Cedar Hill (1-0) vs. Denton Guyer (0-1):
After a disappointing 2017 season, Cedar Hill showed that may have just been a bump in the road as the Longhorns made quite the statement Friday night unleashing a brutally efficient attack in a 57-7 rout of Tyler John Tyler. QB Shayne Lawrence looked sharp throwing for 241 yards and three touchdowns, but it was the CHS defense that was making waves holding John Tyler to -14 rushing yards and forcing a pair of turnovers.

Denton Guyer got hammered by injuries before it even stepped on the field against one of the state’s top Class 5A teams. Then things went downhill quickly as the Wildcats were hammered 40-0 in one of the more embarrassing losses in recent years for Denton Guyer. Sophomore QB Eli Stowers is as talented as they come but some of the Wildcats’ other playmakers will need to step up this week. Expect a much better showing this week, but Cedar Hill should take advantage of what still is a beat up Guyer squad.
Stepp’s Pick: Cedar Hill by 12

Euless Trinity (1-0) vs. Sachse (0-1):
The final game of a four-game showcase at the Cotton Bowl pits two DFW 6A powers that showed plenty of promise in the opener despite one team coming away with a loss. Trinity went down to Waco on Friday and notched impressive win over last year’s 6A Division II runner-up rolling past Waco Midway 37-7. The key was the Trinity defense which forced four third quarter turnovers and turned a 9-7 game into a rout. RB Brandon Theus paced the Trojans offense with 193 yards and three touchdowns.

It took a 57-yard field goal as time expired by Coppell to end Sachse’s 20 game regular season winning streak, but the Mustangs showed plenty of promise in the loss. Sachse went with two quarterbacks and rotated skill players liberally at all positions. Myles Nash, K.J. WIlliams and sophomore Shon Coleman combined for 108 rushing yards and a pair of scores and Nash chipped in 53 receiving yards as well. Trinity’s defense looks to be in mid-season form and that unit makes the difference again this week against a Sachse offense, still trying to settle on its identity.
Stepp’s Pick: Euless Trinity by 7

Cypress Ranch (1-0) at Austin Westlake (1-0):
A fascinating Houston vs. Austin matchup highlights the Week 2 slate as Cy Ranch makes the trip west on 290 into Austin to take on the Chaparrals. Cy Ranch trailed 14-3 at the half last week against Katy Cinco Ranch, but rallied in the second half for a 32-21 win as Elias Pino’s two fourth-quarter touchdowns proved to be the difference.

Austin Westlake rolled past a solid Belton squad 38-17 as QB Taylor Anderson threw for 171 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 56 yards and another score to pace the Chaps attack. Both teams have a physical identity, so this game comes down to which defense has the ability to win, especially on first down. We’ll give the edge to the home team in what should be a close one.
Stepp’s Pick: Austin Westlake by 4

Fort Bend Ridge Point (1-0) at Galena Park North Shore (1-0):

You’d be hard-pressed to find a team in Houston that had a more impressive showing than North Shore, who opened the season up with a 35-21 win over Katy, handing the Tigers their first-ever loss at Legacy Stadium. RB Zach Evans showed that he’s deserving of all the accolades rushing for 150 yards and four touchdowns on just 15 carries to pace the Mustangs’ attack.

The Mustangs look to avoid a letdown in the home opener as a very tough Ridge Point team visits town. Ridge Point took down an underrated Humble Kingwood squad 21-14 a week ago as QB Will Pendergrass led the Panthers attack with 228 passing yards and three touchdowns. Ridge Point didn’t do a great job last week running the football and one-dimensional offenses don’t typically fare well against a fast and aggressive North Shore defense. Ridge Point must be balanced on offense to keep that dynamic Mustang offense off the field if it wants to try and pull the upset.
Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 17

San Antonio Brennan (0-1) vs. San Antonio Warren (1-0):
District play gets started in the Alamo City this week as Northside ISD’s massive 10-team district scrapped zone play in favor of a 10-team alignment where a round robin schedule is employed. Brennan opened the season with a close loss to a good San Antonio Reagan squad on
Saturday night 24-22. Three turnovers were the Bears’ undoing in the loss, including a muffed punt that Reagan recovered in the end zone for a touchdown that proved to be the difference in the game.

