Willis (8-0, 6-0) at The Woodlands (7-2, 7-0): The 13-6A crown will be on the line Thursday night as upstart Willis looks to knock off perennial power The Woodlands in a battle of state ranked teams.

The Wildkats, who have had two weeks to prep for this one, come in with one of the state’s most dangerous offensive attacks. The Willis offense, led by Florida QB commit D.J. Lagway, averages just under 59 points per game.

Willis blasted past Conroe Caney Creek in its last outing, 63-9, as Lagway accounted for four total touchdowns before sitting out most of the second half as the game was well in-hand.

The Woodlands is closing out its regular season this week as the Highlanders have a Week 11 bye. They took on Caney Creek last week and made quick work of their fellow Conroe ISD opponents, winning 62-7. WR Quannell Farrakhan, Jr. had a big night as he had a long touchdown catch, a touchdown run and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Both offenses are among the best in the Houston area. This one will come down to the defenses and it’s a total toss-up. I’m leaning to Willis as I believe the Wildkats may be on a crash course with DeSoto in 6A Region II Division II.

Stepp’s Pick: Willis by 4

San Antonio Brandeis (5-3, 4-2) vs San Antonio Clark (5-4, 4-3): There are playoff implications abound in this 28-6A showdown featuring a pair of Northside ISD programs.

Clark’s regular season finale could be a game it needs to get into the playoffs in the muddled race that is 28-6A. Clark could get into the playoffs with a loss if certain results the next two weeks hold form and they could still miss out on the playoffs with a win if several crazy things happen over the next two weeks.

One thing is certain, Clark greatly improves its chance of securing a playoff spot with a win this week. The Cougars struggled to slow down the running game last week in a 36-21 loss to San Antonio Roosevelt.

Brandeis can’t officially lock up a playoff spot with a win this week, but a win and the right results would clinch for the Broncos.

Brandeis is getting healthy at the right time and that will make them a dangerous team come playoff time. QB Lincoln Philyaw is the conductor of this attack and he’s got a group of outstanding playmakers on the outside led by Jaden Perez and Jaylin Baker.

The bye week will be nothing but a big benefit to Brandeis and the Broncos could roll in this one.

Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Brandeis by 14

Amarillo (4-4, 3-1) at Abilene (7-2, 5-0): Abilene High can wrap up the outright district title and the No. 1 seed from 2-5A Division I with a win over a dangerous Amarillo High squad that’s making a long road trip but is fresh off their bye week.

Amarillo blasted Lubbock Coronado in its last time out, 66-14, as the Sandies passing attack shredded Coronado. WR Oliver Parsons had a career game for Amarillo High with 241 yards receiving and four touchdowns. RB Pius Vokes added balance to the attack with 147 yards and three rushing scores.

Abilene High went on the road last week to Lubbock and rolled to an easy 63-10 win over Coronado as RB Chad Lara ran for three first-half touchdowns to stake Abilene to an early lead and then the Eagles blitzed Coronado with four touchdowns in four touchdowns in the second half to break the game open.

Abilene’s running game was hurt with the loss of Antoine Rashaw for the year, but Lara has been huge in stepping up for the Eagles. Add him and dynamic playmakers Brayden Henry and Ryland Bradford along with a shutdown defense and Abilene High celebrates a district title at home.

Stepp’s Pick: Abilene by 11

Mansfield Timberview (8-0, 6-0) at Richland (8-0, 6-0): In a week full of big showdowns across the state, this 5A showdown in DFW is flying a bit under the radar.

It’s hard to get much from Timberview’s 90-0 (yes NINETY) win last week over Dallas Sunset as the Wolves simply over-matched Sunset from the start. In fact, if you really examine Timberview’s schedule it has not been among the tougher slates in the area; the Wolves have just two wins over teams with a winning record, a 55-14 district win over Carrollton Newman Smith and a 27-7 win over Dallas White back in September.

Richland got pushed by arch-rival Birdville for a half last week as the Royals at one point early were down 18-7. They scored the game’s final 35-points and cruised to a 42-18 win as RB Michael Turner led the charge with 159 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

 Timberview is state-ranked and has the playoff experience from a regional final run a year ago, but Richland is talented enough to push them and make them sweat. Tith the game being in Richland I expect the Royals to push the Wolves, but THS wins a close one. 

