A look at this weekend’s football playoff games, with picks from staff writers Dave Purpura and Ahmard Vital:

5A-DIVISION II STATE QUARTERFINAL
Katy (13-0) vs. Fort Bend Clements (13-0)
7 p.m. Saturday, Rice Stadium
Pasadena Memorial started last week’s regional semifinal against Katy with a 14-play, 74-yard drive that took nearly six minutes and was promising until quarterback Dylan Adamek lost a fumble at the goal line.
Clements had the same type of possession to open last week’s game against Stratford, holding the ball for the first six-and-a-half minutes of a 31-27 win. The Rangers hope for several similar possessions, and the same result as in their first 13 games, against an opportunistic Katy team that can strike quick.
“Ball control, I think, is the key for both teams,” Clements coach Jeff Hulme said. “We’re gonna mix up formations and things against them. The way we started last week against Stratford (the long drive), that’s what we like to do.”
Senior tailback Chris Lenoir has 1,800 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns to pace the Rangers, who spread the ball to several supporting backs and have a handful of capable receivers.
Lenoir and Katy tailback Aundre Dean are similar in attributes and style, but Dean, who has scored 19 touchdowns, is slightly bigger. Pasadena Memorial held him in check for most of last week’s 30-14 Katy win, opening the door for Bo Levi Mitchell to throw for two touchdowns and 284 yards.
Clements averages 37 points a game and allows 28 on average; Katy is scoring more than 43 points and allowing only eight.
Katy defeated Clements in the 2005 playoffs en route to a 16-0 season and its most recent state championship. That’s not forgotten, Hulme said.
“Our seniors were sophomores then and I think there’s still a bad taste in their mouths from that game,” Hulme said. “But Katy deserves everything they get. They’re a very well-coached team and they’re strong. It’s going to be an extremely difficult game and we’ll see what happens.”
Purpura’s pick: Katy.
Vital’s pick: Katy.

5A-DIVISION I STATE QUARTERFINAL
North Shore (13-0) vs. Fort Bend Hightower (10-3)
1 p.m. Saturday, Rice Stadium
Having cleared old nemesis Pearland, North Shore and its potent offense seemingly are on a collision course to reach the 5A-Division I state championship game and win its first state title since 2003.
Hightower, meanwhile, is seeking to break new ground. Playoff qualifiers seven of the past eight years, the Hurricanes haven’t advanced this far in the postseason since 2001, when they lost 56-22 to Vince Young-led Madison in the state quarterfinals.
But history doesn’t seem to matter much to Hightower coach Gene Johnson, whose team got a last-second 50-yard field goal from Jake Kane to defeat Cypress Ridge 22-21 last week.
“They (North Shore) have already won a state championship; they’ve been there and done that,” Johnson said. “Their coach (David Aymond) is so much more experienced and they’re going to present a serious challenge for us.”
As will Hightower for North Shore. Each team may be the most complete team the other has seen this year.
North Shore quarterback Jeremiah McGinty may be even more lethal a runner than a passer; no one yet has stopped his deceptive runs on zone-read option plays.
Hightower has no shortage of weapons. Kentral Hollingsworth, who has 725 yards and 12 touchdowns, leads a stable of backs in which four players have at least four touchdowns rushing. Darius Johnson has 12 scores.
Clyde Lee, Anthony Laday and Johnson each have about 400 receiving yards.
“They’ve got a good passing game and they run the football effectively,” Aymond said. “They’re real good on defense too. They (will be) the most athletic football team we’ve played all year.”
Purpura’s pick: North Shore.
Vital’s pick: North Shore.

4A STATE QUARTERFINAL
Waller (10-3) vs. Dayton (10-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday, Berry Center
After both teams put up 40-plus points last week, this matchup should be nothing less than a barnburner.
Dayton comes in with an attack that led by all-purpose player A.J. Dugat. Dugat has lined up nearly everywhere on the field and has had solid yardage in most games. Bronco quarterback Gregory Charles has thrown for more than 1,700 yards and Dugat (60 receptions) and Ronnie Powell (42 receptions) are his primary targets.
John Gable leads the rushing attack with 770 yards. Defensively, the Broncos have given up a mere 17 points during postseason play.
Waller has played its way through some of the toughest 4A teams. The Bulldogs use a strong ground game led by running backs Jeremy Luckett and Eddie Brown (who also doubles on defense). Quarterback Jeremy Phillips has been effective on the ground and through the air.
This game should stay close through three quarters, but Dayton has a bit more team speed that will be a major factor late in the game.
Purpura’s pick: Dayton.
Vital’s pick: Dayton.

Heather Burr contributed.

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