Perhaps one of the best things about the Texas high school football playoffs are the intrastate matchups, and the area round has plenty to offer in that department.
Several Dallas-area teams will face programs from East Texas this week, with DeSoto-Longview being the headlining contest.
When the teams met in last year’s regional finals, Longview routed DeSoto 50-14. The three-time state champion has a chance for revenge this week against the state power from East Texas.
Longview recorded 427 yards on the ground in its win last year, but DeSoto’s run defense is much improved in 2025. In a 63-6 win over Copperas Cove last week, DeSoto allowed just 22 yards on 27 carries. Longview (7–4), which finished 4-2 in District 10-6A, is looking to win two straight against DeSoto after routing Rowlett 63-7 in the first round.
High School Sports
Two-time state champion South Oak Cliff will play Mount Pleasant on Friday in Forney, and Midlothian Heritage will meet Texarkana Texas for the second time this season. Midlothian Heritage beat Texarkana Texas 35-21 in pre-district play. In the Class 4A Division II bracket, state-ranked Sunnyvale meets Van. Undefeated Terrell plays Huntsville, which is arguably in East Texas, and Ennis meets Port Neches-Groves.
East Texas teams fared well against area programs in last year’s second round. Longview edged Lancaster 35-28 in overtime and Marshall beat Midlothian Heritage 21-12. Crandall fell 58-28 to Texarkana Texas and PNG beat Kaufman 58-28. Texarkana Pleasant Grove dominated Farmersville 63-7.
But some area teams got wins against programs from the eastern region of Texas. South Oak Cliff beat Huntsville 38-7. Gilmer fell 27-17 to Sunnyvale.
Dallas-area teams have been dominant at the UIL state championships in recent years, but East Texas has also been strongly represented on that stage.
Carthage won the 4A Division II state title last season. Port Neches-Groves appeared in back-to-back 5A Division II state championships in 2022 and 2023, losing to South Oak Cliff in 2022 and beating SOC the next year. Tyler Chapel Hill was a 4A Division I state finalist in 2023 and Gilmer won the 4A Division II state title that same year. Longview won the 6A Division II state title in 2018.
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