Dallas South Oak Cliff (1-0) at Duncanville (1-0):
South Oak Cliff with a late second-half rally, stunned Duncanville’s district rival Skyline, 22-21, a week ago. The Golden Bears trailed 21-7 at the half, but Rodney Hudson’s 58-yard scoring strike to DeMarco Moon lifted SOC ahead of Skyline with 2:02 remaining. This week, SOC will certainly have its hands full going against the No. 1 team in the state in Duncanville who is far from 100 percent as it’s battling injuries to multiple starters.
The Panthers started slowly last week but worked their way past Lancaster, 24-3, as Texas commit QB Ja’Quinden Jackson threw for 218 yards and three touchdowns and the Panthers defense held Lancaster to just 196 yards of offense. That Duncanville defense and dominance in the trenches will be the key in this one as SOC keeps it competitive for a half, but Duncanville’s just too big and too deep for South Oak Cliff.
Stepp’s Pick: Duncanville by 23
Dickinson (1-0) at Allen (1-0):
One of the state’s most intriguing matchups features Dickinson heading way up north on I-45 to the DFW area to visit the Allen Eagles who have yet to lose a game at Eagle Stadium (44 in a row). Dickinson had no troubles in their season-opener, blasting past Richmond George Ranch, 51-14. The Gators outscored GRHS 30-0 in the second half as QB Mike Welch leads an efficient pro-style attack and the Gators speed on both sides of the ball is outstanding.
Allen rolled past Cedar Hill, 41-28, as SMU commit QB Raylen Sharpe, in his first varsity start, was sensational accounting for 422 yards of offense and four touchdowns as Allen held off a Cedar Hill rally after the Eagles raced out to a 21-0 first quarter lead. Dickinson will present many similar challenges to Allen that Cedar Hill did, the key for the Gators is they can’t come out and dig themselves a hole against Allen like Cedar Hill did. Allen’s tough enough on their own at Eagle Stadium, giving them a head start is a recipe for certain disaster. Dickinson pushes the Eagles, but there’s no way I’m picking against Allen at home, especially considering how impressive they were against Cedar Hill.
Stepp’s Pick: Allen by 10
College Station A&M Consolidated (1-0) at Bryan (1-0):
The “Crosstown Showdown” pits the two oldest large schools in the Brazos Valley both fresh off of opening wins a week ago. A&M Consolidated, fresh off a 7-on-7 title this summer, has visions of a deep playoff run and have a dynamic offensive attack with FBS recruits at multiple spots. Last week, the Tigers rolled past Killeen Ellison, 49-6, as Texas A&M commit WR Devin Price hauled in two touchdown passes, while Oklahoma commit Brian Darby ran for 125 yards and a touchdown. Two-way playmaker Nate Floyd is another high-end recruit for the Tigers who should sign with an FBS program.
Bryan’s defense was the story last week as the Vikings knocked off Waller 14-3, the Vikings forced three turnovers and had a key goal line stand late in the first half to keep their slim 7-3 lead. Adding spice to the rivalry is the attempted transfer of four Bryan players to A&M Consolidated last winter. Three of those players were ruled ineligible and are back playing at Bryan. One player, Kerry Brooks, was ruled eligible at A&M Consolidated and is expected to be a key contributor for the Tigers. This one will be chippy and Bryan’s defense is excellent, but the Tigers have way too much offensive firepower and if their defense shows up consistently, they’ll be a force in Region III in 5A-Divison II.
Stepp’s Pick: College Station A&M Consolidated by 17
Austin Westlake (1-0) at Cypress Ranch (1-0):
Austin Westlake will make the trip east on 290 to the Houston area with revenge on their minds after Cy-Ranch stunned the Chaparrals a year ago in Austin. Westlake drilled Belton 48-0 to open the season behind a suffocating defense and an offense that rotated three quarterbacks into the game, all of whom were incredibly productive.
Cy-Ranch in Sean McAuliffe’s debut at the helm blasted Katy Cinco Ranch 44-3 as Willie Eldridge ran for 101 yards and a pair of scores, while the Mustangs unleashed a more wide-open offense with QB D.J. Ciers throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns. The key in this one will be Cy Ranch’s ability to control the football and keep its defense rested against a dynamic and versatile Westlake attack. The Chaps will be focused after blowing a big lead in this game last year and their defensive ability is the difference in this matchup.
Stepp’s Pick: Austin Westlake by 9
Katy (1-0) at Humble Atascocita (1-0):
The highlight matchup of the week features Katy fresh off an upset of Galena Park North Shore taking on a Humble Atascocita squad that nearly knocked the Tigers off a year ago. Katy unleashed RB Ronald Hoff on the state last week in their 24-21 win, Hoff a tough running back who moved to Katy from South Carolina ran for 206 yards and a touchdown in the win. QB Bronson McClellan gave the Tigers attack plenty of balance throwing for 233 yards and two scores, but the real story was the Tigers defense which shut out the North Shore offense in the second half.
Atascocita annihilated an overmatched Katy Taylor squad 69-7 as QB Brice Matthews accounted for five touchdowns. This game is going to be won by which team controls the tempo, Katy is balanced, but they want to grind Atasocita down and keep the score in the 30’s or lower. If this game starts to get into the upper 30’s and it becomes a shootout, that leans to the Eagles. The edge in this matchup lies with that Katy defense, their confidence will be sky high going into this matchup.
Stepp’s Pick: Katy by 5