Euless Trinity (7-2, 5-2) vs Hurst Bell (5-4, 3-4): One of the most intense rivalry games in the DFW Metroplex has a little extra spice this year, particularly for Hurst Bell which can get into the postseason with a victory and a loss by Keller Central to Trophy Club Nelson on Friday. Trinity has dominated this series winning 25 of the last 26 meetings, but Bell did take the 2023 meeting. Trinity is locked in as the top seed in Division I, but the Trojans would love to come into the postseason with momentum. Last week they rolled past Justin Northwest, 53-14, as RB JT Harris ran for 202 yards on just six carries and RB Keondre Dixon tallied 93 yards and two scores. QB Mack Lineweaver threw for 111 yards and two scores and added a score on the ground. Trinity’s defense contributed as well forcing three turnovers. It’s been a tough stretch for the Blue Raiders, who after getting off to a 5-0 start has dropped their last four games. Bell’s lack of a ground game has been the main culprit recently. Last week they averaged just over two yards per carry, putting a lot of pressure on QB Braylon Harris. Unless Bell can find someone other than Harris to carry the load, Trinity focuses in there and grinds Bell down in the second half. Stepp’s Pick: Euless Trinity by 15

Klein (6-3, 4-3) at Magnolia (8-1, 6-1): After getting off to an absolutely roaring start to the season, Klein stumbled mid-season losing three out of four games as injuries and defensive struggles proved to be the Bearkats undoing. Nick Codutti’s squad is still alive for the playoffs, but they’ll need to upset state-ranked Magnolia and they’ll need Tomball Memorial to pull an upset over Klein Oak. Last week KHS kept their season alive by knocking off previously mentioned Tomball Memorial, 56-39, as SMU RB commit Edward Kelly, Jr. led the potent Klein ground game with five touchdowns on the ground. Magnolia had no trouble with archrival Magnolia West as the Bulldogs cruised to a 45-12 win. QB Chase Lowery, who has been so good for MHS all year, had another strong night with two touchdown passes and a touchdown run, while the tough Magnolia defense not only locked MWHS down, but they got into the act themselves with LB Tyler Covar’s fumble return for a score. This Magnolia defense is loaded with experience and very good talent. Klein is a difficult offense to reign in, but if there’s any defense that can slow Klein’s ground game down, it’s Magnolia. Bulldogs get a couple of stops and pull away late to secure a home playoff game. Stepp’s Pick: Magnolia by 13

Humble Summer Creek (8-1, 5-1) at Galena Park North Shore (8-1, 6-0): North Shore can take home another district title if they can close the season out with their ninth straight win over Summer Creek in a battle of state-ranked 6A programs. Summer Creek put an end to any of Humble Kingwood’s playoff hopes last week with a convincing 51-17 win. The Bulldogs offense was balanced with five different players finding the end zone. QB Noah Spinks tossed three touchdown passes, while WR Trenton Thomas had a punt return for a score and he caught a touchdown pass. Summer Creek’s defense also played maybe their best game of the year holding a good Kingwood offense to just three points in the first three quarters before allowing two late scores. North Shore ran out to big early lead in their showdown with CE King last week and held off a Panthers rally for a 42-27 win. The Mustangs ran out to an early 21-0 lead behind a pair of Hezekiah Johnson touchdown runs and down the stretch when big plays needed to be made. They were made by Utah State commit QB Kaleb Maryland, who threw for a score and ran for another score. The Mustangs defense was sensational as well holding one of the state’s most explosive offensive attacks to just three scores (one of King’s scores came via blocked punt). North Shore’s rounding into state title contention form late in the year. Although Summer Creek’s offense is also extremely lethal, the Mustangs are built to slow a team like Summer Creek down. Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 10

