6A: Plano East (5-0, 2-0) at Allen (5-0, 2-0) 

Unsurprisingly, No. 1 Allen has rolled its opponents and has to yet to face a real test this season, with an average margin of victory of 34 points. No. 25 Plano East may be the best team the Eagles have played yet and have some developing talent that could potentially challenge the defending state champs. 

After returning 14 starters from last year in which they went (3-7), the Panthers may be one of the most improved teams in the area and have a chance to double last year’s win total against Allen. To do that, the Panthers will need to play a near-perfect game, which starts with quarterback Brandon Mallory (1,498 passing yards, 15 TD) who has put up some of the biggest numbers in the area. Powerful running back Trey Scott-Jones (498 rushing yards, 8 TD) provides a tough test for the Allen defense as well.

Eagle quarterback Grant Tisdale (843 passing yards, 13 TD) has been virtually flawless this season and has completed 72-percent of his passes. Tisdale has one of the state’s top receivers, Theo Wease (348 yards, 7 TD), at his disposal and the two have incredible chemistry. Though the Eagles primarily use a pass-first offense, their ground game has had success with Celdon Manning (371 yards, 3 TD) averaging 10.6 yards per carry.

5A: Lufkin (4-1, 2-0) at College Station (5-0, 2-0)

No. 2 Lufkin travels to No. 4 College Station in one of the most highly-anticipated matchups around the state this season. The winner has a great shot to come out on top in District 8-5A Division I. Lufkin had some trouble last week with Magnolia, but slipped by late in the fourth quarter, notching a 41-34 win. Quarterback Kewone Thomas totaled 252 yards and four touchdowns in the victory. The Panther defense – which had allowed just 13 total points in the last three games – struggled to stop Magnolia’s passing game. Lufkin’s defensive strength is in the trenches with 305-pound defensive tackle Carl Williams anchoring the 3-4 defense.

5A DII state champions a year ago, College Station has taken care of business so far. Leading their spread offense is new quarterback Brandon Williams (997 passing yards, 6 TD), who has shined throughout the season. Defensive back Brandon Joseph is also a real threat in the secondary and has grabbed two interceptions thus far.

4A: Andrews (5-1, 0-0) at Canyon (6-0, 0-0) 

Led by their incredible offense, No. 10 Andrews is off to a (5-1) start and their only loss came to 5A DII No. 6 Lubbock Cooper in a shootout, 52-50. Quarterback Brett Leach (1,747 pass yards, 22 TD) has put up monstrous numbers in the Mustangs' spread offense that heavily favors the pass. Leach was key in the Mustangs' comeback last week, as his team trailed Hereford 21-6. Andrews scored 22 unanswered points in the third quarter before the game was called due to inclenment weather. Leach threw for 185 yards and four TD's to give the Mustangs a 28-21 win. The quarterback has looked the way of slot receiver Markeese Lawrence (481 yards, 8 TD) most often. throughout the season. Defensive stalwart – and former Mr. Texas Football Player of the Week – Jacob Mechler (53 tackles, 5 sacks)  has been able to shed blocks and get to the ball quickly.

Undefeated Canyon is off to one of their best starts in program history, but will face a tough test against Andrews. Led by quarterback Lawrence Rikel, the Eagles have averaged 45 points per game and made light work of their opponents. Rikel threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns in last week's 38-0 rout over Big Spring. The Eagles will need to post a similar performance as Andrews comes to town. 

3A: Holliday (5-0, 1-0) at Gunter (6-0, 2-0)

Two of the most impressive teams in the 3A ranks clash in what will likely have a huge bearing on who wins District 2-3A Division II. No. 9 Holliday travels to No. 3 Gunter after routing Wichita Falls City View 56-0 last week. Highlighting Holliday’s play thus far has been their defense which has allowed just 25 points in five games. The Eagles will need to get their Wing-T offense firing on all cylinders as well, in order to take down Gunter who has won 37 of their last 38 games. The Eagles will look to running back Tristan Boyd (597 yards, 10 TD) to have that big game.

Boyd will have his hands full as the stout Gunter defense has shutout four of their six opponents and hasn’t allowed a point in their last 13 quarters. Gunter’s pistol offense, which has averaged 43 points a game in their last three games, has some serious firepower with Dylan Jantz (547 rushing yards, 151 receiving yards, 12 TD), who can just about do it all. Quarterback Ethan Everson doesn’t pass the ball very much but can move the chains with his feet and has accumulated 178 rushing yards.

2A: Hawley (5-1, 0-0) at Winters (5-1, 0-0)

After escaping Seymour with a 14-12 win, Hawley will now play Winters in a battle between two of the favorites to win District 3-2A Division I. The Bearcats run a spread offense that is headed by quarterback Dylan Frazier. Feature back Colton Marshall is the headliner and ran for 267 yards and four touchdowns against Windthorst.

Winters hosts Hawley after a nail-biter game in which they suffered their first loss of the season to Iraan, 27-26. In their five wins, the Blizzards allowed just 34 total points and their defense has been rock solid to date. The highlight of the strong unit is their linebacking corps which clobbers opposing running backs. Cameron Perkins and Slater Lindley — both great open field tacklers — have made plays for the Blizzards and will need to do so again in order to stop Hawley’s high-flying offense.