Decatur at Argyle: Decatur has quietly emerged as a powerhouse in Region I, and now they’ll get a chance to test themselves against a legitimate state title contender in Argyle. The Eagles lose a lot of skill talent and will rely on their defense, led by all-state candidates LB Landry Phipps and FS Jackson Carroll, to carry the load. New QB Landon Howell showed promise in a backup role a year ago and now is poised to take the reins of the DHS spread offense. Argyle’s got weapons all over the place with the return of RB Tito Byce, who battled injuries most of last year, and WR Cole Kirkpatrick, who hauled in 25 touchdown passes in 2019. The AHS offensive line is shaping up to the best in the state with multiple FBS prospects pairing with another FBS prospect in TE Jasper Lott. Argyle’s front seven on defense leads the way; they’ll need to pressure the QB early on while their young secondary adapts to varsity football. The ability for Argyle’s defensive front to control the game will be a big edge in this game, and I expect Argyle’s offensive line to dominate Decatur’s defensive front. Stepp’s Pick: Argyle by 14

Brownwood at Lampasas: A young, but talented Brownwood squad fresh off an 11-2 season travels south to Lampasas where they could be walking into an absolute hornet’s nest as the Badgers have their eyes on a state championship in 2020 after a run to the state semifinals in 2019. The Lions will be led by sophomore QB Chance Jones, who has plenty of talent, but is making his varsity start on Friday night. Two-way playmakers WR/DB Khyren Deal and RB/DB Royshad Henderson will be key to provide veteran leadership as Brownwood expects to play as many as 15 sophomores. Lampasas has a few holes to fill on defense, but the offense is going to be flat out dynamic led by QB Ace Whitehead. The Texas baseball commit accounted for nearly 5,000 yards of offense last year and an incredible 75 total touchdowns as a junior. He’s flat out undefendable at times. Add in an experienced offensive line, New Mexico commit WR Michael Murray and RB Jack Jerome, and the Badgers will score points in bunches. This is a brutal opener for a Brownwood squad that has a lot of potential, but the Badgers in Week 1 will have their way with the Lions. Stepp’s Pick: Lampasas by 17

Wall at Eastland: Former district rivals meet up in the season opener as UIL realignment moves Eastland down to 3A-Division II where the Mavericks feel like they can really compete for a regional title. Wall had the makings of a state title contender a year ago, but injuries derailed their playoff hopes. QB Drew Morrison, who doubles as a LB, took over the flexbone offense late in the year after an injury and should be much more in-tune with the reads and the feel for the game needed to operate that offensive system. The offensive line is outstanding led by Baylor commit Tate Williams. The defense has some questions, especially with less depth this year as several key players will be counted on to play both sides of the ball. Eastland has plenty of offense themselves led by Texas Tech QB commit Behren Morton. He teams with bruising running back Brandon Fielding to give the Mavericks a potent 1-2 punch. Eastland’s skill talent is among the best in 3A-Division II; the big key will be in the trenches and at least in Week 1, the edge that Wall has up front will be the different in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Wall by 11

Gilmer at Gladewater: The 2020 season opens with a bang in East Texas as old rivals Gilmer and Gladewater both come into the season with high expectations as they battle in this Thursday night tilt. Gilmer’s under a new head coach this year as long-time assistant Allen Metzel takes the reins for the Buckeyes, who return half of their starters from a regional finalist squad. QB Mason Hurt and WR Dylan Fluellen are a dangerous duo, while Davion Smith is expected to carry the load running the ball. The Buckeyes are going to have some questions at the skill positions, and that makes a matchup with a veteran Gladewater bunch a tough one. Gladewater, who was a 3A-Division I regional finalist, also has a new coach as hometown boy Jonny Louvier comes over from Longview Spring Hill. The former Bears QB inherits a loaded squad that has aspirations of a state title with 15 returning starters, including nine on offense. RB Eliga Carter has run for 42 touchdowns in two years, while WR DJ Allen and junior QB Tristan Holmes are also back along with a veteran offensive line. The defense, which at times struggled a year ago, will need to take a step forward for Gladewater to beat teams of Gilmer’s caliber. If that unit emerges like we believe it can, expect Gladewater to be a problem all season. Stepp’s Pick: Gladewater by 2

