Any conversation about the Texas 5A-D2 playoffs has to begin with defending state champion Aledo — a program that has been ranked atop the AP poll all season long.

The Bearcats (10-0) went unchallenged during the regular season before needing to rally past Boswell in last week's season finale and have to be considered the class of Region 1. Sophomore running back Jase McClellan has a chance to be the top-rated back from the 2020 class.

Frisco Lone Star (9-1) and Frisco Reedy (9-1) are each interesting for different reasons. Lone Star gave undefeated Denton Ryan all it wanted on Sept. 21, leading 7-0 after the first quarter and 21-14 in the third quarter, before ultimately falling 28-21 in what ended up being Ryan’s only real test of the season.

If Lone Star is considered a true contender, Reedy has to be considered a dark horse. The upstart Lions raced out to an 8-0 mark before falling to the Rangers a couple of weeks ago.

In Region 3, Crosby (9-1) looks the part of a favorite — or they did until a season-ending beatdown at the hands of New Caney that was extremely out of character for this year’s Cougars team. Skwirl Williams and company will be immediately tested in the bi-district round by a powerful Port Neches-Groves offense.

Phil Danaher leads an undefeated Calallen (10-0) into the playoffs yet again this fall, and the winningest coach in Texas high school football is more than enough reason to believe in the Wildcats. But 10-0 McCallum — unbeaten for the first time since 1966 — looms on the opposite side of Region 4 with Alexander Julian in the backfield.

The Favorites:

Aledo and Calallen

The Sleeper:

McCallum

Players to Watch:

Alexander Julian, RB, McCallum

Julian is averaging nearly 11 yards per carry and 200 yards per game. He has game-breaking ability and could almost single-handedly push McCallum deep into the playoffs. Julian has run for 210 yards six times this season.

Skwirl Williams, RB, Crosby

Lesser known as Craig Williams, Skwirl is a four-star prospect headed for Baylor and one of the most electrifying ball carriers in the state. Crosby is a contender for as long as No. 21 keeps things moving.

Jeffery Carter, DB, Aledo

Carter is much more to Aledo than just a member of the defensive secondary, but he is the most dangerous piece of what has become a vaunted pass defense. Carter is also a threat on the offensive side of the ball. Carter had 130 receiving yards and a score in the Bearcats' 59-7 win over Brewer on Oct. 27.

We’re cherry-picking the best games of each week, beginning with a marquee matchup between Prosper and Frisco Wakeland on Thursday, and bringing the action to you live on FloFootball.com and the FloSports app.

Here’s what we have on tap this week:

Prosper vs. Frisco Wakeland

Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 PM (CST) | Allen Eagles Stadium (Allen, Texas)

Watch Live

Beaumont Westbrook vs.Longview

Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 PM (CST) | Lobos Stadium (Longview, Texas)

Watch Live

Conroe Oak Ridge vs.Mesquite Horn

Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 PM (CST) | Horn High School (Mesquite, Texas)

Watch Live

Schertz Clemens vs.O’Connor

Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 PM (CST) | O’Connor High School (Helotes, Texas)

Watch Live

Pflugerville Hendrickson vs.Austin Bowie

Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 PM (CST) | Bowie High School (Austin, Texas)

Watch Live

Texarkana Texas vs.Highland Park

Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2 PM (CST) | The Ford Center at The Star (Frisco, Texas)

Watch Live