5A D1 Scoreboard: Semifinals Round

Region I
Arlington Martin (8-4) - 19; Euless Trinity (10-2) - 37
Arlington (10-2) - 31; Coppell (11-1) - 29

Arlington is definitely on a hot run right about now. The latest doesn't look like it came off of Matt Joekel's arm, but rather the foot of a jinxed kicker who nailed a clutch 29-yd FG at the end. Next week's game ought to be pretty big, even if it wasn't the likeliest opposition I saw coming out of the non-Trinity bracket.

As for Trinity, it looks as if they're back to where they can do what they do best, which is plow the ball upfield. The margin of victory they got this weekend sits a bit odd with me since the first half was a close game and our D just pitched a shutout in the second half. It always seems one of two things happens at this point: you run into a team you can't shut down or overpower; or you have enough weapons on offense to go toe-to-toe with them when the D breaks. It's this point of the season when I get awfully uneasy thinking about the matchup of the weekend ahead. Life is much, much better when you just go out and win games 73-14, running away from the get-go.

Region II
Dallas Skyline (12-0) - 21; Cypress Woods (10-2) - 28
Tyler Lee (6-5) - 23; Round Rock Stony Point (11-1) - 27

An impressive upset by Cy Woods. No two ways about it. My contention that all good Dallas-area teams fold seems to be holding up this season. Cedar Hill ... out. Garland ... gone. DeSoto ... well, they had to go through Skyline. Skyline ... done. The simple fact of the matter is that Cedar Hill and Skyline were two dominant teams that should have won a state championship. And this weekend? Both are free to go back for seconds of turkey leftovers without worrying about it affecting their play. It's a strange phenomenon, if you ask me.

Stony Point's win, on the other hand, is at least to be expected. Even if Tyler Lee had lived up to their pre-season billing and won some of the early games this season, they'd still probably only reach this level. Cy Woods certainly shouldn't be viewed as a patsy given who they just beat, but I've liked Stony Point for this region all along. I think they'll have a good case to make next weekend.

Region III
Katy Cinco Ranch (11-1) - 49; Beaumont West Brook (9-3) - 26
Alief Taylor (9-3) - 19; Brazoswood (9-3) - 42

I had neither of the winners making it to Quarterfinals in my brackets. Disparity in their records aside, I tend to view each somewhat equally. Cinco looked as if they were ready to make a big statement with their season-ender against Katy. They're undeniably good, but I've been more impressed with the different ways that Brazoswood has won this season: pouring it on Kempner with 56 points and then beating North Shore 7-3. What's not to love?

Region IV
Austin Westlake (10-2) - 42; Harlingen (12-0) - 13
SA Clark (12-0) - 35; Del Rio (10-2) - 0

Reverts to form. Two teams I really don't care much for will sort it out next week. One of 'em has to win. Not sure how much concern to have over Westlake. In following Clark a bit more closely this season, they have shown some signs of impressiveness despite my general disregard for San Antonio football.

D-II Games of Interest:
Abilene - 17; Cedar Hill - 41
Arlington Bowie - 45; Southlake Carroll - 21
John Tyler - 37; Klein Collins - 24
Katy - 37; LaPorte - 3

No Cedar Hill. No Soutlake Carroll. And somehow Arlington Bowie is still around? I know that Abilene is still pitching a perfect season so far, but in reviewing the remaining brackets, I'm penciling in the title game as Katy vs John Tyler.

3A-II: Carthage - 56; Caldwell - 41
2A-I: Arp - 15; Kirbyville - 27
1A-II: Tenaha - 22; Mart - 25
6man-II: Motley County - 62; Miami - 58
Louisiana: Capitol - 33; Menard - 27