Predicting the Biggest Week 2 Games in Texas: 4A, 3A, 2A
TXHSFB previews and predictions for the biggest Week 2 games in Texas, including Brock vs. Anna, Texarkana Pleasant Grove vs. Sulphur Springs, and Seminole vs. Shallowater.
Orangefield (1-0) at Bridge City (1-0): One of the top small school games in the Golden Triangle has some ties as former Orangefield head coach Josh Smalley leads his new team Bridge City against his old team. Orangefield slipped past a sneaky good 4A program in Hardin-Jefferson, 30-24, last week as RB Gage Lucas put on a show for the Bobcats with 133 yards and a touchdown on the ground; he added 103 receiving yards and a score as OHS was able to find enough in the tank despite being outgained. Bridge City rolled to an easy 35-12 win over Kirbyville last week. The Cardinals got out to a 28-6 halftime lead and put things on cruise control in the second half. RB Joshua Luna had 100 yards and two scores on the ground and the Cardinals defense stepped up, despite losing Arkansas LB commit Bryce Breeden to an injury. I’m expecting a really close and competitive game. These two towns are located just five miles apart so there’s plenty of familiarity. I’m leaning to Orangefield and their experience in a close one. Stepp’s Pick: Orangefield by 4
Canadian (1-0) at Bushland (0-1): Canadian’s offense looked to be in mid-season form last week as the Wildcats rolled past Panhandle 63-38. The Wildcats rolled up 733 yards from scrimmage led by QB Weston Mitchell, who threw for 523 yards and six scores and ran for 156 yards and a score. Sophomore WR Brooks Wall had an impressive varsity debut with eight catches for 254 yards and three scores. If there was one blemish on the night it was the defense allowing 38 points to Panhandle. Speaking of points, Bushland was able to throw up 42 points in last week’s 62-42 loss, but the defense has to be smarting after getting shredded by Seminole. This week’s test against Canadian will be similarly tough, in fact it might be even tougher considering Canadian’s pedigree. Stepp’s Pick: Canadian by 9
Newton (0-1) vs Franklin (0-1): It’s a showdown of state-ranked 3A opponents in Franklin as these two powers will be looking for their first win after falling to 4A opponents last week. Newton got a big night from Houston RB commit Kendray Porter, Jr. as the senior ran for three scores. But Newton had no answers for West Orange-Stark’s ground game in a 44-28 defeat. Franklin with a young team looked solid for a half as the Lions only trailed powerful Waco La Vega 14-9, but mistakes doomed the Lions in the second half of a 42-16 defeat. Franklin lost four fumbles, two of which were returned for touchdowns, and the Lions came away with no points on two separate drives that moved inside the five-yard line. If you like physical football with two teams who like to punch you in the mouth, this is the game for you. I like Newton’s senior experience and ability to hit the big pass in this game. But with the game being moved to Franklin and Newton’s struggles to stop the run last week, I’ll take the home team. Stepp’s Pick: Franklin by 4
Stratford (1-0) at Panhandle (0-1): Panhandle will look to bounce back this week after a tough outing to open the season in a 63-38 loss to powerful Canadian. The Panthers will look to get back to the drawing board on the defensive side of things, but the offense showed some glimpses of being stout as Lukas Purcell ran for 170 yards and a pair of scores. Panhandle will need to take better care of the football as they turned the ball over three times in last week’s defeat. They’ll have a real task on their hands this week as they deal with Stratford who despite some offseason losses looked to be in midseason form as the Elks rolled to a lopsided 78-6 win over Sunray. WR Darius Jones led a balanced effort with 127 receiving yards and three scores, while RB’s Alejandro Casas and Abraham Goss combined for 168 yards on the ground and four scores. I expect Panhandle to be much improved this week and their offense will keep them in it, but Stratford’s offense looks quite scary after one week. Stepp’s Pick: Stratford by 10
Mason (1-0) at Hamilton (0-1): It was a beautiful night in Mason in front of a packed house at a revamped Puncherdome as the Punchers opened the season with a dominant 58-0 win over Reagan County. QB Ryder Balmos only needed eleven completions to throw for 235 yards and five touchdowns and the Mason defense was 100 percent up to the task. Things get tougher this week as Mason heads north to take on last year’s 2A-Division I state champions in Hamilton, which won’t get the chance to defend their state title as they are moving up to Class 3A. A young Hamilton team took it on the chin last week on the road falling to 2A-Division II power Bremond 26-21. Hamilton dug themselves an early 14-0 and the Bulldogs just couldn’t climb out of the hole. At home, I expect this young Hamilton bunch to play much better at home, but Mason is a legitimate title contender. It’s a close one, but the Punchers, especially in the trenches, have an edge. Stepp’s Pick: Mason by 9
Quick Picks
El Paso Andress (1-0) at El Paso Americas (0-1) Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Andress by 8
Robinson (0-1) at Springtown (0-1) Stepp’s Pick: Springtown by 4
Waco La Vega (1-0) at Austin LBJ (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Waco La Vega by 12
Gilmer (0-1) at Tyler Chapel Hill (0-1) Stepp’s Pick: Gilmer by 5
Stephenville (1-0) at Brownwood (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Stephenville by 20
La Marque (0-1) at Bay City (0-1) Stepp’s Pick: Bay City by 2
Commerce (1-0) at Canton (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Canton by 6
Tidehaven (0-1) at Goliad (0-1) Stepp’s Pick: Goliad by 3
Rio Vista (1-0) at Rosebud-Lott (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Rio Vista by 7
Ropesville Ropes (0-0) at New Home (0-1) Stepp’s Pick: Ropes by 11
Last Week’s Results: 15-5 75.0%
Season Results: 15-5 75.0%
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