Let’s take a look back at some of the significant happenings across the state from opening week.

Arlington Martin stuns No. 3 Lake Travis

What our computer thought: Lake Travis was a 32-point favorite.

What Matt Stepp thought: N/A. 

What Greg Tepper thought: N/A.

What happened: Martin 35, Lake Travis 14

Martin’s defense frustrated the usually potent Cavaliers, shutting them out in the second half while serving notice that last year’s 5-6 campaign is squarely in the rear-view mirror. Martin quarterback Zach Mundell proved too elusive for Lake Travis’ quick defense, rushing for 174 yards and three touchdowns.

What it means: No one outside of the Martin locker room thought this was remotely possible. Keep a close eye on both teams for the next few weeks. With solid showings against Hebron and Rockwall, Martin can establish itself as a threat in Region I. How will Lake Travis respond against a Mansfield Timberview team that reached the regional semifinals in 2018? Quarterback Hudson Card started quickly against Martin before struggling down the stretch. Can he reconnect with his receivers and get the usually potent offense moving again?

Katy stymies No. 1 North Shore in early battle of titans

What our computer thought: North Shore was a 6-point favorite.

What Matt Stepp thought: North Shore by 6.

What Greg Tepper thought: North Shore over Katy.

What happened: Katy 24, North Shore 21

The highest profile game and result of the weekend likely should have been a pick-em, but with the playmakers the Mustangs brought back, few expected how the second half played out. According to Katy sports editor Dennis Silva, the Tigers’ defense held North Shore and Zach Evans to just 8 rushing yards in the second half while holding the Mustangs scoreless. Last year Evans averaged 11 yards per carry. Bronson McClelland’s fourth down touchdown pass to Samuel Dunn proved to be the winner.

What it means: We got a scintillating game to open the season that could very well serve as a playoff preview. These powers – who each won a 6A title in 2015 while playing in different divisions – could very well meet again on the way back to Arlington. And if Katy’s defense continues to play like it did after halftime, we could soon be flashing back to the 2015 season when the Tigers allowed just 52 points all season.

No. 3 Richmond Foster flexes muscles to tame Tigers

What our computer thought: Richmond Foster was a 13-point favorite.

What Matt Stepp thought: Foster by 11.

What Greg Tepper thought: Foster over College Station.

What happened: Foster 52, College Station 14

Untimely mistakes are never good, especially not against the third-ranked team with championship aspirations. Foster took advantage of several College Station turnovers en route to gaining 497 yards of offense. College Station didn’t earn a first down until the third quarter.

What it means: Foster has reached the regional semifinals at a minimum for four straight years. If the opener is any indication, that streak won’t end this season. Last year’s run to the regional final might have been a year ahead of schedule, and no doubt the four playoff games benefitted a young team. More decisive results like the opening week thrashing will confirm coach Shaun McDowell’s thoughts.
 

Rebels route Rangers in rare Region I-Region IV battle

What our computer thought: Midland Lee was a 5-point favorite.

What Matt Stepp thought: Midland Lee by 5.

What Greg Tepper thought: Midland Lee over Smithson Valley.

What happened: Lee 45, Smithson Valley 21

Midland Lee receiver Loic Fouonji became the school’s all-time receiving yardage leader and the Rebels cruised past Smithson Valley in an intriguing inter-regional affair. The Rebels’ defense recovered from a sub-par start and kept the Rangers off the scoreboard in the second half, breaking open a close game.

What it means: West Texas 6A teams don’t get many chances for signature wins, but the Rebels dominated playoff-regular Smithson Valley to open the season. We expect the Rebels to challenge Amarillo Tascosa for the Little SWC title. More results like this could indicate that the Rebels are ready to embark on a longer playoff run.

Scots outlast YellowJackets in back-and-forth battle

What our computer thought: Rockwall was a 3-point favorite.

What Matt Stepp thought: N/A. 

What Greg Tepper thought: Highland Park over Rockwall.

