4A-2A Ultimate Preview: The Best Week 6 Games in Texas

Paris (4-1, 1-0) at Frisco Panther Creek (4-1, 0-1): The grind continues in 7-4A Division I as a very underrated Paris squad travels to the Ford Center to take on state-ranked Panther Creek in a game with major playoff implications. Paris opened district play last week with a big win as the Wildcats over Lake Dallas, 20-16. WR Marquis Shelton and QB Tyler Heath connected for two first half scoring passes and Heath’s third quarter touchdown pass to RB Jaron Baugh was the game winner. The Paris defense locked down in the second half holding LDHS to just a field goal. Panther Creek gave defending state champion Celina a major scare last week, but the Panthers fell short 35-28. PCHS forced four Celina turnovers, but the offense struggled to take full advantage and in the fourth quarter the defense just got worn down. Texas Tech commit RB/DB Donovan Webb had a strong night with 152 yards rushing and a score, while BYU commit TE Parker Ord and Oregon commit WR Jalen Lott combined for three touchdown catches. The big question going into this one will be the health of Panther Creek QB Gralyn Fry, who left the game on the final drive with an injury. If Fry can’t play, it’ll be close, but if he’s in the game, PCHS is a two-touchdown favorite over the Wildcats. Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Panther Creek by 11

Lubbock Liberty (5-0) at Midland Greenwood (5-0): Two of the best in 4A-Division II out west meet up in a true measuring stick game as both come into this showdown state-ranked. Lubbock-Cooper ISD’s Liberty is in their second varsity season, and they’ve mowed through their non-district slate with an average margin of victory of over 47 points. Last week they completely dismantled Fort Stockton 56-0. Sophomore RB Kaiden Jospeh ran for three scores to lead the Patriots attack. The Liberty defense pitched their first shutout in school history in the win and forced four turnovers. Perennial power Greenwood has been equally as dominant as the Rangers in their 5-0 start have an average margin of victory of over 35 points. Last week Greenwood blasted Pecos 47-3 as QB Lincoln Madrid threw for 369 yards and six touchdowns to pace an explosive Greenwood attack. This is a fascinating matchup of state ranked squads - an old power in Greenwood and the new kid on the block in Liberty. This is really Liberty’s first “big” game as a program. How do their kids respond on the road against a senior laden GHS bunch? Those are major questions and the reason I lean to the veteran experience of Midland Greenwood. Stepp’s Pick: Midland Greenwood by 10

Canadian (5-0) at Shallowater (2-3): Unbeaten Canadian has navigated a tough non-district slate with a lot of new faces and improved on a weekly basis, which is a scary proposition for 3A-Division II as playoff time draws near. Last week the Wildcats rolled to an easy 69-20 win over an overmatched Sunray squad. Sophomore QB Weston Mitchell threw for 245 yards, and three touchdown passes and RB Slayden Dickinson tallied 167 yards rushing on just nine carries with three touchdowns. A crazy state courtesy of PressPass Sports, from the final drive of the Dumas game two weeks ago, to halftime of the Sunray game, Canadian had scored points on 21-straight possessions. Shallowater has a young team that’s going through growing pains against a difficult schedule. The Mustangs have dropped two straight after last week’s 45-20 loss to Idalou. QB Cooper Martin continues to play well, but Shallowater doesn’t have the horses (no pun intended) to keep up with Canadian. Stepp’s Pick: Canadian by 20

Jefferson (3-2, 0-1) at Atlanta (4-1, 1-0): After dropping their season opener last week to Gladewater, the Jefferson Bulldogs head north to Atlanta to try and avoid a shocking 0-2 start in district play. Jefferson raced out to a 21-0 lead, and they lead 27-11 early third quarter, but a late interception and a game-winning drive propelled Gladewater to a 28-27 win. Jefferson’s offense failed to gain a first down in the second half in a surprising late collapse. Atlanta has rattled off four straight wins after last week’s 39-14 win over previously White Oak. Atlanta’s offense is coming along with a freshman QB continuing to find his sea-legs at the varsity level and his two FBS caliber WR’s in Jayden Riley and CJ Whaley. Jefferson’s offense can’t be as bad as they were in the second half of last week’s game and Atlanta’s offensive line gives me reason for concern. Stepp’s Pick: Jefferson by 7

Hardin (5-0, 1-0) at East Chambers (4-0, 1-0): It’s a Thursday night battle of unbeatens in the Golden Triangle as Hardin looks for a second straight statement win after last week’s win over defending district champion Orangefield, 38-29. RB Trevor Jones ran for four touchdowns, while QB Kolten Bishop ran for a score and threw a touchdown pass in the win. East Chambers escaped Buna’s upset bid in a 21-14 win. RB Darius Edmonson ran for two scores to lead the Bucs. ECHS raced out to a quick 14-0 lead, but they struggled the remainder of the night and needed Edmonson’s touchdown run with 5:45 left in the game to escape with the win. The positive for the Bucs is the defense continued their strong play. The question for East Chambers will be can they slow down the Hardin Wing-T offense that controls the tempo and churns out yards and first downs. Stepp’s Pick: Hardin by 6

Coahoma (5-0) at Littlefield (5-0): Another battle of unbeaten teams out in West Texas features unbeaten Coahoma heading north to Littlefield. Coahoma didn’t have any hangovers from their Week 4 win over Albany as they rolled past Wink 35-14. QB Austin Joslin led the Bulldogs attack throwing for 178 yards and four touchdowns. Littlefield rolled to an easy 42-21 win over Brownfield last week as the Wildcats rushing attack paced by Daniel Rojas and Benjamin Castillo dominated the winless Cubs. Littlefield’s strength of schedule isn’t quite to the level of Coahoma’s, which has beaten two straight state-ranked teams in Class 2A. Stepp’s Pick: Coahoma by 14

Valley Mills (4-1, 1-0) at Axtell (4-1, 1-0): With Rio Vista’s ineligibility for the playoffs, this showdown in Axtell might decide the 7-2A Division I title. Valley Mills’ defense has been absolutely dominant the past two weeks with back-to-back shutouts, including last week’s 38-0 drubbing of Italy. RB Jasean Johnson was all the offense the Eagles needed as he ran for four touchdowns; at 200 pounds with good speed he’s really difficult for 2A defenders to bring down. Axtell ripped Dawson, 44-0, as the Longhorns defense pitched their second shutout of the year. They’ve allowed just 34 points in five games. QB Levi Leathers leads the Longhorns offensive attack and Axtell’s strength of schedule is what propels them to the win and a possible inside track to the district title. Stepp’s Pick: Axtell by 8

Kenedy (4-1, 0-1) at Ganado (4-1, 1-0): A young and explosive Kenedy squad will look to make a name for themselves this week against the defending 2A-Division I state champion Ganado. Kenedy last week suffered their first loss of the season as they fell to Schulenburg, 47-26. WR Dylan Russell is one of the state’s top freshman playmakers, but Kenedy’s youth across the board is a concern. Ganado bounced back from their loss to Tidehaven two weeks ago with a dominant 49-0 win over Flatonia to open district play. QB Landyn Arriaga, RB Logan Bures and WR Austen Pena gives the Indians one of the state’s most dynamic group of skill players and Ganado’s young defense continues to improve. This one may be over by halftime. Stepp’s Pick: Ganado by 33

Austin Travis (2-3, 0-1) vs Austin LBJ (2-2, 0-0) Stepp’s Pick: Austin LBJ by 44

Fredericksburg (2-3, 1-0) at Canyon Lake (4-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Canyon Lake by 13

Pilot Point (4-1, 1-0) at Palmer (5-0, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Pilot Point by 9

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