Preview and prediction for the best TXHSFB games of Week 3:

Lubbock Estacado (1-1) at Canyon West Plains (1-1): Estacado heads north on I-27 into the Texas Panhandle to take on Canyon West Plains in a battle of teams who are difficult to get a read on through two weeks. Estacado under first year head coach Eric Ward got handled with relative ease last week in a 41-21 loss to Hereford, the Matadors jumped out early 7-0 but then the defense simply couldn’t generate stops against the potent Whitefaces attack. West Plains was dominant a week ago as they blasted an overmatched Clint Horizon squad 63-14, RB Kane White-Tinsley accounted for a touchdown rushing and a receiving touchdown for the Wolves who will rely heavily on the experience and leadership of QB Reid Macon while their young skill players mature. Estacado’s offense early in the year has really struggled and on the road they could struggle against a West Plains bunch that may have figured some things out last week. Stepp’s Pick: Canyon West Plains by 11

Kilgore (2-0) at Gilmer (0-2): Defending state champion Gilmer is in real danger of starting the season 0-3 as the Buckeyes will host a Kilgore squad boasting one of the state’s top defensive units regardless of classification. Kilgore handled Class 5A Whitehouse last week 27-7 as the Bulldogs were led by QB Kayson Brooks who threw a pair of touchdown passes, one going to Michigan commit Jayden Sanders, while the Kilgore defense held Whitehouse to just a dozen first half yards. Gilmer after a shocking season opening loss to Longview Pine Tree, looked much more like their usual selves in a tough 33-29 loss to Tyler Chapel Hill. QB Brady McCown looked much more comfortable in his second game in Gilmer as he tossed three touchdown passes and the Buckeyes defense put together a solid effort against one of the most dynamic offensive units in Texas. The challenge this week is much different because of Kilgore’s physicality and speed at all levels of the defense, the Bulldogs aren’t an offensive juggernaut but they do enough to get the job done once again. Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 6

Alice (1-1) at Sinton (2-0): Alice will hit the road this week after the Coyotes took one on the chin at home in a disappointing 37-7 loss to Corpus Christi Calallen. Alice’s offense was totally stymied by Calallen as the Coyotes only tallied 176 yards of offense and one score in the third quarter when the game was basically out of reach. Sinton improved to 2-0 after a win over a strong Port Lavaca Calhoun 35-21, QB Triston Handson ran for two scores and threw for another, while RB Derek Garcia added two scores on the ground to help Sinton pull away in the second half. Expect a spirited effort from an Alice squad that has to be a bit embarrassed after last week’s showing, but this Sinton team is among the best they’ve had in a long time and Pirate fans think they could contend in Region IV. Stepp’s Pick: Sinton by 10

Seminole (2-0) at Sweetwater (1-1): Most of the talk in 4A-Division II Region I centers around teams like Brock and Glen Rose, but a power out of the Permian Basin may be emerging as Seminole is off to a roaring 2-0 start with a pair of statement wins. The Indians after blowing away Canyon West Plains in the opener won a slugfest with 3A power Shallowater last week 14-10. The Indians got a pair of first quarter touchdowns and that held up as the defense did the rest, they’ll get a test from an athletic Sweetwater offense that’s full of playmakers. Sweetwater trailed 19-8 at the half last week, but the Mustangs rallied with three second half touchdowns to escape Midland with a 29-25 win over Greenwood. Korda Moore ran for 114 yards and two scores and QB Caiden Ortiz threw for 99 yards and a touchdown to lead Sweetwater. Expect Seminole and QB Wyatt Holstrom to get the offense in gear this week and run away from the Mustangs on the road. Stepp’s Pick: Seminole by 15

