Rockwall-Heath (6-1, 3-0) at Longview (4-3, 2-1): The first four weeks of district play in 10-6A have been about as exciting and unpredictable as any district in the state, so there’s no reason to expect any different this week as Heath heads out to East Texas for a massive game in which the Hawks can take a huge step towards an outright district crown with a win. Longview, on the other hand, will be looking to get back in the driver’s seat for a district title of their own after their loss to Forney at home two weeks ago. A Longview loss puts the Lobos in the possible discussion for missing the playoffs altogether, which is absolutely shocking. Heath’s offense has been absolutely lethal all season and last week was no different as the Hawks knocked off Royse City 45-34. QB Prosper Neal lead the Hawks offense with 146 yards passing and two scores, while adding in 80 yards on the ground and three scores. RB Carter Zahm chipped in 196 yards on the ground and a score and 43 yards receiving. The Hawks defense did get touched up for 484 yards a week ago and that’s a bit concerning as they take on a Longview squad that’s not quite in desperation mode. But the Lobos need this one. They took care of business last week on the road with a dominant 63-20 win. RB’s Mason Washington and Makaden Frazier both ran for two scores, while QB Johnny Hamilton connected with Jaden Hurndon for a pair of touchdown passes and Hamilton ran for a score as well; he had 302 yards passing and 66 yards rushing on the night. Longview’s offense looked as sharp as they have all year in the win. The key here is Longview’s defense and ground game. If they can get a couple of early stops and put pressure on Heath, while using that running game to wear the Hawks down the edge should be with Longview at home. Heath nearly pulled the upset last year, but this year I think they don’t sneak up on the Lobos. Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 8

Katy Cinco Ranch (5-3, 5-1) at Katy Mayde Creek (4-3, 3-2):

The playoff race in 19-6A is beginning to come into focus as we get down the stretch and for Cinco Ranch a win this week is another step towards them securing second place in district and potentially hosting a first-round playoff game. Mayde Creek, on the other hand, is looking to try and separate from the possibility of a three-way tie with Paetow and Tompkins where they’d be on the outside of the playoff picture as things stand today, so this one is massive for the Rams. Cinco Ranch won their fourth in a row last week taking down a feisty Tompkins squad, 35-28, as QB Davis Roupe’s 36-yard touchdown run with under two minutes left in the game was the difference; Roupe also tossed two first-half touchdown passes to lead the Cougars. Mayde Creek rolled to an easy 47-16 win over Morton Ranch last week as the Rams exploded for 27 points in the final five minutes of the second quarter to turn a 13-6 lead into a 40-6 rout by halftime. RB Jamaal Jones ran for two scores, while QB Ethan Lopez threw a pair of touchdown passes, one to speedy junior WR Chad Nelson to lead a balanced Rams attack. This is not quite a must-win for MCHS, but it’s close. Cinco, however, has just been lethal since district play and that passing attack is just operating at such a high level. Stepp’s Pick: Katy Cinco Ranch by 9

Alvin Shadow Creek (5-2, 4-1) at Pearland (8-0, 6-0):

Pearland can clinch the top seed in the district with a win this week over rival Shadow Creek in a matchup that will feature some of the best talent in the Houston area. Shadow Creek comes into this one with the benefit of a bye week after the Sharks blasted Pasadena Memorial, 52-14, two weeks ago. RB Jacier Pace led the way with 98 yards on the ground and a touchdown, and he chipped in 70 yards receiving and a score as the Sharks offense showed plenty of balance. Pearland’s stout defense pitched a shutout last week as the Oilers cruised past Pasadena Memorial 48-0. In the last six week’s the Oilers have allowed just 43 total points, and the offense has started to find their footing especially with the running game, which is so vital in their scheme. Shadow Creek’s extremely explosive offense will be Pearland’s biggest test to date, but the elite defensive line for Pearland is a mismatch for Shadow Creek’s offensive line and that’s the key. Stepp’s Pick: Pearland by 11

