El Paso Eastlake (1-0) vs El Paso Montwood (2-0, 1-0): After a two week hiatus, high school football in El Paso kicks into full swing; with teams not being able to play a full district schedule, every game takes on massive importance. Eastlake has had major trouble with Covid-19 early this year as the Falcons have only been able to play one game as they had to cancel two games and then had a game canceled on them before the two-week shutdown. The Falcons have one of the Sun City’s most powerful offensive attacks led by QB Orion Olivas and a dynamic group of receivers, but can Eastlake’s defense hold up in their first district game? Montwood’s offense was really good in their first two games - scoring 42 and 49 points - and the Rams have embraced that underdog role as they feel overlooked when it comes to the best teams in town. Expect a lot of points in this one as both offensive units are dynamic, but the long layoff leaves plenty of questions. Eastlake hasn’t played a game since Oct. 2 and Montwood hasn’t played since Oct. 9. Who comes out from the layoff playing sharp? Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Montwood by 6

Cedar Hill (5-0, 3-0) at Duncanville (4-1, 3-0): The district title potentially could be decided in District 11-6A this week as the two zone champions meet up with really only bragging rights on the line; they will likely have different playoff paths. Cedar Hill is fresh off what was easily their best performance of the year as the Longhorns knocked off heavily favored DeSoto, 49-42, behind a virtuoso performance from QB Kaidon Salter, who accounted for 389 yards and six touchdowns. The Longhorns unleashed Salter’s legs as he ripped through DeSoto’s vaunted defense with 179 yards and four touchdowns. It remains to be seen if Coach Lynn and the offensive staff at Cedar Hill do the same this week against a Duncanville front seven that is probably a step up from DeSoto. Duncanville, who had some issues on offense at times early in the year, unleashed an avalanche last week by drilling Waco Midway, 74-21. They Panthers got 266 yards passing and three touchdowns from QB Grayson James, while three different running backs topped 66 yards and five different backs found the end zone on the ground. The Panthers defense dominated by limiting Waco Midway to 71 yards rushing. Cedar Hill is fresh off an emotional win last week against their biggest rival, and even though Duncanville isn’t far away, the Longhorns just don’t have that real rivalry feel with Duncanville. Duncanville’s defense is just dominant across the board and with Cedar Hill likely not willing to expose Salter in this game, look for the Panthers to control the pace of this matchup. Stepp’s Pick: Duncanville by 17

Klein Cain (4-2, 3-1) vs Klein Oak (2-2, 2-1): Klein ISD has been turned upside down as Tomball and Tomball Memorial have entered the district and made major noise. Klein Oak suffered a stunning 17-16 loss to Tomball last week as the Panthers offense just couldn’t find consistent answers in the defeat; a late missed field goal sealed Oak’s fate. Jason Glenn’s squad will need to get going quick this week or they’ll be facing a drop to third or fourth place. Klein Cain has bounced back from their loss to Tomball Memorial with back to back wins, including a key 35-21 win over a suddenly struggling Klein Collins squad. RB Jaydon Blue, the four-star recruit for Cain, led the Hurricanes upset with 243 yards on the ground and a pair of touchdown runs as Cain rolled up an impressive 554 yards of offense in the win. With the loss to Tomball still stinging Oak, don’t be surprised if the Panthers come out this week with a bit of an edge and they’ll be laser focused on slowing Blue and the Cain offense down. Look for a low-scoring battle, but with Oak facing what amounts to a must win this week, the Panthers scrape out a tough Saturday win. Stepp’s Pick: Klein Oak by 3

The Woodlands (3-2, 2-0) vs Conroe Grand Oaks (5-1, 1-1): It’s the old guard against the new guard in 13-6A as Conroe Grand Oaks looks to make a big statement in Conroe ISD against the bell-cow of the district in The Woodlands. The Highlanders were pushed last week in their 31-21 win over Conroe Oak Ridge, and it was Mississippi State commit WR Teddy Knox who did much of the damage with a touchdown catch and crucial 73-yard punt return for a touchdown to give TWHS the difference in a hard fought game. Grand Oaks continues to impress in their first UIL season as they improved to 5-1 with a 19-18 win over Conroe High. Trailing by five late in the game, the Grand Oaks defense rose to the occasion and forced a huge turnover and then the offense responded with Brandon High scoring on a seven-yard touchdown run with 3:31 left to lift the Grizzlies to the one-point win. Expect Grand Oaks to really empty their bag of tricks in this one as this is a game they really want. Unfortunately, GOHS is a year away from really being able to hang with The Woodlands. Stepp’s Pick: The Woodlands by 14

Amarillo (4-2, 2-1) at Lubbock Coronado (6-0, 4-0): Amarillo High has to find a way to put what can only be described as a crushing loss behind them if they want to remain in contention to host a home playoff game. Last week, the Sandies raced out to a 27-0 lead against arch-rival Amarillo Tascosa early in the third quarter after Davin Lemmons returned the opening second half kickoff for a touchdown. The Sandies then saw their lead erased in a stunning 28-27 loss as Tascosa totally switched offenses and AHS had no answers. Lubbock Coronado had little trouble last week against struggling Lubbock High, blasting the Westerners, 70-14, as Sawyer Robertson racked up 435 yards passing and seven touchdowns in just three quarters; the Mustangs continued their run of dominance as their six wins are by an average of just under 44 points. The key to Coronado’s dominance has been their defense, which doesn’t have any stars but is clearly one of the most improved units in the state of Texas. That defense is the key for Seth Parr’s squad as they begin to eye a season ending showdown for the district title with Amarillo Tascosa. Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Coronado by 13

