Texas UIL Football Area Round Playoffs: Deep East Texas Match-ups, Predictions

It's time to move on to the area playoff round of Texas high school football. Last week in round one, the weather was nice. This Thursday and Friday, however, the forecast gives East Texas a pretty good chance of showers and thunderstorms. That could affect the outcome of many games.

Several teams from Deep East Texas have advanced to this second round of the playoffs, and we have posted the upcoming schedule at the end of this write-up. But first, let's take a look at some of these matchups.

READ MORE: How Did We Do In Last Week's Bi-District Football Predictions?

Lufkin Panthers

As we predicted in last week's outlook, all four playoff teams from District 9-5A, Div I won their bi-district games. Lufkin, along with Port Arthur Memorial, Barbers Hill, and Beaumont United, advanced to the area round. They will be facing all four playoff teams from District 12-5A, who also swept their first-round games. As much as it pains me to say this, I wouldn't be shocked if all the teams from District 12-5A pick up wins in the area round. I think Barbers Hill has the best shot out of District 9-5A to pick up an area round win when they take on Austin Anderson.

If Lufkin wants to pull out a win against Pflugerville Weiss, the Pack will need to slow the Weiss passing attack. Their quarterback (Jaxon Schad) is averaging over 300 yards passing per game, and their standout receiver (Tre Moore) averages nearly 130 yards receiving every game.

Woodville Eagles and Newton Eagles

Woodville draws the Edgewood Bulldogs in the area round. In the Eagles' bi-district win over West Rusk, Woodville played an outstanding 2nd half after playing a 1st half not up to their standards. If the Eagles continue to play as they did in the 2nd half last week, I expect a Woodville win in a close game. Meanwhile, Newton should coast to another playoff victory.

Joaquin Rams/Garrison Bulldogs/San Augustine Wolves

The top three teams from District 11-2A, Div I, will all have their hands full in their area round games. I expect three tight games that could all be decided in the 4th quarter. Rain could be a factor as well, so holding onto the ball and limiting turnovers will also be big.

Lovelady Lions/Grapeland Sandies/Mt. Enterprise Wildcats/Overton Mustangs

District 11-2A, Div II is still well-represented with all four teams getting 1st-round wins. However, as tough as this district is, 10-2A is tougher. Bremond, Chilton, Goldthwaite, and Mart all advanced and will play the teams of 11-2A in the area round.

Lovelady will play the Mart Panthers. Even though Mart finished 4th in their district, the Panthers make deep runs in the playoffs every year. Since 2020, Mart has faced Lovelady 3 times in the playoffs and has handily defeated the Lions every time.

Grapeland will play state-ranked Bremond in a rematch from earlier in the season. Bremond won that game 57-50. The battle of the week will take place when Mt. Enterprise takes on Chilton, both state-ranked. Mt. Enterprise features an offense scoring an average of 60 points per game, led by Kaegan Ash, who has rushed for over 3200 yards this season. Meanwhile, Chilton has held 7 teams this season to zero points. But, they did give up 48 points in a narrow bi-district win over Clarksville.

Chester Yellowjackets

Chester is having a historic season. They are 10-1 on the season and bi-district champs. This Friday, they'll face Union Hill, a team the Yellowjackets defeated 51-6 in week one. I think Chester will win the rematch, but the score should be closer.

Game Schedule and Predictions

• Lufkin (8-3) vs Pflugerville Weiss (9-2), November 21, 7 pm - Woodforest Stadium (Conroe). Prediction: The Weiss passing game will be the difference. Weiss 41, Lufkin 22
• Woodville (9-2) vs Edgewood (9-2), November 21, 7 pm - Rusk High School. Prediction: If Woodville brings their "A" game for four quarters, it should be an Eagle win. Woodville 38, Edgewood 34.
• Newton (10-1) vs De Kalb (7-4), November 21, 7 pm - Tatum High School. Prediction: The competition gets a little tougher for Newton, but the Eagles will still get another win. Newton 49, De Kalb 21
• Joaquin (7-4) vs Honey Grove (10-1), November 21, 7:30 pm - Ore City High School. Prediction: Last year, Joaquin defeated Honey Grove in the regional finals. It'll be a good game, but I think Honey Grove takes the rematch. Honey Grove 34, Joaquin 28
• Garrison (8-3) vs Elysian Fields (10-1), November 20, 7 pm - Henderson High School. Prediction: This should be a good one. Both teams benefit from playing in very tough districts. I believe Garrison's defense will give the Bulldogs a slight edge. Garrison 27, Elysian Fields 22.
• San Augustine (8-3) vs Waskom (9-2), November 21, 7 pm - Henderson High School. Prediction: Here's another great game. The Wolves are district champs, and Waskom is the tri-district champ. I'm pulling for San Augustine, but something in my gut thinks Waskom will win in a wild one. Waskom 55, San Augustine 50
• Chester (10-1) vs Union Hill (9-2), November 21, 7 pm - Oakwood High School. Prediction: Chester won the earlier match-up this season by 45 points. This game should be closer, but still a Yellowjacket victory. Chester 60, Union Hill 44
• Lovelady (9-2) vs Mart (6-5), November 21, 7 pm - Palestine High School. Prediction: Lovelady finished 3rd in one of the toughest 2A districts in Texas, and Mart finished 4th in an even tougher district. Mart has had Lovelady's number in the playoffs over the past five years. Mart 46, Lovelady 42
• Grapeland (8-3) vs Bremond (11-0), November 21, 7 pm - Madisonville High School. Prediction: This is a rematch from week 2. Bremond won that game 57-50. No other team has gotten that close to beating Bremond this year. Get ready for a scoring fest. Bremond 55, Grapeland 44
• Mt. Enterprise (11-0) vs Chilton (10-1), November 21, 7:30 pm - Kemp High School. Prediction: I picked Mt. Enterprise to lose several weeks ago to Lovelady because of the Lions' defense. Mt. Enterprise scored 82 points. Chilton has a stout defense, but I learned my lesson. I wouldn't be surprised if neither team punts. Mt. Enterprise 58, Chilton 52