Stepp’s Pick: Mansfield Timberview by 6

Manvel (4-4, 3-3) at Fulshear (8-0, 6-0): It’s now or never for powerful Manvel as the Mavericks playoff hopes are on life support after last week’s disappointing 27-21 loss to Magnolia.

At this point Manvel needs to win out and hope to get a little help down the stretch to sneak into the tournament.

Manvel trailed early in the third quarter, 24-7, before a pair of touchdown runs from Kenneth Malone Haynes narrowed the gap.

Fulshear had to wait until Saturday to get its Week 9 game in, but the Chargers made quick work of an overmatched opponent by blasting Fort Bend Kempner, 66-0. RB Davion Godley and the Fulshear offense has been nearly unstoppable all season as Fulshear averages just shy of 52-points per game. They’ll be too much for Manvel in this one as well.

Stepp’s Pick: Fulshear by 15

College Station (7-1, 5-0) at College Station A&M Consolidated (6-2, 4-1): One of the most interesting stats in TXHSFB to me is the fact that A&M Consolidated has never beaten College Station High.

A year ago, it appeared the favored Tigers would get that elusive win, racing out to a 21-0 early lead, but College Station High battled back for a 38-28 win to keep the streak alive.

This time it is College Station who comes into this one as a heavy favorite. In a showdown of district unbeatens last week, the Cougs blasted Georgetown, 63-21, behind 177 yards rushing and five touchdowns from RB Ayden Martinez-Brown.

A&M Consolidated was equally dominant last week going on the road and drilling Georgetown East View, 59-14, as QB Will Hargett combined for five touchdowns as the Tigers roared out to a 49-0 halftime lead before bringing in the backups to play most of the second half.

Both teams are balanced and both teams have playmakers on both sides of the ball. The difference for me is College Station QB Arrington Maiden, a Memphis commit, and College Station High in a lot of ways just has a mental edge over A&M Consolidated.

Stepp’s Pick: College Station by 9

Wichita Falls Rider (6-2, 3-0) at Plainview (5-3, 1-2): Wichita Falls Rider, in its final year of existence, can wrap up one final district title with a win this week over a much-improved Plainview squad that is playing for its playoff lives.

ROHO eased past Amarillo Palo Duro last week, 49-20, as Kenji Johnson ran for 195 yards and three touchdowns, while Elijah Jackson added 56 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Plainview roared out of the gate winning its first four games, but the Bulldogs have stumbled of late dropping three of their last four games. They fell on the road to Abilene Cooper last week, 31-14. Plainview jumped out to an early lead, but the offense sputtered all night with just 191 yards. \

Plainview’s season will in essence come down to its Week 11 showdown with Amarillo Palo Duro where it’s a winner-take all game. The Bulldogs defense keeps them in it against Rider, but the Raiders just have too much depth and overall talent.

Stepp’s Pick: Wichita Falls Rider by 18

Quick Picks

Midland (8-0, 3-0) vs Midland Legacy (6-2, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Midland Legacy by 3

Allen (5-3, 4-1) at Prosper (7-1, 5-0) Stepp’s Pick: Prosper by 6

Klein Collins (7-1, 5-0) at Tomball (6-2, 4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Klein Collins by 14

Manor (4-4, 2-3) at Round Rock Westwood (6-2, 3-2) Stepp’s Pick: Round Rock Westwood by 7

San Benito (8-0, 3-0) at Los Fresnos (6-2, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: San Benito by 5

Tyler (6-2, 3-2) at Longview (7-1, 5-0) Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 19

Port Arthur Memorial (8-0, 6-0) at Barbers Hill (7-1, 5-1) Stepp’s Pick: Port Arthur Memorial by 3

McAllen (6-2, 3-2) vs McAllen Rowe (4-4, 3-2) Stepp’s Pick: McAllen Memorial by 7

Port Neches-Groves (7-1, 5-0) at Nederland (4-4, 4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Port Neches-Groves by 14

San Antonio Veterans Memorial (4-4, 2-2) at Kerrville Tivy (6-2, 2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Kerrville Tivy by 3

Last Week Record: 15-5 75.0%

Season Record: 112-48 70.0%