6A: Belton (7-2, 6-1) at Waco Midway (7-1, 7-0):

After their eye-opening win over Killeen last week, Midway is one of the hottest teams in the area and needs a win over Belton to clinch the District 12-6A championship. To do that though, the Panthers will need to stall an explosive Belton offense. Belton’s offense — which put up 86 points against Killeen Ellison two weeks ago — has playmakers all over the field. The offense took a big hit losing quarterback Connor Carothers (2,116 passing yards, 23 TD) for the season due to a shoulder injury. Ruben Jimenez filled in nicely in Carother's first game out in last week’s 63-7 win over Waco, throwing for 255 yards and five touchdowns. Middle linebacker Jarrett Karnowski (88 tackles) is the driving force in Belton’s 4-2-5 defense.

Feature back James Fullbright can do it all and is emerging as one of the top backs in the state. Fullbright tallied 220 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s big win over Temple. Midway’s 4-3 defense was outstanding against Temple’s electric offense and the unit will have to do so again versus another incredible offense in Belton.

5A: College Station (8-1, 5-1) at Magnolia West (7-2, 5-1):

Losses to Lufkin have presented both of these teams from winning District 9-5A but there’s still a lot on the line in this one. The winner of this game will place second in district and host a playoff game next week. The loser will have to travel nearly four hours to play at Mesquite next week. College Station’s defense has been the strength of the Cougars this season and has allowed just a combined seven points in wins over Willis and Tomball the last two weeks. Defensive back Ryan Stapp (2 INT) is the leader of the defensive unit. Quarterback Brandon Williams has fared well in his first year under center and has found his brother, Zach Williams (384 receiving yards, 5 TD), most often.

Magnolia West enters the game after they grinded out a rivalry win over Magnolia last week, 28-27. Quarterback John Matocha (2,280 passing yards, 631 rushing yards, 29 TD) accounted for all four touchdowns in last week’s win and has been an incredible dual-threat weapon in the Mustangs’ spread offense. Matocha doesn’t have a clear-cut No. 1 target and has utilized a receiver-by-committee system and four receivers have over 400 yards. The Mustang offense has averaged 45 points a game and will pose a tough test to College Station’s defense.  

5A: Nederland (9-0, 6-0) at Port Neches-Groves (6-3, 5-1):

OK, it's another 5A game instead of a 4A, but how could we pass it up? The stakes are even higher in this year’s Mid-County Madness rivalry game as the winner will clinch the 12-5A District title. Since edging out West Orange-Stark in week one, 19-18, Nederland has been virtually untested and routed Crosby 45-22 last week. The Bulldog offense has surged in recent weeks and has averaged 48 points per game in their last four games. The Bulldogs utilize a two-quarterback system with Blaysin Fernandez and Bryce McMorris. Sophomore running back Kade Scott has had an incredible season but will likely have to sit this one out after suffering a shoulder injury. Nederland’s 3-4 defense has not given up more than 22 points this season.

Port Neches-Groves’ record is a bit misleading as the Indians have suffered losses to formidable opponents in Huntsville, Tomball and a forced forfeit loss to Crosby for using illegal technology. PNG quarterback Roschon Johnson has been one of the best signal-callers in the state this season and can beat you with his arm or with his elusiveness in the ground game. The Texas commit also has the luxury of being protected by elite offensive tackle Jaylen Garth who checks in at 6’4 and 285 pounds. PNG’s offense will likely put up enough points to win the game but will need help from their defense, which has allowed 28 points a game, in order to come out on top.

3A: Yoakum  (8-1, 4-0) at Goliad (7-2, 3-1)

Goliad’s 17-7 loss to Edna last week prevented this from being an outright District 14-3A championship game but the winner of this one will at least clinch a share of the title. Yoakum has been unscathed with the exception of 4A Boerne who they lost to 47-27 in week one. The Bulldogs have an average margin of victory of 21 in their eight wins since the loss. Yoakum runs a pro style offense that heavily favors their running game. Running backs Mayson Arkadie (609 rushing yards, 6 TD) and Montreal Jones (602 rushing yards, 7 TD) lead the charge for the Bulldogs and will post a threat to Goliad’s rock-solid defense.

Goliad’s staple is their incredibly stout 4-3 defense that has allowed an average of just nine points per game. Cameron Morris has led the Tigers’ multiple scheme offense since Rocky Morris went down with an injury. Cameron struggled last week against Edna completing just six passes and throwing two interceptions. Two-way standout Logan Bland (503 rushing yards, 10 TD) carries most of the load on offense and doubles as an incredible defensive end.

2A: Stratford (6-4, 3-0) at Gruver (8-1, 3-0)

The winner of this showdown will be crowned the District 3-2A champion. Stratford faced a very tough non-district slate to start the season and stumbled, dropping four of five games. Since that stretch the Elks have outscored their opponents 141-28. Speedy running back Iuden Romero (844 rushing yards, 17 TD) is the headliner of the Stratford offense and has burned opposing defenses. Linebacker Brit McQuitty is the leader on Stratford’s defense.

Gruver has been consistently good all season with their only loss coming at the hands of West Texas. The Greyhounds utilize a unique pistol offense and they will likely speed up their tempo to force the Elks to use their passing game to come from behind. That certainly will be a tough task as Gruver has allowed just 28 points in district play.