Warren blasted past Del Rio last week, 45-7, as the veteran Warrior defense held Del Rio to just 115 yards of offense in the win. These two are projected to be right in the playoff mix in District 28-6A and the personality of both teams is a physical, defense-first mentality, so this one comes down to which offense can find a way to string some drives together and move the football. Give the edge to Brennan, who looks to be a bit more explosive, as the winner takes a big a step towards the playoffs in what can easily be described as a “swing game” in District 28-6A.
Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Brennan by 9

Brownsville Hanna (1-0) at Edinburg Vela (1-0):
A rematch of a classic bi-district playoff game, where heavily-favored Vela needed a late 54-yard field goal to hold off a very feisty squad out of Brownsville. Both teams come in primed and ready for a showdown that could shape the overall outlook in the Rio Grande Valley for the season. Hanna showed it was far from a one hit wonder and rolled past McAllen Memorial 49-28 last Thursday behind RB Cesar Mancias who ran for 205 yards and three touchdowns. The Golden Eagles’ defense held the explosive McAllen Memorial rushing attack in check enough to let their powerful offense control the game’s tempo from the outset.

Edinburg Vela looked impressive as well as the Sabercats wasted little time in turning its game with Laredo United into a rout. Vela jumped out to a 34-6 lead at halftime and hit cruise control in the second half winning 48-27. Versatile Daniel Enriquez showed why he’s probably the most dynamic player in the Valley returning a kickoff for a touchdown and hauling in a 55-yard scoring pass as well. If the ball gets into his hands, good things are likely to happen for Vela. Hanna’s game plan will be to control the tempo with tough running Mancias and try to keep the ball away from a dynamic Vela offense that has a lot of versatile weapons. Much like last year, this one should be close, but Vela’s talent and versatility will be too much for a good Hanna squad that should contend in District 32-6A.
Stepp’s Pick: Edinburg Vela by 6

El Paso Eastlake (1-0) vs. El Paso Montwood (1-0):
Bragging rights are on the line on the eastside of El Paso as one of the city’s Top 5A programs in Eastlake hooks up with Socorro ISD’s older brother and defending 1-6A champion, El Paso Montwood. Both teams won defensive struggles a week ago as Eastlake needed a late blocked field goal to hold off Canutillo, 17-14. The Falcon offense has good speed at the skill spots, but are very young so expect head coach J.J. Calderon to rely on that veteran defensive unit early on. QB Orion Olivas didn’t start the game but came in relief and accounted for two touchdown passes and ran for 77 yards as well.

Montwood went on the road over 800 miles to Los Fresnos and escaped with a hard fought 16-13 win on the road. Montwood jumped out to a quick 16-0 lead and held off a late Los Fresnos rally. The Rams will have to try and recover from the long road trip quickly as Eastlake is fully capable of pulling the upset. The key for this matchup is which young offense can find its footing against these two tough defensive units. The edge is with Montwood, who had one of the state’s most impressive wins last week and should keep that momentum alive in this matchup.
Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Montwood by 11

Lubbock Cooper (1-0) at Lubbock Coronado (1-0):

Lubbock Cooper needed to hold off an impressive late rally last week in its wild 52-50 win over Andrews. The Pirates got a field goal with two seconds left to win after leading by three touchdowns late in the third quarter. Cooper had a pair of 100-yard rushers in the win and it’ll need to rely on that ground game to keep the explosive Lubbock Coronado attack off the field.

Coronado played cross town rival Lubbock Estacado for the first time in 28 years and rolled past the Matadors in a 40-12 victory. Sophomore QB Sawyer Robertson impressed in his first varsity start and senior receiver Blair Conwright hauled in three touchdown receptions to pace the Mustangs. Lubbock Cooper’s secondary got torched for 492 passing yards last week against Andrews. That does not bode well going against Coronado.
Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Coronado by 20

Amarillo (1-0) vs. Amarillo Tascosa (1-0):
Long considered one of the state’s best rivalries, this year’s edition should again feature a crowd of well over 14,000 fans at beautiful Bivins Stadium and both fan bases come in with plenty of excitement. Amarillo High under first-year head coach Chad Dunnam earned a thrilling 48-41 win over Wolfforth Frenship last week, unveiling a new and more wide-open attack in the process. WR Davin Lemmons hauled in six passes for 212 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Sandies’ attack. The concern for AHS was the secondary which allowed 583 passing yards in the win.

Amarillo may not have to worry much about the passing game against Tascosa’s physical ground based offensive attack. The Rebels struggled to get things going last week, but their defensive unit was more than up to the task in a 13-7 win over Abilene at home. RB King Doerue who is considered one of the state’s top backs, had 74 rushing yards in the first half and a touchdown. But he only had one second-half carry, so it’s unclear if he suffered an injury and was held out by the THS staff. When the Rebels do decide to throw the ball, they have a dangerous threat in Baylor commit Brandon White, who hauled in a 60-yard touchdown pass in the win. Tascosa didn’t have a pre-season scrimmage so it’s possible, especially with the timing, based nature of the offense that the team was just a bit sloppy and working some things out against a much-improved Abilene defense.

