Kilgore (2-1) at Texarkana Pleasant Grove (3-0): In what could very well be described as a “rock-fight in waiting,” Kilgore will head north to take on Pleasant Grove in a top five 4A matchup that will be the first real elite test for Pleasant Grove. Last week Kilgore gave Gilmer one of their most lopsided defeats in several years as the Bulldogs rolled to a 66-6 victory. Rayshaun Williams rushed for a season-high 209 yards and three touchdowns and returned a kickoff 70 yards for another score to paced Kilgore, which didn’t even need the talents of star QB Kayson Brooks or two-way star LaKeylon Graves. Brooks did play well with 178 yards passing and three scores as Kilgore outgained Gilmer 514-140. Pleasant Grove made quick work last week of 3A Daingerfield as the Hawks rolled to a 49-7 win. The Hawks deep and fast defense has controlled things early on allowing just 16 points in three games. In last week’s win, six different Hawks found the end zone with RB Nick Bells rushing for two scores, while QB Colt Yancey tossed two touchdown passes. This will be the first big test for the Hawks defense as they battle a prolific offense. This was an overtime thriller a year ago and I expect another close one and the edge goes to Kilgore, which has the more balanced offensive attack. Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 5

Grandview (3-0) at Malakoff (1-2): One of the state’s newest best rivalries is Grandview and Malakoff. These two teams have met 11 times in the past seven seasons with Grandview holding a 6-5 edge, including a win over Malakoff in the 2018 3A-Division I state title game. Grandview is off to a flying start at 3-0 after the Zebras got an impressive 39-36 win over Waco Connally, a strong 4A-Division II team. GHS also holds non-district wins over good 4A teams in Glen Rose and Eagle Mountain. After losing a strong class of seniors, Malakoff is going through a bit of a transitional cycle. That’s not to say the Tigers don’t have talent, it’s just young and inexperienced. After dropping a close one to Lorena in Week 2, MHS took it on the chin last week in a 38-24 loss to an athletic Madisonville bunch. Jerrion Hall had a pair of touchdown runs for the Tigers, but with the game tied at 24 going into the fourth. Malakoff faded late as Madisonville outscored them 14-0. This could be a similar result as Grandview is a similar team in terms of relative strength. At home Malakoff keeps it tight, but Grandview is turning into a legitimate regional contender. Stepp’s Pick: Grandview by 10

Coahoma (3-0) at Albany (3-0): Unbeaten Coahoma is off to a flying start and now the true measuring stick comes as the Bulldogs get to tangle with powerhouse Albany on the road. Coahoma’s defense, which didn’t get much attention in the preseason, has been lights out early in the year allowing just 11 points in three games. Last week they raced past Kermit 51-0 as QB Austin Joslin fired three touchdown passes, two going to Landon Wells. Albany’s also been playing some elite defense early in the year. The Lions have allowed just 20 total points through three games. Last week they got the offense on track as AHS rolled to an easy 69-6 win over Seymour, Albany’s running game tallied 400 yards led by Bennett Neece’s 155 yards and three touchdowns on only six carries. Expect a low scoring slugfest between these two. On paper, Coahoma may have the more explosive playmakers, but Albany’s winning tradition and propensity to win these types of gut-check games leads me to give the nod to Denny Faith’s crew. Stepp’s Pick: Albany by 5

Tidehaven (3-0) at Ganado (3-0): We have a cross-classification matchup of powers in the Victoria area who know each other quite well as 3A-Division II Tidehaven visits the defending 2A-Division I state champions Ganado. A week after the Tigers got a dominant 38-7 win over a strong Goliad squad, Tidehaven followed it up with a solid 35-7 win over another 3A-Division I opponent in Hallettsville. QB Kale Russell and his bevy of offensive weapons continue to do plenty of damage for the Tigers, but it’s that THS defense that has impressed as through three weeks Tidehaven has allowed just 14 points. Ganado hasn’t had things quite as easy punching up as the Indians have back-to-back relatively close wins as the offense bailed them out last week in a 56-45 shootout win over Tidehaven’s district rival East Bernard. Sophomore QB Landyn Arriaga led the charge for GHS throwing for 253 yards and five scores and he added 71 yards on the ground and a score. These two teams met in the Texas Division III State 7-on-7 Tournament championship game in June with Tidehaven coming out on top. We could see a similar result this week as Ganado’s defense has some concerns going up against a four-year starter at QB for Tidehaven. Stepp’s Pick: Tidehaven by 11

Quick Picks

Bushland (1-2) at Canyon West Plains (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Canyon West Plains by 14

Wichita Falls Memorial (3-0) at Andrews (1-2) Stepp’s Pick: Wichita Falls Memorial by 24

Alvarado (2-0) at Waco Connally (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Alvarado by 12

Celina (3-0) vs Franklin (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Celina by 28

Tyler Chapel Hill (3-0) at Carthage (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 13

Fort Bend Crawford (2-1) at Hamshire-Fannett (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Hamshire-Fannett by 10

Bay City (3-0) at Sealy (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Sealy by 7

Midland Greenwood (3-0) at Shallowater (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Midland Greenwood by 18

Van (2-1) at Sunnyvale (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Van by 5

Silsbee (3-0) at Beaumont West Brook (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Silsbee by 8

Madisonville (2-1) at Columbus (1-2) Stepp’s Pick: Columbus by 2

Gregory-Portland (3-0) at Sinton (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Gregory-Portland by 11

Paradise (2-1) at Millsap (1-2) Stepp’s Pick: Paradise by 28

Seminole (2-1) at Lubbock Liberty (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Seminole by 4

Hawley (2-1) at DeLeon (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Hawley by 6

Last Week’s Record: 18-2

Last Week’s Win %: 90.0%

Season Record: 52-8

Season Win %: 86.7%