Lewisville (7-1, 4-1) at Denton Guyer (6-2, 5-0):

The final piece of the puzzle in District 5-6A will be solved this week as Lewisville will look to get a share of the district title with a win in Denton against Guyer. Lewisville dug themselves an early nine-point hole against Hebron last week, but the Farmers were able to pull it out 45-43 in a triple overtime thriller. QB Tre Williams threw for four scores and ran for another score to pace the Lewisville offense, while RB Tenel Hill added 137 yards on the ground a score. That’s the good news. The bad news is turnovers continue to be an issue as Lewisville threw three interceptions.  Guyer’s offense got off to a slow start last week in their 29-0 win over Little Elm. In fact, the Wildcats led just 3-0 at the half. However, Kaedyn Cobbs and the Wildcats running game got rolling in the second half to help GHS pull away. Guyer’s defense was consistently elite as they held Little Elm to just 50 yards of total offense and just five first downs. If Guyer’s defense can put forth that type of effort this week, there’s no question they can win. But that’s a lot to ask of a defense. Both teams come into this game with concerns; for Guyer it’s the absence of a consistent passing game, while for Lewisville it's taking care of the football. Whichever team can mitigate that weakness wins this football game. I’m taking Lewisville to take better care of the football this week. Stepp’s Pick: Lewisville by 4

Bridgeland (6-2, 4-1) vs Cypress Ranch (6-2, 5-0):

A district title and the top seed in the Division I playoff bracket is on the line in 16-6A when Bridgeland and Cy Ranch renew their rivalry. Despite the shocking Week 6 loss to Cy Springs, the Bears have put themselves back in the title discussion with three straight wins. In last week’s 44-16 win over Cy Lakes, QB Tyler Begal ran for a score and tossed two touchdown passes, while RB Kash Schwab added two scores on the ground. Bridgeland’s defense was stout in the second half as well as the Bears after allowing 16 points in the first half, pitched a second half shutout. Cy Ranch has rattled off five straight wins but struggled last week against a desperate Cy Woods bunch in a 28-14 win. The game was tied 14-14 at the half, but Cy Ranch put on their own stout defensive effort not allowing a point after the break. QB Braden Baker tossed a pair of touchdown passes and speedy RB Jordan Ruth added a long touchdown run to pace the Mustangs. A year ago, Ranch came into this game with hopes of an upset, but Bridgeland dominated in a 41-3 route. That loss has stuck with Ranch for a year and the talented Mustangs make their case as a Region II contender this week. Stepp’s Pick: Cy Ranch by 8

Galena Park North Shore (7-1, 5-0) at Sheldon King (7-1, 5-0): The East Side of Houston will be rocking on Halloween night as perennial powerhouse North Shore visits upstart neighborhood rival CE King in a showdown that will decide the 23-6A title and local bragging rights as well. The Mustangs kept up their domination of Humble Atascocita last week as North Shore rolled to a 47-28 win. North Shore ran out to a 34-7 lead midway through the third quarter as RB Hezekiah Johnson ran for three first half scores to stake the ‘Stangs out to the early lead. Johnson would finish with four touchdowns on the ground, Utah State commit QB Kaleb Maryland added a pair of long touchdown passes to speedy WR Jaylen Boucard. The North Shore defense did a very good job containing an explosive Atascocita offensive attack and they’ll need to be even better in this matchup as CE King may have the fastest group of skill players in the state. CE King raced past Humble Kingwood, 65-35. The Panthers offense, which averages nearly 54 points per game, scored 44 points in the first half. Rice RB commit Dionne Sims, who averages over nine yards per carry, had another big night as he ran for two scores. QB Timothy Potts tossed four touchdown passes with three going to WR LeJerric Clark and one to sophomore speedster Dillon Mitchell. The Panthers defense, which did struggle in the first half, got the pass rush rolling in the second half with seven sacks to help allow the offense a chance to pull away in the second half. This one will be physical and emotional. Who controls their emotions the best and who takes care of the football will decide this game between these two state tile contending teams. The tide is turning, and CE King may be the new power in Houston, but North Shore is the team of record until proven otherwise. Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 6

