The Shepherd Pirates (5-5) and Kirbyville Wildcats (8-2) will meet in the first round of the 2023 UIL 3A D1 Texas State Football Championships on Thursday, November 9th, at 7:30pm ET, at Lufkin High School in Lufkin, TX.
What it is: Texas High School Football
Matchup: Shepherd Pirates vs. Kirbyville Wildcats
Time: Thursday Nov 09, 2023, 7:30pm ET
Game Type: Playoffs
Bracket: 2023 UIL 3A D1 Texas State Football Championships
Round: First Round
Locations: Lufkin High School, TX
Live stream: Watch here
This is a matchup of two teams that are evenly matched on paper. The Pirates have a slightly better record, but the Wildcats have a home field advantage. Both teams have a lot of talent and they are capable of beating anyone on any given day.
The Shepherd Pirates are led by a balanced offense that features a strong running game and a passing game that can strike from anywhere on the field. The Kirbyville Wildcats are led by a defense that has been one of the best in the state all season.
The Shepherd Pirates defense will need to be able to contain the Wildcats’ running game in order to have a chance to win this game. The Kirbyville Wildcats offense will need to be able to score points in order to keep up with the Pirates’ high-powered offense.
This is expected to be a close game, with both teams having a chance to win. The Pirates may have a slight edge in terms of experience, as they have several players who have started in the playoffs before. However, the Wildcats are the more physical team and they will be playing at home.
How to Watch
The game will be streamed live on the NFHS Network. You can watch on your smartphone, tablet, computer, or connected device. To watch, sign in and subscribe, and select the game to watch.
Prediction
Kirbyville Wildcats 38, Shepherd Pirates 35
Analysis
The Kirbyville Wildcats are the favorites in this game, but the Shepherd Pirates should not be overlooked. The Pirates have a lot of talent and they are capable of beating anyone on any given day.
The Shepherd Pirates defense will need to be able to contain Preston Stephens and Landen Dellinger in order to have a chance to win this game. The Kirbyville Wildcats offense will need to be able to score points in order to keep up with the Pirates’ high-powered offense.
This is expected to be a close game, with both teams having a chance to win. The Kirbyville Wildcats may have a slight edge in terms of home field advantage. However, the Shepherd Pirates are the more experienced team and they have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.
X-Factor
The X-factor in this game will be the home field advantage. The Kirbyville Wildcats will be playing in front of their own fans, and they will be looking to pull off a major upset. The Shepherd Pirates will need to be able to block out the noise and focus on the game at hand.
Conclusion
This is a game that should not be missed. Both teams are evenly matched and both teams have a lot of talent. The home field advantage may give the Kirbyville Wildcats a slight edge, but the Shepherd Pirates are a dangerous team that should not be overlooked. It is sure to be a close and exciting game.