Madisonville (2-0) at Malakoff (2-0): Madisonville made a foray into the Class 4A-Division II state rankings after taking down Navasota 27-20 in a thriller that went into overtime. RB Phillip Green had a pair of touchdown runs, including the game winner for Madisonville in OT as the Mustangs defense got the stop on the ensuing Navasota drive. Defending 3A-Division I state champion Malakoff has started the season out in impressive fashion as the Tigers last week went on the road to 4A Lorena and took down the Leopards 34-14. QB Mike Jones tossed a pair of touchdown passes, while RB Jason Tennyson had a touchdown reception and touchdown run as Malakoff pulled away late. Madisonville’s athletes will match what Malakoff brings to the table, but the difference is at QB where Jones is just a gamer and finds ways to get his team in the right spots. Stepp’s Pick: Malakoff by 8

Shallowater (1-1) at Clyde (1-1): Both teams come into this matchup fresh off loses although on paper Shallowater’s loss is one you can live with as the Mustangs dropped a heartbreaker at home 14-10 to Class 4A Seminole. The Mustangs trailed early 14-0 and were able to close the gap to four points, but SHS could never get over the hump as Seminole’s defense bowed up in crunch time. Clyde after a heart-stopping Week 1 win over Cisco failed to keep the momentum going as Eastland rolled to a 35-14 win. Clyde’s offense was totally shut down as the Bulldogs managed only two first downs on the night and aside from an 82-yard TD run from Miles Wisher, Clyde managed just 75-yards of offense. The Bulldogs other score came courtesy of an 85-yard kickoff return from Kendrick Johnson. Shallowater’s defense is one of the most underrated in the state and that group carries the Mustangs in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Shallowater by 16

Muleshoe (2-0) at New Home (1-1): High-powered Mulehsoe showed just how explosive their offense can be as the Mules ripped past Lamesa 74-42. QB Nathan Martens tallied 335 yards through the air and five touchdowns, with RB Jose Sigala rushing for 154 yards and three scores and WR Mauricio Herrera adding 158 receiving yards and three touchdowns for MHS. The offense is absolutely one of the best on the South Plains, but the defense will need to improve if the Mules want to make a playoff run. A young New Home squad is making the move to Class 2A-Division I this alignment and after opening the year with a win over 4A Lubbock Liberty, the Leopards offense went silent in the second half of a 23-21 loss to rival Ropesville. Unfortunately for NHHS it could be a long night trying to wrangle this explosive Muleshoe attack. Stepp’s Pick: Muleshoe by 18

Stratford (1-1) at Sunray (2-0): Stratford coming off a surprising loss to Panhandle last week will look to bounce back this week against an equally challenging opponent in Sunray. Last week in the 33-27 loss to Panhandle, QB Brice Braden was outstanding throwing for 222 yards and he added 177 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. The Stratford offense struggled in overtime and Panhandle was able to find the end zone and get their first win in Stratford in nearly forty years, the loss also snapped Stratford’s 27-game regular season winning streak. Sunray was absolutely dominant in a 39-0 win over Abernathy last week, QB Armando Lujan led the Bobcats throwing for 307 yards and three touchdowns. Sunray’s defense which has made major strides over the past few years limited Abernathy to 144 yards of offense and forced four turnovers. This was an absolute battle when these two met a year ago and I expect similar, it’s a total coin flip game, but I’m playing the odds and thinking there’s no way Stratford loses two straight. Stepp’s Pick: Stratford by 2

Quick Picks

Glen Rose (2-0) at Brownwood (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Glen Rose by 12

Gunter (1-1) at Celina (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Celina by 18

Vidor (1-1) at Hamshire-Fannett (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Hamshire-Fannett by 13

Sunnyvale (1-1) at Caddo Mills (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Sunnyvale by 4

Lindale (2-0) at Van (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Van by 2

Waco La Vega (1-1) vs West Orange-Stark (1-1) at Madisonville Stepp’s Pick: Waco La Vega by 10

Tatum (2-0) at Newton (0-2) Stepp’s Pick: Tatum by 7

Refugio (2-0) at Edna (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Edna by 3

Tidehaven (1-1) at Hallettsville (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Tidehaven by 5

Muenster (1-1) at Windthorst (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Muenster by 1

Last Week: 12-8 60.0%

Season: 27-13 67.5%