Lewisville (5-3, 3-2) at Lewisville Hebron (4-2, 3-1): It’s a Lewisville ISD showdown with major playoff implications as neither school has clinched a playoff spot. The winner of this game is into the playoffs with a fourth district win, but the loser is likely on the outside looking in or at minimum will need a lot of help to make the playoffs. Lewisville gave unbeaten Flower Mound Marcus a good run last week, but the defense just didn’t have answers in a 58-38 loss. Lewisville’s offense threw up 440 yards, but a couple of key turnovers and nine penalties were the Farmers undoing in the defeat. QB Taylen Green had a big night throwing for 276 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 77 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Hebron came out of their two week quarantine and got a much needed win taking down Plano West 27-13 Friday afternoon. Weston Conaway 124 passing yards and a touchdown and Brandon Love 110 rushing yards, and a touchdown keyed the Hawks offense and Hebron defense pitched a shutout in the second half. Hebron’s defense will need another big effort this week to slow Lewisville down and if they get that done, they’ll have their playoff ticket punched. Stepp’s Pick: Lewisville Hebron by 6

Killeen Harker Heights (6-3, 4-2) at Belton (3-6, 3-3): It’s a win or go home scenario in this 12-6A make-up game as the winner advances to the playoffs and the loser airs up the basketballs. Harker Heights is the team who plays the close games as four of their six district games have been decided by a touchdown or less, but the last two weeks HHHS has gotten things rolling, they blew past Copperas Cove last week, 42-20, as RB Re’Shaun Sanford accounted for 240 yards of offense and QB Terrance Carter ran for two scores and threw for another score. Belton had their chances to win last week but fell in a heartbreaker to Shoemaker, 27-21, in overtime. The Tigers got 182 yards of offense and a touchdown from versatile RB Maurice Reed, but an interception on their drive in overtime doomed the Tigers. Both of these teams have played the top teams in the district close; the margins in this loop are razor thin and this will be another heart-stopper with the playoffs on the line for both teams. Belton typically plays well at home and the Tigers find a way to get that big win and sneak into the playoffs as the four seed. Stepp’s Pick: Belton by 2

Humble Atascocita (4-2, 4-1) at Beaumont West Brook (4-4, 3-2): Atascocita, fresh off a disappointing loss to Galena Park North Shore, treks out to the Golden Triangle where they’ll look to lock down the second seed in the district and clinch a first-round home game. The Eagles got down quickly 28-0 and things when downhill from there as Atascocita allowed 718 yards of offense. West Brook lost any chance of hosting a first-round game last week as the Bruins defense had no answers in a 66-41 loss to Houston King. Despite rolling up nearly 500 yards of offense and 41 points, the Bruins lost by four scores as a speedy C.E. King offense ran up and down the field scoring nine touchdowns and adding a field goal on the afternoon. Atascocita is going to be on a mission this week after the embarrassing performance last week and they’ll come out and make a major statement to close out the regular season. Stepp’s Pick: Humble Atascocita by 22

Smithson Valley (6-2, 4-2) at Converse Judson (6-1, 6-0): After that embarrassing loss to open the season at DeSoto, Converse Judson has righted the ship in a big way rattling off six straight wins and putting themselves on the brink of an outright district title. Last week the Rockets rolled past JISD rival San Antonio Wagner in the Hammer Bowl, 63-34. Junior QB Michael Burroughs and senior RB De’Anthony Lewis had monster afternoons and the Rockets offense played what was easily their best game of the season. Smithson Valley’s defense was outstanding last week but the offense wasn’t able to get going in a 14-10 loss to Cibolo Steele last week. That loss locks Smithson Valley into the second seed in Division I as five turnovers proved to be the Rangers undoing in the loss. The Judson speed, especially at the skill spots will be a difficult matchup for Smithson Valley and that’s the difference in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Converse Judson by 15

Lubbock Coronado (9-0, 5-0) at Amarillo Tascosa (7-1, 5-0): It’s been pretty clear since the start of the season that these were the two top teams in 2-5A Division I. Aside from Tascosa being pushed by rival Amarillo, no one else has come close to these two teams who have aspirations of not only a district title, but a regional title as well. Lubbock Coronado rolled past Lubbock ISD rival Lubbock Monterey last week, 40-14, as QB Sawyer Robertson, against a defense that constantly put eight into coverage, was patient and threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns in the win. As has been the case all year, the Mustangs defense again was sensational allowing just one score in the fourth quarter, while Monterey’s other score came in the first half on punt return. Amarillo Tascosa hasn’t played a game since a 32-13 win over Amarillo Caprock on November 12; the Rebels had their bye week and then their game with Lubbock Monterey was ruled a forfeit when Monterey couldn’t play due to Covid-19 protocols. Tascosa’s run based offense has been solid all year, but the Rebels aren’t operating at the levels of efficiency they were a year ago. While the defense overall may be better, if the Tascosa offense can’t control the clock they’ll eventually wear out, especially against an offense like Coronado’s. Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Coronado by 10

Burleson Centennial (5-2, 4-1) at Red Oak (5-2, 5-1): Second place and the chance to host a first-round playoff game are on the line Friday night in Red Oak as Burleson Centennial looks to take down the home-standing Hawks. Burleson Centennial and their option based offense is always a tough matchup, but last week the Spartans struggled in a 34-6 loss to Colleyville Heritage. The Spartans were plagued by four turnovers and it hampered their ability to hang on to the football and try to wear Colleyville down. Red Oak won their third straight game as they blew past Birdville, 55-28, last week. RB Iverson Young ran for 202 yards and three touchdowns as the Hawks rolled up nearly 300 yards rushing as a team in the win. Red Oak’s defense has been shaky at times against the pass, but their front seven is really stout and they’ve got experience defending the option offense Burleson Centennial runs. That experience combined with a newfound offensive identity gives Red Oak the edge in this matchup. Stepp’s Pick: Red Oak by 11

Victoria West (6-2, 6-1) at Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (7-1, 6-1): Second place and a home playoff game is on the line in 15-5A Division I and that’s big because the loser of this one faces a long road trip down to the RGV for a bi-district game. Victoria West suffered their first district loss last week at the hands of Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, 57-26. The Warriors jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead, but then allowed VMHS to rattle off 34-straight points to put the game out of reach. QB Blake Buzzell was the bright spot for Victoria West running for a touchdown and throwing three touchdown passes. Flour Bluff had last week off after dropping their showdown to Corpus Christi Vets, 34-17. The Hornets with their balanced offense and extra week to prepare for Victoria West should have a big edge in this matchup. Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Flour Bluff by 15

Quick Picks

San Antonio Reagan (8-1, 7-0) at San Antonio Brandeis (6-2, 5-2) Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Reagan by 17

Harlingen (5-0) at Brownsville Hanna (4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Harlingen by 4

Baytown Lee (6-2, 4-2) vs Baytown Sterling (2-6, 1-5) Stepp’s Pick: Baytown Lee by 21

Manor (1-5, 1-4) at Cedar Park (8-0, 6-0) Stepp’s Pick: Cedar Park by 36

San Antonio Brackenridge (5-0) vs San Antonio Lanier (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Brackenridge by 12

McAllen Memorial (5-1, 4-0) vs Weslaco East (4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Weslaco East by 6

Canutillo (4-0, 3-0) at El Paso Parkland (5-1, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Parkland by 10

Montgomery (6-3, 4-1) vs Montgomery Lake Creek (6-3, 3-2) Stepp’s Pick: Montgomery by 9

Mercedes (5-0) vs Mission Pioneer (4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Mission Pioneer by 13