Bushland vs Brock at Iowa Park: It’s a rematch of a classic regional semifinal from last year as Bushland saw their unbeaten season end in overtime at the hands of Brock. Bushland suffered some heavy graduation losses and also the loss of their head coach who went into administration. Just four starters return on both sides of the ball and new head coach Josh Reynolds is excited about the potential of dual-threat QB Coleman Junnell, but this is a team that could go through some early season growing pains against a tough schedule. Brock, on the other hand, appears to be loaded for a state title run as Chad Worrell welcomes back 15 starters from a team that made a run to the state semifinals in 2019. RB Cash Jones, who ran for 2,678 yards and 35 touchdowns, is back and will run behind a big, physical and experienced offensive line. The Eagles defense is laded with FBS talent with DE Brett Drillette, a Louisiana-Monroe commit, UTSA commit DE Nace Washington, and FS Luke Dillingham, who will be a Division I prospect. Look for the Eagles to overwhelm Bushland early on and put it on cruise control in the second half. Stepp’s Pick: Brock by 22

Clyde at Cisco: Two teams fresh of successful 2019 campaigns head into the 2020 season with a lot of question marks in this intriguing Big Country matchup as Clyde heads east on I-20 to take on Cisco. Clyde, led by a fantastic defensive unit ,posted a 7-4 mark a year ago, but nine of those starters graduated leaving the offense, which returns six starters, to carry the load. QB Dylan Neuman and RB Canaan Charleston will be the key cogs for the Bulldogs offense that must show improvement while the defense matures. Cisco has a new head coach after Brent West moved to athletic director, but don’t expect too much to change for the Loboes under former offensive coordinator Kevin Stennett. Cisco moves down to Class 2A-Division I after an impressive 11-2 season, but just four starters return on both sides of the ball. There will be plenty of new faces for Cisco this year, but they’ve earned a reputation in the past 15 years or so as being a team that just reloads with similar players who thrive in their ground oriented offensive system. On pedigree alone, we give the edge to Cisco, but we are thinking a lot of questions get answered for both teams in this showdown. Stepp’s Pick: Cisco by 5

Malakoff at Grandview: It’s a rematch of the 2018 3A-Division I state title game as two-time defending state champion Grandview begins their quest for a third straight title against a strong Malakoff squad. Malakoff graduated an outstanding group of skill players from an 11-2 team a year ago, but the Tigers are solid up front and have a three-year starter piloting the offense in Darion Peace. DL Zamir Ruiz is a force up front and will demand constant double teams from the opposing offense. Grandview should be plenty powerful on offense with 3A player of the year candidate QB/DB Dane Jentsch returning. The four-year starter is a two-time state title game MVP, who accounted for 49 touchdowns a year ago and also picked off eight passes. WR’s Luke Ferguson, Gavin Leftwich and Kason English give the Zebras dangerous weapons on the outside, while TE/DE Dematrious Crownwover is a two-way force generating major college interest. Both teams have question marks at positions like running back, linebacker and in the secondary, but Grandview seems to have fewer questions early on. Stepp’s Pick: Grandview by 12

