China Spring (3-0) at Waco Connally (3-0): It’s a state ranked showdown of unbeaten teams in Central Texas on Friday night as China Spring riding a 19-game winning streak visits Waco Connally. China Spring after getting a real test in Week 2 from 5A Melissa, had no such trouble last week as the Cougars blasted Mexia 63-7. ATH Tre Hafford did a little bit of everything for the Cougars in the win tallying 253 offensive yards, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception and he hauled in a touchdown pass as CSHS raced out to a 42-0 halftime lead and cruised with backups in the second half. Waco Connally the last two weeks has been pushed by Waco La Vega and Cameron Yoe, but the Cadets have found a way to win both times as last week they escaped Cameron with a 45-40 win over Yoe. RB Kiefer Sibley scored with 26 seconds left to lift Connally to the victory after they blew a 39-20 lead in the fourth quarter. The big concern heading into this one is the status of Waco Connally QB/DB Jelani McDonald who left the game in the second half with an injury. If the Oklahoma State commit can’t play, then I think this one gets ugly. I don’t think the Connally coaches are going to take that risk with McDonald in a non-district contest, look for China Spring big in this one. Stepp’s Pick: China Spring by 21

Corpus Christi Calallen (3-0) at Cuero (3-0): It’ll be a rocking atmosphere Friday night in Cuero as state ranked Calallen comes to Gobbler Country in a headline matchup in South Texas. Calallen put together what is easily their best performance of the young season as the Wildcats rolled past Corpus Christi Flour Bluff 40-7 a week ago. QB Bryce Burnett led the Wildcats offense with two touchdowns on the ground and two through the air, while Calallen’s defense was stellar holding Flour Bluff to just 202 yards of offense and only 65 yards on the ground. Cuero absolutely decimated DeWitt County rivals Yoakum last week to the tune of a lopsided 75-6 win. Everything went right for the Gobblers in the win as QB Mason Notaro threw for four touchdowns and ran for another score, RB Tycen Williams ran for three touchdowns and had a touchdown reception and the Cuero defense once again was lights out. This Cuero team has the look of a state title contender once again and despite the fact that Calallen looks like a great team in their own right, beating Cuero at home is going to be a tall order. Stepp’s Pick: Cuero by 12

Franklin (3-0) at Jasper (2-1): Unbeaten and top ranked in 3A-Division I Franklin got a real scare last week, but the Lions passed the test knocking off Diboll 35-23. FHS trailed early 10-0, but a pair of touchdowns from Baylor commit Bryson Washington and a pair of touchdowns from Jayden Jackson propelled Franklin past a tough Diboll bunch. It doesn’t get much easier for the Lions this week as they tangle with a dangerous Class 4A team in Jasper who struggled on offense last week in a 20-6 loss to Newton. Jasper’s defense was solid all night, but two Newton third quarter touchdowns broke open a 6-6 game and Jasper never could get things going. Jasper is young, but dangerous and talented, so Franklin can’t afford a slow start like last week. If Franklin gets out of the gate quickly they should take care of business on the road. Stepp’s Pick: Franklin by 11

West Orange-Stark (2-1) at Newton (2-1): One of the best non-district rivalries in the Golden Triangle is renewed this week as West Orange-Stark heads north into Newton to take on the Eagles. The Mustangs come into this one smarting a bit as they were knocked off by Class 5A Port Neches-Groves 27-6. There’s no way to sugar coat last week’s game. West Orange-Stark got dominated start to finish in every phase of the game in the loss, so expect the Mustangs to come into this one in a foul mood. Newton after a surprising Week 2 loss to Woodville got back on track last week as the Eagles knocked off a good Jasper team 20-6 at home behind three touchdowns from Leighton Foster. I don’t have a great read on this game, but I think West Orange-Stark comes out and plays with a bit more purpose and focus this week after last week’s poor effort. Stepp’s Pick: West Orange-Stark by 6

Gunter (2-0) at Brock (0-3): If you just looked at the records of these two teams one would think on paper that Gunter would roll past winless Brock. However, Brock’s record is deceiving as the Eagles have played three straight top ten teams in Class 4A to open the season the last two weeks they’ve been single digit losses, so Brock is going to be a team to be reckoned with. In last week’s 32-23 loss to Wimberley the Eagles outgained Wimberley, but three key turnovers and a 23-point WHS explosion in the second quarter doomed the Eagles. Gunter didn’t play in Week 1, but the Tigers have been absolutely dominant in Week 2 and 3 outscoring two opponents 107-6. In last week’s 41-0 win over Trinity Christian-Addison four different Tigers found the end zone and the Gunter defense yielded just 192 yards of offense and forced four turnovers. Gunter’s been dominant but their early level of competition hasn’t been great, while Brock has punched up three weeks in a row. Roles are reversed this week with Gunter having to do the punching up. Despite the brutal schedule, Brock comes into this one relatively healthy and I think the Eagles scratch and claw and get their first win of the season. Stepp’s Pick: Brock by 3

Coleman (3-0) at Llano (3-0): State ranked Coleman in 2A-Division I takes a big step up this week as the Bluecats travel to Llano to take on unbeaten Llano out of 3A-Division I. Coleman blasted Brady 56-24 a week ago as QB Jadin Jackson led the barrage for CHS, rushing for 148 yard and two touchdowns while passing for 185 yards and a touchdown as well. Llano blasted Austin Crockett 57-13 last week in game that the ‘Jackets led 28-0 after one quarter and emptied the bench. As long as Llano contains Jackson and not let him run wild, the ‘Jackets depth and size in the trenches will wear Coleman down. Stepp’s Pick: Llano by 14

Hawley (3-0) at Albany (3-0): It’s a Big Country showdown of state ranked 2A teams in the Abilene area, Hawley the second ranked team in 2A-Division I has dominated early in the year with three straight lopsided wins over 3A opponents, including a 36-12 win over Eastland. RB Austin Cumpton is a force for the HHS offense and his return from injury makes Hawley a legitimate state title contender, he ran for 247 yards and four touchdowns in the win last week. Albany got a much tougher than expected test from Seymour last week, but the Lions escaped with a 27-13 victory. Adam Hill ran for 163 yards and two touchdowns, while London Fuentes chipped in 55 yards and another score. Hawley’s going to get pushed by a scrappy Albany squad, but the Bearcats just bring too much talent and depth to the table for Albany to handle. Stepp’s Pick: Hawley by 11

Quick Picks

Kaufman (2-1) at Athens (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Athens by 2

Rusk (3-0) at Alvarado (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Rusk by 4

Andrews (3-0) at Seminole (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Andrews by 6

Gilmer (3-0) at Lindale (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Gilmer by 11

Cameron Yoe (2-1) at Bellville (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Bellville by 14

Orangefield (2-1) at Woodville (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Woodville by 9

Comanche (3-0) at Tolar (3-0)  Stepp’s Pick: Comanche by 3

Tioga (2-1) at Howe (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Tioga by 8

Mart (3-0) at Centerville (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Mart by 18

Henrietta (3-0) at Archer City (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Archer City by 4