Stephenville (13-0) vs Melissa (11-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bedford’s Pennington Field: Unbeaten Stephenville will face their third and final test out of District 7-4A Division I and it’s the “final boss” as the ‘Jackets take on district champion Melissa. Stephenville the last two weeks has taken care of Paris and defending state champion Argyle in consecutive weeks. In last week’s 21-17 win over Argyle the ‘Jackets trailed early 14-0 before rallying for the win, behind a stellar defensive effort and a rushing and receiving touchdown from Coy Eakin. Melissa has been on an absolute tear of late and that continued last week as the Cardinals rolled past Waco La Vega 41-14 QB Sam Fennegan had a monster night for the Cardinals throwing for 301 yards and three touchdowns and the Melissa defense continued to play well, holding an explosive La Vega running game in check. Melissa’s defense has been key during their long winning streak and their ability to contain that dynamic Stephenville attack is the key. Stepp’s Pick: Melissa by 6

Tyler Chapel Hill (10-3) vs Little Cypress-Mauriceville (11-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Cypress' Cy-Fair FCU Stadium: It’s a regional final of surprise teams as fourth place Tyler Chapel Hill battles it out with surprising Little Cypress-Mauriceville who under first year head coach Eric Peevey has taken Region III by storm. Chapel Hill last week avenged their regular season loss to Kilgore with a thrilling double overtime win over Kilgore 41-35. Chapel Hill’s sensational freshman duo of QB Demetrius Brisbon (178 total yards 2 TDs) and RB Ricky Stewart (201 yards rushing; 2 TDs) led the way and the Bulldogs defense came up with a key stop in overtime to get the win. Little Cypress-Mauriceville’s defense came to play last week as the Bears suffocated an explosive El Campo offense in a 24-21 win. It’s the first trip tom the regional finals for LCM since 1997. RB Da’Marion Morris led the way for the Bears with 177 yards rushing and the eventual game winning touchdown with just over five minutes remaining. This game will be dictated by pace, if this game is under 30 points for either team then LCM advances as the Bears defense is one of the state’s most underrated, but if the tempo is fast and it gets into a shootout, that’s a Chapel Hill victory. Stepp’s Pick: Tyler Chapel Hill by 2

China Spring (13-0) vs West Orange-Stark (11-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Tomball’s Tomball ISD Stadium: Can unbeaten China Spring avoid the “Carthage Hangover,” this week? After such a big win for the China Spring program, it’s easy for some to forget there’s a big game this week as well and if the Cougars overlook a hungry West Orange-Stark squad then 2021 will be a disappointment. China Spring raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first half last week and held on down the stretch for the 27-17 win as QB Major Bowdown threw a long touchdown pass to Tre Hafford and Hafford added a touchdown on the ground as well to give the Cougars most of the offense they’d need in the victory. West Orange-Stark continued to be Bellville’s playoff nemesis as the Mustangs took down the Brahmas 36-17, the Mustangs fourth playoff win over Bellville in the past six seasons. RB Elijah Gales led the way for WOS who has now won eleven in a row after dropping their season opener, Gales ran for 178 yards and two touchdowns. China Spring eliminated a strong WOS squad from the playoffs a year ago, so the Mustangs would love some measure of revenge but this China Spring squad looks like a team of destiny. Stepp’s Pick: China Spring by 8

