actually play as many playoff games as regular season games in 2020. Covenant has won them all though. Lake Country was one of the biggest challenges for the Covenant with the Cougars winning twice by 13 total points. The Warriors are 6-2 on the season but undefeated against Division III and IV opponents. Last week's semifinal victory over San Antonio Holy Cross came in shutout fashion, 14-0. The Warriors won their only previous appearance in the state title game, a 68-34 win over McKinney Christian in 2017. Covenant is 2-3 all time in TAPPS finals with their last win and appearance coming in 2017. They won that one 14-0 over Magnolia Legacy. Both teams have limited the opposition all season and this should be a game that looks like the two semifinals. 27 would have won either game, so expect 4 TDs to be enough. The Cougars have looked the best this season when we've seen them so with 4 games played in a row, I've got to lean that way. Cougars win their 3rd state title, 28-25.

Season: 63-22 

Quick Hits finishes the season at 77-23.

No comments:

Post a Comment