Refugio (3-1) at Mart (3-1):
It’s a rematch of last year’s 2A Division I state championship game as Refugio travels up to Central Texas to try and avenge its loss to Mart in the title game a year ago. After a couple of weeks of struggling on the offensive side of the ball, Refugio got things rolling on offense in a big way blasting past Hebbronville 58-14. The Bobcats have to try and find a way to consistently move the football against the speed of the Mart defense which gave them such trouble last year in the state title game. Mart’s defense isn’t quite as good in the front seven so it’ll be interesting to see how Refugio attacks the Panthers.
Mart bounced back from its loss to Franklin two weeks ago with a dominant 52-21 win over Reisel. The Panthers scored 30 first quarter points and never looked back in the win. The Panthers still have one of the state’s top running back duos in Tyrek Horn and Shatydrick Bailey and those two are game changers at the Class 2A level. With this game being in Mart, give the edge to Panthers in a close one.
Stepp’s Pick: Mart by 4
Midland Lee (3-1) at San Benito (2-2):
It’s a week full of odd matchups as the Little Southwest Conference matches up with the lower Rio Grande Valley Class 6A district and these two districts are the only six-team districts in all of Class 6A. Midland Lee rolled past El Paso Eastwood last week 57-14 as the Rebels rolled up 457 yards rushing on the night in what was an emotional win after the death last week of a classmate Essence Glover who was a member of the girls basketball team. The Rebels have a new challenge this week as they take a very long road trip down to the Valley where they will encounter a tough environment visiting San Benito.
The Greyhounds are fresh off a disappointing home loss to Laredo United 23-10 as the Greyhounds after jumping out to a quick 7-0 lead struggled with a number of penalties and were unable to get their offense on track. Expect San Benito to come out swinging at home, but Midland Lee’s elite skill players will be too much of a matchup problem for the ‘Hounds.
Stepp’s Pick: Midland Lee by 20
Longview (4-0) at Rockwall (3-1):
The District 11-6A title may be decided in the first week of district play as powerful Longview heads west to visit a Rockwall squad that’s been putting up eye-popping numbers. Longview went out of state last week and knocked off a good Ruston, LA squad 56-28 as the Lobos offense rolled up 661 yards of offense, including 354 passing yards and five touchdowns from QB Haynes King. The Lobo defense struggled at times to get stops and get off the field on third down and that is not great news against one of DFW’s top offenses in Rockwall.
The ‘Jackets rolled past Arlington Martin,73-32, behind 262 yards passing and three touchdowns from Minnesota commit QB Jacob Clark. Rockwall’s defense hasn’t been great either, so expect this game to feature a ton of points. Both offenses have elite QB’s and playmakers at the skill spots and are above average up front. This game will come down to which defense can rise to the occasion and get a few stops and at this stage, I trust the Longview defense a bit more than the Rockwall defensive unit.
Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 6
Katy Seven Lakes (3-1) vs. Katy Tompkins (4-0):
District play gets started in Katy ISD with two teams that had a good amount of success in non-district matching up in a game that could be key for future playoff positioning. Katy Seven Lakes got two rushing touchdowns from QB John Harrington and also had an interception return for a touchdown that spurred the Spartans on in an impressive 30-13 win over a good Houston Heights squad.
Unbeaten Katy Tompkins has been one of Houston’s pleasant surprises early on as the Falcons have rolled to four straight wins all by 17 points or more. Last week, THS ran past Clear Creek 38-7 as QB Jalen Milroy threw for 191 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score, while versatile R.J. Smith ran for a score and had a touchdown reception. We’ve been touting Tompkins early on and this has the looks of a team that’s going to be a real contender for a playoff spot and they begin that playoff push with a slight upset of Seven Lakes.
Stepp’s Pick: Katy Tompkins by 4
El Paso Pebble Hills (3-1) at El Paso Eastlake (2-2):
Two of El Paso’s newest programs are also two of the better programs and meet up for bragging rights on the far east end of town. Pebble Hills took a long road trip to San Angelo and nearly stunned the Bobcats on their home field losing 31-20. QB Sebastian Ochoa led the way in the loss throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another. Eastlake is also coming off a loss as the Falcons were completely stymied by El Paso Coronado in a 31-0 loss.
The usually high-powered Eastlake attack couldn’t get off the ground and the defense simply wore down late. Pebble Hills looks to have firmly established itself as the top team in the Sun City and last week’s loss hasn’t done anything to diminish that. Expect the Spartans to roll.
Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Pebble Hills by 27
San Antonio Stevens (2-2, 1-2) vs. San Antonio Warren (3-1, 2-1):
After an upset loss to San Antonio Marshall last week, San Antonio Stevens is nearly facing a must a win situation this week against a much improved to San Antonio Warren squad. The Falcon offense didn't get untracked last week in a 14-9 loss to Marshall and the defense that pitched a shutout for the first three and a half quarters was unable to hold on down the stretch, allowing two MHS touchdowns in the final 5:58 of the game which proved to be the difference.
Warren improved to 2-1 in district play on Saturday night rolling past San Antonio Holmes as RB Samuel Stanford had 187 yards of total offense and had a touchdown run and touchdown reception to pace the Warriors attack. Once again Warren’s defense, which is considered one of the best in the Alamo City, put together a strong effort as well, in three of its four wins it's allowed just one offensive touchdown. Expect a low scoring slugfest, but the Warriors get the edge as they are a bit more well rounded a team.
Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Warren by 11
Brownsville Hanna (2-1) vs. Amarillo Tascosa (3-1):
It’s another cross regional matchup as two schools located 782 miles apart hook up in a neutral site clash Saturday morning in San Antonio. Hann after having its Week 3 game cancelled, started out a little slow in the win over Mission Sharyland but got it together down the stretch to get a 28-23 win. Ernest Mendoza’s eight-yard touchdown reception with 1:08 left in the game proved to be the difference for the Golden Eagles in the win.
Amarillo Tascosa got a big test at home, but escaped El Paso Americas 48-42 as RB King Doerue showed he’s not only an outstanding runner (92 yards rushing, one touchdown) but that he’s a weapon in the passing game hauling in two touchdown passes as well. Both teams love running the ball and playing a physical style. Tascosa’s a bit bigger and a bit faster and that should enable the team to wear the Golden Eagles down.
Stepp’s Pick: Amarillo Tascosa by 17
Magnolia West (2-1) at Tomball (2-1):
After a week off last week, District 8-5A Division I gets going with a key early matchup that could determine one of the final two playoff spots in the district. Magnolia West closed out non-district with an eye opening 43-39 win over Richmond Foster, as the Mustangs defense recovered six Foster fumbles and QB John Matocha threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns and ran for three other touchdowns in the Mustangs upset win.
Tomball also pulled a bit of an upset last week as they defeated Port Neches-Groves two Saturday’s ago 31-21. The key for Tomball was the fourth quarter when it outscored Port Neches-Groves 17-0 in the fourth quarter for the comeback win. RB Ja’Kobi Holland and WR Jayris Smith are outstanding playmakers for the Cougars and can present some matchup problems for opposing defenses. Look for a bunch of points in this one. Both offenses have been potent all year so it’ll come down to which defense can either get stops or force some turnovers.
Stepp’s Pick: Magnolia West by 5
Georgetown (3-0) at Stephenville (2-2):
Georgetown makes its second trip out to the Big Country during the non-district slate as the Eagles visit newly remodeled Tarleton Memorial Stadium. The Eagles had the week off last week after knocking off Class 6A South San Antonio 45-25 at home. As the Eagles' passing game took flight, they led 45-12 at the end of three quarters before taking their foot off the gas in the fourth.
Stephenville has two losses on the year, but both are hard-fought losses to top five teams in Class 4A Division I. Last week the ‘Jackets fell in a heartbreaker 26-21 to Midlothian Heritage. Stephenville had a 72-yard fumble return with 3:21 left in the game to take a 21-20 lead, but the defense allowed a long touchdown pass with just over two minutes left that ended Stephenville’s hopes for the big win. Stephenville was unable to get the running game going last week and can’t afford to lean solely on the passing a game against an athletic and big Georgetown bunch. I expect Stephenville to keep this one close at home, but Georgetown wears the Yellow Jackets down, much like it did to Abilene Wylie in the season opener.
Stepp’s Pick: Georgetown by 10
Laredo Martin (2-2) at Eagle Pass Winn (3-1):
Laredo Martin is one of the most improved teams in the city and played Class 6A Laredo Alexander close last week in a 24-19 defeat. RB Jose Castaneda led the way for the Tigers and ran for three touchdowns, including a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to nearly lead Martin to a comeback win. MHS trailed 24-7 in the fourth quarter but nearly made a big comeback.
Eagle Pas Winn went north and shutout Pearsall 21-0, spoiling the Mavericks' homecoming. Winn’s defense has been outstanding early in the year, especially against the run and that’s what Laredo Martin relies on heavily to move the football. That’s a tough matchup for the Tigers, so look for Winn to improve to 4-1 as they head into district play.
Stepp’s Pick: Eagle Pass by 13