Wilmer-Hutchins (1-1) vs Dallas Kimball (1-1): District play in 6-4A Division I gets started this week and we’ve got a key matchup with playoff implications right off the bat as first year head coach Leon Paul leads his Wilmer-Hutchins Eagles into a showdown with Dallas Kimball. Kimball, under head coach Bam Harrison, won the district outright in 2024 and a year ago was part of a three-way tie for the district crown and the Knights are once again expected to be a contender for that crown. Both teams earned lopsided wins in the season opener but stumbled last week as they both punched up playing larger 5A programs. Hutch last week took on 5A-Division I Carrollton Turner and came up just short losing 39-32. QB Darrick Todd threw for 198 yards and two scores, but two key interceptions, including one in the fourth quarter, proved to be the Eagles undoing. Coach Paul and his staff will have to shore up the run defense as Turner won the game last week without completing a single pass. All their yardage was on the ground. Kimball after going to Oklahoma in Week 1 and getting a blowout win fell to a good 5A-Division II squad in Frisco Emerson last week, 44-7. The Knights offense just couldn’t get on track as they tallied just 117 yards on the night, and most concerning was their lack of ability to run the football as KHS ran -4 yards. So, the key in this football game seems pretty simple to me. Can Kimball run the ball or can Hutch stop the run? Whichever question gets answered, the winner will open district play with a massive victory. I’m giving the edge to the more experienced Kimball Knights. Stepp’s Pick: Dallas Kimball by 4

Lindale (2-0) at Van (2-0): One of East Texas’ most underrated rivalry games gets renewed this week as Lindale heads west on FM 16 to Van Zandt County to take on the Van Vandals in a battle of undefeated teams. Lindale got all they wanted last week from a young, but talented Whitehouse squad, but the Eagles were able to pull it out late for a 46-42 win. RB Hank Thurman was the star of the show for the Eagles as he toted the mail 42 times for 300 yards and three scores; he added a 78-yard punt return for a score and his touchdown run with 2:14 remaining proved to be the difference for the Eagles. Van went on the road to Dallas last week and came away with a workman-like 22-3 win over Dallas Carter. The Vandals defense was absolutely suffocating in the win. QB Rawly Hinch threw for 206 yards and two scores, and he added 53 yards on the ground and a score to pace Van’s attack. This is your classic “throw the records out the window” type of football game, but Lindale’s offense is an absolute wagon and the Eagles defense as they tend to do will find ways to get stops. Stepp’s Pick: Lindale by 6

Corpus Christi Miller (1-1) vs Corpus Christi Ray (2-0): It’s a really interesting Corpus Christi ISD matchup with two first year head coaches going at it in a real measuring stick game on the Coastal Bend. Miller, after a thrilling Week 1 win in David McHugh’s debut over Corpus Christi Flour Bluff, just didn’t have that same kind of offensive pop a week ago in a 28-7 loss to Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial. The Bucs only score was early in the game when DB Dexter Brantley, Jr. returned an interception for a score. Last week’s offensive performance was the total opposite of Week 1 when Miller threw up 46 points in the win over Flour Bluff. The big question for Miller is which offense shows up this week? New Ray head coach Brian Herman has the Texans off to a hot start after they rolled past Corpus Christi King 47-6 a week ago. Herman, who is known as being part of the “Slot-T Mafia” as Slot-T coaches are often jokingly referred to, has made his offense a bit more multiple this year to take advantage of the talents of QB Tripp Thompson. Through two games Thompson has five rushing and three passing scores and is averaging nearly 300 yards of offense combined per game. Even more impressive has been the early work of the Texans defense that has allowed just six points through the first eight quarters of the season. This week is such an interesting test because Miller is much better than Ray’s first two opponents; Miller has played two very good 5A-Division I playoff teams in their first two games. I’m giving the ever so slight lean to Ray in this one primarily because of the experience and leadership of Thompson at the QB spot. Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Ray by 3

Levelland (2-0) at Idalou (2-0): Hopes were high this year in Levelland that Lyle Leong’s squad could be much-improved and through two weeks it does appear the Lobos have the arrow pointed in the right direction. Last week Levelland cruised past Fort Stockton, 37-6, as RB Noah Martin ran for two scores and QB Ethan Salazar chipped in three touchdown passes to three different receivers as Levelland dominated from start to finish despite the game lasting over four hours due to a couple of lightning delays. State-ranked Idalou once again had no troubles last week as the Wildcats rolled past 4A-Division II Monahans 34-14. Two-way star RB/LB A.J. Huddleton continued to dominate on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats, while Cooper Wilson made a huge defensive play in the win with a 99-yard interception return for a score. Idalou’s big edge in this game is up front on both sides of the ball and their big game experience. Despite being two divisions smaller (Idalou is 3A-D2, Levelland is 4A-D2), the Wildcats get the edge in this battle of South Plains unbeaten teams. Stepp’s Pick: Idalou by 14

Llano (2-0) at Blanco (1-1):  It’s a contrast of styles on the offensive side of the ball as Llano and their up-tempo spread offensive attack looks to stay unbeaten as they take on a tough Blanco squad that employs the Slot-T offensive attack. Llano used a strong third quarter to break open a defensive battle with Tuscola Jim Ned in a 26-7 victory. The ‘Jackets got 162 yards rushing and a touchdown from sophomore RB Cole Landers, while senior QB Luke Davis tossed a pair of touchdown passes in the win. DE Evan Gomez led a strong defensive effort as he tallied eight tackles and three sacks on the night. Blanco punched up two divisions last week as the Panthers tangled with 4A-Division II Salado and came up short 34-14. RB Eli Walker was the lone bright spot for Blanco’s offense rushing for 113 yards and a score, but Blanco struggled to defend Salado’s multiple offense, which is going to be the challenge this week as Llano brings a similar level of offensive versatility. Stepp’s Pick: Llano by 12