Expect a much sharper Tascosa offensive attack this week and in this rivalry game, it’s typical that it comes down to the wire. Tascosa hasn’t been considered the favorite often so it’ll be interesting to see how Coach Ken Plunk’s squad handles that role.
Stepp’s Pick: Amarillo Tascosa by 7

Liberty Hill (1-0) at Hutto (1-0):
Talk about a contrast of styles. The ground and pound Slot-T offense of Liberty Hill goes against the wide open and versatile offense of Class 5A Hutto. LHHS got off to a solid start knocking off varsity newcomer Leander Glenn, 49-21. The Panthers had five different players score touchdowns and ran for over 400 yards of offense in the win. The Panthers defense allowed Glenn to move the ball quite well and that could be bad news against a Hutto squad led by UCLA commit QB Chase Griffin who had a hand in six touchdowns in the Hippos’ 52-31 win over West Mesquite on Saturday.

Chux Nwabuko is one of the most dynamic and versatile playmakers in all of Central Texas and can line up at receiver or in the backfield and make plays as well. The short week doesn’t favor Hutto trying to slow the Slot-T, but I think the Hippos have enough depth to get it done in what I expect to be a shootout.
Stepp’s Pick: Hutto by 11

Waco LaVega (1-0) at Argyle (1-0): 

It’s No. 1 against No. 3 in 4A Division I as Waco LaVega heads north to Argyle in a rematch of the 2015 state title game won by Waco LaVega. The speedy Pirates rolled up 538 yards rushing in an easy 39-8 win over Medina Valley a week ago as three running backs ran for at least 90 yards, while the defense forced three turnovers and consistently set the offense up in good field position.

Argyle’s offense was hitting on all cylinders last week knocking off another top ten 4A team in Stephenville 45-35. QB Bo Hogeboom was outstanding in his first varsity start throwing for 302 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles win. The contrast of styles will be fascinating in this one as Argyle loves that up-tempo passing attack, while LaVega likes to play punishing defense and relies on the running game. The key matchup here will be Argyle’s ultra-aggressive defense against the LaVega ground game. If Argyle can keep the Pirates’ backs contained, it should be able to pull away but if LaVega’s backs get to the second level, Argyle could be in for a long night.
Stepp’s Pick: Argyle by 5

Eagle Pass (1-0) at San Antonio Southwest (1-0):
After surprising South Texas and winning a district title a year ago, Eagle Pass is determined to ensure last year was no fluke and got off to a good start with a big first half performance in a 42-14 victory on the road at the Honey Bowl. The Eagle defense have a unique and challenging test against former district rival San Antonio Southwest who moved down to Class 5A after realignment.

The Dragons stepped up last week and knocked off Class 6A San Antonio Roosevelt 22-14 a week ago as Will Herrera and Rosendo Olague combined for 154 rushing yards and all three Dragons touchdowns in the contest. A year ago, Eagle Pass went to San Antonio and won a low scoring defensive struggle with Southwest. Both teams on paper look to be very similar, but this year, Southwest gets the edge.
Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Southwest by 3

Huntsville (1-0) at Port Neches-Groves (1-0):
Huntsville needed a late fourth quarter rally to knock off a feisty Willis squad 34-24 a week ago in its annual rivalry game and now it’ll head east to the Golden Triangle to take on Port Neches-Groves. The Hornets were led by QB Matthew Southern, who threw for 204 yards, two scores and ran for another, while RB Jayerne Green chipped in 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns. It’ll be a battle of Texas commits when PNG has the ball as Huntsville’s T’Vondre Sweat and the Hornet defense looks to contain QB Roschon Johnson and the Indians offense.

In last week’s 48-14 rout of Silsbee, Johnson threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 104 yards and three touchdowns. The big story was the Port Neches-Groves defense. Much maligned a year ago, the PNG showed it has the ability to be much-improved after holding a speedy Silsbee offense to just 227 yards of offense. Expect a shootout here, but behind an improved defense and that lethal offense, PNG will get a couple of key stops and pull away down the stretch.
Stepp’s Pick: Port Neches-Groves by 12

Corpus Christi Calallen (1-0) at Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (1-0):
In many past years, when these two rivals from opposite ends of town have met a district title has been on the line. But with the Class 5A split, the game is now an early season contest. The odd note is these two didn’t play the last two years despite being in the same district due to the old 30-5A zone play set-up. Both teams took on tough 6A opponents from the Rio Grande Valley a week ago and both escaped with hard fought close wins.

