Denton Braswell (3-0) at Flower Mound (3-0): District play gets started in 5-6A this week and two of the district’s most pleasant surprises will face off in a game that could be massive on the playoff race. Braswell has looked like a different team early in the season under first-year head coach Justen Evans. The Bengals won just two games in 2024 and 2025, but with a 3-0 mark, the fanbase is thinking playoffs in 2026. In their last outing, a 13-10 win over previously unbeaten Plano West, it was the Braswell defense that stepped up in holding Plano West to 215 yards. The BHS attack moved the ball well, but turning the ball over three times was a big negative in the win. RB Chris Lark ran for 144 yards and a score; he teams with Zahir Trufant to give Braswell a solid 1-2 combo in the ground game. Flower Mound has looked really sharp the last two weeks with dominant wins, including last week’s 42-24 victory over Saginaw Boswell. Trailing 17-14 at the half, FMHS exploded for 21 third quarter points to cruise to the win. The Jaguars offense rolled up 612 yards of offense on the night, paced by a crushing ground game. Wyatt LeJeune ran for 177 yards and two scores, while Slate Dettweiler added 143 yards rushing and two touchdowns. This one is going to come down to the wire. Flower Mound has two big edges in this game - they are at home and they are outstanding up front on both sides of the ball. Stepp’s Pick: Flower Mound by 4

Waco Midway (3-1) at Lake Belton (3-1): District play gets started with bang this week as Lake Belton steps right up to the plate in their first district game as a 6A program as they tangle with district favorite Midway. Last week Midway bounced back nicely from a loss to Cedar Park with a hard-fought 21-10 rivalry game win over Belton. Notre Dame RB commit Lathan Whisenton had a strong night pacing the Panthers with 140 yards on the ground and three scores. The Panthers defense was strong as well holding an explosive Belton passing attack in check, but the offense will need more balance this week as passing for just 97 total yards won’t cut it if Midway wants to compete in the playoffs. Lake Belton was on the right side of an absolute shootout last week with Killeen Ellison, but the Broncos survived 54-52 as QB Jessiah James threw for 364 yards and two touchdowns and RB Adrian Pippins tallied 198 yards and four scores. The Broncos’ defense is a concern going into this one as Midway has one of the top defensive units in Central Texas, so I don’t expect the offense to go crazy this week. The question is can Lake Belton’s defense hold up their end of the deal if the offense is slowed down? I think Midway’s defense holds up and the offense gets right this week. Stepp’s Pick: Waco Midway by 9

Cypress Falls (3-0) vs Cy-Fair (3-0): One of the oldest and most fierce rivalries inside of Cy-Fair ISD gets renewed this week in a district opener that could have title implications in 16-6A. Cy Falls dominated their non-district slate with three lopsided wins including a 35-11 win over Fort Bend Travis in their last outing two weeks ago. Special teams were the difference last week for Cy Falls as the Golden Eagles notched two kickoff returns for scores from Karzell Davis and Joziah McNeely. Cy Falls also kicked three first half field goals as well in the win. Offensively, Murry Charles and TJ McCoy both also had rushing scores. The Cy Falls defense led by Texas A&M DE Commit Kaden McCarty was stout after allowing a Travis touchdown on the game’s opening drive. Cy-Fair’s been an offensive juggernaut through three weeks as the Bobcats average just under 45 points per game. They were right on that average last week in a dominant 45-24 win over Cypress Springs to close out non-district play. The Bobcats only led by six early in the third quarter at 23-17, but they exploded down the stretch to win by three scores. QB Sean Riegler tossed two touchdown passes and ran for a score, while RB Nehemiah Barclay added two scores on the ground. The Bobcats have one of the top WR groups in the state with Minnesota commit Kevin Ferrygood and Sam Houston commit Henry Brooks leading the way. This is a good-on-good matchup with the Cy-Fair offense going toe to toe with a stingy Cy Falls defense, good stuff here on a Thursday night. I’m giving the slight edge to Cy Falls here because of the big game experience and stingy defense. Stepp’s Pick: Cy Falls by 3

