Brock at Brownwood
The first of the two Fox Southwest Football Days in Texas broadcasts kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at legendary Gordon Wood Stadium. With the kick being early in the evening, conditioning and depth will be vital in this matchup. Brock, fresh off a state runner-up appearance last year, brings back 15 starters and despite not having settled on a primary runner, expect the Eagles to still churn out yardage running behind TE Baylor Cupp (Texas A&M commit) and OL John Brunner (North Texas commit). QB Tripp Jones may be asked to carry more of the offensive load as well while the Eagles find their primary runner. The defense has one of the state’s most underrated playmakers in LB Zakk Young.

The super-aggressive Brock 10-1 defense will have its hands full with an explosive Brownwood offense led by QB Tommy Bowden and WR A.J. McCarty. Brownwood is under a new head coach as alum Sammy Burnett comes home to lead one of the state’s most tradition-rich programs and will have a major test in the front seven going against a Brock offense that relies on brute strength and physicality.

Slight edge to Brock in this one, but never underestimate Brownwood, especially in the friendly confines of Gordon Wood Stadium.
Stepp’s Pick: Brock by 5
 

Lufkin at Longview
As big as the season opener at Lobo Stadium will be, it’ll be hard to top last year’s state quarterfinal game won by Longview in front of an overflow crowd at Stephen F. Austin University. The Lobos had Lufkin’s number last year, taking the Panthers down twice and they’ll look to make it three straight in a nationally televised game as part of Fox Southwest’s Football Days in Texas. Longview returns the majority of its offensive firepower led by QB Haynes King who was sensational as a sophomore and is earning major FBS interest. The return of bruising RB Jessie Anderson, who missed most of his junior season with a hand injury, will give Longview that punishing ground game it lacked a year ago. The Lobos return their speed-back in Keilyn Williams who ran for 17 TDs a year ago. Longview’s big question mark will be in the front seven where it was hit hard by graduation.

Lufkin caught fire late in the year and rode that momentum to the fourth round in Class 6A. Now with a drop in classification, the Panthers are a legitimate state title contender with an offense that can turn heads led by QB Kewone Thomas and WR JaLynn Polk. The defensive line is fantastic with DT Carl Williams (Arkansas commit) and DE Breylon Garcia (Nevada commit), while junior S Jerrin Thompson is back after a tremendous sophomore season. The key matchup here is strength on strength as the massive Longview offensive line goes against that stout Lufkin defensive line, Lufkin’s big question will be finding a running back after losing most of their production on the ground to graduation.

Expect lots of points as this one comes down to which defense can get stops down the stretch. The edge goes to Longview as it’s one of the state’s toughest tasks to walk out of Lobo Stadium with a win.
Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 6

Euless Trinity at Waco Midway
Fresh off a trip to the state quarter-finals a year ago, the Trojans look to keep that momentum surging forward as they head south to Central Texas to take on last year’s Class 6A Division II runner-up, Waco Midway. Known for being one of the state’s most potent rushing offenses, the Trinity offense has ability in the passing game with the return of QB Laki Ellis and WR Keanu Hill. Expect the Trojans to still be massive up front on both sides of the ball. But the big question will be who emerges as the featured back. Trinity’s defense will be defined by its physicality with DL Sau Saafi and LB Shamar Morton.

After its run to the state title game a year ago, Midway has to replace most of its receiving corps and an elite QB but will have the luxury of tough running RB James Fulbright who had over 1,800 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns a year ago. Midway is solid up front but going against Trinity is the ultimate measuring stick for a team looking to establish itself as a permanent fixture among the state’s elite teams.

Midway’s inexperience at QB could render them fairly one dimensional early on and that tips the scales to
Stepp’s Pick: Euless Trinity by 7