North Crowley (14-0) vs. Duncanville (12-1), 3 p.m. Saturday at Mesquite’s Memorial Stadium: North Crowley, the newest power in the DFW area, will look to firmly establish itself as one of the state’s elites this week against defending 6A-Division I state champion Duncanville.

Last week, North Crowley got a big push from an Allen squad that had stomach for the fight, but the Panthers were able to escape with a 49-37 win.

QB Chris Jimmerson, a TCU commit, had a big afternoon for the Panthers throwing for 165 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 80 yards on the ground and a touchdown. The North Crowley running game did damage as well with Ashton Searl and Cornelius Warren combined for 221 yards and three rushing scores. Warren, who is a Power 5 recruit at running back, has missed the past several games with an injury and his return gives NCHS another dynamic weapon.

Duncanville sent a message to the entire state that it is indeed still the favorite to win a state title as Reginald Samples’ ball club absolutely dismantled Spring Westfield, 70-28.

DHS led 56-6 in the second quarter before taking its foot off the gas. QB Keelon Russell threw for 238 yards and two scores, while LSU RB commit RB Caden Durham ran for 120 yards and two scores and added 86 receiving yards and a touchdown for a Duncanville team that forced four first half turnovers.

If Duncanville plays that well, there’s very few teams in the country that can play with them, much less Texas. North Crowley is good enough to test DHS at the skill spots, but in the trenches, Duncanville has a big edge.

Stepp’s Pick: Duncanville by 14

Galena Park North Shore (14-0) vs. Austin Westlake (14-0), 3 p.m. Saturday at Pflugerville’s The Pfield: Two of the state’s top five teams meet up in the state semifinals for the third time in four years. Westlake won the first meeting in 2020 and North Shore got the rematch last year.

This time the Mustangs will have to leave the friendly confines of the Houston area and play near Westlake’s backyard.

Both teams are fresh off close wins over district opponents last week. North Shore won its eighth straight game over Humble Atascocita, 34-28, which proved to be a game of runs. North Shore got down early 14-0, then scored the next 34 points and then hung on down the stretch for the six-point win.

QB Kaleb Bailey had two touchdown passes and added a pair of touchdown runs to pace the Mustangs in the close win.

Austin Westlake continued its own recent domination over a district rival as the Chaps knocked off Lake Travis, 21-14. RB Jack Kayser ran for a pair of touchdowns and sophomore QB Rees Wise added a touchdown pass for a Westlake offense that found the going tough against a stout Lake Travis defense. But Westlake’s defense is outstanding as well and they were up to the task.

The key question this week for Westlake is can they contain the dynamic playmaking of North Shore at bay. QB Bailey is such a weapon for the Mustangs and his ability extend plays with his feet and hit the deep ball makes him one of the state’s most dangerous weapons. He’s the difference as he'll send the Mustangs to their fifth state title game in the past six years.

Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 9

Humble Summer Creek (13-1) vs. Cibolo Steele (13-1), 4 p.m. Saturday at Waco’s McLane Stadium: It’s a Houston vs. San Antonio showdown at Baylor as Summer Creek, fresh off a thrilling 35-31 win over Fort Bend Hightower, takes on the Alamo City’s top team in Steele.

This game is loaded with high level prospects on both sides, so expect fireworks.

Summer Creek RB Lloyd Avant tallied three rushing touchdowns on the afternoon, none bigger than his one-yard run with less than 30 seconds remaining to help the Bulldogs rally from a 31-20 fourth quarter deficit to win the game.

Steele got a push of its own as the Knights held off a late rally from Dripping Springs to escape the Alamodome with a 28-21 win.

The Knights skill players were key as sophomore RB Jonathan Hatton ran for 124 yards and a touchdown, while WR’s Jalen Cooper and Royal Cappell combined for 154 receiving yards with each grabbing a touchdown reception.

The Knights ball-hawking secondary also had a big night with three interceptions. They’ll need another big effort this week to pull the upset over a strong Summer Creek squad looking to get its first ever trip to the state championship game.

