Canyon West Plains (12-1) vs Stephenville (13-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Lubbock’s Lowrey Field: It’s a rematch of last year’s regional final when West Plains made their appearance on the statewide stage by stunning heavily favored Stephenville to win their first ever state semifinal appearance. Stephenville’s been waiting for this one for a year and they’ve played like a team on a mission all year with 13 straight wins, with the closest game being a 16-point win over Louisiana powerhouse Ruston; Ruston owns a win over Longview, so that’s about as impressive a win as any 4A team in the state has. Last week Stephenville drilled West Plain’s Canyon ISD brother, Canyon Randall, 51-6 as QB Trot Jordan tossed three touchdown passes and added a rushing touchdown to lead the explosive ‘Jackets attack. Freshman WR Caden Monk had a strong night with two touchdown receptions. West Plains cruised past Canyon High, 35-3, as QB Reid Macon threw for 251 yards and three scores to pace the Wolves attack that at times looked sluggish as they were missing their leading rusher Slade Russell, who is out with an injury. West Plains defense picked up the slack with a stellar defensive performance until the offense got rolling in the third quarter. West Plains’ offense will need to be perfect this week much like last year when they pulled the upset. But I can’t see it two years in a row. Stepp’s Pick: Stephenville by 11
Alvarado (12-0) vs Celina (13-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mansfield’s Newsom Stadium: It’s a rematch of last year’s regional final when Celina rolled past Alvarado en route to a state title. Once again both teams come into this one unbeaten. Alvarado had one of the most dominant performances of the week last week as they annihilated previously unbeaten Springtown, 64-13. RB DeMarcus Belton ran for two scores and had a touchdown catch, while DJ Clampitt added three touchdown runs. But the story was Alvarado’s defense, which just smothered Springtown with their overall team speed. Celina rolled past Decatur, 33-6, as RB Evan Koehne ran for 183 yards and two scores. The big story coming out of this one is the status of Oklahoma QB commit Bowe Bentley who left the game in the first half and did not return. In my view, I don’t think Bentley’s status matters all that much in this game. Celina’s going to get in their heavy package and try to wear down Alvarado’s smaller defense and keep the Indians offense off the field. Celina’s defense is also fully capable of getting stops and I think the Bobcats wear AHS down. Stepp’s Pick: Celina by 14
Midland Greenwood (13-0) vs Brock (13-0), 7 p.m. at Abilene’s Wildcat Stadium: It’s a battle of unbeatens for the Region I title as Midland Greenwood looks to carry the flag for West Texas as they try to take on defending Region I champion Brock. Greenwood got pushed a bit last week, but the Rangers were able to slip past the Steers with a big fourth quarter, 36-21. Greenwood held a 16-14 lead but scored 20 straight to pull away as QB Lincoln Madrid had a hand in all five touchdowns. Brock took on Greenwood’s district opponent Seminole last week and the Eagles put on an absolute clinic with a 66-3 romp over the Indians. RB Bryer McDonald led the charge with 174 yards rushing and four touchdowns, while UTEP WR commit Colt Matlock hauled in three touchdown passes from QB Holt Frazier. Brock’s defense was also stellar holding Seminole to just 12 yards rushing on the afternoon. If you asked me about this game two weeks ago, I’d pick Brock in a close one. The way the Eagles are playing right now, they could be a real problem for whoever comes out of Region II next week. Stepp’s Pick: Brock by 21
Cuero (12-1) vs Sinton (12-1), 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Heroes Stadium: For the first time in a long time, Wimberley isn’t involved in a regional final in Region IV as district rivals Cuero and Sinton collide in a rematch of a classic district ballgame in October. In that game Sinton led 55-35 late in the game, Cuero rallied for 21-straight and then blocked a late Sinton field goal to win it. Last week, Cuero took care of another district rival in Rockport-Fulton, 48-27. The Gobblers led 34-27 early in the fourth but pulled away with two late scores. WR Walker Dietze had another big night with two touchdown receptions, while RB’s Jordan Jones and Carmelo Perez combined for five scores on the ground. Sinton took on Wimberley last week and the Pirates trailed 20-7 midway through the fourth quarter. After Wimberley stuffed the Pirates on 4th-and-1, it appeared once again the Pirates would fall in the playoffs to the Texans. This time SHS fought back as late in the third QB Quincy Bess connected with Roland Galvan for a touchdown to cut the lead to 20-14 and ignited the Pirates. Marcos Zapata opened the fourth with a 66-yard touchdown run to put the Pirates up for good at 21-20. Zapata then ripped off a 47-yard touchdown run after a Wimberley punt to make it 29-20 with the two-point conversion. The Pirates added another score to put the game away at 35-20, before Wimberley added a late score. Both offenses have plenty of playmakers and can score points in bunches. The key in this game will be which defense can come up with stops, and I think that edge goes to Sinton. Stepp’s Pick: Sinton by 4
Peaster (12-1) vs Paradise (12-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Springtown’s Porcupine Stadium: Defending Region I champion Paradise will look to make it back-to-back titles, and to do so they’ll have to get past fast-rising district rival Peaster. The meeting in mid-October was a 21-15 slugfest won by Paradise and there’s no reason to think this game won’t follow a similar script. Peaster’s defense has been nothing short of remarkable in the playoffs as they’ve allowed a total of three points in three games. Since that Paradise loss they’ve allowed a TOTAL of 21 points in the last six games! In last week’s 36-3 win over Vernon, the defense allowed a field goal on the opening drive and that was it; they contributed a pair of safeties to the cause. ATH Cade McCollough hauled in a touchdown pass and kicked two field goals to lead the Peaster offense. Paradise’s defense has been stout recently as well. The Panthers have allowed just 59 total points in the last eight games. Last week they rolled past a strong Jim Ned squad, 27-7. QB Ayden Olalde led the way with 233 yards passing and three scores while taking care of the football and letting his elite defense go to work. Points will be at a premium in this contest. The offense that can pop a big play or two likely wins as I expect both teams to be very careful with the football on what is expected to be a cold night Friday. It’s tough to beat a good team twice and these two are evenly matched, so I’m leaning toward Peaster to win their first ever regional crown. Stepp’s Pick: Peaster by 3
Idalou (10-3) vs Wall (13-0), 6 p.m. Friday at San Angelo’s San Angelo Stadium: It’s a West Texas showdown in 3A-Division II Region I as Idalou is basically playing a true road game as they head down to San Angelo to visit Wall, who has a short 13-mile drive to the game. Idalou ended several years of playoff frustration against Canadian last week with a 24-17 win. It snapped a five-game losing streak in the playoffs to CHS. Idalou capitalized on critical Canadian miscues to race out to a 17-0 first quarter lead and then held off a late Canadian surge. QB Kamdon Lutrick led the way with three touchdowns on the ground. Wall had no trouble in their third-round game last week as the Hawks crushed Slaton, 56-7, as QB Landon York once again had a big day with 303 yards through the air and four touchdowns. RB Brady Neal added 114 yards on the ground and two scores. Leading 21-0, Wall put the game on ice with a 28-point third quarter. These two met in non-district with Wall getting a 35-21 win. I’m not sure this meeting is closer. Wall’s on a different playing field than the rest of Region I. Idalou keeps this game close for a half, but Wall pours it on down the stretch. Stepp’s Pick: Wall by 21
Arp (12-1) vs Newton (12-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Lufkin’s Martin Stadium: