AREA ROUND PREVIEW: Breaking down the biggest games in Texas high school football

TXHSFB insider Matt Stepp previews the week's biggest matchups across the state

Allen (11-0) vs. Rockwall (8-2) 6:00 p.m. Friday at Garland’s Williams Stadium: In reality, the unbeaten Allen Eagles have yet to be tested in 2018. They’ve blown through every opponent with relative ease and even in games where we thought they might be tested, the defending champs have dominated. Is this the week Allen finally gets pushed? Rockwall isn’t going to wow anyone with their defense, but the ‘Jackets have one of the state’s top offensive units led by Minnesota commit QB Jacob Clark and Ohio State commit WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Last week Rockwall blew past Belton 50-14 with Smith-Njigba catching seven passes for 182 yards and a touchdown and rushing for two other scores. The much maligned Rockwall defense had maybe their best game of the year holding a good Belton attack in check. Allen – per usual – completely dominated Rowlett last week 56-21 as Ole Miss commit QB Grant Tisdale threw for 199 yards and two scores and ran for 115 yards and two scores. Allen’s defense will be under the gun this week. The Eagles in the past have dominated some of the state’s top offenses, but this will be their biggest test to date. If Rockwall can push the pace and turn this into a track meet, they’ve got a puncher's chance, but they’ll need everything to go right and they’ll need Allen to help them out with a mistake or two. Stepp’s Pick: Allen by 17

Sign In