Dumas (2-0) at Canadian (2-0): It’s been all good for Dumas in the first two weeks of the season as the Demons have been dominant, including last week’s lopsided 51-6 rout of Borger. Things will get much tougher this week as they head out to Canadian to take on the powerhouse Wildcats. Dumas QB Colton Mills threw for 184 yards and a score and added 90 yards on the ground and two scores to power a balanced Dumas offensive attack. The Dumas defense was stout as well as the Demons allowed just 159 yards of total offense. Canadian used tough defense and the connection of sophomore QB Weston Mitchell and senior TE Riggs Pennington to slip past Bushland, 24-14, in a 3A showcase matchup last week. Mitchell and Pennington connected for three scoring tosses. Pennington finished with nine catches for 179 yards, while Mitchell was sensational connecting on 30 of 39 passes for 349 yards and the three scores. Canadian’s young defense has been the story early in the year and that unit is the difference-maker in what should be a close matchup despite Dumas being a much larger school. Stepp’s Pick: Canadian by 3

Robinson (2-0) at Alvarado (1-0): If you like explosive offensive attacks this could be the game for you as the scoreboard is likely to get lit up in Johnson County on Friday night. Robinson’s dynamic duo of QB Brice McCurdy and RB Evan Moreno carried the Rockets once again last week as they rolled to a 55-14 win over Caldwell. Moreno ran for three scores, while McCurdy ran for two scores and threw a touchdown pass in the victory. Alvarado after a dominant 72-7 season opening win over Godley had their game last week against Van Alstyne canceled due to storms that rolled through North Texas on Friday night. The Indians offense will be led by sensational senior RB DeMarcus Belton and a tough defense that brings back eight starters from a regional finalist squad. The lean here is Alvarado because the Indians defense is the key and they are at home, but this might be first team to 40 wins! Stepp’s Pick: Alvarado by 6

Van (2-0) vs Lindale (2-0): This is an old and underrated rivalry in East Texas as Van and Lindale, located just 15 miles apart, renew acquaintances this week. This Van team is very young and after a close Week 1 win over Dallas Carter, the Vandale put together a strong effort with a convincing 38-21 win over Lindale’s district rival Longview Pine Tree last week. QB Rawley Hinch and two-way star DaQuavion Williams are the key catalysts for the Vandals who work behind a veteran offensive line. That offensive line will have their hands full with Lindale DL Kaleb Walker, a Houston commit, who teams with DL Cam Beason to give the Eagles a dynamic duo up front. Last week the Eagles squeaked by 5A Mount Pleasant 28-27 as Lindale’s veteran cast of skill players were up to the task. It’s a rivalry game and anything can happen, but the edge here is with Lindale and that stout defensive front. Stepp’s Pick: Lindale by 7

San Antonio Pieper (1-1) at San Antonio Davenport (2-0): Two of the Alamo City’s fastest growing schools will tangle in an all-Comal ISD affair as 5A Pieper visits 4A Davenport. Pieper was knocked from the 5A-Division I state rankings last week after falling to 6A power San Antonio Johnson, 31-22. QB Tyler LaCombe had some good and bad moments for the Warriors in the loss. He threw for 274 yards and three scores, but the four interceptions on the night was killer for the Warriors upset chances as JHS was set up with some short fields. Davenport put up 52 first-half points last week in an offensive explosion as the Wolves obliterated Kerrville Tivy, 66-13. Davenport’s defense forced five first-half turnovers in the win and RB Barrett Fallon was the more than happy beneficiary of those mistakes as the senior tallied six rushing touchdowns as this game was done and dusted by halftime. It’s an adage as old as time in football, but this game will hinge on turnovers. If Pieper takes care of the ball, their depth should hold up and they’ll beat Davenport. But if there’s a repeat of last week, the 4A Wolves, who are still state ranked, could pull the upset. Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Pieper by 10

Austin LBJ (1-0) at Wimberley (2-0):

After the rare Week 2 bye week, Austin LBJ will get their first big test of the year as they take on perennial 4A-Division II powerhouse Wimberley. The Jags rolled in their season opener by blasting San Antonio Sam Houston 46-13. LBJ raced out to a 20-0 lead after one quarter and simply never looked back. A young Wimberley squad is growing up before our eyes as in Week 1 they showed plenty of fight falling behind to Canyon Lake 35-7 before rallying for a 36-35 win. Last week, after falling behind FHS 21-14 on the first play of the fourth quarter, WHS rallied to score the game’s final 14 points to escape with the win. QB Jackson Parker tossed two fourth quarter touchdown passes, including the game-winning dime to Keith Cook. Tough-running RB Maverick Jacobs handled the first half scoring with two touchdown runs. LBJ’s team speed has given Wimberley fits over the years and with both teams being relatively young and with new faces the experience factor seems fairly even. I expect another close, hard-fought game, but the early bye week in this game tilts the scales into the Jags favor. Stepp’s Pick: Austin LBJ by 7

