El Paso Eastwood (5-1, 2-0) at El Paso Franklin (5-1, 2-0): A possible district title in 1-6A could be on the line out in the Sun City as Eastwood travels across town to take on Franklin in a game that features two of the area’s most explosive offensive attacks. After battling injuries a year ago, Julio Lopez’s squad appears back in 2025 and a big reason for that is QB Kingston Jeffries. In last week’s 42-28 win over El Paso Eastlake, Jeffries tossed four touchdown passes and ran for a score to pace the Troopers. Franklin’s offense has been an absolute wagon and last week may have been the peak as the Cougars put up 84 points in an 84-59 win over El Paso Montwood. RB Ernie Powers continues to put up eye-popping numbers rushing for 327 yards and seven touchdowns to lead Franklin, he’s got 34 rushing touchdowns on the season, which is just two shy of the city record, he’s got four games to break that record, so I expect him to break it soon. Expect Eastwood to try and load the box to slow Powers behind that outstanding offensive line anchored by Kansas State commit Justin Morales, but everyone has tried that strategy thus far with not much success. Franklin wears the Eastwood defense down in the fourth quarter. Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Franklin by 10

Rockwall-Heath (4-1, 1-0) at North Forney (6-0, 2-0): The race for the district title will absolutely heat up in 10-6A, which may be the best district top to bottom in the state as two unbeatens meet up. Fresh off a bye week, Rockwall-Heath is off to a red-hot start behind their explosive and diverse offense. The Hawks averaging over 42 points per game on the season thus far, QB Prosper Neal has accounted for thirteen total touchdowns, his touch on the deep ball and mobility makes him a real challenge for opposing defenses. ATH Carter Zahm averages nearly seven yards per carry and has run for eight touchdowns halfway through the season. In last week’s 51-21 win over Tyler Legacy, the Hawks rolled up 562 yards of offense. North Forney went out to Tyler last week and absolutely obliterated Tyler Legacy 71-19 with a stunning second-half blitz. With just over seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, NFHS led just 21-13, then the Falcons rattled off fifty points in the next quarter and a half. QB Legend Bey, a Tennessee commit tallied 255 yards of offense with three scores through the air and one on the ground to lead the Falcons, while RB’s Cordai Woodard and Andikan Asuquo combined for 264 rushing yards and three scores to assist in the onslaught.  Woodard also returned a kickoff for a score as well. Expect a lot of points in this one, the winning team may need to get into the high 40’s, but at this stage, I trust the North Forney defense in key moments and they’ll be the difference. Stepp’s Pick: North Forney by 6

Sheldon King (4-1, 2-0) at Humble Summer Creek (5-0, 2-0):

CE King has been the story in 23-6A play through two weeks as the Panthers offense has put up back-to-back seventy point games, last week it was Goose Creek Memorial who was the latest victim in a 70-20 shellacking. RB Dionne Sims has been nearly unstoppable all season and in district play it seems like he’s hit a different gear along with the Panthers offensive line. Summer Creek took on a desperate Atascocita squad last week and needed some late heroics to remain undefeated and pull out a 38-35 win as Braylin Causey’s touchdown run with six seconds remaining was the game winning score. It was a 90-yard game winning drive that SCHS managed to navigate with just under two minutes remaining. QB Noah Spinks connected with WR Benny Easter for three scoring tosses, while Causey added a pair of touchdowns rushing. Summer Creek’s offense is as dynamic as any in the state, the Bulldogs are loaded with playmakers, but their defense will have to put on a better performance this week to slow down a surging CE King bunch. There’s a theme developing of high-scoring gamest this week and I think this one fits the bill. Summer Creek’s big game experience is key for them in this one nad the Bulldogs escape at home. Stepp’s Pick: Humble Summer Creek by 4

San Antonio Johnson (5-0, 2-0) vs San Antonio Reagan (2-3, 2-0): Once again the Stone Oak Super Bowl has district title implications as two of 27-6A’s unbeaten teams renew their annual rivalry. Johnson can make a strong case as maybe the best team in the Alamo City. Last week the Jags rolled to an easy 48-13 victory over San Antonio Roosevelt. They rolled up 579 yards of offense as QB Elvis Estrada threw for 366 yards and four scores with just two incomplete passes on the night. WR Justus Jeffrey had five catches for 137 yards and two scores, while star freshman WR Braelyn Allen had three catches for 101 yards and two scores. After a slow start at 0-3, Reagan has gotten the wheels back on in district play with back-to-back wins. Last week the Rattlers held off a much-improved San Antonio Madison squad, 29-13. The Rattlers don’t throw it much and rely heavily on their ground game which worked like a charm last week as Edwin Bridges ran for 176 yards and Ayden Fernandez chipped in 79 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns. The biggest key last week for RHS was they totally shut down Madison’s running game, allowing just 59 yards rushing on the night. The problem for Reagan this week is that Johnson is perfectly fine taking to the air, and Reagan lacks the firepower this year to keep up. Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Johnson by 15

Fort Worth Arlington Heights (6-0, 4-0) at Saginaw (3-2, 2-1): Unbeaten Arlington Heights is Fort Worth ISD’s best hope at a deep playoff run in several years. A big reason for that excitement around the city is a defense that in six games has allowed just 14 points. UTEP DL commit Caynan James and BYU DB commit Antonio Johnson lead a group that’s got elite athleticism and a physical nature. Last week Heights rolled to an easy 60-0 win over Fort Worth Polytechnic, but this week’s test will be much more challenging as Saginaw still has designs on a district title as well. The Rough Riders bounced back nicely from a one-point loss to Wyatt two weeks ago with a dominant 48-14 win over Fort Worth Trimble Tech. QB Joshua Greek has settled in nicely after transferring in from Frisco Heritage, but can the SHS offense find a way to move the football consistently against the lethal Heights defense? Stepp’s Pick: Fort Worth Arlington Heights by 17

