High School Football Playoffs: What You Should Know About The Deep East Texas Teams

The UIL Texas high school football playoffs are here. The first-round bi-district games will be played this Thursday through Saturday at stadiums throughout the Pineywoods. The complete schedule of teams from Deep East Texas is laid out at the end of this post, but first, let's take a deep dive into some of these upcoming matchups that you may find interesting or compelling.

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Four Teams, Four Bi-District Champs

In the bi-district round, the champ from one district plays the 4th place team from a nearby district, while the 2nd and 3rd place finishers go head-to-head. This rewards the district champ with an 'easier' opponent in the first round game. However, because some districts are stronger than others, it doesn't always work out that way.

Last year, the top four teams from Lufkin's district (9-5A, Div I) easily handled the top four teams from District 10-5A. This year, don't be surprised if Port Arthur Memorial, Barbers Hill, Lufkin, and Beaumont United all move through to the area round of the playoffs.

I wouldn't be totally shocked if this happened when the Division I teams from District 11-2A square off against those from District 12-2A. It would be difficult to find a tougher 2A district in the state than 11-2A. San Augustine, Garrison, Joaquin, and Shelbyville could make a clean sweep in the first round when they take on Groveton, Corrigan-Camden, Centerville, and Leon Jewett. Centerville vs Joaquin should be a close game, and Jewett will be favored against Shelbyville, but I wouldn't be overly surprised if the Dragons pulled off the upset.

Let's stay in Class 2A, this time in Division II. Mt. Enterprise, Grapeland, Lovelady, and Overton are the top four teams from 11-2A. A strong argument could be made for all four of these teams advancing when they take on West Hardin, Deweyville, Evadale, and West Sabine.

This is a bit outside the Deep East Texas boundary, but this may happen in the Class 4A, Division I playoffs when the teams from District 9 (Kilgore, Lindale, Pine Tree, and Chapel Hill) play against the top four from District 10 (Bridge City, Lumberton, Hargrave, and Little Cypress-Mauriceville)

East Texas Football Groundhog Day

In the movie Groundhog Day, the main character finds himself reliving the same day over and over. In East Texas playoff football, we call that Carthage vs Pleasant Grove. Year in and year out, these teams have arguably been two of the best in the state in Class 4A. Unfortunately, they are in the same region and must face each other before continuing their quest to the state title. With Carthage ranked #1 in the state and Pleasant Grove #2 (Class 4A - Dibv II), it's pretty much a sure bet that these two will once again have a showdown on Thanksgiving Weekend.

A quick side note: In the past 10 years, these two teams have faced each other 7 times. Carthage has won every time, even during Pleasant Grove's state championship season in 2019.

Most Likely from Deep East Texas To Win A State Championship

Carthage - They are the defending Class 4A, Div II state champs. As long as they can get past Pleasant Grove, the Bulldogs will be the favorite to repeat.

Newton - The Eagles are destroying opponents. The district champs defeated the 2nd-place district team by 72 points, and took down last year's state runner-up Woodville 72-26. A state title in Class 3A, Division II is within reach for Newton.

Kilgore - Last year, Kilgore made it to the state championship game in Class 4A, Div I, before falling to Celina. I wouldn't be surprised to see a rematch this year.

Mt. Enterprise -  A bit of a long shot, but this has been a historic season for the Wildcats. They should be favored to win their first playoff game, but Mt. Enterprise would probably have a top-10 showdown with Chilton in the area round.  Beyond that, showdowns with top five teams like Bremond and Shiner would probably lie ahead.

Bi-district Playoffs - Deep East Texas Teams

• Lufkin vs Houston Westbury, Saturday, 2 pm @ Butler Stadium in Houston
• Nacogdoches vs Port Neches-Groves, Friday, 7 pm @ Port Neches
• Center vs Van, Friday, 7 pm @ Jacksonville's Tomato Bowl
• Shepherd vs Columbia, Friday, 7 pm @ Channelview
• Crockett vs Hardin, Friday, 7:30 pm @ Randall Reed Stadium in New Caney
• Diboll vs Orangefield, Friday, 7 pm @ Jasper
• Woodville vs West Rusk, Thursday, 7 pm @ Nacogdoches
• Newton vs New Diana, Thursday, 7 pm @ Timpson
• Lovelady vs Evadale, Friday, 7 pm @ Woodville
• Grapeland vs Deweyville, Thursday, 7 pm @ Doggett Stadium in Beaumont
• Mt. Enterprise vs West Hardin, Friday, 7:30 pm @ Lufkin
• West Sabine vs Overton, Thursday, 7 pm @ Joaquin
• Joaquin vs Centerville, Friday, 7 pm @ Bullard
• Garrison vs Corrigan-Camden, Thursday, 7 pm @ Jacksonville's Tomato Bowl
• San Augustine vs Groveton, Friday, 7 pm @ Nacogdoches
• Shelbyville vs Leon Jewett, Thursday, 7 pm @ Palestine
• Burkeville vs Aquilla, Thursday, 7 pm @ Oakwood
• Chester vs Coolidge, Friday, 7 pm @ Grapeland