Yoakum (2-0) at Cuero (2-0): We know where the majority of people in DeWitt County will be on Friday night as Gobbler Stadium in Cuero will be rocking as two old rivals just 17 miles apart will get after it for the 116th time. There’s relatives and old relationships on both sides of the field, so expect plenty of intensity. Yoakum handled a 4A opponent in the season opener by beating Port Lavaca Calhoun and last week they drilled Vanderbilt Industrial 45-27. Cuero knocked off state-ranked La Vernia last week 49-41 behind three receiving touchdowns from WR Walker Dietze and three rushing scores from Melo Perez. Yoakum brings a ton of speed and athleticism to the table led by SMU WR commit X’Zavier Barnett. Cuero’s plenty athletic as well, but that edge lies with the Bulldogs. Cuero’s edge is in the trenches and with depth and frankly they’ve just had Yoakum’s number for the most part in this series. It’ll take a lot of breaks for Yoakum to pull the upset. Stepp’s Pick: Cuero by 9

Clyde (2-0) at Shallowater (1-1): Unbeaten Clyde has been one of the real surprise teams in the Big Country, but they’ll face their biggest test of the young season this week as they visit a powerful Shallowater bunch. Last week the Bulldogs blasted Eastland 52-28 behind an offense that rolled up 521 yards. It was a balanced effort, but key contributors were Harley Griffin, who rushed for 124 yards and two scores and Miles Wilsher, who ran for 107 yards and a score.  After a strong season opening win, Shallowater stepped up in competition last week and fell 45-27 to a strong 4A opponent in Seminole. QB Cooper Martin and the Mustangs offense kept them in it until late in the game, but the Shallowater defense just didn’t have the personnel to contain an explosive Seminole offensive onslaught. Look for Shallowater’s defense to get back on track this week and the Mustangs after a fight, pull away late. Stepp’s Pick: Shallowater by 12

Wall (2-0) at Tuscola Jim Ned (2-0): It’s a battle of Class 3A unbeatens as Wall, a Division II state title favorite out of the Concho Valley, heads north into the Big Country to tangle with a potent Jim Ned bunch. Last week Wall stepped up in competition in a big way and handled business with a convincing 35-10 win over 4A-Division I Brownwood. QB Landon York threw for 249 yards and three scores to lead the Hawks, who put the game on ice with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns. Wall’s defense was stellar holding Brownwood to just 69 yards rushing and less than three yards per carry on the night. Jim Ned got a push from upstart Cedar Hill TLC in a neutral site game in Mineral Wells, but the Indians slipped out with a 23-22 win. QB Cash Gwinn threw for 126 yards and two scores to lead JNHS who struggled on the night offensively with just 174 yards on the night. The Jim Ned defense came up with plays late to get the win, including a late stop on a two-point conversion. Wall’s explosive offense was a known commodity, but if the Hawks play defense like they did last week, they may be bringing a state title home come December. Stepp’s Pick: Wall by 14

Frankston (2-0) at Grapeland (1-1): Frankston busted into the 2A-Division I state rankings this week after two impressive wins to open the season, and they’ll look to continue that momentum against a playoff tested Grapeland squad. Last week Frankston got whatever they wanted in a 59-0 blowout win over Huntington. QB Carson Bizzell didn’t play the entire game as his night was just after halftime, but he tallied two passing and two rushing touchdowns to pace a balanced attack. Grapeland took on Bremond for the third time in a row and the Sandies, much like in last year’s playoffs came up short in a 54-43 loss. Grapeland got down early 20-0 and rallied back to tie the game, but powerful Bremond had one final push and that proved to be the difference. This Frankston squad has the look of a contender in 2A-Division I Region II and a win over a strong Grapeland bunch would cement that status for the Indians. Stepp’s Pick: Frankston by 4

Quick Picks

Gilmer (1-1) at Kilgore (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 14

Fort Bend Crawford (2-0) at Bellville (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Fort Bend Crawford by 3

Waco Connally (2-0) at Grandview (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Grandview by 7

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

Vernon (1-0) at Wichita Falls City View (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Vernon by 8

West Rusk (1-1) at Gladewater (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: West Rusk by 3

Edna (1-1) at Refugio (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Refugio by 10

Malakoff (1-1) at Madisonville (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Madisonville by 3

Panhandle (2-0) at Dalhart (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Panhandle by 17

New Deal (1-0) at Slaton (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Slaton by 13

Last Week’s Record: 16-4

Last Week’s Win %: 80.0%

Season Record: 34-6

Season Win %: 85.0%