Midland (9-2) vs. Trophy Club Nelson (11-0), 6 p.m. Friday at Midland’s Astound Broadband Stadium: Midland High will look to keep its dream season alive with a second straight home game, but things get much tougher for the Bulldogs as they welcome in undefeated Byron Nelson.

MHS knocked off El Paso Americas last week, 31-21, as the Bulldogs ball control offense held Americas to just 13 first half plays and helped them race out to a 24-7 halftime lead. QB Stroman Bridges ran for a score and threw for another score in the win.

Byron Nelson made quick work of Crowley last week as the Bobcats rolled to a 52-28 win in a game that wasn’t that close as Crowley scored three window dressing touchdowns late.

QB Tom Von Grote threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns and added a touchdown on the ground. The dagger for the Byron defense came late in the first half as Oklahoma State DB commit David Kabongo had a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Midland’s a big underdog in this one, but its offensive scheme and ball control style makes the Bulldogs a tough matchup. Byron Nelson’s veteran defense will need to win early downs and force Midland into obvious passing situations. The West Texas wind could hamper the Bobcats dynamic passing game, but their dominance up front should off-set that to a large degree.

Stepp’s Pick: Trophy Club Nelson by 17

 

Wylie East (10-1) vs. DeSoto (10-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium: Wylie East has slowly improved as a program in Marcus Gold’s tenure as a head coach and the chance for a signature, program-defining win is here as the Raiders take on defending 6A-Division II state champion DeSoto, which ended the season as the state’s second ranked team.

Last week wasn’t pretty, but the Raiders were able to escape at home with a 23-14 win over Tyler Legacy. Michael Henderson, III ran for two scores and the East defense held Tyler Legacy to just 155 yards of offense.

DeSoto looked primed and ready for a repeat last week as the Eagles soared past Killeen Harker Heights 50-10 at home behind a bruising running game as Marvin Duffey and Tiger Riden combined for 224 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.

DeSoto raced out to a 43-3 halftime lead and played backups for most of the second half.

Wylie East’s only shot in this one is if its defense plays lights out. The Raiders have to find a way to deal with a massive DeSoto offensive line while at the same time try to contain DJ Bailey and a trio of electric receivers. It’s a tall task for a team that doesn’t have much playoff pedigree and I think Friday night the mountain will just be too steep.

Stepp’s Pick: DeSoto by 27

 

San Antonio Harlan (11-0) vs. Harlingen (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Corpus Christi’s Cabaniss Stadium: Unbeaten Harlan was nearly stunned at home last week as it had to hold off a heroic effort from Eagle Pass in a 27-20 win.

The Hawks rolled up well over 400 yards offense and punted just once on the night, but three turnovers kept the underdogs from Eagle Pass in the game.

Harlingen (by its standards) had a bit of a down year finishing third in 32-6A, but the Cardinals are a proud program that is experienced in these playoff showdowns with San Antonio area teams. They had no troubles last week in an easy 42-0 win over Edinburg as sophomore RB Noah Huerta ran for three touchdowns and QB Drew Kornegay tossed two touchdowns to lead a balanced Cardinals attack.

Harlingen’s aggressive defense will have to be at its best to control a dynamic cast of skill players from Harlan. The Hawks should cruise to the win if they take care of the football, but Harlingen’s pulled an upset or two over Alamo City teams in the past. Is this one of those weeks?

Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Harlan by 7

 

Abilene (9-2) vs. Denton Ryan (8-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Fort Worth’s Crowley ISD Stadium: Two of the hottest teams in 5A-Division I hook up in south Fort Worth in what expects to be an absolute thriller as the winner likely emerges as Aledo’s chief challenger in Region I.

Abilene High put up some eye-popping numbers last week in its 84-14 demolition derby of El Paso Hanks. Sophomore speedster Brayden Henry accounted for four touchdowns, while the return of RB Antoine Rashaw will bolster an already explosive offense attack with WR Ryland Bradford and tough running Chad Lara leading the charge.

Denton Ryan’s defense has continued to improve throughout the season and going to QB Braden Mussett full-time has given the Raiders an offensive identity to pair with an underrated defense.

The Raiders rolled past Lake Belton 38-13 last week as the trio of Mussett and RB’s Nemo Warmate and Tre’Vaughn Reynolds combined to rush for 357 yards and four touchdowns. Lake Belton was held to just 156 yards of offense in the loss as well.

This game comes down to pace. Abilene will want to push the tempo and get Ryan into a shootout and put them into situations where Mussett must throw the ball.

Ryan’s dominance in the trenches will be the key in this one and that will be the edge that gets them to Thanksgiving football.

