Roma (7-0, 2-0) at PSJA Memorial (7-0, 2-0): Two long-struggling 5A programs in the Rio Grande Valley take center stage this week as unbeaten Roma visits also unbeaten PSJA Memorial in a Thursday night showdown for the lead in 16-5A Division II.

Roma and its potent running game has proven to be tough to stop all year. It helped the Gladiators pull off one of the Valley’s biggest upsets of 2023 last week stunning district favorite Mission Sharyland Pioneer, 48-41.

RB Isaac Lozano was star for Roma, rushing 30 times for 285 yards and five rushing TDs. Roma posted an impressive 510 yards rushing on the night.

PSJA Memorial continues to surprise as well. Will Littleton’s squad blasted past Mission Sharyland, 50-20, a week ago. The backfield duo of Emi Colunga and Ryan Reyna combined for 247 yards on the ground and four touchdowns, while two other backs picked up at least 40 yards rushing.

This one will be a tight one and if you blink you might miss it as both teams love to play smash-mouth, physical football. The edge may go to whichever team can hit one or two big plays through the air and PSJA Memorial appears to be a bit better equipped to do that this stage of the season.

Stepp’s Pick: PSJA Memorial by 3