Bridgeland (2-1) vs Cypress Ranch (3-0): The district race in 23-6A will heat up right off the bat as two of the top contenders, fresh off a bye week, will tangle in a game that’s developed into quite the rivalry over the past couple of seasons. After starting the season with a pair of wins, Bridgeland stumbled two weeks ago in a 56-35 loss to Ridge Point. The Bears were in the game as they trailed at the half 28-21, but the Bears just couldn’t get a stop on the defensive side of the ball. UNLV RB commit Kash Schwab had a big game for the Bears with three first-half touchdown runs. After a big win in Week 2 over a strong Sheldon CE King squad, Cy Ranch showed no signs of a hangover as the Mustangs blasted Aldine Nimitz 52-7 in their last outing. The Mustangs raced out to a 38-0 halftime lead and played most of the second half with backups in the game. QB Braden Baker, a Houston commit, led the charge with two first half touchdown passes and two first half TD runs. Junior RB Khristian White added two touchdown runs as well. Look for Cy Ranch to load the box with that outstanding front seven to try and slow Schwab down and force Bridgeland to throw the ball; that combined with Bridgeland’s struggles on defense gives Will Blaylock’s squad the edge. Stepp’s Pick: Cy Ranch by 14

Denton (3-1) at Denton Ryan (1-2): The oldest rivalry in the City of Denton gets renewed and despite Denton Ryan dominating the series, Denton High fans for once feel like they have a chance to contend in this matchup, which could have some implications on playoff seeding. After starting the season 3-0, Denton High suffered a tough loss to a good Garland Naaman Forest team, 21-17, last week. The DHS offense, which had been so good early in the season, was stuck in neutral picking up just 216 yards on the night. QB Terrance Lopez was the lone bright spot with 152 yards of offense and a touchdown pass in the loss. It’s been a tough two weeks of back-to-back losses for Denton Ryan and they are dealing with several key players missing time. So, the bye week couldn’t come at a better time for HC Shane Tolleson and his guys to get things settled and hit the reset button. In Ryan’s last outing, a 49-17 loss to Lewisville, the Ryan secondary was torched for six touchdowns through the air and the defense allowed nearly 500 yards. Sophomore QB R’Mani Benjamin’s running ability was limited on the night, and it just felt like across the board the Raiders were off. I expect a major bounce-back with the bye week, a chance to get healthy and the offense to expand what’s on the menu for the young signal-caller. If there is a concern going into this one, it’s Ryan’s secondary, which has been lit up the last two weeks. That’s one area where Denton may have the ability to hurt Ryan, but across the board the Raiders just have too much, despite Denton being much-improved in 2026. Stepp’s Pick: Denton Ryan by 18

College Station A&M Consolidated (3-1, 2-0) at College Station (3-1, 1-1): One of the state’s most fun rivalries gets renewed once again as the city of College Station turns focus on this city rivalry that after being dominated by College Station for several years has turned the way of the older brother in A&M Consolidated the past couple of years. Last week Consolidated had no troubles with an overmatched Leander Glenn squad in an easy 59-14 win. QB Holt Goodwin led the charge for the Tigers with 178 yards passing and four scores; he also chipped in 63 yards on the ground. The Tigers’ defense was also stout limiting Glenn to just nine first downs and forcing a pair of turnovers. College Station went on the road last week and nearly pulled off a big second half rally before falling to Pflugerville Weiss, 40-38. The Cougars trailed at the half 28-13 but rallied in the second half to get the game to two points. A failed two point try with just over four minutes to go ended the Cougars hopes as they couldn’t prevent Weiss from draining the clock and kneeling it out. QB Noah Symank tossed two touchdown passes to WR Kash Adams and RB Trey Walton ran for two scores to help the Cougars climb back in the game in the second half. This is a classic rivalry game, and it seems like the past couple of years this game has come down to which team can make a big play on defense. I am leaning to A&M Consolidated’s always aggressive defensive unit. Stepp’s Pick: College Station A&M Consolidated by 6

