The field is set for the final Texas high school football games of the season — the state championships. The UIL Football State Championships take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. For many of the 5A and 6A games, familiar faces and previous winners such as Lake Travis, Allen and Aledo travel to Jerry's World. But, Cy-Fair, Midway and Manvel are some relative newcomers making trips to the state title games. The championship games are usually the best games of the season, so here are Prep2Prep Texas' predictions for the 5A and 6A state title games:
6A Division I: Lake Travis Cavaliers vs. Allen Eagles
- Gabe Henderson: This state title appearance has been a long time coming for Allen and by a long time, I mean a few years. The Eagles haven't been to the title game for a few seasons and they'll square off against the defending state champion Lake Travis Cavaliers. This is one of the few dream matchups Texas high school football junkies have been waiting a few seasons for to see in the state title game. So, expect a tough, old school style football game. Allen's defense is smart, but it's nearly impossible to stop Hank Carter's Lake Travis offenses over the last few years. Look for Coach Carter's boys to come out swinging and get their second straight 6A state title. Lake Travis ends Allen's state title bid 35-26
- Adam Ogburn: Both of these teams put up a lot of points. Allen forced five turnovers in its semifinal win over Cedar Ridge, but I think Lake Travis will take better care of the ball. Led by Ohio State commit Matt Baldwin, I think the Cavaliers will make one more offensive play than the Eagles to secure the 6A championship for the second year in a row. Lake Travis defeats Allen 35-31
- Chase Seabolt: Allen defeats Lake Travis 38-28
- Noah Riffe: Allen defeats Lake Travis 24-20
- Caleb Corley: Lake Travis narrowly defeats Allen 38-35
6A Division II: Waco Midway Panthers vs. Cy-Fair Bobcats
- Gabe Henderson: The 6A-DII state title features the two most unlikely teams. At the beginning of the season, nearly everybody overlooked both Cy-Fair and Midway. It's nice to see two great programs finally getting a shot at a ring. Unfortunately, only one will come away with hardware. Oklahoma commit Tanner Mordecai is the real deal. He's extended plays and opened up opportunities for Midway all season. However, he'll have very few opportunities come Saturday. The Cy-Fair defense is tough as nails. Expect an extremely low-scoring game. Cy-Fair gets its first state title in program history on Saturday. Cy-Fair's physical defense holds Midway and the Bobcats win 20-10.
- Adam Ogburn: Both Midway and Cy-Fair come into this matchup undefeated and looking for their first ever state championship. Cy-Fair shut down Westlake last week, holding them to six points and I think that will be the key to this matchup. Tanner Mordecai will make plays for Midway, but I think Cy-Fair stops him just enough to hold on for a narrow victory. Cy-Fair edges out Midway 21-17.
- Chase Seabolt: Midway wins a low-scoring affair over Cy-Fair 14-7
- Noah Riffe: Cy-Fair defeats Midway 21-17
- Caleb Corley: Cy-Fair beats Midway 42-31
5A Division I: Highland Park Scots vs. Manvel Mavericks
- Gabe Henderson: Both Highland Park and Manvel boast offenses that could lineup against anybody in the country on any given day. However, one team will have to win the shootout. Highland Park, led by John Stephen Jones, won the state title last year in the house Jones' grandfather built. Don't expect the same result this year. Manvel has been yearning for a state title for years. Year in and year out in 6A, the Mavericks were bullied by Katy in the playoffs. After last year's slip up against Temple, Manvel is out for blood. Expect Kason Martin and the Mavericks to leave it all on the field and finally get Manvel a ring. Manvel wins the shootout over Highland Park 45-33
- Adam Ogburn: Highland Park has amassed a staggering 52.6 points per game during the playoffs, while Manvel has been just as impressive with 48 points per game in their five playoff victories. John Stephen Jones led the Fighting Scots to a state championship last year and I think it will be his play that will be the difference between the two teams. Both will score early and often, but I think Highland Park uses their experience to pull away late. Highland Park takes down Manvel 45-35
- Chase Seabolt: Highland Park holds Manvel, wins 42-28
- Noah Riffe: Highland Park beats Manvel 30-28
- Caleb Corley: Manvel captures 5A state title over Highland Park 28-22
5A Division II: Aledo Bearcats vs. College Station Cougars
- Gabe Henderson: While College Station has had a fantastic run, it's edged out a few games. When it comes down to it, that's a cause for concern. The Cougars cannot afford to slip up against this hasty Aledo team. The stingy Bearcats defense will lead the way, with Jase McClellan carrying the offense, it's hard to bet against Aledo. The Bearcats are four quarters away from tying the state's best programs in title numbers. Expect them to do so, it'll all come down to experience. Aledo takes care of College Station 37-31
- Adam Ogburn: Aledo is looking to tie an UIL record eighth state championship, while College Station heads to its first state championship. The extremely athletic Marquez Perez will prove a nuisance for Aledo’s defense, but running back Jase McClellan, who was last year’s title game MVP, will prove too much for the Cougars to handle. I think Aledo leans on its experience and hangs on for their eighth championship. Aledo ties records, defeats College Station 35-24
- Chase Seabolt: Aledo gets its eighth with win over College Station, 49-42
- Noah Riffe: College Station rolls over Aledo 38-20
- Caleb Corley: College Station edges out Aledo in high-scoring matchup, 43-40