Hallettsville at Shiner: Top ranked 2A-Division I program Shiner takes a major step up in competition as they take on outstanding 3A-Division I program Hallettsville. The Brahmas are fresh off a 10-3 season and are led by Texas commit RB Jonathon Brooks, who accounted for 45 total touchdowns and ran for 2,144 yards in 2019. He’s the focal point of a veteran HHS squad that returns 15 total starters and has their eyes on a regional title despite the move to a much tougher Region III. Shiner has their eyes set on a state title after a 12-1 season a year ago, but the sting of their crushing loss to Refugio in the regional semifinals is still there and nothing will erase that memory more than a title run for the Comanches. Shiner is loaded with talent Doug Brooks, Dalton Brooks and Zane Rhodes back to lead a sensational rushing attack. Shiner’s got experience up front and at QB with Tyler Palmer returning as well. Shiner doesn’t have great depth, but the front-line talent is elite and if they stay healthy they’ll be the odds on favorite to bring home a title. They’ll get tested against a strong team from a larger classification, but Shiner has proven time and time again they are up to the task. Stepp’s Pick: Shiner by 7

Teague at Mart: Teague had a disappointing 2019 campaign (4-7), but the Tigers and their 13 returning starters are confident they are in for big improvement. They’ll get a major test right out of the gate as they tangle with a loaded Mart squad gunning for their fourth straight state title and third in a row as a 2A-Division II program. Teague will lean heavily on their ground game led by RB Nemier Herod, who will operate behind a veteran offensive line that should be the strength of the team. Mart is absolutely loaded with experience with eight starters returning on both sides of the ball. The big question is what position does do-it all man Roddrell Freeman play on offense? Freeman as a sophomore played QB in their Panthers playoff run and last year moved to running back where he ran for 2,138 yard and 39 touchdowns. Mart’s loaded with speed and for the first time in a couple of years, they have a bit of depth returning as just five seniors graduated and several younger players got some time in some of their more lopsided playoff wins. Mart’s going to get a test from the larger program, but the Panthers are just too talented at the skill spots. Stepp’s Pick: Mart by 14

Tolar vs Post at Clyde: The Rattlers, after a playoff appearance in 3A-Divison II a year ago, are stepping into some deep 2A-Division I water as they take on state finalist Post in a neutral site contest. Tolar is a sophomore heavy team and several players like LB Brock Owens and QB Jackson LeClyse were outstanding a year ago as freshman; these young players will need to step into big leadership roles this year as Tolar hopes to take a step forward. Post, who is coming off its best season in school history at 15-1, brings back all but six players from their team that made it all the way to the title game. QB Slayden Pittman, RB Ashton Jefferson and RB/LB Isaiah Crawford are among the top players on the South Plans and will lead the Antelopes. If Post can develop some offensive balance and keep teams from loading the box to stop the running game. The veteran experience of Post will be too much for Tolar in this one. Post rolls.  Stepp’s Pick: Post by 25

Granger Huntress' Six-Man Game of the Week
Dave Campbell's Texas Football is proud to partner with Granger Huntress of the venerable SixManFootball.com to spotlight the biggest games in Class 1A every week.

Balmorhea at Rankin: This is the game of the week for any classification, as the top-ranked team in both six-man divisions face off to begin what could be a very strange fall. Rankin is the consensus #1 team in Division 1, while Balmorhea may be a slight surprise pick in Division 2 to grab the title after Motley County’s run a year ago. Both teams come in with a load of experience, while Balmorhea has a distinctive advantage at coaching with the legendary Vance Jones. I honestly expect a somewhat sloppy game with the pressure of such a big game this early resting on both teams, but as Billie Jean King said, “pressure is a privilege.” Granger's Pick: Rankin 42, Balmorhea 32

Stepp's Quick Picks

Seminole at Dumas Stepp’s Pick: Dumas by 9

Melissa at Celina Stepp’s Pick: Celina by 7

Carthage at Kilgore Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 10

Cuero at La Vernia Stepp’s Pick: La Vernia by 3

Bellville at Giddings Stepp’s Pick: Bellville by 13

Cameron Yoe at Mexia Stepp’s Pick: Mexia by 3

Ballinger at Tuscola Jim Ned Stepp’s Pick: Tuscola Jim Ned by 4

Panhandle at Childress Stepp’s Pick: Childress by 6

Kenedy at Karnes City Stepp’s Pick: Karnes City by 14

Falls City at Three Rivers Stepp’s Pick: Three Rivers by 7