Rockwall (3-1) at Longview (4-0):

A year ago, en route to its first state championship in 81 years, Longview went into Rockwall and spoiled the Yellowjackets' homecoming. Can Rockwall return the favor and go into Lobo Stadium and end Longview’s 20-game winning streak? Rockwall’s offense has been downright unstoppable all year averaging well over 50 points per game, led by sophomore QB Braedyn Locke who threw for 342 yards and six touchdowns in last week’s 45-38 win over Arlington Martin. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba has torched defenses all year averaging nearly 200 yards per game receiving and last year had a field day against the Longview defense.

It might be tougher this year as Longview’s defense has been outstanding early allowing just 28 points total in four games. In last week’s 17-7 win over Louisiana’s No. 2 team West Monroe, the Lobos held WMHS to just 138 yards of offense and forced six punts after allowing the early touchdown on the short field after a fumble. QB Haynes King has been solid early on but hasn’t had a breakout game yet, but Longview did get RB Kaden Meredith going as he ran for 191 yards and a touchdown in the win. Longview’s offense should get going this week, but the big question is can the Lobos get a couple of stops along the way? That’s how they escaped Rockwall with a win a year ago and it could be a similar formula in 2019.
Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 6

San Benito (2-2) at Midland Lee (4-0):

The Tall City will play host to the Greyhounds from San Benito as Dan Gomez’s squad takes the long trip from the Rio Grande Valley to Grande Communications Stadium for a Saturday morning matchup. San Benito may have its hands full with the Rebels who come into this game unbeaten and ranked at No. 21 in the state in Class 6A. The past two weeks, Clint Hartmann’s squad has topped the 70-point mark, including last week’s 72-26 win over El Paso Eastwood. QB Mikey Serrano threw for 326 yards and six touchdowns, three of those went to Loic Fouonji. The balance of Lee's offense is what has made it so tough to stop as the Rebels are capable of beating defenses in multiple ways. Midland Lee’s defense is underrated and when that defensive line gets going, it can be a long night for opposing offenses because if the QB makes a bad read, SMU commit safety Karl Taylor is capable of making game changing plays in the secondary.

San Benito’s offense put up big numbers last week, but its defense couldn’t get stops in key moments in the second h alf in a 45-37 road loss to Laredo United. QB Smiley Silva will need to play out of his mind if the Greyhounds want to have any hope of keeping this game competitive because the Greyhound defense is going to have a difficult time slowing the Midland Lee attack. Expect the Rebels to head into district play at 5-0 with a big win on Saturday, but expect no shortage of West Texas hospitality for the visitors from the Rio Grande Valley.
Stepp’s Pick: Midland Lee by 38

San Antonio Brandeis (4-0, 3-0) vs San Antonio Brennan (4-0, 3-0):

First place in 28-6A is on the line Friday night in San Antonio and more importantly with both of these teams likely going Division II. Playoff seeding is on the line as Brandeis takes on Brennan. Brandeis rolled past San Antonio Clark, 42-7, a week ago as QB Jordan Battles and RB J Nova Rangel combined for five total touchdowns, while the Bronco defense dominated allowing just 151 yards of offense and pitching a shutout. Clark’s only score was a fumble return late in the third quarter.

Brennan had a Saturday night game and the Bears knocked off a scrappy San Antonio Taft squad, 29-10. Versatile Darryon Tolefree had over 100 yards rushing and receiving, while rushing for a score and catching a touchdown pass to pace the Bears offense. Both teams are very solid on defense. The key is Brandeis is a bit more explosive and that is the difference in what will be a close, low scoring game.
Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Brandeis by 4

Lubbock Monterey (2-2) at Abilene Cooper (4-0):

After getting off to a sizzling start to the season, Lubbock Monterey has stumbled the past two weeks with back to back losses to Clovis, NM and Lubbock Cooper. The Plainsmen got a great defensive effort in their 21-13 loss to Lubbock Cooper last week and even scored a touchdown, but the offense was missing their spark in QB Coreon Bailey who did not play last week due to undisclosed reasons. Expect Bailey to return this week and will be a big help as Shotwell Stadium will be a tough place to get a win as Abilene Cooper is rolling after back to back wins over crosstown rivals Abilene High and Abilene Wylie.

Last week, the Cougs rolled past Abilene Wylie 30-0, RB Noah Garcia ran for three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions in the first half, one that was returned for a touchdown sparked the rout. Garcia finished with 164 yards rushing on just 13 carries, but expect that workload to increase this week with district play starting up. Wylie finished the game with just 195 yards and that speedy defense for Abilene Cooper has the ability to contain Bailey and that explosive Plainsmen offense attack.
Stepp’s Pick: Abilene Cooper by 9

Sherman (3-1) at McKinney North (3-1):

A year ago, Sherman was an afterthought in 7-5A Division I, but the Bearcats stunned the favored Bulldogs in the district opener and that was the difference allowing the Bearcats to sneak into the postseason. Sherman will look to do the same thing on the road this week as it visits McKinney ISD Stadium to try and slow down the incredibly high-powered McKinney North offense. Last week, Sherman's defense was outstanding in a 23-6 win over Justin Northwest, holding an explosive Texans attack to just a fourth quarter touchdown. RB Miketavion Brown ran for 191 yards and Benji Omayebu hauled in a pair of touchdown passes to pace the offense.

North has scored at least 44 points in all four of its games thus far, last week the Bulldogs rolled past 6A Rockwall-Heath 56-34 as QB Dillon Markiewicz threw for 373 yards and four touchdowns and RB Emmanuel Fincher added 163 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Fincher also threw a touchdown pass as well.  North’s defense has left a lot to be desired early in the year, but the offense will bail them out much of the time. Sherman is a solid team, but I don’t expect the Bearcat defense to be able to hold up and North pulls away for a high-scoring win.
Stepp’s Pick: McKinney North by 11

Alvin Shadow Creek (3-0) at Angleton (2-0):

Shadow Creek closed out the non-district portion of its schedule in style two weeks ago as the Sharks blasted Alief Elsik, 63-7, as junior QB Kyron Drones threw for four touchdowns and added another on the ground to lead the way. Shadow Creek’s defense was downright nasty in the win holding the Rams to just a pair of first downs on the night and an incredible negative four yards of offense. This week, it gets an Angleton squad that we don’t know a ton about as the Wildcats had a Week 1 bye and then had their game last week against Houston Westside cancelled thanks to Tropical Storm Imelda. What we do know about Coach Jason Brittain’s squad is they are going to come right at Shadow Creek with that Wing-T offense and are going to play very tough, physical defense.

In two games, Angleton’s defense has allowed just a total of 14 points. (Wins over 6A Clear Brook and 5A Humble Kingwood Park). RB Jordan Jones is averaging 171 yards rushing per game and Angleton QB Justin Mayon has been surprisingly effective in the passing game giving Angleton some balance to keep defenses honest. This one will be close, but this Shadow Creek team is just overwhelming when it comes to the talent on the defensive side of the ball. If they remain disciplined the Sharks should slow the Angleton offense down enough to give their offense plenty of breathing room.
Stepp’s Pick: Alvin Shadow Creek by 10

Frisco (4-0, 2-0) vs Frisco Reedy (3-1, 2-0):