Edinburg (5-3, 2-1) at Weslaco (6-2, 3-0): It’s a showdown in the Valley that will play a big part in deciding the district title in a hotly contested 31-6A race as two legacy programs will meet up with Edinburg travelling to Lackey Stadium to take on Weslaco. Edinburg’s offense struggled last week in the Bobcats 27-14 loss to ECISD rival and unbeaten Edinburg Economedes as EHS was shutout in the first half and left trying to climb out of an early 14-0, they cut the lead to one score twice, but the Bobcats defense couldn’t get the key stop to give the offense a chance late. Weslaco has won four straight games and looked dominant in the process, especially on the defensive side of the ball where they’ve allowed just twenty total points the last four weeks. Last week that defense shined in a 44-0 rout of PSJA and the offense led by versatile ATH Chris Luna and WR Joseph Leal continues to do plenty of damage. Edinburg’s defense should keep them in it, but Weslaco’s too explosive on the offensive side of the ball and that group takes care of business to set up a potential showdown with Economedes in Week 11 for the district title. Stepp’s Pick: Weslaco by 14

Lubbock Monterey (4-4, 2-2) at Abilene (7-2, 5-0): Lubbock Monterey comes into this one a tough luck 2-2 in district play after competitive road losses to Amarillo High and Amarillo Tascosa. The Plainsmen who won the district a year ago are fresh off their bye week. In their last outing they fell to Tascosa at home 35-21, which all but ended their chances of hosting a first-round playoff game. There is talent at MHS as DE Javion Ramon is a Utah commit and one of the top edge rushers in all of West Texas. Abilene High wrapped up the No. 1 seed and at worst a share of the district title last week with a huge road win at Amarillo Tascosa, 24-6. The game didn’t start until nearly 9 p.m. due to severe weather in the area and early on it was Abilene’s red zone defense that was the difference. Tascosa had three red zone trips in the first half and came away with zero points. Abilene’s defense forced a fumble, picked off a pass and forced a missed field goal to keep THS off the board. Abilene’s offense was led by WR M’Aujehl Aboso, who hauled in two touchdown passes and ATH Brayden Henry, who had 153 yards of offense and a touchdown pass. Abilene’s a dangerous team in Region I and have been lethal since a disastrous first-half in the district opener against Amarillo. Stepp’s Pick: Abilene by 16

Angleton (8-0, 5-0) at La Porte (7-1, 5-0): The showdown we’ve all been waiting for in 11-5A Division I is here as Angleton and La Porte hook up for the third time in a year. Angleton comes into this game fresh off a 49-0 blowout win over Fort Bend Kempner. Kaleb Jammer returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and it was all Wildcats from there. RB’s Wyatt Neyland and Jayden Moore each ran for two scores as well. The big news, however, is the injury situation for Angleton as two key offensive players - QB Bryce Duron and WR Wesley Jackson - both left last week’s game with injuries and their status for this week is in question. La Porte got a much tougher than expected game against Crosby last week, but the Bulldogs were able to come away with a 28-21 road win. Sophomore RB Sean Simon ran for two scores, but the Bulldogs were plagued by two turnovers, two missed field goals and several penalties. That leaves both teams coming into this showdown with questions. One thing we know is these two teams and coaches know each other quite well, there’s no secrets in this rivalry showdown. The injury questions for Angleton are massive. I’m going to assume both Duran and Jackson are not available this week and that combined with the game being in La Porte leads me to giving the edge to the Bulldogs. Stepp’s Pick: La Porte by 5

San Antonio Southwest (7-1, 5-1) at San Antonio Jay (7-1, 5-1): With San Antonio Southwest Legacy’s surprise loss to San Antonio Southside last week, this matchup could likely decide the outright 14-5A Division I crown. A week after falling to Southwest Legacy, the Southwest Dragons righted the ship with a 29-20 win over a scrappy Eagle Pass Winn squad. SHS trailed 14-9 at the half, but a dominant second half showing prevented Winn from pulling the upset. Jay has rattled off four straight wins since they fell by a single point to Southwest Legacy a month ago. Last week the Mustangs trekked down to Laredo and rolled past an overmatched Laredo Martin squad, 36-7. QB Tajari Wellington was a force for the Mustangs in the win as he found the end zone three times to pace the Jay attack. Expect a nip and tuck game with a ton on the line. Jay’s been a little more consistent this year so the slight edge goes to Gary Gutierrez’s squad who can take a major step towards that district crown. Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Jay by 3

