State Semi-Final match-up details
By Michael Brooks
Editor/General Manager
State Semi-Final match-ups
3A DI
Edna (11-2) and Franklin (13-1)
Edna goes into this game knowing what to expect from Franklin. The Cowboys must slow down Franklin’s speed and make sure to hold on to the ball.
Last year Franklin defeated Brock by 3 in the State title game, after winning State the previous year as well. Unlike their first two state title runs, they have show a bit of a weakness, losing to fellow powerhouse school Lorena by three in district play. Although Franklin came back and took control in their Quarterfinal game against Lorena last week.
Franklin has outscored Edna 664 to 544 but, like last season, Edna has allowed fewer points-221-297
Malakoff (14-0) and Brock (11-3)
Both of the 3A DI games are rematches of last year. In 2022, Brock defeated Malakoff and moved on to the State Championship where they fell to Franklin. They also went to the title game the year before and fell to Lorena.
Malakoff is playing their second straight Semi-Final game. They last played in the State title game in 2018 where they lost to Grandview.
Brock lost three of their first four game of the season against powerhouse-schools Pleasant Grove, Wimberly, and Gunter. Wimberly and Gunter are playing in their respective Semi-Final game this week.
Malakoff has outscored Brock 746 to 679 and allowed fewer points-121 to 164. They have won every game this season by at least 30 points.
2A DI
Ganado (12-2) and Timpson (14-0)
Last year Timpson lost to Refugio by three in the State Semi-Finals. In 2021 Timpson lost to Shiner by seven in the State Semi-Final game. In 2021 Timpson lost to Shiner in the State Semi-Final game. Ganado is looking to continue the streak of District 15 teams knocking Timpson off en route to the State game.
Timpson has more experience, but this Indian team has been showing they thrive when being disrespected. Ganado knocked off the #8 team, the #6 team, and the #2 team in consecutive weeks and now look to knock off the number one team.
Timpson has outscored Ganado 769 to 574. Timpson and Ganado are very close on the other side of the ball with Timpson allowing 177 to Ganado’s 185.
Stratford (14-0) and Tolar (13-1)
Stratford won the State championship in 2021 and followed that with an Area round loss in 2022. A big reason for that could be because Stratford went from 2A DII to 2A DI after the state win. But now they are back at the cusp again.
Tolar’s lone loss this year came to Dallas Christian, a team who won the TAPPS State championship last week. Last year Tolar lost in the Quarterfinal round after two consecutive losing seasons.
The teams are fairly evenly matched on both sides of the ball. Tolar has outscored Stratford 674-635 while Stratford has allowed a few less points-143-157.
3A-DII
Tidehaven (13-0) and Daingerfield (11-3)
The other game in the area this week features a Tidehaven team with an amazing defense. Last week Tidehaven survived Poth 34-28. The Tigers have outscored Daingerfield 587-547 but the defensive side is where Tidehaven has been best. They have allowed an astonishing 69 points for the year compared to 185 for Daingerfield. And remember, 28 of those points came last week.
The 2A DI State Championship will be played on Wednesday, December 13, at AT&T Dallas Cowboy Stadium at 7 p.m. The 3A DI game will be played at the same location on Thursday, December 14, at 3 p.m.