Special contributor Rick Kretzschmar previews the TAPPS Division I, Division II and Division III state championship games.
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Schedule | DFW media high school football pick ‘em
DIVISION I
Parish Episcopal vs. Plano Prestonwood Christian
When/Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Waco ISD Stadium
PARISH EPISCOPAL (11-1)
Coach: Daniel Novakov (sixth season)
Regular season: Won TAPPS 1-I title, finished the regular season as the top-ranked team in The Dallas Morning News’ Private Schools poll and the Associated Press’ Private Schools 11-man state poll. Its lone loss was to South Oak Cliff, which has advanced to the Class 5A Division II Region II final.
How they got here: Bye in the area round, beat Bishop Lynch (56-14 in the regional round), beat Houston St. Thomas (42-7 in the state semifinal).
TAPPS state titles: 5 (2010, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021).
Players to watch: Sophomore Sawyer Anderson has played beyond his years, passing for 2,851 yards and 35 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Running back Maddux Reid (958 yards, 17 TD rushing) was unstoppable the last time Parish played Prestonwood on Nov. 4, rolling for 289 yards and five touchdowns. Parish may have two of the best defensive players in North Texas in linebacker Tre Williams and safety Daniel Demery. Williams, a Stanford commit, has 119 tackles with 23 for loss. Demery, a Mississippi commit, has 58 tackles and three interceptions. Linebacker Seth Scott has a team-high 150 tackles.
PRESTONWOOD CHRISTIAN (9-2)
Coach: Donnie Yantis (first season)
Regular season: Finished second in TAPPS 1-I, finished the regular season ranked No. 3 in The News’ Private Schools area poll. Lost to Parish Episcopal 42-14 on Nov. 4.
How they got here: Bye in the area round, beat Houston St. Pius X (48-0 in the regional round), beat Fort Worth Nolan (56-21 in state semifinal).
TAPPS state titles: 5 (2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017)
Players to watch: Prestonwood’s offense is anchored by running back A.J. Sibley (2,166 yards, 20 TD), who has six 200-yard games this season, including 327 against Nolan last week. Quarterback Maguire Martin has been steady most of this season, passing for 1,384 yards and 14 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Prestonwood’s best athlete could be cornerback Carter Stoutmire, an Arizona commit who has six interceptions. Junior linebacker Hudson Lunsford has a team-high 122 tackles, with 11½ for loss.
Prediction: Parish Episcopal 38, Prestonwood Christian 21.
DIVISION II
Fort Worth All Saints vs. Sugar Land Fort Bend Christian
When/Where: Noon Friday at Waco ISD Stadium
ALL SAINTS (7-5)
Coach: Aaron Beck (16th season)
Regular season: Finished third in TAPPS 1-II. Finished regular season ranked No. 5 in The Dallas Morning News’ Private Schools area poll. Rebounded from a 2-4 start. Its last loss was a 31-0 decision to Argyle Liberty Christian on Oct. 28.
How they got here: Beat Grapevine Faith Christian (45-30 in the area round), beat Argyle Liberty Christian (37-20 in the regional round), beat Fort Worth Christian (35-8) in the state semifinal.
TAPPS state titles: 0. Note: All Saints won 7 SPC titles (2002, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016).
Players to watch: Quarterback Jalen Spriggs (2,152 yards, 22 TD passing, 9 INT) has been solid most of this season, and has stepped up his game in All Saints’ current four-game winning streak with 11 TD passes to two interceptions. Receiver Jayvont Williams had 170 yards receiving against Faith Christian and has a team-high 90 tackles on defense. All Saints’ best (and smartest) athlete could be linebacker/defensive end and Princeton commit Robert Sanders, who has 87 tackles and team highs in tackles for loss (18½), sacks (10) and interceptions (3). Sophomore Blake Robinett has 13 tackles for loss, including 6½ sacks.
FORT BEND CHRISTIAN (9-4)
Coach: Jordan Black (fourth season)
Regular season: Finished second in TAPPS 4-II. Has won six consecutive games. Was 1-1 against North Texas schools this season, including a 32-28 loss to Division III finalist Dallas Christian. Lost 48-7 to San Antonio-area Class 6A powerhouse Cibolo Steele on Sept. 23.
How they got here: Beat Austin Hyde Park (69-0 in the area round), beat Austin Regents (27-24 in the regional round), beat Houston Second Baptist (41-14 in the state semifinal).
TAPPS state titles: 0
Players to watch: Quarterback Brady Dever has accounted for 2,699 total yards and 28 touchdowns, including 392 yards and four scores against Regents. Receiver Bryan Domino has 60 receptions for 927 yards and nine touchdowns. Receiver Braylon Gardoni has 54 receptions for 846 yards and seven touchdowns. Ethan Williams is the team leader with 692 yards rushing.
Prediction: All Saints 30, Fort Bend Christian 14.
DIVISION III
Dallas Christian vs. Houston Cypress Christian
When/Where: 7 p.m. Saturday at Waco ISD Stadium
DALLAS CHRISTIAN (12-1)
Coach: Mike Wheeler (31st season)
Regular season: Won TAPPS 2-III title. Finished regular season ranked No. 4 in The Dallas Morning News’ Private Schools area poll. Its lone loss was a 35-24 decision to Fort Worth Christian on Sept. 30.
How they got here: Beat Colleyville Covenant Christian (66-6 in the area round), beat Bullard Brook Hill (61-7 in the regional round), beat TC-Lubbock (35-0 in state semifinal).
TAPPS state titles: 9 (1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2008, 2021).
Players to watch: Quarterback Luke Carney is having an outstanding sophomore season with 3,185 total yards and 36 touchdowns. Running back Zach Hernandez has rushed for 1,422 yards and 23 touchdowns. Receiver/defensive back William “Speedy” Nettles is one of the best two-way players in North Texas with 54 receptions for 1,393 yards and 19 touchdowns on offense and five interceptions on defense (returning three picks for touchdowns). Nose guard Phillip Bazemore has 72 tackles, 20 for loss, 14 sacks and three blocked field goals. Linebacker Chris Scott has a team-high 80 tackles.
CYPRESS CHRISTIAN (8-4)
Coach: Kris Hogan (third season)
Regular season: Won TAPPS 4-III title. Has won six consecutive games after a 2-4 start. One loss was to eventual SPC Class 3A champion The Woodlands John Cooper 38-14 on Sept. 2.
How they got here: Bye in the area round, beat Boerne Geneva (44-14 in the regional round), beat San Antonio Holy Cross (36-32 in the state semifinal).
TAPPS state titles: 2 (2017, 2021).
Players to watch: Running back Wayne Haudek had touchdown runs of 8 and 54 yards against Geneva. Quarterback Maxwell Landrum accounted for 332 total yards and six rushing touchdowns in a 40-26 win over Houston Christian on Oct. 7. Cornerback Drew Mestayer had a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown against Geneva.
Prediction: Dallas Christian 48, Cypress Christian 20.
Correction, 11:05 a.m. Dec. 2: An earlier version of this article said Plano Prestonwood has won four state titles. It has won five.
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