Kaufman (5-1, 1-0) at Anna (6-0, 1-0): It’s another state ranked matchup in Anna as the 8-4A Division I title could be on the line as Kaufman visits unbeaten Anna. Kaufman has won four in a row and last week they blitzed Paris 34-14, behind a stellar first half performance in which they raced out to a 20-0 lead. The Lions defense will need to have their best game of the season if they want to knock off a potent Anna attack led by a pair of FBS recruits in Louisiana Tech commit QB Ethan Bullock and Boise State commit RB Jambres Dubar. In last week’s 40-0 win over Mabank, Bullock tossed four touchdown passes, while Dubar ran for 162 yards and a touchdown on just eleven carries. Even more impressive for Anna was their defense, which allowed just 121 yards of offense in the shutout win. If Anna’s defense continues this elite level of play, the Coyotes are a real threat to make some noise come playoff time. Stepp’s Pick: Anna by 10

Lindale (4-3, 2-1) at Tyler Chapel Hill (4-2, 2-0): It’s an East Texas showdown in Smith County as Lindale heads over to East Tyler to take on a Chapel Hill squad that’s surging after a slow start. Lindale’s played a tough schedule, but last week’s 49-35 loss to Kilgore at home was very disappointing as LHS fell behind 28-7 at the half and they were not able to overcome the huge early hole. Lindale’s defense was shredded as Kilgore rolled up over 500 yards of offense. Chapel Hill got a huge game from WR Deuce McGregor in their 62-21 win over Jacksonville, McGregor hauled in seven passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns and he added a touchdown on the ground in the Bulldogs big win. Lindale’s big offensive line and physical style of play has been a matchup problem for Chapel Hill in years past and until Chapel Hill proves they can overcome that disadvantage; the edge goes to Lindale. Stepp’s Pick: Lindale by 7

Alice (5-1, 2-0) at Corpus Christi Calallen (7-0, 3-0): The 16-4A Division I title is basically on the line this week as Alice takes on Calallen, these two through the first three weeks of district play have been the top two teams in the district and it hasn’t been close. Alice rolled past Tuloso-Midway 49-19 last week as the Coyotes defense forced five turnovers and QB Cutter Stewart threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Calallen has won their three district games by an average of over 55 points per game, last week’s 71-20 win over La Feria was the Wildcats closest district game to date, it just highlights how dominant Steve Campbell’s squad has been. (It’s still weird to say someone other than Phil Danaher is the coach at Calallen). Calallen’s offense is much more wide open this year and it’s made them a much more dangerous team and they are still playing that trademark tough Wildcats defense, which makes this team a bona fide state title contender. That defense is what makes the difference in this matchup as Calallen will contain the Alice attack and take a huge step towards a district title this week. Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Calallen by 11

Whitesboro (6-0, 3-0) at Brock (2-4, 2-0): After losing twice to Brock a year ago, unbeaten Whitesboro will have their chance to make their mark across the state if they can knock off a Brock squad that despite a 2-4 record is once again state ranked. Whitesboro rolled past Peaster 61-13 a week ago as Greyson Ledbetter had 18 carries for 267 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way, while QB Mac Harper who threw for 167 yards and a touchdown to give the Bearcats attack plenty of balance. Brock is fresh off their bye week as after their slow 0-4 start they have rattled off two straight blowout district wins. Brock rolled up 307 yards, on the ground, including 132 yards and two touchdowns from Brett Tutter along with 70 yards rushing and three scores from Reid Watkins. QB Tyler Moody threw for 114 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 41 yards and a score in the 49-14 win over Peaster two weeks ago. Brock won both games comfortably last year and the playoff win was a blowout, I don’t expect a blowout in this one, but being at home and with a bye week, Brock gets the win and takes charge of the 4-3A Division I race. Stepp’s Pick: Brock by 10

