Video: National Top 20 football Games of the Week Several Texas playoffs tilts are highlighted.
One year later, Duncanville and Carroll (Southlake) are again undefeated and facing off in a Class 6A Division I state quarterfinal.
Duncanville, No. 1 in the MaxPreps Texas Top 25, and No. 3 Carroll put 13-0 records on the line Saturday afternoon at McKinney ISD Stadium. At this stage only one other 6A team, Brandeis (San Antonio), remains unbeaten.
On its way to a state runner up finish a year ago, Duncanville humbled the turnover-prone Dragons, 51-7. It remains the only Carroll loss in two seasons under head coach Riley Dodge.
Carroll on that December day averaged only 1.9 yards per rush and turned the ball over seven times. Duncanville was turnover-free. Quarterback Ja'Quinden Jackson accounted for 156 of the Panthers' 333 rushing yards and had a hand in four touchdowns.
Jackson, a Texas pledge, is throwing more this year (18 touchdown passes) and carrying the ball less.
For the Dragons, Quinn Ewers has had a spectacular sophomore season with 3,610 passing yards and 42 touchdowns. Add to that 549 rushing yards for nine scores.
Carroll in the season opener defeated common opponent South Grand Prairie 35-20. Duncanville opened its playoff run by beating the Warriors 45-14.
Here is a preview of the top state quarterfinal games this week. (MaxPreps Texas Top 25 ranking included):
Class 6A Division I Region I
Saturday, 2:30 p.m., McKinney ISD Stadium, McKinney
Top players
How dominant has Duncanville been in carving out its 13-0 record? How about 593 points scored and 77 allowed. The defense has five shutouts and the 17 points scored by Martin (Arlington) last week were the most allowed in a game all season. While Duncanville is allowing less than six points per game, Carroll's high-powered offense is averaging 50 and has not been held under 35.
No. 8 Lake Travis (Austin) vs No. 18 Judson (Converse)Class 6A Division I Region IV
Saturday, 4 p.m., Alamodome, San Antonio
Top players
The schools are meeting in the playoffs for the third straight season with the first two going to Lake Travis, 47-39 in 2017 and 38-21 last year. The overall series is tied at three wins. Lake Travis quarterback Card, a Texas Longhorns pledge, has been sidelined since mid-October with a foot injury but junior replacement Yarnell has thrown for 1,489 yards and 14 touchdowns. Judson dual-threat quarterback Chandler has a combined 47 touchdowns and 3,698 yards.
No. 16 Manvel vs No. 21 Fort Bend Marshall (Missouri City)Class 5A Division II Region III
Saturday, 2 p.m., Freedom Field, Iowa Colony
Top players
These two members of District 11 met on Sept. 20 with Manvel (13-0) winning a 38-34 thriller. Senior quarterback Hornsby has topped 1,000 yards in both passing and rushing for Marshall (12-1). Manvel's Yarbrough while not the running threat that Hornsby poses, has thrown for over 2,800 yards and 39 touchdowns.
No. 9 Westlake (Austin) vs No. 22 Brandeis (San Antonio)Class 6A Division II Region IV
Friday, 7:30 p.m., Alamodome, San Antonio
Top players
With the exception of a 26-25 loss to rival Lake Travis, Westlake has had a comfortable ride to its 12-1 record. A trademark of coach Todd Dodge's teams is a strong receiver corps that is led this year by senior Lindley with 84 catches for 1,080 yards. Brandeis (13-0) is one of only three remaining unbeaten teams in Class 6A. Brandeis quarterback Battles has more yards as a runner (1,738) than he does as a passer (1,221). His 26 rushing touchdowns are 14 more than he has thrown.
No. 2 North Shore (Houston) vs No. 23 Atascocita (Humble)Class 6A Division I Region III
Saturday, 2 p.m., Sheldon ISD Stadium, Houston
Top players
The two 12-1 teams suffered their only loss at the hands of Katy. North Shore, the defending state champion, avenged its 24-21 loss to Katy in the season opener with a decisive 56-35 playoff victory last week. Atascocita lost its Sept. 6 home opener to Katy 56-14. Atascocita quarterback Matthews has thrown for 38 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards. North Shore signal-caller Davis accounted for 44 touchdowns (25 passing) and over 3,000 combined yards.
