The Elite 11
from Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Would you expect anything but excellence from Texas? This year’s Elite 11, the Star-Telegram’s list of the state’s top recruits, is highlighted by two of the nation's top quarterbacks. More

Reserve QBs Have Taken Wing for Several DFW Area Playoff Teams
from The Dallas Morning News
It's always good to have a backup plan. It's even better to have a good backup quarterback. Several DFW area teams are thriving in the playoffs with backups at the controls. It used to be that if the starting quarterback got injured, folks would hold their breath when the backup went in. More

Cove's New Tradition Makes Troubled Past a Distant Memory
from Killeen Daily Herald
Bulldawgs coach Jack Welch says there are two factions in Copperas Cove: those who experienced the 37-year playoff drought and others who only know success. Because of all the recent prosperity, current Cove football players fall in the latter category. "Our players expect to be successful," he said. "This new group, they don't know any better. They don't remember how it was." According to Welch, that's a good thing. Players don't settle for just good, but strive to be the best. More

Good Week for Central Texas Football, as 10 Teams Advance
from Austin American-Statesman
Central Texas football teams deserve 10 gold stars for their success in the third round of the high school playoffs. Ten victories. One defeat. Defending state champions Lake Travis and Liberty Hill were among the expected winners, but the most surprising team in the mix is Hendrickson, which continues to make school history with every playoff victory. The Hawks, 3-7 last season, survived a late rally by Port Lavaca Calhoun late at the Alamodome to win 31-30 and improve to 10-3. More

Katy Winning in Familiar Playoff Territory
from Houston Chronicle
It's a new season, but the same old story for Katy. These may not be the same Tigers, as they started 0-2 for the first time since 1984 and didn't win a district championship for the first time since 2002. But they're playing like the typical Tigers do in the playoffs and they did again on Saturday night at Tully Stadium. More

Bobcats Ready to Carry the Torch
from Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Six Corpus Christi area high school football teams made it to the third round of the playoffs. Only one remains. Refugio (13-0) defeated East Bernard 28-20 to set up a showdown against Blanco (13-0) for the Region IV-2A Division II championship at the Alamodome. The Panthers defeated Industrial 42-21 to advance. The No. 1 team in the state at the end of the regular season; the Bobcats didn't lock up the victory against East Bernard until junior Jourdan Ortiz picked off quarterback Matt Stelzel late in the fourth quarter. Ortiz also caught two touchdowns passes to help keep the team undefeated. More

Prosthesis No Match for Teen's Determination
from San Antonio Express-News
Scouring crowded stands for his mother and father has been a ritual for 16-year-old Matthew Patino since he took up sports. His parents, Adam and Susan Patino, have done the same, trying to zero in on his face in a pack sprinting around a track. He's loved running since middle school, but this year he sought something new. He made the Holmes High School freshman football team as a kicker. He'd signal the kickoff team to get ready with a sweep of his head. Then he'd lope 5 yards forward, booting the ball unlike any other freshman kicker in San Antonio — Matthew's lower right leg is prosthetic. Nineteen months ago, doctors diagnosed a stabbing pain in his foot as cancer. Surgeons amputated his lower right leg on April 2, 2007. Long hospital stays followed. Chemotherapy, prosthetic fittings and his parents' sense of helplessness in not being able to make it all go away filled his life. More

Injury Sidelines Rockwall-Heath Star
from The Dallas Morning News HS Game Time
Rockwall-Heath's breakout season will continue without one of the area's biggest breakout stars: running back Kendial Lawrence. Rockwall-Heath coach Mickey Moss said that an injured shoulder will keep Lawrence, a senior who has rushed for 2,679 yards and 43 touchdowns this season, out of the Class 4A Division II Region II final against Sulphur Springs. Lawrence was hurt in the second quarter of Rockwall-Heath's 17-14 victory over Ennis. He rushed 19 times for 114 yards despite the injury. More