Stepp’s Pick: Humble Summer Creek by 8

Aledo (14-0) vs. Forney (13-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Midlothian’s Midlothian ISD Stadium: Unbeaten and top ranked Aledo will look to secure a spot in the state title game. To do so, the Bearcats need to take down a battle -tested Forney squad that plays in one of the state’s best districts.

Aledo got off to a fast start last week and after an Abilene rally in the second quarter, the Bearcats cruised to a 56-21 win. TCU QB commit Hauss Hejny led the charge for Aledo with 216 passing yards and three touchdowns; he added 103 yards on the ground and a score.

LSU LB commit Davhon Keys led a strong Aledo defense and added a pair of short touchdown runs as well in a dominant performance.

Forney had its second close call in the playoffs, but the Jackrabbits proved they have championship mettle as they held off a red-hot Lancaster squad for a 43-41 double overtime win. Notably, that was Forney’s second overtime win over Lancaster this season.

Sophomore RB Javian Osbourne ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns, while Oregon DB commit Aaron Flowers had an interception return for a touchdown to help Forney’s cause.

Forney has some big-time front-line talent with Osbourne, Flowers and LB Kelvion Riggins, but Aledo has a big edge in two key areas - QB and big-game experience. Bearcats cruise towards state title No. 12 this week.

Stepp’s Pick: Aledo by 13

Smithson Valley (13-1) vs. Brownsville Veterans Memorial (12-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Stadium: The Rio Grande Valley has themselves a state semifinalist after Brownsville Veterans Memorial pulled off an improbable comeback over Corpus Christi Miller, 35-28. \

Can the Chargers keep it going against Smithson Valley?

The Rangers are a perennial power out of the San Antonio area and has spent most of the year in the state rankings. Last week, SVHS rallied from a late second quarter 17-0 hole to escape an upset bid from College Station A&M Consolidated, 31-24.

 The key stretch for the Rangers was the last three minutes of the first half where a Brad Sowersby touchdown run and a Jackson Duffey pick six turned the 17-0 hole into a manageable 17-14 halftime deficit. The Rangers would take the lead for good on Sowersby’s nine-yard touchdown run with 3:25 left.

Trailing 28-7 going into the fourth quarter, Brownsville Vets would rattle off an improbable 28-straight points in less than 10 minutes of game time to stun Miller.

QB Storm Montoya ran for four touchdowns on the night and two key fourth quarter turnovers turned the tide for the Chargers to hit rarified air for a team from the Valley.

The test this week is easily Brownsville Vets’ biggest of the season as Smithson Valley poses a major challenge up front on both sides of the ball and on the edge with Texas WR commit WR Freddie DuBose as a dynamic weapon.

The equalizer for Brownsville Veterans Memorial is its option-based offense. If they can control the clock and keep Smithson Valley off the field AND if they can get some takeaways, they have a chance to do the unthinkable and play for a state title. But a lot must go right in this one.

Stepp’s Pick: Smithson Valley by 17

Frisco Emerson (12-2) vs. South Oak Cliff (12-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Frisco’s Ford Center: Upstart Frisco Emerson, in just its second season of varsity football, will look to take down back-to-back state champion South Oak Cliff. The Mavericks do have the edge of having this showdown at home.

Emerson’s offense was on fire last week in a 59-48 win over Colleyville Heritage. Oklahoma QB commit Mike Hawkins put the Mavs on his back with 316 passing yards and three touchdowns along with 128 yards rushing and three scores.

WR Kylen Evans was Hawkins’ favorite target with 196 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

South Oak Cliff put together what was easily its best effort of the year last week as the Golden Bears absolutely obliterated Lovejoy, 42-0.

The rushing duo of Danny Green and Khalil Ewell ran for a combined 265 yards and three touchdowns, while QB William Green added 108 yards through the air and a pair of touchdown passes.

SOC’s defense was true bend but don’t break, suffocating an explosive Lovejoy offense in the red zone and pitching a shutout.

Emerson’s dynamic offense is good enough to test SOC more than the Golden Bears have been tested in a while, but their defense struggles at times and SOC’s physical grind you down offense is a challenging matchup for anyone in 5A-Division II.

Stepp’s Pick: South Oak Cliff by 13

Last Week Record: 13-3 81.3%

Playoff Record: 85-27 75.9%

Season Record: 225-87 72.1%