Predicting the Biggest Week 3 Games in Texas: 6A-5A
TXHSFB previews and predictions for the biggest Week 3 games in the state, including Waxahachie at Denton Guyer, Galena Park North Shore vs. South Oak Cliff, and Lake Travis vs. Cibolo Steele.
Lake Travis (1-0) at Cibolo Steele (1-1) - CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS GAME LIVE ON TEXANLIVE.COM
It’s another Austin vs. San Antonio matchup as Lake Travis makes the trip down to the northern suburbs of the Alamo City to take on Steele. Lake Travis opened up their season last week with an impressive 38-21 win over Pflugerville Weiss, which was a top 10 team in the state at the 5A-Division I level. QB Jason Carter led the charge for the Cavs throwing for 278 yards and two scores, while RB Henry Hopping added two scores on the ground as LTHS opened the season in style. Steele went on the road to the Houston area last week and the Knights dug themselves a big 21-0 early hole and were simply unable to climb out as they fell to Humble Atascocita 38-23. Steele’s offense, led by QB DJ Green and WR Jamin Harvell, moved the ball well but in the red zone the Knights struggled with several empty trips, especially in the first half. They’ll need to be much more efficient this week against a Lake Travis squad that’s had their number as of late. Steele’s secondary, which features four players committed currently to FBS programs, is one of the best in the state and their matchup with the Lake Travis WR’s will definitely be one to watch. Even though the Cavaliers are on the road, they’ve had their way with Steele as of late. LTHS goes on the road and gets a huge win. Stepp’s Pick: Lake Travis by 7
Cedar Park (2-0) at Waco Midway (2-0): It’s battle of 2-0 teams in the Super CenTex that looks to be quite juicy as homestanding Waco Midway, fresh off an upset win over Aledo on the road, hosts a strong Cedar Park squad. Cedar Park had no troubles last week as the Timberwolves blasted San Antonio Clark 68-7. The Timberwolves rolled up 571 yards of offense on the night. Three backs ran for at least 54 yards. QB David Cooper threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for a score, while RB Kysen Pham led the CPHS ground game with 94 yards and two rushing touchdowns. The Cedar Park defense held Clark to just 208 yards of offense on the night in the rout. The task is much tougher this week as Waco Midway has shown they are a sleeper contender as anytime you go into Aledo and win, you will grab some attention. WR Jacoby Hamilton came up huge for the Panthers with seven catches for 102 yards and two scores, while Notre Dame RB commit Lathan Whisenton ran for 160 yards and two scores to pace a balanced Panthers attack. Midway’s defense came up with multiple key stops in the second half, which gave the offense the needed footing to mount the game winning touchdown drive late. Midway’s speed and athleticism on offense will be a real challenge for Cedar Park in this game. Combine that group with a stingy defense and I think Midway closes out non-district in style with a big win. Stepp’s Pick: Waco Midway by 13
White Settlement Brewer (2-0) at Richland (2-0): Two up and coming 5A programs in Tarrant County meet up in a real measuring stick matchup that could give us an idea of how things will shake out in 5A-Division I Region I once the playoffs come around. Additionally, if you want to see great running back play, the two feature backs in this matchup. Brewer, a playoff team a year ago, brings back a veteran squad and has looked the part early on after two straight wins, including a dominant 49-20 victory last week over Saginaw. RB Kameron Coleman ran for 159 yards and two scores to lead the way for the Bears in the win. Richland, led by UCLA RB commit Jayshon Gibson, is off to an unbeaten start after the Royals took care of rival Haltom, 49-21, last week. Gibson ran wild tallying 162 yards on the ground and three scores, while QB Brett Kates threw for 149 yards and two scores to give the Richland offense plenty of balance. That offensive balance for Richland and their veteran experience on the defensive side of the ball are the keys in this one and that’s why Richland has the big edge. Stepp’s Pick: Richland by 11
Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (1-1) at Victoria West (2-0): After a surprising loss to Corpus Christi Miller in the season opener, Flour Bluff bounced back nicely last week as the Hornets rolled past Laredo LBJ, 42-20. FBHS exploded with 42 points in the first half before putting things on cruise control in the second half of the easy win. RB Sam Smith ran for four scores and QB Michael Lawrence threw for a score and ran for a score to pace the Flour Bluff attack. Victoria West had no issues in a rivalry game with Victoria East as the Warriors rolled to a 52-37 win. The West offense rolled up nearly 500 yards of offense in the win. QB Aiden DeLeon led the charge with 209 yards passing and two scores, while five different ball carriers had at least three carries with Isaac Perez leading the charge with three touchdowns on the ground. I expect a real high-scoring affair; both teams can score points in bunches, but the key here is the Flour Bluff defense, which showed last week they can shut a team down. Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Flour Bluff by 10
Anna (2-0) at Frisco Panther Creek (2-0): District play in 4-5A Division II gets started with a bang in Frisco on Friday night as two contenders for the district title meet up at Toyota Stadium. Anna got pushed in a big way by a strong Brock squad last week, but the Coyotes were able to escape with a 38-27 win at home to close out non-district. Anna was outgained and at times outplayed by Brock, but the Coyotes defense forced six Brock turnovers and that proved to be the biggest key in the game. The first score of the game was an interception return by Anna DB Zyier Franklin. San Diego State RB commit Juelz Carter ran for 105 yards and a score, while QB Zephyr Kreye tossed a pair of touchdown passes to pace an Anna offense that will need to improve this week. Panther Creek had no troubles for the second straight week as the Panthers roared past an overmatched Frisco Liberty squad 56-7. PCHS took advantage of several short fields on the night and RB Shawn White was the happy recipient of three rushing touchdowns and 66 rushing yards on just six carries. Samuel Garcia had 104 yards rushing and a score, while Cooper Smith added 58 yards and a score on the ground. Anna will be the best team Panther Creek has seen this year by a large margin; the Coyotes are battle-tested and if their defense continues to play lights out they’ll be hard to beat because the offense will figure things out. Stepp’s Pick: Anna by 11
Fort Bend Crawford (2-0) at Port Neches-Groves (1-1): It’s a really tasty battle of state-ranked teams in 5A-Division II as the Crawford Chargers travel into hostile Golden Triangle territory to take on Port Neches-Groves. Last week Crawford improved to 2-0 as they blew away Katy Freeman 48-16. QB Ellison Holmes had a big night throwing it for CHS as he tallied 293 yards through the air and five scores to four different receivers. Ole Miss commit Alvin Mosley after a huge opening game “only” had 55 yards and a score receiving. The big play target this past week was Jaevon Kennerson, who had 110 yards receiving and two touchdowns on just two receptions. After a Week 1 loss to Port Arthur Memorial, PNG was dominant last week in a 50-19 blowout win over Beaumont West Brook. QB Jake Ashworth tossed two touchdown passes, while ATH Jude Gohlke ran for two score. PNG’s special teams got into the act as well as they had a blocked field goal return for a score. PNG’s young offensive line looks to be coming into their own and that ground game and controlling the clock with RB Tyson Henry will be key to keep a very explosive Crawford attack on the sidelines. Add in the always loud and hostile environment at PNG and you have the makings of Crawford’s first true introduction to elite 5A football. Stepp’s Pick: Port Neches-Groves by 10
Quick Picks
Allen (2-0) at Southlake Carroll (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Allen by 15
Lewisville (2-0) at Denton Ryan (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Lewisville by 8 - CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS GAME LIVE ON TEXANLIVE.COM
Fort Bend Ridge Point (2-0) at Bridgeland (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Fort Bend Ridge Point by 10 - CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS GAME LIVE ON TEXANLIVE.COM
PSJA North (2-0) at Edinburg Vela (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: PSJA North by 7
Beaumont West Brook (1-1) at Goose Creek Memorial (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Goose Creek Memorial by 3
Killeen Shoemaker (1-1) at College Station (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: College Station by 8
Lubbock Monterey (1-1) at Wichita Falls Legacy (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Wichita Falls Legacy by 9
Belton (2-0) at Bastrop (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Belton by 10
Boerne (2-0) at San Antonio Davenport (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Boerne by 8
Mission Veterans Memorial (1-1) at Weslaco (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Weslaco by 20
Last Week’s Results: 15-5 75.0%
Season Results: 26-14 65.0%
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