Lake Travis (7-0, 3-0) at Austin Westlake (6-1, 3-0): 

The Battle of the Lakes once again has district title implications as a Lake Travis win all but wraps up the 26-6A title for the Cavs. A Westlake win doesn’t wrap the crown up, but it’s the first big step for the Chaps. Things weren’t pretty for LTHS last week in a top 10 showdown with three first half turnovers, but the Cavaliers rallied with two late touchdowns to beat Dripping Springs 14-7. Luke McBride’s touchdown pass to Patrick Colby tied the game up and then Van Hopping’s one-yard touchdown run with 1:33 left in the game was the difference. The LTHS defense, which has been so good all year, got an interception to set up the game-winning score and then the Cavs defense forced a fumble with less than a minute left to seal the deal. Westlake cruised past a game Austin Bowie squad last week 30-7. The Chaps put up 28 first-half points as QB Rees Wise threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score as well. The Westlake offense didn’t put up any points in the second half, but the defense was locked in pitching a shutout and adding a safety in the fourth quarter. Bowie’s only points came on an interception return in the second quarter. I expect another low scoring slugfest between these two programs who historically are known for offense, but in 2025 are playing elite defense. It’s tough to pick against Westlake as they’ve dominated Lake Travis in recent years, but this looks like a complete LTHS team, and they’ve got just enough on the offensive side to get the job done and all but lock up a district title. Stepp’s Pick: Lake Travis by 5

Abilene (6-2, 4-0) at Amarillo Tascosa (5-2, 3-0): A district title could be decided at Bivins Stadium this week as Abilene High makes the long trip up to the Panhandle to take on Amarillo Tascosa. Last week the Eagles had no problems as they raced past Lubbock High 73-0. It was total domination from the kick as AHS outgained Lubbock, 445-32. The Eagles scored three defensive touchdowns and ATH Brayden Henry ran for a score and threw for another score, while RB Ethan Joyner ran for two scores and had a touchdown reception as well. Amarillo Tascosa got pushed by a solid Lubbock Monterey squad on the road, but the Rebels were able to pull away in the second half for a 35-21 win. Five different Tascosa ball carriers found the end zone on the night as the Rebels balanced rushing attack wore the Plainsmen down. QB Coltyn Fulton led the charge for the Rebels with 229 yards rushing and a touchdown, while the Tascosa defense led by Texas Tech commit DL Krush Johnson held a potent Monterrey offense to just seven second half points. The key in this game will be Abilene’s front seven; if they win early downs and put Tascosa in 3rd and plus five scenarios, the Eagles could walk out of Bivins with a win and a district crown. But if Tascosa controls the pace the odds swing greatly to the Rebels. Stepp’s Pick: Amarillo Tascosa by 4

West Mesquite (6-1, 5-0) at Carrollton Creekview (8-0, 6-0): First place in 6-5A Division I is on the line as last year’s district champion, West Mesquite, appears primed for a repeat run, while unbeaten Creekview is putting together a strong encore after surprising the state in 2024. The Wranglers were idle last week, but they’ve won six straight after dropping the season opener to Princeton in a heartbreaker. RB Damarion Robinson may be one of the state’s most underrated players at his position; he averages nearly eight yards per carry, while Texas Southern commit WR Richard Clark is a deep threat as he’s hauled in eight touchdown passes thus far in 2025. Creekview last week rolled to an easy 59-7 win over Dallas Adams as QB Cason Garcia threw for 255 yards and three scores; he added 76 yards rushing to pace a Creekview attack that put up 570 yards of offense on the night. Creekview’s improved but the Mustangs don’t have the horses (no pun intended) to keep up with West Mesquite’s speed across the board. Stepp’s Pick: West Mesquite by 20