Comanche (5-1, 1-0) at Jacksboro (4-2, 1-0): Surprising Comanche continues to do great things under second year head coach Joaquin Escobar as the Indians opened up district play with an impressive 45-28 win over Millsap. RB Sawyer Wilkerson ran for 134 yards and three touchdowns, while WR Miguel Martinez added 119 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Jacksboro absolutely obliterated Eastland 53-6 last week behind a huge game from QB Landon Belcher who threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns and he added two rushing touchdowns to lead the Tigers. Expect a lot of points in this one, the key will be which defense can step up and get stops in key moments and that edge goes to Jacksboro at home. Stepp’s Pick: Jacksboro by 6

Howe (5-1, 1-0) at Gunter (5-0, 1-0): Howe has made major strides under first year head coach Lance Bryan winning five of their first six games, but the Bulldogs have their biggest test of the season this week as they take on the state’s number one team in 3A-Division II. Howe last week opened up district play with an impressive 34-3 win over Leonard, as QB Austin Haley threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns and he added two touchdowns on the ground to lead the Bulldogs. Gunter got quite the test last week in their showdown with state-ranked Bells, but the Tigers were able to escape with a 24-14 win. RB Ivy Hellman ran for 138 yards and a touchdown to lead the Gunter attack and the Tigers defense rose to the occasion against a strong Bells Slot-T attack. Howe is improved, but Gunter is on another level, expect the Tigers to absolutely roll. Stepp’s Pick: Gunter by 35

Cisco (6-1, 3-0) at Stamford (6-0, 2-0): Unbeaten Stamford hosts Cisco in a district showdown and the young Bulldogs have a chance to make their mark on the statewide scene in 2A-Division I, but that will be easier said than done as Cisco comes into this one rolling. The Loboes rolled past Olney 34-15 a week ago as QB Hunter Long ran wild once again with 338 yards and five touchdowns on the ground to lead Cisco in the win. Stamford had the week off after their win over Olney 22-13, the Bulldogs in that win were stellar on defense as they forced five Olney turnovers and that proved to be the key for SHS in the win. Stamford is improving every week, but this is a sophomore-heavy team that’s still on the way up, while Cisco is a senior-heavy team whose time is now. Cisco and that experience is the edge in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Cisco by 10

Italy (4-3, 3-0) at Axtell (4-2, 2-1): This matchup involves a pair of teams involved in the playoff race and there’s some off the field intrigue in this one as Axtell’s head coach is former Italy head coach Craig Horn. Italy the last two weeks has struggled quite a bit, including nearly being upset by Itasca, but the Gladiators escaped with a 15-14 win. Axtell has won back-to-back district games after dropping the opener to Cayuga, last week the Longhorns rolled past Rio Vista 35-20. QB Coldyn Horn led the way for AHS in the victory with two touchdown runs and a touchdown pass. This will be an emotionally charged atmosphere on both sides and recent history would tell you that Italy is the favorite, but Italy isn’t playing well at the moment and Axtell seems to be getting better each week and the Longhorns are at home, let’s take Axtell in a slight upset at home. Stepp’s Pick: Axtell by 3

Quick Picks

Decatur (4-3, 1-0) at Wichita Falls (4-3, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Decatur by 13

China Spring (6-1, 1-0) at Waco La Vega (4-3, 1-0) . Stepp’s Pick: China Spring by 20

San Antonio Davenport (6-0, 1-0) at Canyon Lake (2-3, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Davenport by 2

Somerset (5-1, 1-0) at Fredericksburg (3-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Somerset by 4

Carthage (7-0, 3-0) at Rusk (4-2, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 34

Henrietta (4-2, 0-1) at Holliday (6-0, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Holliday by 27

DeLeon (4-3, 1-2) at Tolar (6-0, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Tolar by 23

Holland (3-3, 2-0) at Thorndale (5-2, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Thorndale by 3

Gruver (6-1, 1-0) at Vega (3-4, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Gruver by 4

Bremond (5-1, 0-1) at Granger (5-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Bremond by 5