Semifinal Playoff Picks 2025

The road is coming to a close for another season as just 12 games remain in 11-man TAPPS football for 2025. Only one defending champion has been eliminated so far and the remaining three have a good chance at another title. Though all three have big hurdles ahead. Good luck this week on the road to State!

This Week: (Season: 68-22)

Division III

Dallas Christian vs. Dallas Covenant @ Dallas Franklin Field -- The Chargers piled up the points to run away from the other Covenant last week. A rocky start to the season has leveled out nicely as the Chargers have not lost since the calendar flipped to October and now sit at 8-2. The Knights took out surprise District 3 champion New Braunfels Christian to reach the their 1st semifinal. Curiously, its a season that appeared to heading in the wrong direction for Covenant, but they found their stride winning 4 straight since losing to DC. That 45-7 Thursday night drubbing will be hard to ignore in the analysis of this one. The Covenant offense has improved since that night, scoring 42, 41, 35, and 42 in the four games since. That type of output is mandatory for keeping pace with DC. The Chargers have scored at least 42 in each game since the overtime loss to Pittsburg. The Knights will surely make some adjustments from the first meeting and have been playing better, but this seems like too much to overcome. The Chargers should reach their 6th straight title game. DC wins a tighter game, 40-22.

Lubbock Christian vs. Boerne Geneva @ Abilene Christian HS -- The Eagles head South to take on the Eagles, while the Eagles head North to take on the Eagles. Meanwhile, I continue to protest the abundance of Eagles. However, Lubbock Christian overcame one of the "Big 3" in Division III with their Regional win over Holy Cross. Holy Cross was coming off a runner-up finish a year ago and was a definite contender for the title. The Lubbock offense rolled up 48 points and really eliminated the threat early. The Geneva Eagles are 10-2 on the season after scoring 59 points to eliminate up and coming Tyler All Saints. So expect these two to pour on the points gravy to their Thanksgiving turkey. Holy Cross is the only common opponent between the two with Lubbock Christian being the only winner on the field, though Geneva was awarded a forfeit win. The Western based Eagles are the better squad on paper, but Geneva should keep this interesting on the scoreboard for a while. Lubbock Christian wins 48-28.

Division I

Tomball Concordia Lutheran @ Dallas Parish Episcopal -- The Panthers saw their string of 5 straight titles ended last season as Argyle Liberty Christian took the crown. They've responded this season by looking like a team on a mission. After losing to All Saints to open the season Parish has rolled off 10 in a row including drubbing Bishop Lynch 52-7 last week in the Regionals. They've scored at least 38 points in every game of the win streak. Another trip to the title game seems like fate. The Crusaders lost twice in district play to St. Thomas and St. Michael's but sandwiched two one score wins over Antonian to be the only team from District 2 standing in the semifinals. Concordia has scored 108 fewer points than Parish in a matching 11 games. While the Crusaders will be game for the fight, this is too much to overcome. Panthers back in the title game with a 45-21 win.

Frisco Legacy Christian @ Plano Prestonwood Christian -- The Lions have had a strange season. Thanks to weather and mid-alignment rescheduling Prestonwood is just 6-3. They were behind All Saints too when the weather stopped the game. They narrowly escaped Bishop Lynch in OT. They lost the first trip to Argyle back in October. Once the calendar turned to November though its been the Lions on the hunt. After playing Parish to within 3 points, they dominated St. Thomas in a non-district game and rolled off 49 points at Liberty in the rematch. Prestonwood dominated the Eagles 51-25 back on October 17 and seem to be playing better now than they were then. Earlier this year I called the Eagles snake-bit. They just haven't gotten that big win despite being right there multiple times. A Regional win at St. Thomas last week definitely qualifies, but getting another the next week is a tall order. I just don't see them turning a 26 point defeat into a win a month later. Should be a good game though. Lions earn a title game rematch, 35-28.

Division II

Fort Worth All Saints vs. Austin Regents @ McGregor -- The game of the year in Division II has finally arrived. The Saints haven't lost since the 2023 semifinals to Argyle Liberty. So the streak stands at 25. They've beaten Division I teams, teams from other parts of the state, teams from other states, and teams from next door. All comers have fallen to the Saints. Last season the Knights were the closest Division II team to toppling the Saints, falling 42-26 in the semifinals. This season the defense of All Saints has been a bit more forgiving than last season. They've allowed 21 points in each of the last 4 games and particularly allowing 30 to Lubbock Trinity was cause for concern. The big factor in that game was travel which the Saints have a long trip for the first time since then. The Knights 12-0 record has included blowouts and couple of close wins. The win over Kinkaid on September 5 was really the last close one for the Knights. The dominant performances Southwest and Midland Christian have to give the Knights a ton of confidence coming into this one. Regents has the best chance of anyone to break the Saints streak, but I can't go against the champs. All Saints wins 34-33.

Houston Lutheran South vs. Houston Second Baptist @ Alvin Freedom Field -- After The Woodlands Christian took the district title and rolled to 11-0 it was easy to discount both of these squads chances in the postseason. Particularly the Eagles who lost 42-10 in their first meeting with TWCA. Second Baptist came up with the goods in the rematch though, producing a 34-27 upset last week. The Eagles started the season a very week 1-6, a stretch that included the TWCA loss and a 24-20 loss to this Lutheran South squad. They've rolled off 5 in a row since then to even their record at 6-6. The Pioneers looked much better through the regular season, holding a record of 9-3. They lost the de facto district title game by just 7 to TWCA and have been in that 2nd tier of contenders. Its finally a semifinal appearance for LSA, after their best squads were stopped by DC a decade ago. This is a huge chance for the Pioneers to make a 1st State Final. The 40 points per game offense they've had in their victories should get them past the Eagles, but Second Baptist is playing its best right now. I think the Eagles spring another rematch turnaround and get back to a State Final rematch with the Saints. Second Baptist surprises again, 24-20.

Division IV

Dallas First Baptist vs. Temple Central Texas Christian @ Italy -- The Saints are the holders of the last two Division IV titles and very little has indicated an end to their reign. The Lions are 10-1 having only fallen to undefeated Brazos Christian this season. They've been dominant outside of the Brazos loss and tight game with Division II Brentwood Christian. They've allowed just 53 points outside of those 2 games, less than 6 points per game. So the Lions will provide a stiff test for FBA. Only Division I Bishop Lynch has toppled the Saints among in-state teams. Both squads dominated Hallettsville Sacred Heart and appear to be the among the top 3 in Division IV. A season ago, the Saints took out the Lions 54-21 in the semis. This seems like a very similar match-up as last year. Similar to Division II, I just can't pick against the champs. Saints get their shot at 3 in a row, winning 37-18.

Tomball Rosehill Christian vs. Bryan Brazos Christian @ Waller -- Another all Eagles showdown to decide our last predicted finalist. Rosehill is 7-4 on the season and secured a big win for their program last week over Mercy Culture. A great season for the Eagles from Tomball, but an uphill climb awaits in this semifinal. In the regular season they were shutout by Brazos, 47-0, and Central Texas Christian, 49-0. The offense will have to find a way past the Brazos defense that they didn't before. The Brazos Christian Eagles are 11-0 under first year head coach Jordan Black. They've allowed just 78 points in 11 games on the season. Only Central Texas Christian has made it to double digits among Division IV opponents. While I'm sure Rosehill will have some adjustments from the first meeting, this is Brazos moment to shine. Brazos Christian wins 42-7.

Quick Hits rests for the week at 103-24.