Canyon Randall (6-1, 2-0) vs Canyon West Plains (6-1, 2-0): First place in 2-4A Division I is on the line as Canyon ISD’s best link up in what has quicky turned into one of the Panhandle’s most intense rivalries. Randall put together another outstanding defensive performance last week with a 24-0 shutout win over Hereford. RB Drayden Ray gave the Raiders offense all they needed with three first-half rushing touchdowns. Randall’s defense has been a constant with three shutouts; through seven games they are allowing just over 10 points per game. West Plains cruised past an overmatched Pampa squad, 55-7. RB Jenks Phillips ran for 156 yards and three scores; he also added a 90-yard kickoff return for a score. QB Reid Macon wasn’t asked to do much for the Wolves considering their success in the running game, but he was efficient with a pair of touchdown passes. This will easily be the biggest test of the year for the Randall defense. West Plains looks battle-tested, and their offensive balance is the key in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Canyon West Plains by 17

Bay City (5-2, 1-1) at El Campo (6-1, 2-0): For the 122nd time, Bay City and El Campo do battle in the state’s longest running continuous rivalry. As it has so many times, this one is ripe with playoff implications. Bay City fell from the state rankings last week as the Blackcats lost to La Vernia, 25-22, as they were unable to avenge their loss to the Bears in last year’s regional final. ATH Keimarion Wiggins has been the key for Bay City on offense; he’s a versatile dual threat signal-caller who has tallied 16 touchdowns this year. WR Adrian Molina led BCHS last week with 105 yards receiving and a pair of scores. The Bay City defense continues to impress and if the young offense finds their footing. They could be real dangerous in the playoffs. El Campo has quietly put together an outstanding season as the Ricebirds are a one-point loss to Needville away from being undefeated. They’ve been dominant early in district play with two lopsided victories. Last week they rolled to a 49-7 win over Floresville as the nearly three-hour trip didn’t phase Travis Reeve’s squad, which raced out to a 28-0 halftime lead and cruised in the second half. El Campo’s three-headed monster of ball carriers makes them tough to stop as Vladamir Garcia, Kylan Taylor and Jeremy Soto all can hurt an opposing defense. Both teams come in with similar resumes with Bay City getting a slight edge for playing a tougher schedule. It’s going to be close, this rivalry typically is, but Bay City’s experience and toughness on defense proves to be the difference this week. Stepp’s Pick: Bay City by 3

Robinson (6-1, 2-0) at Waco La Vega (5-2, 2-0): Two of the best 4A-Division II squads in Central Texas will likely decide the 12-4A Division II crown out in Bellmead as upstart Robinson with their explosive offense tries to unseat perennial powerhouse Waco La Vega. Last week Robinson rolled past Waco Connally 41-27 as QB Brice McCurdy threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, while RB Evan Moreno ran for two scores. La Vega has gotten healthy since district play started up and the Pirates look to be coming together after a 38-17 win last week over China Spring. The Pirates may have discovered their feature back as RB Tristan Tyler ran for three scores to pace La Vega, while senior QB Kourtney Parr tossed a pair of touchdown passes as well. WR Jabarie Thornton, who is La Vega’s top pass catcher was the recipient of one of those scoring strikes. Both of these offenses are loaded with playmakers and can score from anywhere on the field, the edge in this game is La Vega’s defense, Don Hyde and his staff will find a way to slow the Rockets down in what should be a fun football game. Stepp’s Pick: Waco La Vega by 8

Shallowater (4-3) at Bushland (3-4): District play in 1-3A Division I finally gets started and we get things going with a bang in the Panhandle as the two district favorites get together. Both teams come into this one with up and down resumes. There are weeks both Shallowater and Bushland look like regional contenders and then there’s weeks where both teams struggle, which Shallowater and Bushland will show up this week will be a big question. Good Shallowater showed up two weeks ago in the non-district finale as SHS stunned previously unbeaten Canadian, 52-20. QB Cooper Martin was the primary thorn in Canadian’s side as he threw for 225 yards and three scores; he also added 74 yards rushing and two scores on the ground. Shallowater’s defense was outstanding as well as they picked off four Canadian passes on the night. Bushland after four straight losses in non-district closed things out with two straight wins to give themselves some positive momentum. They rolled past 4A Andrews 34-12 in the non-district finale two weeks ago. QB Kannon Aven appears to be settling in as QB1 for the Falcons and the offense is starting to get rolling. While the defense in the win over Andrews forced four turnovers, including an interception return for a score. Shallowater’s win over Canadian just jumps off the page at me. If they put that type of effort forward, the Mustangs will be a factor in Region I. Stepp’s Pick: Shallowater by 10

Pilot Point (6-1, 3-0) at Pottsboro (7-1, 4-0): It’s a battle of unbeaten teams in 6A-3A Division I as Pilot Point heads north visit red-hot Pottsboro. Pilot Point had last week off after they dismantled A+ Academy, 78-0, two weeks ago. In the win, Pilot Point totally dominated as they rolled up 417 yards of offense and allowed just 80 yards of offense. The PPHS trio in the backfield of Josh Chumley, Drevion James and Caden David can grind out yards and clock, keeping the Bearcats defense fresh. Pottsboro has won six straight since a Week 2 loss to 4A Sanger. The Cardinals rolled past A+ Academy, 57-6, a week ago as QB Cayden Humphrey had a big night and Pottsboro got to work in a lot of young guys in the lopsided win. Pottsboro’s defense has struggled at times and the offense has had to bail them out; they may not have the ball enough this week to pull off the win. Stepp’s Pick: Pilot Point by 6