Frisco Lone Star (7-0, 5-0) vs Frisco Wakeland (8-0, 6-0): It’s a battle of Frisco ISD unbeatens as No. 2 Lone Star Rangers take on Wakeland and the winner all but wraps up the 5-5A Division I crown. Lone Star last week went on the road and dominated Sherman in a 49-3 win. QB Trey Wright connected with Florida commit ATH Davian Groce for four of his five touchdown passes, while the Rangers defense totally stymied the Sherman offense. Wakeland kept their unbeaten season alive last week as the Wolverines on the strength of a Braxton Cole touchdown run with ten seconds left knocked off Frisco High, 35-28. QB Jayden Maples threw for 227 yards and three scores to lead the Wakeland offense, while RB Cole had 121 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on the ground. Wakeland’s defense is going to have to play above their heads in this one if they want to have any hope of slowing the Lone Star attack down. That’s a tall order considering Lone Star hasn’t scored less than 44-points in any game that wasn’t called early due to weather. Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Lone Star by 18

New Braunfels (6-1, 3-1) at Smithson Valley (6-1, 4-0): New Braunfels saw their unbeaten season end last week at the hands of Pieper in a 28-24 loss. It was a disappointing defeat considering the Unicorns got off to a sizzling start taking a 24-7 lead into the half, but the Unicorns offense stagnated in the second half allowing Pieper to rally. There’s no time for a pity party as this week NBHS travels to take on defending state champion Smithson Valley who is mowing through district opponents with relative ease for the most past. Last week the Rangers defense dominated in a 56-10 defeat of an explosive Seguin squad that was fighting for their playoff lives a week ago. SVHS raced out to a 42-3 lead in the first half and cruised in the second half, the Rangers defense has been the key while the young offense has slowly improved every week. New Braunfels lost to Smithson Valley twice a year ago and they’d love for nothing more than to spoil the Rangers district coronation, but the SVHS defense holds strong once again. Stepp’s Pick: Smithson Valley by 14

Corpus Christi Carroll (4-3, 1-1) at Gregory-Portland (6-1, 2-0): Carroll, despite their shocking blowout loss to Corpus Christi Miller two weeks ago, can play themselves back into the race to host a first-round playoff game if they can win the Battle of the Bridge rivalry game against Gregory-Portland. Carroll’s offense was non-existent in the 31-0 loss to Miller, so it’ll be interesting to see what adjustments Cal Neatherlin’s staff has made during the Tigers bye week. Gregory-Portland has been dominant in their six wins this season as all six victories have come by at least 28 points, last week the Wildcats rolled past Corpus Christi Moody 56-0. Freshman TE Conner Haubelt stole the show in the win with three touchdown catches, QB Carter Dominguez continues to play well and the G-P defense in the last three games has allowed just 22 points. Carroll, with the week off, puts up a fight, but this Gregory-Portland squad is the class of the district and they pull away in the third quarter. Stepp’s Pick: Gregory-Portland by 16

Quick Picks

Odessa Permian (6-1, 2-0) at Midland Legacy (3-4, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Odessa Permian by 2

Cedar Hill (5-2, 3-1) at DeSoto (4-3, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: DeSoto by 21

Tomball (6-1, 4-1) at Magnolia (6-1, 4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Tomball by 4

Humble Atascocita (4-3, 2-2) at Galena Park North Shore (6-1, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 12

Austin Vandegrift (5-2, 4-1) at Hutto (6-1, 5-0) Stepp’s Pick: Austin Vandegrift by 6

Cibolo Steele (6-1, 3-0) at San Marcos (5-3, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Cibolo Steele by 15

Port Arthur Memorial (8-0, 4-0) at Lufkin (5-2, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Port Arthur Memorial by 7

Plainview (3-4, 1-2) at Amarillo Palo Duro (6-1, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Amarillo Palo Duro by 17

Colleyville Heritage (4-3, 3-2) at Mansfield Summit (5-2, 4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Mansfield Summit by 14

Montgomery Lake Creek (3-4, 2-2) at Huntsville (3-4, 2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Montgomery Lake Creek by 3

Last Week’s Record: 12-8

Last Week’s Win %: 60.0%

Season Record: 93-47

Season Win %: 66.4%