Cuero (12-1) vs Geronimo Navarro (10-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bastrop’s Memorial Stadium: It’s a regular season rematch as the Cuero Gobblers will look to avenge their only loss of the season and earn another regional title. A week ago, Cuero took down Wimberley for the second time this season in a 36-26 victory. Cuero’s skill talent proved to be the difference in the win as RB Tycen Wiliams ran for 176 yards and two touchdowns and QB Jerry Rossett (223 yards, two touchdowns passing) were key in the victory. Rossett in big third and long moments was able to connect with his big WR’s for key plays, the biggest a fourth quarter 31-yard touchdown pass to LeBron Johnson on a 3rd and 26 situation. Geronimo Navarro escaped their regional semifinal matchup with a thrilling 29-28 overtime win over Sinton on Friday. After trailing early 14-0, the Panthers batted back behind the running of Cole Mouser (96 yards rushing and one touchdown) and Antwoin Mebane (87 yards two touchdowns rushing). Mouser’s touchdown run with 1:24 left is what sent the game into overtime. Trailing 28-21 in overtime after Sinton scored on the opening series of overtime, the Panthers got a Mebane touchdown run and then elected to go for two points and the win and Mebane punched it in to lift Navarro to the regional title game. It’s tough to beat a really good team twice in one year, Navarro does seem to give Cuero fits, but the Gobblers seeing Navarro’s Slot-T for the second time this year should give them an edge to pick up that regional title. Stepp’s Pick: Cuero by 9

Whitesboro (9-4) vs Brock (13-0), 7 p.m. Thursday at Arlington’s Globe Life Field: Both teams look to duke it out in round two of a district matchup for a spot at the 3A-Division I state semi-finals. In the last bout, Brock put down Whitesboro 42-21 but Whitesboro did show they could play with the favored Eagles. Hardened by a tough district, Whitesboro has used it for a strong playoff run, beating Shallowater in the regional semifinals 50-25. Quarterback Mac Harper had 208 yards and two touchdowns passing, while the defense forced two interceptions. It’s the first ever regional finals appearance for Whitesboro who went 100 years from 1911-2011 before their first ever playoff appearance. In a bracket-busting game, Brock thoroughly defeated the defending state champions Jim Ned by a whopping 70-25. Junior running back Kutter Wilson starred in the lopsided win with 297 yards and five touchdowns. His partner in the backfield, quarterback Tyler Moody, threw for 224 yards and four touchdowns. After totally annihilating the defending state champs, Brock has shown they are the new favorites in 3A-Division I. With an offense that is rolling, it's going to be hard for anyone to knock off Brock let alone Whitesboro. DCTF Intern Joshua Price’s Pick: Brock by 20

Mount Vernon (13-0) vs West (13-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Frisco’s Ford Center: It’s a battle of unbeaten teams on Friday night in Frisco as the Region II title is on the line as Mount Vernon takes on West. It’ll be a major contrast in styles as Mount Vernon’s dynamic offense will go against a stout West defense. Mount Vernon comes into this one scoring an average of just over fifty points per game, the Tigers last week rolled past Gladewater 40-14 as a 20-0 third quarter run by MVHS proved to be the difference turning a close game into a rout. West comes into this one with a strong defense allowing just over eleven points per game and in the playoffs, the Trojans defense is even better allowing just over eight points per game. After a slow start a week ago, West’s defense kept them in it long enough that the offense finally found their groove in a 14-12 win over Malakoff. West got a touchdown run from TJ McCurcheon in the second quarter and then got a 66-yard touchdown pass from Gus Crain to Wyatt Wolf to take a 14-6 lead. After Malakoff scored with just over two minutes remaining in the game, West’s defense rose to the occasion, stopping the two point conversion and securing the win. Tempo will be the deciding factor in this game, West doesn’t have the offense to keep up with Mt Vernon, so if this game becomes a track meet, it could get ugly, West needs to control the clock and keep the Tigers off the field. Stepp’s Pick: Mount Vernon by 11

Holliday (13-0) vs Gunter (13-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Justin’s Northwest ISD Stadium: It’s been almost written in stone that Holliday and Gunter would meet up in the Region II title game in 3A-Division II as both have clearly been the top teams in this region, wire to wire. These two are quite familiar with each other having played twice in 2018 and 2019, with Gunter winning all four games, including two wins over Holliday in the regional finals. The past couple of weeks, despite being favored Holliday has had to slip past Leonard and Bells, winning both games by just a touchdown. In last week’s 21-14 overtime win over Bells it was Jaxx Johnson who led the way with 78 rushing yards and a touchdown and his seven-yard touchdown reception from Peyton Marchand proved to be the overtime winner. Gunter has not been tested yet in the playoffs, as the Tigers three playoff wins have all been by 42 points or more. In last week’s 62-20 romp over Dublin, Gunter started out a bit slow leading just 20-7 at the half, but then the Tigers got rolling scoring touchdowns on six straight drives to break the game wide open. RB Ethan Sloan ran for 131 yards and a touchdown, Ashton Bennett had 122 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, while QB Hudson Graham ran for a score, threw a touchdown pass and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Holliday will try use their offense as their best defense and simply attempt to keep the ball away from that dynamic Gunter offense, if Holliday can pull that off they’ll have a chance to keep it close, but if the Eagles can’t take the air out of the football, Gunter will absolutely roll. Stepp’s Pick: Gunter by 20