Stepp’s Pick: Denton Ryan by 7

 

Longview (10-1) vs. Frisco Reedy (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Mesquite’s Memorial Stadium: Longview heads back to DFW this week where it expects to have a large and rowdy crowd in Mesquite.

Longview tangles with a Frisco Reedy team that doesn’t impress on the initial eyeball test or even on the stat sheet, but the Lions have proven over the past two years they simply know how to win.

Longview opened the playoffs in style with a 59-7 rout of New Caney Porter a week ago. The Lobos defense allowed just five yards in the first half, while the offense was humming along with QB Andrew Tutt throwing two touchdown passes and Oklahoma commit Taylor Tatum, who added 83 yards rushing and a touchdown in just one half of action.

Oklahoma State DB commit Willie Nelson returned an interception for a touchdown and had a punt return for a touchdown.

Frisco Reedy rolled past Carrollton Smith 52-14 last week as the Lions blew a close game at halftime wide open in the third quarter with three touchdowns in nine plays from scrimmage. Reedy ran for over 300 yards on the night with RB Triston Airy running for 104 yards and two touchdowns, while WR Mason Easley hauled in two touchdown passes.

Reedy has made a living over the past two seasons winning close games, but this Longview defense is playing at such an elite level at the moment it’ll be tough for the Lions to consistently do much and eventually that Longview ground game will overwhelm the Lions.

Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 14

 

Alamo Heights (11-0) vs. Gregory-Portland (9-2), 2 p.m. Saturday at San Antonio’s Alamodome: Gregory-Portland comes into the Alamo City to take on unbeaten Alamo Heights for the second straight year in the area round of the playoffs.

Alamo Heights opened the playoffs with a comfortable 69-21 win over Lockhart. QB Colin Ernst ran for 89 yards and a touchdown, and he added 184 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Michael Terry, III added 152 yards rushing and three touchdowns to pace the Mules offense.

Gregory-Portland ripped past upstart Roma, 55-17, as the Wildcats raced out to a 35-3 lead at halftime and never looked back.

Last year AHHS rolled to an easy win over Gregory-Portland primarily because the Mules dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball. That gap up front has closed between the two teams, but Alamo Heights appears to the most complete team in Region IV and they pull away in the fourth to get to the third round for the third straight year.

Stepp’s Pick: Alamo Heights by 13

 

Quick Picks

Odessa Permian (7-4) vs. North Crowley (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium Stepp’s Pick: North Crowley by 28

Prosper (10-1) vs. Richardson Lake Highlands (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Melissa’s Kenny Deel Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Prosper by 11

Midland Legacy (9-2) vs. Euless Trinity (7-4), 4 p.m. Saturday at Bedford’s Pennington Field Stepp’s Pick: Euless Trinity by 6

Allen (7-4) vs. Arlington Martin (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Southlake’s Dragon Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Allen by 9

Rockwall-Heath (9-2) vs. Duncanville (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday at McKinney’s McKinney ISD Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Duncanville by 33

The Woodlands (8-3) vs. Klein Collins (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Shenandoah’s Woodforest Bank Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Klein Collins by 8

Rockwall (10-1) vs. Waxahachie (9-2), 1 p.m. Saturday at Allen’s Eagle Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Rockwall by 5

Spring Westfield (9-2) vs. Klein Cain (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Tomball’s Tomball ISD Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Klein Cain by 3

Galena Park North Shore (11-0) vs. Clear Springs (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Galena Park’s Galena Park ISD Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 20

Houston Lamar (11-0) vs. Fort Bend Ridge Point (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Houston’s Delmar Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Houston Lamar by 2

Humble Atascocita (9-2) vs. Pearland (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Pearland’s The Rig Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Humble Atascocita by 7

Lake Travis (9-2) vs. San Antonio Johnson (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at San Marcos’ Bobcat Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Lake Travis by 13

San Antonio Brennan (9-2) vs. PSJA (8-3), 6 p.m. Friday at Pharr’s PSJA Stadium Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Brennan by 14

Laredo United (9-2) vs. San Benito (10-1), 1 p.m. Saturday at Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Stadium Stepp’s Pick: San Benito by 10

Wolfforth Frenship (9-2) vs. Southlake Carroll (10-1), 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Abilene’s Wildcat Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Southlake Carroll by 18

McKinney (9-2) vs. Highland Park (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Dallas’ Ford Stadium Stepp’s Pick: McKinney by 3

Coppell (11-0) vs. Dallas Jesuit (8-3), 7 p.m. Thursday at Frisco’s Ford Center Stepp’s Pick: Coppell by 10

Willis (11-0) vs. Tomball Memorial (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Porter’s Randall Reed Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Willis by 10