Calallen hosted San Benito and were paced by three long touchdown runs (two by Shenan Price) cleared the way in a 28-21 win. Flour Bluff had some early turnovers to put themselves in an early hole against PSJA, but the Hornets’ three-headed monster at running back paced a major comeback, while the Hornets defense had a goal line stand in the waning moments for the 33-28 victory. FBHS can’t afford early turnovers against what is still a deadly efficient Calallen offensive attack although the Wildcat defense still has questions, they should have enough offense to win a shootout.
Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Calallen by 3

Monahans (1-0) at Andrews (0-1):
New head coach Mel Maxfield’s debut got off to a good start as Monahans knocked off Clint, but it was a much closer game than expected. Now the Loboes must contend with longtime rival Andrews who displayed a dynamic passing game in a 52-50 loss to Class 5A Lubbock Cooper a week ago. The Mustangs were down 49-28 late into the third quarter but a rallied behind QB Brett Leach and took a brief lead at 50-49 before a field goal by Lubbock Cooper as time expired gave the Mustangs a loss. Leach threw for 492 yards and five touchdowns, while also rushing for 67 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Monahans escaped a strong effort from Clint winning 27-26 as the Loboes’ rushing offense was held in check for the most part. But MHS had an interception return for a score and kickoff return for a score that proved to be the difference. The Loboes’ offense is still trying to find their footing and going against a potent Andrews passing attack could be a bad recipe.
Stepp’s Pick: Andrews by 13

Carthage (1-0) at Texarkana Liberty-Eylau (0-1):
Carthage looked every bit the state title contender last week as the Bulldogs demolished Jacksonville 61-20 behind an offense that topped the 50-point mark in the first half. Carthage RB Tucker Smith ran for five first half touchdowns before being rested in the second half of the lopsided result. Look for a tougher test this week as the Bulldogs, who have won 33 in a row, head north to take on Texarkana Liberty-Eylau.

The Leopards went across town and across state lines last week, but their offense came up short in a 20-6 loss to Arkansas High. Liberty-Eylau didn’t manage its one score until under two minutes left when they finally where able to crack the code of the Arkansas High defense. The Leopard offense needs to kick into high gear this week to keep up with a Carthage attack that is already in mid-season form.
Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 18

Comanche (0-1) at Breckenridge (1-0):

A young Comanche squad took it on the chin last week falling to Eastland 34-15 and now have to deal with a veteran Breckenridge squad this week in what should be a very difficult environment. The positive for the Indians is RB Kade Mercer did top the 100-yard mark and gives CHS a reliable offensive weapon in the rushing attack.

Breckenridge escaped Jacksboro 43-36 a week ago as QB Kevin Franco accounted for 275 yards of total offense and four touchdowns to lead a veteran Buckaroos offensive attack. The Buckaroos’ defense struggled slowing down the young Jacksboro offense that brings a lot of physicality to the table. Jacksboro, much like Comanche, is a Wing-T based offense, so Breckenridge is hoping a week of defensive adjustments will pay off. Look for the explosive Breckenridge attack to overwhelm a Comanche squad that is still trying to find itself on defense. If Comanche can find a way to control the clock with the running game of Kade Mercer, it could have a punchers chance.
Stepp’s Pick: Breckenridge by 13

Goliad (1-0) at Refugio (1-0):
The game of the week in South Texas has to be Goliad taking the short trip south to take on the pre-eminent powerhouse in South Texas in Refugio and potential bragging rights could be on the line in this matchup. Goliad unleashed a dominant attack a week ago in a 60-7 rout of Columbus a week ago. It was a balanced Tiger attack as QB Rocky Morris threw for 213 yards and two touchdowns, while RB Logan Bland ran for 126 yards. Dontavian Clay also hauled in two touchdowns for GHS.

Refugio unveiled the new “flex-cat” offense last week in a dominant 35-0 win over Tidehaven a week ago, but the big story was the Bobcat defense that held Tidehaven to just 113 yards in the win. The Bobcat defense certainly has a test this week as Goliad is one of 3A’s top offenses, but Refugio is no stranger to playing elite larger schools. Two years ago, it lost to 4A state semi-finalist Geronimo Navarro by just a touchdown.
Stepp’s Pick: Refugio by 3

West Rusk (1-0) at Waskom (1-0):
Without question the top small school matchup in East Texas this week is former district rivals West Rusk visiting Waskom. West Rusk put together a complete performance last week blasting Arp 45-0, as QB L.J. Harper and his tour touchdowns combined with a suffocating defense turned the game into a lopsided affair early on.

