Arlington Lamar (11-1) vs. Duncanville (11-0) 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mansfield’s Newsom Stadium:
Arlington Lamar appeared well on its way to an easy win over Odessa Permian, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. The Vikings held off a furious Permian rally in the second half however, securing a 49-35 win and a date with unbeaten Duncanville. QB Jack Dawson put up big numbers with 377 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, but he threw three interceptions. He can't afford a repeat this week against an outstanding Duncanville secondary that feasts on turnovers.
In last week’s 38-0 win over Lewisville, the Duncanville defense held Lewisville to 102 yards of offense and intercepted three passes, including one interception return for a touchdown. The Duncanville offense didn’t put up huge numbers, but didn’t need to with the effort of its swarming defense. That elite defense for Duncanville has been the catalyst all season and should once again make the difference in this outstanding matchup.
Stepp’s Pick: Duncanville by 12
Katy (11-1) vs. Galena Park North Shore (12-0) 7:00 p.m. Friday at Houston’s NRG Stadium:
It’s a rematch of a Week 1 showdown which was won by North Shore 35-21 in Katy. Both teams have been dominant since that matchup as Katy has rattled off eleven straight wins and North Shore hasn’t played a game closer than 32 points. Katy’s offense got off to a fast start in last week’s 58-14 win over Jersey Village scoring on the first play of the game and never looking back. Sophomore QB Bronson McClellan threw three touchdown passes, while RB Deondrick Glass returned from an injury and looked to be in top form rushing for 174 yards and three touchdowns as Katy’s offense rolled up 613 yards. They will have a much tougher challenge this week against the North Shore defense that’s been lights out all year.
Last week, the Mustangs totally dismantled a very good Dickinson team 65-21, NSHS jumped out to a 28-0 lead as QB Dematrius Davis and RB’s Zach Evans and John Gentry broke off big play after big play and the Gators simply had no answers. Evans finished with 218 yards rushing and four total touchdowns as he saw his heaviest workload in quite sometime as in the majority of the Mustangs wins, Evans has been on the bench by halftime. That’s the only real question with this North Shore squad, how will they fare in a four-quarter fight? There’s not a ton of depth, so if Katy can manage to hang within a score in the final frame could its depth be key to pulling the upset? We like North Shore in this one, but it’s going to be a classic.
Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 8
Longview (12-0) vs. Austin Vandegrift (12-0) 6:00 p.m. Saturday at Waco’s McLane Stadium:
It’s a Saturday night battle of unbeatens as Longview meets up with a Vandegrift squad that’s one of the best in Central Texas, but has flown under the radar most of the year. Longview had no troubles with Prosper on Saturday night rolling past the Eagles, 63-17, as junior QB Haynes King threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more as Longview’s offense rolled up 503 yards of offense and seven Lobos found the end zone. Longview’s offense will see maybe its toughest test to date as it goes against a Vipers defensive unit that is very stingy.
Vandegrift has only allowed over 20 points in three games this year and one of those was last week in a 28-21 overtime win over Klein Collins. WR Trey Mongauzy led the way for VHS with ten catches for 152 yards and the game winning touchdown reception in overtime. Vandegrift made a habit this year of winning close games. It has four wins this season of single digits, so if this one is tight down the stretch, the edge goes to the Vipers. However, Longview’s offense is rolling at such a high level right now, the Lobos' balance and number of different weapons makes them really fun to watch and I expect them to keep that train rolling this week.
Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 10
San Antonio Brandeis (10-2) vs. Brownsville Hanna (10-1) Noon Saturday at San Antonio’s Alamodome:
The Rio Grande Valley’s best will invade the Alamodome on Saturday looking at a chance to make some history, for Brownsville Hanna history has already been made as the Eagles are in the third round of the playoffs for the first time. Hanna last week knocked off a tough Eagle Pass squad playing their best football of the season 28-13, behind a tough defense and three touchdown runs from RB Cesar Mancias. Hanna will need that balanced offense to step up again this week in a place that’s been a house of horrors for Valley teams in years past.
Their opponent will be a tough team to handle as well as the Brandeis Broncos are making a little history of their own after knocking off Cibolo Steele for the first time in school history last week, 31-16. The Bronco defense forced six Steele turnovers and QB Jordan Battles led an efficient offense accounting for 232 yards of offense and three touchdowns. Hanna is a very strong team from the Valley. The team owns a win over Amarillo Tascosa who is still alive in the playoffs as well, but the third round has been a major road block for teams from the Valley and playing this one in San Antonio makes for a tough hill to climb.
Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Brandeis by 17
Tyler John Tyler (9-2) vs. Frisco Lone Star (10-2) 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Dallas’ Kincaide Stadium:
Frisco Lone Star had other ideas about an all East Texas third round matchup as the Ranger defense again proved to be too much and rolled past favored Lufkin, 49-21, in Waco on Saturday. QB Julian Larry accounted for 286 yards of offense and five touchdowns, while the Lone Star defense forced six Lufkin turnovers to pull away in the second half for the big win.
John Tyler’s defense had a great effort last week as well as the Lions stepped up in the red zone when it counted most for a 22-10 win. The CUJO offense didn’t light things up but much like the defense, when the Lions needed it most, they were able to pull out the big plays. The key matchup to watch in this one, is can the John Tyler rushing attack move the ball against that stout Lone Star defense? If John Tyler’s ground game can get going, the Lions will take this one. But if Lone Star turns the Lions into a passing only team, they aren’t efficient enough to get the job done. The edge in this one goes to Lone Star who could be peaking at the right time.
Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Lone Star by 6