2021 UIL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PAIRING AND PICKS

6A DIVISION 1

Southlake Carroll (14-0) vs Duncanville (12-1), 4 p.m. Saturday at McKinney's McKinney ISD Stadium

My Pick: Duncanville 24-20

Duncanville's defense is something Southlake hasn't seen since their last semifinal game. If the Panthers can just play penalty-free football they should shock the Dragons and play in their third state championship game in four years.

Galena Park North Shore (13-1) vs Lake Travis (12-2), 3 p.m. Saturday at Round Rock’s Reeves Stadium

My Pick: North Shore 21-13

The Mustangs have somehow lost the most talented team they've ever had and not missed a beat. The defense has been great since their 21-27 loss to Spring Westfield in week 3. The match-up between 5-star DB Denver Harris and 4-star WR Caleb Burton will likely be the determining factor. If Burton can find a way to get loose against John Kay's defense the Cavs may be able to cancel a Duncanville vs. North Shore Part 3.

6A DIVISION 2

Denton Guyer (13-1) vs Tomball (11-3), 7 p.m. Saturday at Waco’s McLane Stadium

Katy (14-0) vs Austin Westlake (14-0), 2 p.m. Saturday at Waco’s McLane Stadium

My Pick: Westlake 31-28

With Cade Klubnik back and healthy and arguably the best offensive line in the state, I just can't see a scenario that doesn't involve Todd Dodge riding off into retirement in Cowboys Stadium winning his 6th state championship. In a match of teams that have won every game, the fashion by which they won those games becomes much more important. Though Katy is definitely a more battle-tested team, surviving Region 3 is always tough, the Chaps have been so focused and dominant it's hard to imagine them not figuring out a way to pull this off.

5A DIVISION 1

Mansfield Summit (11-3) vs College Station (14-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Hewitt’s Panther Stadium

My Pick: College Station

Cougars just tattooed #1 Denton Ryan, looking as dominant as they have all season. Summit will have more speed, they played Westlake pretty tough in Week 3, but College Station clicking on all cylinders right now. Really hard to see anybody hanging with them for four quarters.

Katy Paetow (13-1) vs Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (12-2), 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Heroes Stadium

My Pick: Paetow

Too much size, too many athletes, too well-coached. The Panthers downed Hightower last week pretty easily.

5A DIVISION 2

Lubbock Cooper (13-1) vs South Oak Cliff (12-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium

My Pick: SOC

SOC has always had size but a much improved and athletic offensive line has really propelled their run game. That including a stable of explosive athletes will be too much for Cooper.

Crosby (12-2) vs Liberty Hill (12-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bryan’s Green Stadium

My Pick: Crosby

LBJ was too athletic for Liberty Hill. Crosby will be too. Liberty Hill was able to find holes but didn't have the speed to break away from the Jags and turn those long runs into touchdowns, eventually falling short. I see the same outcome with Crosby.

4A DIVISION 1

Wichita Falls Hirschi (12-2) vs Stephenville (14-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Frisco’s Ford Center

My Pick: Hirschi

Tyler Chapel Hill (11-3) vs Austin LBJ (14-0), 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Frisco’s Ford Center

My Pick: Chapel Hill

For the first time since La Vega, LBJ will look across the field and see similar athleticism. Chapel Hill has been there and done this before. I'm going with experience.

4A DIVISION 2

Celina (12-1) vs Gilmer (13-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Prosper’s Children’s Health Stadium

My Pick: Gilmer

China Spring (14-0) vs Cuero (13-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Round Rock’s Reeves Stadium

My Pick: Cuero

3A DIVISION 1

Brock (14-0) vs Mount Vernon (14-0), 7 p.m. Thursday at McKinney’s McKinney ISD Stadium

My Pick: Brock

Lorena (12-2) vs Lago Vista (10-3), 7 p.m. Thursday at Georgetown’s Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex

My Pick: Lago Vista

3A DIVISION 2

Lubbock Roosevelt (14-0) vs Gunter (14-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Abilene’s Anthony Field

My Pick: Roosevelt

Waskom (13-1) vs Franklin (14-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Mesquite’s Memorial Stadium

My Pick: Waskom

2A DIVISION 1

Hawley (14-0) vs Marlin (11-3), 7 p.m. Thursday at Weatherford’s Kangaroo Stadium

My Pick: Marlin

Timpson (12-0) vs Shiner (14-0), 7 p.m. Thursday at Tomball’s Tomball ISD Stadium

My Pick: Shiner... Duh

2A DIVISION 2

Stratford (13-1) vs Albany (13-0), 6 p.m. Thursday at Lubbock’s Lowrey Field

My Pick: Albany

Mart (14-0) vs Falls City (13-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Elgin’s Wildcat Stadium

My Pick: Mart

1A DIVISION 1

State Semifinals

Happy vs. Westbrook, 7 p.m. Friday at Slaton

My Pick: Happy

Abbott vs. May, 6 p.m. Saturday at Dublin

My Pick: May

1A DIVISION 2

State Semifinals

Klondike vs. Motley County, 7 p.m. Thursday at Lockney

My Pick: Klondike

Strawn vs. Richland Springs, 7 p.m. Friday at Dublin

My Pick: Richland Springs