North Forney (9-2) vs. Cedar Hill (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Mesquite’s Hanby Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Cedar Hill by 13

Conroe Oak Ridge (8-3) vs. Tomball (7-4), 4 p.m. Saturday at Porter’s Randall Reed Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Conroe Oak Ridge by 6

Houston Stratford (8-3) vs. Richmond George Ranch (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Houston’s Tully Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Richmond George Ranch by 11

Humble Summer Creek (10-1) vs. Clear Creek (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at League City’s Veterans Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Humble Summer Creek by 15

Houston Heights (8-3) vs. Fort Bend Hightower (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Sugar Land’s Hall Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Fort Bend Hightower by 17

Sheldon C.E. King (8-3) vs. Clear Falls (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Webster’s Challenger-Columbia Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Clear Falls by 8

Round Rock McNeil (7-4) vs. Cibolo Steele (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at San Marcos’ Rattler Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Cibolo Steele by 19

Dripping Springs (9-2) vs. Converse Judson (4-7), 2 p.m. Saturday at Converse’s Rutledge Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Dripping Springs by 24

San Antonio Jay (9-2) vs. Weslaco (11-0), 1 p.m. Saturday at Laredo’s Shirley Field Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Jay by 6

Amarillo Tascosa (5-6) vs. Justin Northwest (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Abilene’s Wildcat Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Justin Northwest by 14

Aledo (11-0) vs. Lubbock Cooper (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Wichita Falls’ Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Aledo by 23

Red Oak (11-0) vs. Amarillo (6-5), 2 p.m. Saturday at Wichita Falls’ Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Red Oak by 9

Richland (11-0) vs. Barbers Hill (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Hutto’s Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Richland by 6

Frisco Lone Star (10-1) vs. Forney (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Allen’s Eagle Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Lone Star by 2

Lancaster (6-5) vs. Frisco Wakeland (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at North Richland Hills’ Birdville FAAC Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Wakeland by 1

Angleton (7-4) vs. Cedar Park (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Waller’s Waller ISD Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Cedar Park by 7

Fulshear (11-0) vs. College Station A&M Consolidated (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Rosenberg’s Traylor Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Fulshear by 10

College Station (10-1) vs. Magnolia (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at College Station’s Cougar Field Stepp’s Pick: College Station by 15

Smithson Valley (10-1) vs. Magnolia West (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Temple’s Wildcat Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Smithson Valley by 11

Victoria West (5-6) vs. Harlingen South (8-3), 2 p.m. Saturday at Corpus Christi’s Cabaniss Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Harlingen South by 2

PSJA North (11-0) vs. Victoria East (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Corpus Christi’s Danaher Stadium Stepp’s Pick: PSJA North by 18

Brownsville Veterans Memorial (9-2) vs. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial by 5

Canutillo (9-2) vs. Frisco Emerson (9-2), 4 p.m. Friday at Lubbock’s Lowrey Field Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Emerson by 13

Wichita Falls Rider (9-2) vs. Lake Dallas (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Mineral Wells’ Ram Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Wichita Falls Rider by 10

Argyle (8-2) vs. Abilene Wylie (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Stephenville’s Tarleton Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Argyle by 14

Colleyville Heritage (10-1) vs. Abilene Cooper (5-6), 7 p.m. Friday at Mansfield’s Newsom Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Colleyville Heritage by 16

Midlothian Heritage (11-0) vs. Marshall (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Athens’ Bruce Field Stepp’s Pick: Midlothian Heritage by 21

Lovejoy (10-1) vs. Ennis (5-6), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Dallas’ Wildcat-Ram Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Lovejoy by 20

Texarkana Texas High (10-1) vs. Mansfield Summit (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Sulphur Springs’ Prim Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Texas High by 3

Port Neches-Groves (10-1) vs. Leander Rouse (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Katy’s Legacy Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Port Neches-Groves by 16

Montgomery Lake Creek (11-0) vs. Austin Crockett (7-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Giddings’ Buffalo Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Montgomery Lake Creek by 28

Belton (10-1) vs. Richmond Randle (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Brenham’s Cub Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Belton by 1

Austin LBJ (8-2) vs. Huntsville (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Waco’s Waco ISD Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Huntsville by 4

San Antonio Pieper (10-1) vs. Mission Veterans Memorial (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Laredo’s Shirley Field Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Pieper by 21

Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (9-2) vs. San Antonio Veterans Memorial (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Converse’s Rutledge Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Flour Bluff by 7

Mission Sharyland Pioneer (10-1) vs. Liberty Hill (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Farris Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Liberty Hill by 20

 

Last Week Record: 14-6 70.0%

Season Record: 140-60 70.0%