The West Rusk defense picked up where it left off last year and had six total shutouts. Waskom has some high expectations for the season and at least after one week, Coach Whitney Keeling’s squad appears to be right on target to meet the expectations after rolling past Redwater 43-6.

RB T.K. Hamilton ran for three scores to pace the Waskom offensive attack which rolled up its yardage entirely on the ground and the veteran Wildcat defense forced three Redwater turnovers. The key in this matchup will be which offensive unit can find its footing because both defensive units appear to be dominant. The slight edge goes to West Rusk. The Raiders have a bit more balance and a few additional playmakers at the skill positions.
Stepp’s Pick: West Rusk by 6

Reagan County (1-0) at Ballinger (1-0):
Reagan County, behind a potent rushing attack, rolled past Stanton 51-14 a week ago spoiling new head coach Jerry Burkhart’s debut at Stanton. The Owls were led by RB Kodee Warriner who ran for 165 yards and three touchdowns on just seven carries, while Nathan DeLeon chipped in 124 rushing yards and a touchdown as well.

The Owls take a step up in competition this week taking on a 3A playoff team from a year ago in Ballinger. The Bearcats held off feisty Brady in overtime last week 20-19 as Edgar Nunez threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Weston Rollwitz in overtime and that proved to be the game-winning score while Brady was unable to convert their PAT try in overtime. Ballinger’s depth in the trenches will be key, especially to slow down the powerful Reagan County ground game.
Stepp’s Pick: Ballinger by 7

Quick Picks

Muenster (1-0) at Lindsay (1-0)
Stepp’s Pick: Muenster by 17

Woodville (1-0) at Madisonville (0-1)
Stepp’s Pick: Woodville by 5

Tenaha (0-1) at Lovelady (1-0)
Stepp’s Pick: Tenaha by 6

Clifton (1-0) at Crawford (1-0)
Stepp’s Pick: Crawford by 4

Hamlin (1-0) at Munday (0-1)
Stepp’s Pick: Hamlin by 27

Manvel (1-0) at Crosby (1-0)
Stepp's Pick: Manvel by 17

Longview (1-0) at Marshall (1-0)
Stepp's Pick: Longview by 23

Leman Saunders' Six-Man Preview

Each week, six-man insider Leman Saunders will highlight the must-see action in Class 1A. Get in touch with him on Twitter @lemansaunders.

Blackwell at Highland, 7:30 p.m. Friday
This was a barnburner last season and has all the indications that it will be again. Last year, Blackwell scored late in the game to take the lead and win 35-34 for their first victory in this rivalry game since 2002. Both schools are coming off close victories in week one, and both schools return a solid core of players. For Highland: Eli Sauer, Richard Fomby and Nolan Montgomery will be big factors in this game. Blackwell’s backs — Brandon Brinkman, Cameron Coldiron, Joe Sanchez and Michael Lowery — will be tough to contain for four quarters. I expect a game much like last year’s and Blackwell’s deep backfield to wear down Highland late in the game.
Leman’s pick: Blackwell by 6

Crowell v Leakey, 5 p.m. Saturday at Santa Anna
Leakey’s first big test in six-man comes this week against Crowell, one of the more dominant schools in 1A over the past five years coming off a good win over Spur last week under new head coach Tom McVey. Leakey marked their return to six-man last week with a mercy rule win over Rochelle 57-0. I expect a back and forth, physical, low-scoring game. Crowell’s experience will be the X-factor, so watch for the Wildcats to pull ahead in the second half.
Leman’s pick: Crowell by 20

Aquilla at Oakwood, 7:30 p.m. Friday
One of the better games out east. Aquilla defeated Gordon last week handily 57-20, but might be a little banged up heading into this week’s game. RB Winder and DL Sosa are key players for the Cougars and will have their work cut out for them against a speedy Oakwood squad. Oakwood notched a victory over Strawn’s JV without much trouble, 58-0, so question marks still surround just how good this ranked DII team really is. WR/B Key Davis and QB Jerimiah Sargent will be tough for the Cougars to contain. Speed kills in six-man, and while depth might be an issue for Oakwood, speed isn’t. Look for Oakwood to jump out early, Aquilla to fight back, but the Panthers speed will hold off a Cougar rally.
Leman’s pick: Oakwood by 16

Quick Picks

Follett vs. Valley
Leman’s pick: Valley

Dallas Lutheran vs. Union Hill
Leman’s pick: Union Hill

Jayton vs. Aspermont
Leman’s pick: Aspermont

Anton vs. Happy
Leman’s pick: Anton