Leander Rouse (2-3, 0-2) at Georgetown (4-1, 2-0): It’s been a tough go for Rouse the past three weeks as the Raiders have dropped three straight close games, including last week’s 48-35 loss to Cedar Park. Rouse’s offense has been explosive, but the defense has been out of sorts. They’ve allowed 34 points or more in all five games this year and that’s not a good sign heading into this week’s game against explosive Georgetown. Georgetown’s offense has been on fire since district play started with back-to-back weeks topping the 50-point plateau as the Eagles last Thursday blasted Killeen Chaparral 56-7. West Virginia RB commit Jett Walker was slowly worked back into the lineup in non-district, but he looks healthy and ready to go after a strong two touchdown performance last week. Junior QB Kaleb McDougle was as sharp as ever throwing four touchdown passes in the victory, one going to Texas State commit Xavier Warren. Rouse will score on Georgetown, but the Eagles offense is too efficient and explosive. Stepp’s Pick: Georgetown by 13

Port Arthur Memorial (6-0, 2-0) at Barbers Hill (4-2, 1-1): Unbeaten and state-ranked Port Arthur Memorial will look to seize control of the 9-5A Division I race as they head west to Chambers County to take on Barbers Hill. Last week Port Arthur Memorial defended home turf with an easy 48-0 win over Galveston Ball. RB Alex Eugene ran for 122 yards and two scores and added a receiving touchdown as well. Texas A&M LB commit Tank King leads an athletic defense that’s among the most talented units in Region III. Last week was disappointing for Barbers Hill without question. The Eagles were flying high after a dominant 35-7 district opening win over Lufkin two weeks ago. That’s a Lufkin team that rolled through district play undefeated in 2024 as well. On a short week against a motivated and much improved Baytown Sterling squad, the Eagles offense was stuck in the mud for three quarters and they were stunned 23-14. A loss in a game that our computer had them listed as a 31-point favorite. I don’t expect that same type of showing this week as state ranked Port Arthur Memorial comes to town. The Eagles will playing with their hair on fire at home to get that sour taste out of their mouths without question. Stepp’s Pick: Barbers Hill by 7

Terrell (5-0, 2-0) at Midlothian Heritage (3-2, 2-0): First place in 6-5A Division II is on the line Thursday night as unbeaten Terrell and their dynamic Wing-T offense takes on a Midlothian Heritage squad that’s rattled off three straight wins. Both teams are fresh off their bye week, so expect each head coach to have a few tricks up their sleeve. In last week’s 56-14 rout of Kaufman, Terrell’s offense exploded for six second half touchdowns as RB’s Julian Ashley and Roderick Hambrick, Jr. combined for 204 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground. Texas Tech commit DB Noah Lewis is a lockdown corner, but he also made an impact on offense with 71 receiving yards and a touchdown. Midlothian Heritage ripped past Ennis in their last outing two weeks ago, 56-21. QB Dax Montelongo has a monster game for the Jaguars with 180 yards passing and two scores and he ran for 200 yards and five touchdowns. Both offenses have been on fire, but Midlothian Heritage is a bit more balanced, and they are more battle tested with a difficult schedule. That combined with being at home gives the edge to Midlothian Heritage. Stepp’s Pick: Midlothian Heritage by 9

Texarkana Texas (5-1, 2-0) at Marshall (4-1, 1-0): The 7-5A Division II crown is likely to be decided this week in Marshall as Texas High travels south on Highway 59 to visit Maverick Stadium. Texas High last week rolled to an easy 64-21 win over Whitehouse. Oregon RB commit Tradarian Ball had a touchdown receiving and two rushing scores to pace a balanced Tigers attack as THS scored the game’s first 51 points before Whitehouse was finally able to get on the board. Marshall was able to escape their personal house of horrors at Sam Parker Field in Mount Pleasant with a hard-fought 7-3 win over Mount Pleasant. The Mavericks defense was stellar with a pair of key goal-line stands and they actually contributed the lone score for the Mavs returning a Mount Pleasant fumble for a score. Marshall will have to find a way to develop some sort of passing game so all the offensive workload doesn’t fall on the legs of QB Alton Henderson. Marshall has given Texas High fits in the past, but if the offense doesn’t take some steps forward, the defense will wear down in the second half. Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Texas by 13

Quick Picks

North Crowley (4-1, 1-0) at Mansfield Lake Ridge (4-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: North Crowley by 30

DeSoto (3-2, 2-0) at Duncanville (2-1, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Duncanville by 7

Temple (4-1, 0-1) at Waco Midway (5-1, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Waco Midway by 13

Houston Memorial (4-1, 2-0) at Cy-Fair (4-1, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Cy-Fair by 6

Austin Bowie (4-2, 1-1) at Dripping Springs (6-0, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Dripping Springs by 25

Baytown Sterling (4-1, 2-0) at Beaumont West Brook (4-1, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Beaumont West Brook by 5

New Braunfels (5-0, 2-0) at Boerne Champion (3-2, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: New Braunfels by 10

Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (3-2, 2-1) at Harlingen South (3-3, 2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial by 2

Lubbock Cooper (4-2, 1-1) at Abilene Cooper (3-3, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Cooper by 9

Alamo Heights (5-1, 1-1) at Victoria West (6-0, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Alamo Heights by 6

Last Week’s Record: 16-4

Last Week’s Win %: 80.0%

Season Record: 81-39

Season Win %: 67.5%