What happened: Highland Park 66, Rockwall 59

The scoreboard operator needed the long weekend after the three-time 5A, DI champion Scots and 6A YellowJackets scored seemingly at will. Chandler Morris rallied Highland Park from a 17-point hole by passing for an eye-popping 474 yards and adding another 180 on the ground. Rockwall sophomore QB Braedyn Locke wasn’t impressed, passing for 516 yards in his varsity debut. 

What it means: This game never disappoints, and the result is promising for both teams. The Scots know they can score at will, and the Prince Dorbah-led defense won’t likely face a more potent offense in the regular season. Rockwall confirmed that they have a quarterback who can maximize receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s talents, paving the way for a potential playoff run. 
 

5A, D2 Champs Aledo Comes Up Short in Slugfest with Guyer

What our computer thought: Denton Guyer was a 4-point favorite.

What Matt Stepp thought: Aledo by 8. 

What Greg Tepper thought: Aledo over Denton Guyer.

What happened: Guyer 60, Aledo 57

Guyer wanted to make amends for a 2018 opener in which Aledo dominated with a 40-0 whitewashing. Mission accomplished, and then some. Quarterback Eli Stowers told the Denton Record-Courier that he took the 2018 loss personally. He did his part to atone for that performance, completing 12-14 passes for 284 yards and five touchdowns. Jase McClellan’s fourth touchdown pulled the Bearcats within 60-57 with 2:23 left, but Guyer ran out the clock.

What it means: Our experts ranked Guyer higher than their recent history would suggest, but – for a week at least – that faith was rewarded. While Aledo coach Tim Buchanan won’t like having given up 60 points, the setback does nothing to detail the team’s quest for its next 5A, D2 title.

4A Showdown Goes to DII Top-Ranked Pleasant Grove

What our computer thought: Texarkana Pleasant Grove was a 15-point favorite.

What Matt Stepp thought: Pleasant Grove by 14.

What Greg Tepper thought: Pleasant Grove over Paris.

What happened: Pleasant Grove 22, Paris 16

The top-ranked team in DII knocked off the 7th-ranked team in DI in a 4A battle that lived up to its lofty expectations. Bruce Garrett’s second touchdown gave the Hawks a 22-16 lead with four minutes left, and the defense came up big late in the game to close out the win. Paris quarterback Luke Hohenberger couldn’t escape Pleasant Grove’s Landon Jackson on successive plays and the resulting 4thand 32 fell short.

What it means: Pleasant Grove coach Josh Gibson called the game a war, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t the most physical small school game of the week. These early season battles of highly ranked teams are exciting, and we expect both teams to make noise in the playoffs. 

Top-5 match-up proves little gap between Gunter, Daingerfield

What our computer thought: Too close to call.

What Matt Stepp thought: Daingerfield by 7.

What Greg Tepper thought: N/A.

What happened: Gunter 22, Daingerfield 21

Daingerfield started fast, taking a 21-0 lead on the legs of Ja’Kobie Craver. Gunter closed faster, pulling out a 22-21 win in a matchup between the 4thand 5thranked teams in 3A DII. Payton Lowe ran for a touchdown to bring Gunter within 21-20, and coach Jake Fieszel opted to go for the two-point conversion and the win. Lowe hauled in Hut Graham’s pass for the winning points.

What it means: Quietly, the nail-biter proved an intriguing result for both schools and all of 3A DII. Gunter played for the state title last year and no doubt expects to content again. Does the result signal that Daingerfield might be ready for more? Only time will tell.

Antelopes post a statement win, thrashing Brownfield 45-14

What our computer thought: Brownfield was a 5-point favorite.

What Matt Stepp thought: N/A.

What Greg Tepper thought: N/A.

What happened: Post 45, Brownfield 14

Post avenged a 27-12 defeat to open the 2018 season with a convincing win over Brownfield. Ashton Jefferson rushed for two touchdowns and Slayden Pittman passed for two more. 

What it means: The ‘Bold Lopes’ are a year older and a year better, as evidence by turning a 15-point loss into a convincing win. Will that translate into a longer playoff run? Post won 30 games between 2015-17 before falling off a bit last year during a 4-7 campaign. The pedigree is there.