Melissa (6-1, 6-0) at Prosper Walnut Grove (8-0, 6-0): The district title in 4-5A Division II will be on the line in Prosper as a surging Melissa squad takes on Walnut Grove, which remains unbeaten after back-to-back hard-fought victories. Melissa, on the strength of seven touchdown passes from QB Brett Holloway, rolled to an easy 54-21 win over Frisco Emerson last week. WR Jacob Swain was one of four Cardinal receivers who hauled in scoring passes; he led the way with 190 yards receiving and three touchdown catches. A week after rallying from a 38-17 deficit to beat Anna, Walnut Grove escaped Lovejoy’s upset bid in a 29-26 win. Once again it was RB Cam Newton who, a week removed from a 54-touch game (43 carries, 11 receptions) had 38 touches (35 carries, 3 receptions) to lead the Wildcats. Newton ran for 251 yards and three scores and added 23 receiving yards just for a bonus. I don’t think Walnut Grove can give Newton that type of workload this week as Melissa’s front-seven is extremely physical. If sophomore QB Hayes Hackney can’t stretch the Melissa defense, it could be tough sledding for WGHS. Stepp’s Pick: Melissa by 13

Brenham (8-0, 3-0) at Waco University (5-3, 3-0): The 10-5A Division II crown will be on the line this week as state-ranked and undefeated Brenham takes the long trip to Waco ISD Stadium to take on a very talented Waco University squad playing their best football of the season. Brenham has struggled against Killeen ISD programs this season. In Week 4 the Cubs slipped past Killeen High, 15-13, and last week Brenham avoided Killeen Ellison’s upset bid with a 33-25 win. The Cubs have won their other six games by 21 points or more. QB Xyran Upshaw tossed four touchdown passes, two each to Chris Guidry and Cartelle Brown, but Brenham’s performance left a lot to be desired if they want to contend for a Region III crown. Waco University raced past cross-town rival Waco High last week, 36-7, as Baylor WR commit London Smith hauled in three touchdown passes from QB Savoy Nichols and the UHS defense picked off three passes in the dominant victory. University’s front-line talent may be a step ahead of Brenham, but Brenham’s depth across the board is the key here and I don’t expect a sloppy performance two weeks in a row. This is a great measuring stick for University. If they are competitive, I think this is a team that can contend to play into Thanksgiving weekend. But Brenham is a big favorite in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Brenham by 17

Quick Picks

Odessa Permian (7-1, 3-0) at Wolfforth Frenship (4-4. 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Odessa Permian by 13

Longview (5-3, 3-1) at North Forney (7-1, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 2

Killeen Harker Heights (6-2, 4-0) vs Killeen Shoemaker (7-2, 3-2) Stepp’s Pick: Killeen Harker Heights by 13

Cy-Fair (6-2, 4-1) vs Cypress Falls (5-3, 4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Cy-Fair by 2

Hutto (6-2, 5-1) at Cedar Park Vista Ridge (6-2, 4-2) Stepp’s Pick: Hutto by 6

San Antonio Clark (6-2, 3-2) at San Antonio Reagan (4-4, 4-1) Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Reagan by 8

Carrollton Smith (6-2, 6-0) at West Mesquite (7-1, 6-0) Stepp’s Pick: West Mesquite by 21

Georgetown (7-1, 5-0) at Lake Belton (4-4, 3-2) Stepp’s Pick: Georgetown by 14

Terrell (8-0, 5-0) at Crandall (6-2, 3-2) Stepp’s Pick: Terrell by 10

Port Neches-Groves (8-0, 5-0) at Montgomery (7-1, 5-0) Stepp’s Pick: Port Neches-Groves by 8

Last Week’s Record: 16-4

Last Week’s Win %: 80.0%

Season Record: 109-51

Season Win %: 68.1%