Dripping Springs (8-1, 4-1) at Austin Westlake (7-2, 4-1): With Austin Bowie’s win over Austin High last week, Dripping Springs’ visit to Austin Westlake has major seeding implications as the winner gets the top seed in Division II and second place in 26-6A, which means they’ll likely host a playoff game in the bi-district round. Dripping Springs comes into this one fresh off a much-needed bye week. the Tigers raced past Del Valle in their last outing, 63-0. DSHS puts a lot of pressure on opposing defensive backs with WR’s Cooper Reid and Merrik Bloomgren on the outside, but the Tigers defense doesn’t get the credit they probably deserve. In the last six games they’ve allowed a total of 49 points with three shutouts, so this is a group that’s maybe not getting the flowers they deserve. Westlake bounced back from their loss to Lake Travis two weeks ago with a dominant 71-7 win over Del Valle last week. RB Nico Melendez ran for two scores and QB Rees Wise threw three first half touchdowns to pace the Chaps offense. Both defenses are elite. I think Dripping Springs may have a little bit more firepower and that’s the key in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Dripping Springs by 3

San Antonio Johnson (9-0, 6-0) at San Antonio Clark (6-3, 3-3): It’s been a shocking late season collapse for San Antonio Clark, which started the year at 6-0 and looked to be a contender for the 27-6A title. But three straight losses have put the Cougars season on the brink. Clark now needs a win over state -anked and unbeaten San Antonio Johnson, but they’ll need San Antonio Roosevelt to lose to San Antonio Madison. Last week the Cougars desperately needed a win but just couldn’t get the offense going in a 38-14 defeat to San Antonio Reagan. Three turnovers and struggles running the football were Clark’s undoing. Johnson’s been among the most dominant teams in the Alamo City this year with seven of their nine wins coming by double-digits. Last week the Jags drilled San Antonio Churchill 48-3. QB Elvis Estrada tossed four touchdown passes, two going to Bryson Thompson and two going to freshman Braelyn Allen. The real story last week was Johnson’s defense as they held Churchill to just five first downs and 91 yards of total offense. Clark seems to have run out of steam and Johnson looks to be barreling towards a perfect regular season. Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Johnson by 21

Amarillo (7-2, 4-1) vs Amarillo Tascosa (6-3, 4-1): It’s “Hell Week” in Amarillo and that means Amarillo High and Tascosa are ready to do battle once again. Although a district title isn’t on the line, a home playoff game and not making a trip to El Paso is. Amarillo High last week raced past Lubbock High, 58-13, as QB Jett Lopez had a career night for the Sandies tossing seven touchdown passes. Tascosa raced past Amarillo Caprock 52-10 to secure a playoff spot. The Rebels ran for 423 yards with Reese Cabe leading the charge with 98 yards rushing and three scores on just five carries and two other backs ran for 89 yards as Tascosa’s ground game was operating at full efficiency. The edge in this game is with Tascosa’s defense, especially the defensive line with Texas Tech DL commit Kush Johnson leading the charge. That group will be expected to put pressure on Amarillo QB Jett Lopez and if they do, the Rebels will clinch that two seed and a home playoff game. Stepp’s Pick: Amarillo Tascosa by 6

Austin Anderson (9-0, 7-0) at Pflugerville Weiss (7-2, 5-2): This game lost a bit of luster after Weiss fell to College Station last week, eliminating any chance of this game being for a district title. Anderson has been one of the real surprise stories of the state rolling to an unbeaten record. They rolled to a dominant 56-22 win over Lockhart in their last time out. RB Caleb Crenshaw is nearing setting the career rushing record in Austin ISD, while Texas DB commit DB Yaheim Riley headlines the Trojans on the defensive side of the ball. Weiss doesn’t have much to play for in this game except for pride. The Wolves are locked into a road trip to La Porte in the first round of the playoffs, so it’ll be interesting to see how they bounce back from a disappointing loss to College Station last week. Weiss led at the half 14-3, but the defense struggled in the second half of the 35-31 loss. QB Jaxon Schad ran for two scores and threw for two scores in the loss. I wouldn’t be surprised if both teams go all out in this one, despite it not having any bearing on the playoff brackets. I’ll lean to Anderson; the Trojans have been finding ways to win all year and that trend continues going into the playoffs. Stepp’s Pick: Austin Anderson by 7