Baytown Lee (5-1, 3-1) at Port Arthur Memorial (6-0, 4-0): Surprising Baytown Lee will get a chance this week to make a major statement as the Ganders look to take down the district leader in Port Arthur Memorial. Trailing by seven heading into the final frame last week, the Ganders exploded for 21 fourth quarter points to hold off Galveston Ball, 48-44, to earn a key district win and put themselves squarely in the middle of the playoff race. Port Arthur Memorial’s defense continued to terrorize opponents in the Golden Triangle as last week the Titans shut out Beaumont United, 20-0. QB Jah’Mar Sanders finished the night with 244 yards of offense and three touchdowns in the first half and that proved to be more than enough as the Port Arthur defense simply dominated from start to finish. That defense again is the key as Port Arthur Memorial takes another big step in wrapping up the 9-5A Division I crown. Stepp’s Pick: Port Arthur Memorial by 12

Richmond Foster (6-0, 3-0) vs Manvel (4-1, 2-0): A district title is on the line at Alvin Memorial Stadium as 5A Houston area powers Richmond Foster and Manvel collide in what should be an absolute banger of a game. Both teams were pushed a week ago, but showed why they are ranked in the top ten with impressive wins. Foster knocked off a rapidly improving Katy Paetow squad, 28-10, behind two touchdowns from WR Cody Jackson, an Oklahoma commit. Jackson only caught four passes for 67 yards and a touchdown, but he also had a 70-yard touchdown run on the first play of the game. Manvel’s offense was sensational last week as the Mavericks knocked off a stout Fort Bend Hightower bunch, 49-38. QB Gabriel Larry had a big night throwing for 399 yards and three touchdowns in the win, while RB De’Monte’ Seymour ran for three touchdowns. This Manvel team across the board is a bit young and playing much better than anyone anticipated, but Foster on the other hand is senior-laden, it’s now or never for the Falcons who have the look of being a team ready to break through and get another regional title. Stepp’s Pick: Richmond Foster by 4

Frisco (5-0, 3-0) at Denison (4-2, 2-1): The Raccoons have dominated District 7-5A Division II the past two seasons, but one team has had their number and that’s the Denison Yellowjackets. Frisco will have to make the trip up to Texoma this week as they try and remain undefeated against a very solid Denison squad. Frisco had last week off after their game against Princeton was canceled due to Covid-19 concerns in Princeton. They rolled past a much improved Frisco Liberty squad in their last outing on the strength of 119 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Bradford Martin and 61 receiving yards and a touchdown from Arkansas commit Chase Lowery. Denison has rattled off three straight district wins, including last week’s 56-34 win over Lake Dallas. DHS trailed early 10-0 and then went on a 42-7 run in the middle two quarters to put the game out of reach. RB Jadarian Price ran for 164 yards and three touchdowns, Asa Osbourne ran for 124 yards and three touchdowns and the Denison special teams provided a pair of touchdowns as well in the win. This one is going to be close, especially with the game being at Munson Stadium, where Denison is tough to beat. Frisco’s really making noise this year and they’ve got this one circled, they’ll find a way to get past a feisty Denison bunch in a close one. Stepp’s Pick: Frisco by 4

Longview Pine Tree (5-0, 3-0) at Texarkana Texas High (6-0, 3-0): Surprising Longview Pine Tree gets a chance to make a big statement on Friday night as they head up to Grimm Park in Texarkana to take on Texas High in a District 9-5A Division II showdown that should decide the district title. Pine Tree was pushed last week at home against Jacksonville but escaped with a 49-42 win as Ethan Morgan ran for 195 yards and three touchdowns and QB DJ Freeman accounted for 275 yards of offense and a pair of touchdowns. Pine Tree’s explosive offense will get their biggest test of the year this week against an elite Texas High defense that pitched a shutout last week in a 28-0 win over Marshall. The Tigers defense held Marshall just 141 yards of offense in the win and RB Braylon Stewart had a monster night with 254 yards on the ground and three touchdowns to lead the Tigers attack. This is the first major test for Pine Tree since they played at Kennedale and the game was suspended right before halftime, on the road against a top ten team, we will find out if Kerry Lane’s squad is for real in this showdown. Look for the Pirates to keep it close for a half, but Texas High pulls away in the third quarter. Stepp’s Pick: Texas High by 14

Quick Picks

Denton Guyer (5-1, 3-0) at Allen (4-0, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Allen by 11

Killeen Harker Heights (3-3, 1-2) vs Killeen Shoemaker (6-0, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Killeen Shoemaker by 8

Katy (5-1, 2-1) vs Katy Taylor (6-1, 4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Katy by 24

Humble Atascocita (3-1, 3-0) at Houston King (5-1, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Humble Atascocita by 16

Mission (2-0) vs Mission Veterans Memorial (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Mission by 15

Magnolia (6-1, 5-0) at Magnolia West (5-1, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Magnolia by 3

San Antonio Legacy (4-2, 2-0) at San Antonio Southside (4-0, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Southside by 10

Fort Worth North Side (6-0, 3-0) at Grapevine (4-2, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Grapevine by 24

College Station A&M Consolidated (6-1, 2-1) at Montgomery (4-2, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: College Station A&M Consolidated by 6

Georgetown East View (4-3, 4-1) at Leander Rouse (6-1, 5-0) Stepp’s Pick: Leander Rouse by 10