Last year, Guyer was one step away from playing in the state title game. So it comes as no surprise that their expectations are much higher this season.

    “We expected to make it to round three, and now that we are here we are going to try to get to round four,” Guyer head coach John Walsh said following his team’s 42-21 win over Mansfield Legacy in the Class 4A area round last Friday. “At the same time, we need to keep things in perspective.”

    Guyer (11-1) will face Abilene Cooper (9-3) at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium. This is a rematch of last year’s playoff battle in the same round, a game Guyer won easily 28-7. In that game, Guyer’s defense held Cooper to 31 first-half yards and also picked off quarterback Ryan Heslep twice while forcing six punts. Offensively, the Wildcats were led by running back Jaimaine Wilhite’s 21 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown.

    Cooper’s leading rusher gained just nine yards on two carries while their leading receiver had just two catches for 61 yards against the Guyer defense.

    “Anytime you play someone twice in two years like we are with Abilene Cooper, it’s an advantage for the team that lost because now they understand you,” Walsh said. “It’s going to be hard to beat them twice, but I think we are real strong and we’ll just see what they give us out there.”

    Guyer’s defense is just as potent this year, too. Last week against Mansfield Legacy, the defense forced two turnovers off fumbles. Legacy finished the game with 21 points, but 14 of those points came in the fourth quarter with Guyer already ahead 42-7 and resting most of its starters.

    Offensively, the Wildcats took a 12-0 first quarter lead and exploded for 23 points in the second quarter for a commanding 35-7 halftime lead. Wilhite and J.W. Walsh accounted for five touchdowns by game’s end. Wilhite scored on four of those touchdowns. Walsh was 18-for-25 for 204 yards and a score. He also ran one in from 13 yards out.

    Guyer – the area’s No. 2 ranked team in Class 4A – is only in its second playoff appearance in school history. But in two playoff games so far this season, the Wildcats have outscored opponents by a combined 101-49.