Small School Mega Preview: Salado vs. China Spring, Geronimo Navarro at Wimberley, Canyon at Pampa and more!

Dave Campbell's Texas Football previews and predicts the biggest games from Week 9 of the Texas high school football season, including Canyon vs. Pampa, Midlothian Heritage vs. Waco La Vega, Fredericksburg vs. Canyon Lake and Gilmer vs. Texarkana Liberty-Eylau.

Canyon (6-1) at Pampa (6-1): District play finally gets going in 3-4A Division I and two teams with eyes on the district title meet up in Pampa, both teams are coming off a bye last week. Two weeks ago Canyon slipped past Andrews 28-26, the Eagles ran out to a 22-8 halftime lead but had to hang on late down the stretch. RB Dario Bressler led the way in the win for Canyon, running for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Pampa demolished Big Spring in their last outing two weeks ago, blasting the Steers 51-7. It was a balanced effort from the Harvesters as QB Sam Anguiano threw for 208 yards and three touchdowns, two going to WR Jesse Alvidrez. RB Cornelius Landers was as consistent as can be, running for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Canyon is the defending Region I champion, but this Pampa team has shown an explosive ability that no one else in the district has and combine that with an improved defense and I like the Harvesters in a slight upset. Stepp’s Pick: Pampa by 4

Midlothian Heritage (6-1, 2-0) at Waco La Vega (4-3, 1-1): It’s District 5-4A division I action as seventh ranked Midlothian Heritage looks to solidify their shot at a district title on the road at Waco La Vega. Midlothian Heritage continued their climb back up the DCTF rankings as they shut out Waxahachie Life 64-0. Quarterback Kaden Brown threw for 99 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Mason O’Neal had 15 carries for 126 yards and four touchdowns. The Heritage defense forced four turnovers with three of them being fumbles. It was a complete domination start to finish. Waco La Vega was able to pull out the win against Brownwood 49-33. Freshman running back Bryson Roland was a beast on the ground as he 304 yards and four touchdowns and he added in 67 yards receiving as well. Quarterback Robert Prescott threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns. La Vega has played a brutal schedule with a young squad, but they are slowly rounding into form. This game will be huge for both teams. A win for La Vega would get them closer to playoffs and a top two seed while for Heritage it is another chance to get closer to the district title, this is a coin flip type game. DCTF Intern Joshua Price’s Pick: Midlothian Heritage by 3

Fredericksburg (4-3, 1-1) at Canyon Lake (4-3, 1-1): 13-4A Division I is headlined by Austin LBJ, but the battle for second behind LBJ could come down to this one as Battlin’ Billies from Fredericksburg visit Canyon Lake. Fredericksburg kept things close early in last week’s 40-14 loss to LBJ, but they couldn’t generate any offense in the second half. QB Cole Immel and WR Kade Jenschke connected on both of the touchdowns for Fredericksburg in the loss. Canyon Lake bounced back from their close loss to Austin LBJ two weeks ago with a dominant 39-17 win over an improved Taylor squad. The Hawks Slot-T offense dominated time of possession and their defense generated six sacks of Taylor QB’s in the win. Fredericksburg is more talented than Taylor across the board, but they play a similar style and I’m not sure the Battlin’ Billies defense will be able to slow down that Hawks run-game. Stepp’s Pick: Canyon Lake by 10

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