Graham (2-0) at Paradise (2-0): It’s a battle of unbeaten teams northwest of the Fort Worth area as Graham travels over to take on Paradise in a juicy matchup of teams with major playoff expectations. Graham’s been absolutely dominant through two weeks of the season outscoring opponents 90-12. Last week was impressive as the Steers rolled past 5A Eagle Mountain 48-0. Dylan Cox ran for 162 yards and a score, while WR Bryce Martin passed the Steers in the aerial attack with 93 yards receiving and a score. Paradise rolled to an easy road win last week as the Panthers blasted 4A Godley 50-29. QB Ayden Olade had another big night as the senior signal-caller threw for 310 yards and four scores; he added another 52 yards on the ground and a touchdown. If there was one negative on the night for the Panthers it was on defense as Paradise allowed Godley to rack up nearly 400 yards of offense. This is a massive test for 3A Paradise to put themselves up against a 4A regional contender in Graham. The Steers will have the edge at most positions, but Paradise’s Olade is the best player on the field. If he puts the cape on Paradise has a shot at the upset, but that’s a tall ask. Stepp’s Pick: Graham by 14

Gunter (1-0) at Jefferson (2-0): It’s a battle of unbeaten teams out in East Texas as Gunter makes the long trek out to Jefferson in what should be a great measuring stick for Ty Taylor’s Jefferson Bulldogs. Gunter had the rare Week 2 bye after the Tigers pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 41-17 Week 1 win over 4A-Division I Sealy. Sophomore QB Tristan Barton had a great debut leading the GHS offense throwing for 136 yards and two scores and adding 72 yards and a score on the ground. RB Ashton Pinkernell was the workhorse on the ground for the Tigers with 129 yards on the ground and a score. The only negative for Gunter was losing ATH Knox Gage to an injury during the game. Gage, who was last year’s QB, was playing more of an ATH role and while he’s out his playmaking ability will be missed. Jefferson is off to an impressive start on the season. The Bulldogs last week raced past 4A-Division II Longview Spring Hill 61-7. QB Chance Washington only completed six passes, but they were big plays as he threw for 130 yards and three scores; he added 65 yards rushing and a score. RB Jacoby Morrow also had a big night as he ran for 139 yards and three scores. The key for Jefferson will be their defense. Gunter’s offense is lethal and if you are out of position or miss a tackle, the Tigers will absolutely make you pay. Despite the long travel for Gunter, having a week off to prepare for Jefferson will be a big edge, but Jefferson proves they are a contender by keeping this one very close. Stepp’s Pick: Gunter by 7

Jacksboro (2-0) at Peaster (0-2): Unbeaten Jacksboro, which hopes to contend in 3A-Division II Region I, will have a major measuring stick test against a good Peaster team who is better than their 0-2 record indicates. Jacksboro rolled to an easy win over Peaster’s district rival Boyd, 48-24, last week. QB Hoyt Wesson had a strong night as he was the Tigers’ leading rusher with 156 yards and two touchdowns, and he added 130 yards and two scores passing. It has been a tough start to the season for Peaster, which had some high expectations after a state semifinal run a year ago. The Greyhounds lost one of their key offensive weapons to a transfer and the rest of the young offense hasn’t found their footing. That was evidenced last week in an agonizing 7-0 loss to 4A Lake Dallas. The Greyhounds only managed 228 yards of offense in the loss; the good news has to be the defense, which, despite some key graduation losses, looks to be an elite unit once again. Peaster’s offense concerns me, but against a smaller school I think the ‘Hounds defense will hold it down and the offense finds a way to win a bit of a rock-fight. Stepp’s Pick: Peaster by 8

Albany (2-0) at DeLeon (2-0): It’s a battle of Big Country undefeated teams at the 2A level that should tell us a lot about both teams as they look to challenge in November when the playoffs roll around. Albany dug themselves an early 20-6 hole against a solid Anson squad last week but rallied back for a 27-26 win thanks in large part to QB Clay Chapman, who threw for 230 yards and three scores. Two of those scoring passes went to Blake Britting, who had 179 receiving yards and two touchdowns. DeLeon blasted past Albany’s district rival Stamford 57-7 as the Bearcats dominant run game for the second straight week rolled up big numbers as they tallied 377 yards rushing. RB Lane Couch ran for 209 yards and two scores, while QB Hud Price chipped in 149 yards of offense; he threw a touchdown pass and ran for a pair of scores. DeLeon’s defense was also stout limiting Stamford to just 34 yards rushing. They forced four turnovers, including an interception return for a score, and they scored a safety as well. DeLeon’s running game is elite, but the real key and edge for the Bearcats in this one is their defense where they’ve been outstanding in the early going. Stepp’s Pick: DeLeon by 10

Quick Picks

Seminole (1-1) at Canyon West Plains (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Canyon West Plains by 7

Andrews (2-0) vs Mineral Wells (2-0) at Abilene Wylie Stepp’s Pick: Mineral Wells by 5

Austin LBJ (1-1) at La Vernia (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: La Vernia by 13

Cuero (2-0) at Sinton (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Cuero by 11

Clyde (2-0) at Comanche (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Clyde by 9

Gladewater (1-1) at West Rusk (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Gladewater by 10

Shiner (2-0) at Poth (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Shiner by 8

Muenster (2-0) at Windthorst (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Muenster by 12

Granger (1-1) at Mason (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Mason by 24

Overton (2-0) at Price Carlisle (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Price Carlisle by 2

Last Week’s Results: 15-5 75.0%

Season Results: 30-10 75.0%