Dumas (2-0) at Canadian (2-0): It’s been all good for Dumas in the first two weeks of the season as the Demons have been dominant, including last week’s lopsided 51-6 rout of Borger. Things will get much tougher this week as they head out to Canadian to take on the powerhouse Wildcats. Dumas QB Colton Mills threw for 184 yards and a score and added 90 yards on the ground and two scores to power a balanced Dumas offensive attack. The Dumas defense was stout as well as the Demons allowed just 159 yards of total offense. Canadian used tough defense and the connection of sophomore QB Weston Mitchell and senior TE Riggs Pennington to slip past Bushland, 24-14, in a 3A showcase matchup last week. Mitchell and Pennington connected for three scoring tosses. Pennington finished with nine catches for 179 yards, while Mitchell was sensational connecting on 30 of 39 passes for 349 yards and the three scores. Canadian’s young defense has been the story early in the year and that unit is the difference-maker in what should be a close matchup despite Dumas being a much larger school. Stepp’s Pick: Canadian by 3
Robinson (2-0) at Alvarado (1-0): If you like explosive offensive attacks this could be the game for you as the scoreboard is likely to get lit up in Johnson County on Friday night. Robinson’s dynamic duo of QB Brice McCurdy and RB Evan Moreno carried the Rockets once again last week as they rolled to a 55-14 win over Caldwell. Moreno ran for three scores, while McCurdy ran for two scores and threw a touchdown pass in the victory. Alvarado after a dominant 72-7 season opening win over Godley had their game last week against Van Alstyne canceled due to storms that rolled through North Texas on Friday night. The Indians offense will be led by sensational senior RB DeMarcus Belton and a tough defense that brings back eight starters from a regional finalist squad. The lean here is Alvarado because the Indians defense is the key and they are at home, but this might be first team to 40 wins! Stepp’s Pick: Alvarado by 6
Van (2-0) vs Lindale (2-0): This is an old and underrated rivalry in East Texas as Van and Lindale, located just 15 miles apart, renew acquaintances this week. This Van team is very young and after a close Week 1 win over Dallas Carter, the Vandale put together a strong effort with a convincing 38-21 win over Lindale’s district rival Longview Pine Tree last week. QB Rawley Hinch and two-way star DaQuavion Williams are the key catalysts for the Vandals who work behind a veteran offensive line. That offensive line will have their hands full with Lindale DL Kaleb Walker, a Houston commit, who teams with DL Cam Beason to give the Eagles a dynamic duo up front. Last week the Eagles squeaked by 5A Mount Pleasant 28-27 as Lindale’s veteran cast of skill players were up to the task. It’s a rivalry game and anything can happen, but the edge here is with Lindale and that stout defensive front. Stepp’s Pick: Lindale by 7
San Antonio Pieper (1-1) at San Antonio Davenport (2-0): Two of the Alamo City’s fastest growing schools will tangle in an all-Comal ISD affair as 5A Pieper visits 4A Davenport. Pieper was knocked from the 5A-Division I state rankings last week after falling to 6A power San Antonio Johnson, 31-22. QB Tyler LaCombe had some good and bad moments for the Warriors in the loss. He threw for 274 yards and three scores, but the four interceptions on the night was killer for the Warriors upset chances as JHS was set up with some short fields. Davenport put up 52 first-half points last week in an offensive explosion as the Wolves obliterated Kerrville Tivy, 66-13. Davenport’s defense forced five first-half turnovers in the win and RB Barrett Fallon was the more than happy beneficiary of those mistakes as the senior tallied six rushing touchdowns as this game was done and dusted by halftime. It’s an adage as old as time in football, but this game will hinge on turnovers. If Pieper takes care of the ball, their depth should hold up and they’ll beat Davenport. But if there’s a repeat of last week, the 4A Wolves, who are still state ranked, could pull the upset. Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Pieper by 10
Austin LBJ (1-0) at Wimberley (2-0):