Austin Anderson (3-0, 1-0) at Boerne Champion (4-0, 2-0): District 13-5A Division I is considered one of the top districts in the state and this matchup will have major implications on how the playoff seeding could shake out as two teams hoping to host a bi-district game square off. Anderson takes the road trip from Austin down to Boerne after a dominant 49-7 district opening win over Lockhart last week. QB Covert Darbyshire had a big night for the Trojans throwing for 343 yards and four scores and he added two touchdowns on the ground. Darbyshire tossed a 99-yard touchdown pass to Brady Foster. Champion had no trouble last week with Kyle Lehman in an easy 59-3 victory. Sophomore QB Ryder Flugence continues to impress as he threw for 96 yards and three scores, while also running for 70 yards and a score. Champion had four different ball carriers find the end zone on the ground and they held Lehman’s offense to just 60 total yards and forced three turnovers. Look for Flugence to get unleashed this week and Champion’s depth will wear down a scrappy and tough squad from Austin Anderson. Stepp’s Pick: Boerne Champion by 13

Amarillo Palo Duro (3-1) at Wichita Falls Legacy (3-1): Defending district champion Amarillo Palo Duro will open defense of their 2-5A Division II title on the road with a tough test against a vastly improved Wichita Falls Legacy squad. The Dons have won three straight games after dropping their season opener. Last week the offense looked sharp as they rolled past Dumas 41-21. Delaware QB commit Julian Reese, II had 251 yards through the air and a score; he added 43 yards and two scores on the ground. Texas WR commit Kyron Brown was the top receiving target with five catches for 121 yards and score. Legacy is fresh off a heartbreaking 43-42 loss on the road last week to Midland Greenwoood. The Leopards rolled up 527 yards of offense in the loss led by QB Knox Hodges, who threw for 376 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 72 yards on the ground and another score. WR Josiah Carter was the top target catching six passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Legacy is vastly improved from a year ago and they have the team speed to keep up with Palo Duro’s athleticism and they are at home, so a lot is working in the favor of Greg Davis’ bunch. But one big thing is going against them and that is big game experience. Palo Duro has that big game experience in bunches after last year’s run and that will prove valuable in crunch time. Stepp’s Pick: Amarillo Palo Duro by 10

Boerne (4-0) at Alamo Heights (4-0): It doesn’t get much better than this in the Alamo City as two top five teams at the 5A-Division II level meet up in a district opener that should feature plenty of fireworks. Boerne got pushed a bit last week against 4A Somerset, but they pulled away in the second half for a 42-21 win. It was a game that was actually tied at 14-14 at halftime, with Somerset leading much of the first half. QB Grant Sweeney was sensational throwing six touchdown passes to five different receivers on the game, including a 99-yard touchdown pass to Zach Freasier. Sweeney’s favorite target was junior WR Jacob Hicks, who hauled in two touchdown passes. Alamo Heights raced past 6A Buda Johnson last week, 58-9, as the Mules have shown no signs of slowing down in head coach Rudy Nerio’s first season. QB Easton Stone was the key cog in a balanced and explosive attack throwing for 249 yards and four scores and adding a touchdown on the ground. The Mules defense also forced three turnovers in the win. One key stat through four weeks is Alamo Heights has an average margin of victory of over 35-points per game, while Boerne has had a couple of scares. These two played twice last year with Boerne winning both meetings by a combined nine points. With the game being at Orem Stadium in Alamo Heights and the revenge factor resting with Alamo Heights, I’m giving the slight edge to the Mules. Stepp’s Pick: Alamo Heights by 2

Quick Picks

Midland Lee (3-1) at Austin Westlake (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Austin Westlake by 17

Trophy Club Nelson (2-2, 1-0) at Keller Central (3-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Keller Central by 2

Fulshear (3-0) at Waller (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Waller by 10

Cibolo Steele (2-1, 1-0) at San Antonio Pieper (2-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Cibolo Steele by 24

Edinburg Vela (3-1) at Los Fresnos (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Edinburg Vela by 11

Port Arthur Memorial (4-0, 2-0) at Goose Creek Memorial (3-1, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Port Arthur Memorial by 18

Frisco Lone Star (3-0) at Melissa (1-2) Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Lone Star by 8

Lovejoy (4-0) at Colleyville Heritage (2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Lovejoy by 6

Celina (3-0, 1-0) at Frisco Panther Creek (3-1, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Celina by 8

Liberty Hill (2-2) at New Braunfels (1-3) Stepp’s Pick: Liberty Hill by 2

Last Week’s Results: 18-2 90.0%

Season Results: 58-22 72.5%