6A: Cypress Ranch (3-0) vs. Bridgeland (2-1)

After they were a 6A DI area finalist a year ago, No. 16 Cy-Ranch has already put together quite the resume just three games into the season, notching key wins over No. 17 Westlake and Katy Cinco Ranch. Junior quarterback Logan McDougald (298 passing yards, 2 TDs) has emerged as a solid asset at the signal-caller position.

A good QB is a nice luxury at Ranch because the Mustangs like to pound the football in their ground game, which has scored eight of the team’s 10 touchdowns. Leading that effort are Elias Pino (173 rushing yards, 5 TDs) and Willie Eldridge (191 yards, 2 TDs). Defensively, Cy Ranch has had great success in getting to opposing quarterbacks, and senior linebacker leads the way with 1.5 sacks.

Uncertainty surrounded Bridgeland at the beginning of the season, as many people didn’t know what to make of the brand new school. Since then, Bridgeland has raised some eyebrows, especially sophomore quarterback Finn Nicholson (944 yards, 10 TDs). Nicholson also has the luxury of a potent rushing attack headed by speedy sophomore feature back Gavan Kaspar (312 yards).

5A: Fort Bend Marshall (3-0, 1-0) at Manvel (2-1, 1-0)

No. 2 Fort Bend Marshall will be seeking revenge against a No. 5 Manvel squad that blew them out a year ago, and has generally had their number in the past. The Buffalos will have their hands full against the defending state runner-up but the Marshall offense, led by quarterback Kacey Barnett (204 yards, TD) is potent. The strength of the offense has been in their running game with Devon Achane (259 rush yards, 5 TD) at the helm.

Manvel, which graduated 49 players from last year’s squad, has been electric on offense averaging 52 points per game. Running back Ladarious Owens (443 rush yards, 4 TDs), who put up 311 yards and two touchdowns against Crosby in week two, is a big play threat virtually every time he touches the ball. Manvel has shown lapses defensively, including allowing 543 yards in their loss to Crosby. Shootouts have been all too common in previous clashes between these teams, and another wouldn't surprise anyone.
 

4A: Carthage (3-0) at Gilmer (2-1)

No. 2 Carthage comes into the game holding the state’s longest winning streak in 11-man football with 29 straight wins, including a big win last week over 5A Marshall. No. 3 Gilmer, who suffered their first loss of the season last week against Paris, will look to make the game more competitive than the 48-28 loss that Carthage handled them last season.

In order to do that, Gilmer will need to stall Carthage's speedy running back Tucker Smith (293 yards, 8 TDs). Smith will have his hands full getting past Gilmer’s five defensive linemen in their Oklahoma defense.

Sophomore quarterback Mason Hurt (501 yards, 4 TDs) seems to be the answer at the position for the Buckeyes and he’s formed a connection with Travion Fluellen (234 yards, TD). The Gilmer rushing attack, headed by Bran Webb (249 yards, 4 TDs) and goal-line back Darrell Bush (201 yards, 7 TDs), will need to penetrate Carthage’s stout 4-3 defense in order to ease some of the load off of Hurt’s shoulders.

3A: Giddings (3-0) at Cameron Yoe (2-0)

No. 6 4A DII Giddings travels north to take on No. 8 3A DI Cameron Yoe in a battle of two undefeated teams. Giddings, who notched a 50-point win over Wimberley in week two, came out a bit flat against (1-2) Taylor in week three, winning 24-14. The Buffaloes will need to put together a four-quarter performance against Yoe in order to keep their undefeated record intact. 

Yoe looked sharp last week, taking care of business against Gatesville after their week two bye. In order to pull the upset against the Buffaloes, Yoe will look to junior quarterback Braden Brashear (371 yards, 4 TDs) to move their up-tempo offense down the field. Brashear will attempt to get the ball to big-bodied receiver Kadrian Hammond’s (172 yards, 2 TDs) early and often as the duo present a tough matchup for opposing defenses.

2A: Snook (3-0) at San Saba (3-0)

After manhandling Waco Texas Wind 62-0 last week, it should be much tougher sledding for Snook who will meet San Saba in Georgetown for a neutral site game. The Snook defense will be tested pitted against San Saba’s high-powered spread offense that amassed 499 total yards in their win over Junction last week.

Armadillo quarterback Sean O’Keefe’s ability to move the chains in the passing game and in the air was put on full display in last week’s rout as the signal caller threw for 180 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 120 yards and another touchdown. The good news for Snook is that their experienced 4-3 defense — that returned eight starters from last year’s squad — is battle-tested and has allowed just 21 points this season.