Abilene Cooper (6-3, 4-1) at Amarillo Palo Duro (8-1, 5-0): Abilene Cooper takes the long road trip up to Amarillo where they’ll tangle with red hot Palo Duro and the winner gets the No. 1 seed and district title in the wild 2-5A Division II race. Abilene Cooper comes into this one fresh off a bye week. In their last outing, CHS handled an improved Wichita Falls Legacy squad, 54-23, as RB’s Peyton Ewing and Marquel Sims combined for 189 yards rushing and three scores and the Cougars were plus-three in the turnover margin. This allowed them to run out to a 22-0 lead and cruise from there. Palo Duro took on Wichita Falls Legacy last week and the Dons dominated in a similar fashion as they went to Wichita Falls and left Memorial Stadium with a 48-14 win. QB Julian Reese II led Palo Duro’s offense throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns and he ran for two scores. All three of Reese’s scoring passes went to versatile ATH and North Carolina commit Darien Lewis. Palo Duro’s defense is really stout against the run and that’s the strength of the Abilene Cooper offense. Whichever unit wins that matchup wins this game. I’m going with the Dons to make it nine straight. Stepp’s Pick: Amarillo Palo Duro by 7

Corsicana (5-4, 3-3) at Ennis (5-4, 4-2): It’s not a win-and-you-are-in situation for Corsicana, but the Tigers can get into the playoffs and it starts with winning this game. The Tigers can advance to the playoffs with a win by nine or more points or they can get in with a combination of a win and a Crandall loss. It’s been a great turnaround for the Tigers who had won just four games in the past here seasons. Ennis has something to play for as well as the Lions with a win can secure the three seed in the playoffs under first-year head coach Don Drake. Corsicana after their 48-10 loss to Midlothian Heritage will look to find ways to get the ball to North Texas commit ATH Mark Brown, the more he touches the ball, the better things are for the Tigers. Ennis got a tougher than expected test from Mesquite Poteet last week, but the Lions were able to clinch a playoff spot with a 29-22 win. RB Wenderius Jones was the key for EHS with 150 yards on the ground and four touchdowns, but the Lions defense did get touched up a bit allowing 376 yards. This is an old rivalry, lots of history between these two communities and it’s a great thing to see this game with something on the line. Corsicana’s going to throw the kitchen sink at Ennis, but the Lions running game and stout defense carry the day to the three seed and a favorable first round matchup. Stepp’s Pick: Ennis by 11

Quick Picks

El Paso Franklin (7-2, 4-1) at El Paso Pebble Hills (7-2, 4-1) Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Pebble Hills by 2

North Forney (8-1, 4-1) at Rockwall (4-5, 2-3) Stepp’s Pick: North Forney by 28

Dickinson (9-0, 6-0) at Deer Park (6-3, 5-1) Stepp’s Pick: Dickinson by 21

Round Rock McNeil (5-4, 5-2) at Hutto (7-2, 6-1) Stepp’s Pick: Hutto by 4

Weslaco (7-2, 4-0) at Edinburg Economedes (9-0, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Weslaco by 7

Cedar Park (6-3, 5-1) at Georgetown (8-1, 6-0) Stepp’s Pick: Georgetown by 11

Barbers Hill (6-3, 3-2) at Beaumont West Brook (6-3, 2-3) Stepp’s Pick: Barbers Hill by 14

Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (7-2, 6-1) at Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (8-1, 6-1) Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Flour Bluff by 13

Nacogdoches (6-3, 3-2) at Texarkana Texas High (8-1, 5-0) Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Texas High by 17

Iowa Colony (8-1, 5-1) at Texas City (6-3, 4-2) Stepp’s Pick: Iowa Colony by 20

Last Week’s Record: 14-6

Last Week’s Win %: 70.0%

Season Record: 123-57

Season Win %: 68.3%