As the state finals in high school football playoffs approach next week, three teams from the Austin area remain in contention. Lake Travis, Vandegrift, and Llano are vying for their spots in the finals through crucial semifinal matchups this week. Lake Travis faces off against Galena Park North Shore in Class 6A Division I, while Vandegrift takes on Houston King in Class 6A Division II, and Llano goes against Yoakum in Class 3A Division I. The victors will head to AT&T Stadium in Arlington for a chance at state glory.
In the matchup between Lake Travis (14-0) and North Shore (12-2), experts believe Lake Travis will secure a victory if they can contain North Shore quarterback Kaleb Maryland. Maryland has been a standout performer for the Mustangs, averaging 229 passing yards and 36 rushing yards per game, contributing to 41 total touchdowns. His performance has been pivotal in North Shore”s ability to average 45 points across four playoff games.
Additionally, Lake Travis must avoid three-and-outs to keep their offense balanced, allowing their defense to stay fresh throughout the game. Key players include running back Van Hopping, who has rushed for 20 of the team”s 33 rushing touchdowns, and quarterback Luke McBride, who has thrown for 3,215 yards and 36 touchdowns in his first season as a starter.
In predictions, one analyst forecasts Lake Travis winning a close game, 28-24, while another sees them edging out North Shore 24-20, marking their first trip to the state championship since 2017.
Turning to the Vandegrift (12-2) versus Houston King (12-2) matchup, the Vipers need to assert control at the line of scrimmage. With a solid performance on both sides of the ball, they aim to demonstrate that last year”s championship was no fluke. A previous game saw them limit Dripping Springs to just 20 points, well below their season average.
Defensively, Vandegrift must prevent King from making big plays. King possesses an explosive offense capable of scoring quickly, so forcing long drives and field goal attempts will be crucial. Quarterback Miles Teodecki, who was the offensive MVP in last year”s title game, is expected to lead the team. Meanwhile, defensive end Hugo de la Vara Vazquez is highlighted as a key player to disrupt the Panthers” offense.
Predictions lean toward Vandegrift winning with a score of 17-14, while another analyst believes they will triumph 22-17, emphasizing the coaching prowess of Drew Sanders.
Lastly, in the Llano (13-1) against Yoakum (12-2) matchup, Llano must focus on stopping the run, as Yoakum”s offense relies heavily on their ground game. In their last game, Yoakum amassed 343 rushing yards without a passing attempt.
For Llano to succeed, quarterback Luke Davis needs to activate their passing game, having thrown for 304 yards and three touchdowns in a recent match. Key players like wide receiver Cash Lynch, who has secured over 1,250 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns this season, and linebacker Cody Greenwood, the leading tackler, will be essential for the Yellow Jackets” success.
In predictions, one analyst sees Yoakum claiming victory in a high-scoring contest, 35-28, while another anticipates a narrow win for Llano at 33-30.