Cisco (11-2) vs Hawley (13-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium: It’s a Big Country battle at the premier venue in Abilene as Cisco will look to end the unbeaten run of Hawley. Last week Cisco took out a wounded New Deal squad 34-14 as the Loboes were led by RB Trenton Huston who ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns, QB Hunter Long added 104 yards rushing and three touchdowns, while adding 64 yards on the ground. Hawley’s defense was the story last week as the Bearcats contained the big play ability of Coleman in a 21-7 win Friday night in front of a massive crowd at Abilene Wylie. Hawley’s offense didn’t light the scoreboard up, but they were efficient all night long and made big plays to convert several third and long situations. Hawley’s offensive balance combined with their ability to defend the run makes the difference in this showdown which should again have a large turnout. Stepp’s Pick: Hawley by 6

Shiner (13-0) vs Refugio (13-0), 7 p.m. Thursday at Victoria’s Memorial Stadium: It’s the showdown everyone has been waiting for in 2A-Divison I Region IV as for the third straight year Shiner and Refugio meet in the playoffs as undefeated teams. Both teams have been absolutely dominant all season long with Shiner’s closest game being a 14-point win over a much larger school in San Antonio Davenport, while Refugio’s closest game was a 17-point win over Edna. Both of those games were back in September, so there’s a lot of questions about how these two will react when playing someone in their weight class. Last week Shiner pummeled Schulenburg 67-21 as Dalton Brooks ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns and added 32 receiving yards for good measure, Doug Brooks ran for 168 yards and two touchdowns. The only negative for Shiner on the night were three lost fumbles, the Comanches must clean that up this week. Refugio on the other hand drilled Ganado 54-7, freshman QB Kelan Brown was outstanding in the win throwing for 215 yards and five touchdowns and a trio of Refugio backs combined for 203 yards rushing and three touchdowns. This will be a big atmosphere down in Victoria, it’s easily the biggest game to come to that city in years, all the typical cliché terms can apply here, when these two get together its always fireworks. Refugio’s ability to defend the run has been key this year, the Bobcats will win this game if they can put Shiner in 3rd and five yards or more consistently. If Refugio can do that, they’ll wear Shiner’s defense down and the Bobcats athletes will make plays in space. Stepp’s Pick: Refugio by 2

Windthorst (12-1) vs Albany (12-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Graham’s Newton Field: It's a 2020 rematch in the 2A-Division II regional final as Windthorst takes on Albany. Windthorst took out the Lions in the regional semi-finals on route to a state title, so Albany will be looking for a measure of revenge to go along with a regional title. After pulling out the win against rival Archer City in the Area round by just two points, Windthorst demolished Santo 40-7. Junior running back Clay Hoff led the way with 112 yards and two of Windthorst’s six rushing touchdowns. Albany went to war with Muenster taking the win 34-21 in impressive fashion. Quarterback Cole Chapman was effective through the air with 176 yards and two touchdowns. While running back Jaheim Newton pounded the ground with 162 yards and a touchdown. Albany was able to outlast Muenster, a team Windthorst fell short of a comeback against earlier in the year. The key for this matchup will be whoever can come out the offensive gate quicker. In both teams’ matchup with Muenster the team that got to a lead at halftime, took the win home at the final whistle. DCTF Intern Joshua Price’s Pick: Albany by 3