Wichita Falls City View (5-2, 1-1) at Holliday (6-1, 2-0): City View bounced back nicely from their loss in Week 7 to Jacksboro with a dominant 51-19 win over Henrietta. Now they’ll look to try and dethrone powerhouse Holliday in a key showdown in 6-3A Division II. Last week, City View’s defense forced four turnovers. They blocked two punts and got four touchdown passes from QB Malachi Williams in a complete team victory. Williams threw for 201 yards and added 50 yards on the ground to lead the charge. Holliday blasted an over-matched Valley View squad ripping the Eagles, 71-6. HHS raced out to a 51-0 halftime lead and emptied the bench in the second half. There wasn’t much you could take from that game regarding Holliday, other than ensuring they got out of it healthy, which they did. City View’s team speed is dangerous, but Holliday’s a more complete football team in all aspects, especially up front on both sides of the ball. Stepp’s Pick: Holliday by 13

New Home (6-1, 2-0) at Post (5-2, 1-1): Two of the best small school teams on the South Plains meet up with possible district title implications on the line as New Home heads south to take on Post. New Home’s defense the last three weeks has been on another level as they’ve allowed a total of three points. Last week they annihilated Floydada, 75-0. QB Brayson Beck ran for 81 yards with a touchdown and threw for 69 yards and two more scores and he was resting after halftime as the game quickly got out of hand. Post bounced back nicely from their surprise district opening loss to New Deal with a 48-15 rout of Olton. After struggling a bit in the first half, Post’s offense got rolling with 31 second half points. WR Draven Gonzales hauled in a pair of long touchdown receptions in the second half, while the backfield duo of Luca Perez and Randon Curtis combined for three rushing touchdowns. Post’s offensive balance and number of playmakers makes them a tough team for most 2A schools to stop. New Home’s been a real surprise after some struggles a year ago. This one is a coin flip, but I’ll take Post at home in a bit of an upset this week. Stepp’s Pick: Post by 3

Cisco (6-1, 2-0) at Hawley (5-2, 2-0): First place is on the line in 4-2A Division I as much-improved Cisco looks to reassert themselves as one of the Big Country’s top small school teams, while a now-healthy Hawley squad comes in playing their best football of the season. Cisco’s won six straight after dropping the season opener to 3A Clyde. Last week the Loboes raced past Abilene TLC, 69-8. They put up 56 points in the first half. QB Colby McIlroy is the key to slowing down Cisco; when he plays well CHS is generally tough to beat. So, look for Hawley to look to contain him in the pocket and not let him get loose. Hawley had no trouble with Olney beating the Cubs, 53-7. QB Aiden Romo threw for 161 yards and three scores, while HHS got two rushing touchdowns each from Brycen Stofel and Hunter Hudson. On paper these two look evenly matched, but Hawley’s early hot district start has me impressed. Stepp’s Pick: Hawley by 7

Chiton (7-0, 4-0) at Bremond (7-0, 4-0): Through eight weeks of the season, there’s no question the best two teams in 10-2A Division II have been Chilton and Bremond, and they’ll meet up to likely crown a district champion. The story for Chilton has been defense; the Pirates have allowed just 22 total points and have pitched five shutouts. The offense isn’t flashy but they are efficient led by QB Marneko Thomas, Jr. and RB X’Zavion Taylor. Bremond hasn’t been shabby on the defensive side of the ball either as the Tigers have shutout the last three opponents they’ve faced ,including an impressive e 47-0 win over Goldthwaite last week. RB Tank Scott rushed for 102 yards and three scores and QB Sam Kasowki threw for 201 yards and two scores to lead the Tigers explosive attack. The Chilton defense against Bremond’s dynamic offense is the money matchup. Whoever gets that edge wins the game. I’m leaning to Bremond at home, but don’t be surprised if we see this game again in December in the regional finals. Stepp’s Pick: Bremond by 2

Quick Picks

Lampasas (7-1, 1-1) at Stephenville (7-0, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Stephenville by 30

Little Cypress-Mauriceville (4-3, 4-0) at Bridge City (7-0, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Bridge City by 7

Silsbee (5-2, 2-0) at West Orange-Stark (4-3, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Silsbee by 4

Salado (5-2, 3-0) at Jarrell (7-1, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Jarrell by 3

Hitchcock (6-2, 2-0) at Columbus (5-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Columbus by 8

Edna (4-3, 3-1) at Goliad (6-1, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Goliad by 7

Lexington (6-0, 1-0) at Blanco (6-2, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Lexington by 12

West Rusk (6-1, 3-0) at Troup (8-0, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Troup by 11

Santo (6-1, 2-0) at Muenster (5-2, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Muenster by 21

Lovelady (7-0, 3-0) at Mount Enterprise (7-0, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Lovelady by 5

Last Week’s Record: 12-8

Last Week’s Win %: 60.0%

Season Record: 103-37

Season Win %: 73.6%