Quarterback Jacob Garner leads defending state champ Pearland. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )
Deer Park (10-1) vs. Pearland (9-2) – 7 p.m. Friday, Galena Park ISD Stadium
Deer Park: The Deer edged Beaumont West Brook last week for their first playoff win under eighth-year coach Chris Massey. They claimed their first district championship in 16 years a week earlier.
Pearland: The Oilers didn’t look like a group that was ready to defend their 5A Division I state title – until last week. Now they have the Deer, who they beat twice in district in 2007 and 2008.
North Shore (8-3) vs. Hightower (9-2) - 7 p.m. Friday, Abshier Stadium
North Shore: The Mustangs are 2-1 against Hightower going into their fourth playoff meeting in five years. They won 33-9 in their first meeting in 2007 to advance to the 5A Division I state semifinals.
Hightower: The Hurricanes beat North Shore in area in 2008 en route to the 5A Division I state title game at Reliant Stadium. But in their last meeting, QB Bralon Addison was held to negative rushing yards.
Cypress Falls (10-1) vs. Lamar (9-2) - 7 p.m. Friday, Tully Stadium
Cy Falls: The Golden Eagles, who posted their best regular-season record in school history, are in the area round for the first time since 2007. They went to the 5A Division II title game in 2006.
Lamar: The Redskins haven’t advanced past the second round since 2003, when they beat Kempner. They fell to Cy-Fair in area in 2006 and 2007, but this is their first playoff meeting with Cy Falls.
Cypress Woods (9-2) vs. Katy (11-0) - 7 p.m. Friday, Berry Center
Cy Woods: Much like Katy, the Wildcats seem to save their best for the playoffs. They went to the 5A Division II regional finals last season. But this is the first meeting with Katy in their four-year history.
Katy: The Tigers are in the area round for the 18th consecutive year. The last time they lost in area was 2001 to Madison. Their defense has been stifling, but Cy Woods has the best offense they’ve seen.
Cy-Fair (11-0) vs. Cinco Ranch (9-2) - 1 p.m. Saturday, Rhodes Stadium
Cy-Fair: The 11-0 Bobcats handled Nimitz last week to return to the area round for the second straight season. They lost to Katy last year in their return to the playoffs after a two-year drought.
Cinco Ranch: The Cougars fell 40-27 to Cy-Fair in their last meeting in 2007 in bi-district. This is their fourth consecutive trip to the second round, where they’re 3-1 with a trip to the state semis in 2009.
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