Sulphur Springs (8-1, 4-1) at Frisco Panther Creek (8-1, 4-1): It’s a state ranked showdown in Frisco for second place in the brutally tough District 7-4A Division I as Sulphur Springs visits a surging Frisco Panther Creek squad. Sulphur Springs seems to be adjusting to life without star QB Deuce Timmons after a 38-14 win over Lake Dallas last week. The key stretch was in the final 1:38 of first half when SSHS scored 10 points to turn a 14-7 lead into a 24-7 halftime edge. Two interceptions keyed the flurry as DB Jio Ibarra returned an interception for a touchdown and then a second interception set up a field goal right before halftime. ATH Jaxson Haire again had a big night with two touchdown catches and touchdown run and QB Mason Cooper continues to improve after tossing three touchdown passes. Panther Creek also cruised last week rolling past Aubrey 52-7 as QB Graylyn Fry threw for 352 yards and five touchdowns, three going to Oregon commit Jalen Lott, who finished with 11 catches for 214 yards and three scores. BYU TE commit Parker Ord and Texas Tech ATH commit Donovan Webb also hauled in touchdowns. Panther Creek is a matchup problem for Sulphur Springs because of the explosive passing game. SSHS is great in the front seven but there’s questions in the secondary, with no Timmons, I’m not sure the Wildcats can keep up blow for blow with the Panthers. Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Panther Creek by 13

Dallas Carter (6-3, 6-0) vs Dallas Lincoln (7-1, 5-1): A share of the 8-4A Division I district title could be on the line this week as Dallas Lincoln could potentially move into the No. 1 seed with a win. A win for unbeaten Carter would wrap up an outright district crown. Carter pulled away from Dallas Pinkston for a 57-34 win. The Cowboys offense begins and ends with RB Damarion Boozer, who is one of the state’s most underrated and productive backs. If he gets on a roll, the Cowboys are tough to stop. Lincoln’s made huge strides the last two seasons and the Tigers with a win could take another step forward. LHS easily cruised past Dallas Roosevelt 42-14 as QB Emmanuel Holmes threw for 124 yards and four scores, while RB Ta'Lan Beachum added 178 yards and two rushing scores and he caught one of Holmes’ four touchdown passes. Lincoln’s offense can go blow for blow with Carter. But can the Tigers defense get stops against that tough Carter running game? I think this is a shootout, but I’ll give the edge to the Cowboys to lock up that 1-seed. Stepp’s Pick: Dallas Carter by 7

Hamshire-Fannett (7-2, 3-1) at West Orange-Stark (6-3, 4-0): We can get some chaos in 9-4A Division II this week if Hamshire-Fannett can go on the road and knock off West Orange-Stark. Hamshire-Fannett has rattled off three straight wins over losing to Silsbee, including an impressive 37-16 win over Shepherd last week. Hamshire-Fannett can’t get to the 1-seed in district, but a win by 10 or more could vault them to the two-seed. QB Blake Broussard completed all 13 of his passes last week for 190 yards and a score and he added a pair of touchdowns on the ground to lead the Longhorns. West Orange-Stark pitched their second shutout in district play last week as the Mustangs dominated Cleveland Tarkington 54-0. RB Khelvy Jefferson is the key for the WOS offense; on the fast track at West Orange-Stark he could have a big night and that overall team speed for the Mustangs is going to be the difference. Stepp’s Pick: West Orange-Stark by 10

Whitney (7-2, 4-0) at West (7-2, 3-1): Whitney has absolutely been dominant in district play to this point and they can wrap up an undisputed crown with a win on the road at an always tough West squad. Last week Whitney pummeled Groesbeck 52-7 as RB Jontae Johnson ran for four touchdowns and QB Kobe Haynes ran for two scores and threw for another as Whitney led 52-0 early in the third quarter before taking their foot off the gas late. West had won seven straight games, but last week the Trojans streak came to an abrupt end as West was unable to contain the Grandview offense in a 49-30 loss. Containing an explosive Whitney offense with a lot of team speed could be a real challenge for West. If they want to pull the upset they’ll need to try and grind out drives and keep Whitney off the field. I think West can do that for a while, but Whitney’s explosiveness is too much. Stepp’s Pick: Whitney by 12

Winnsboro (8-1, 4-1) at Malakoff (6-3, 4-1): Second place in 7-3A Division II is on the line in Henderson County as Winnsboro, fresh off a bye week, will look to take down a young, but very talented Malakoff squad. Winnsboro’s won four straight games and it’s been the Red Raiders offense that’s led the charge. In their 55-22 win over Mount Vernon two weeks ago, QB Nolee Carroll threw for 215 yards and three scores and he added 127 yards and two scores on the ground to lead the way. Speedy WR Camden Capehart, a Mississippi State commit, was the recipient of two of those touchdown receptions. Malakoff last week took down Mount Vernon, 38-27, as the Tigers scored the game’s final 10 points of the game. QB Canyon Marsh threw for two scores and ran for two scores, while RB Jerrion Hall ran for a score and had a vital interception return for a score to help lift MHS to the win. Winnsboro’s offense is a juggernaut. As long as they don’t turn it over, I’m not sure Malakoff can slow them down. Stepp’s Pick: Winnsboro by 10

Brady (7-2, 4-0) at Clifton (7-2, 3-1): Brady will look to wrap up an undefeated run in 5-3A Division II with a win on the road at a tough Clifton squad. Brady last week got a push from a desperate Tolar squad, but the Bulldogs were up to the task with a 20-14 win. Ashton Taylor ran for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns to pace and the Brady defense limited Tolar to 199 yards of total offense in the win. Clifton made quick work of Dublin last week in a 56-7 win. RB Judd New ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns and he added another touchdown receiving for the Cubs. QB Carter Ritz passed for 181 yards and two scores and ran for 45 yards and a score. Brady’s team speed is the big edge here in this game. The Bulldogs go on the road and wrap up the crown this week. Stepp’s Pick: Brady by 9

East Bernard (6-3, 5-0) at Tidehaven (9-0, 5-0): Unbeaten Tidehaven hosts always tough East Bernard as the Tigers look for a district title and a perfect regular season. Last week was an East Bernard-type win for the Brahmas as a tough defense and running game carried the way in a 28-7 win over a hot Vanderbilt Industrial squad. Tidehaven’s been among the state’s most dominant teams this year. The Tigers haven’t played a game closer than 21-points and they kept that going last week in a comfortable 40-6 win over Boling. QB Kale Russell continues to put up huge numbers and the Tigers defense was in top form last week as they forced five turnovers to give Russell and that Tidehaven offense great field position. Last year’s game was a rock-fight, a low-scoring defensive struggle. Tidehaven just looks way too explosive this year. Stepp’s Pick: Tidehaven by 15

Stamford (6-3, 3-1) at Hawley (6-3, 3-1): The No. 2 seed in 4-2A Division I is on the line in Hawley as last year’s state runner-up Stamford takes on the 2022 state champions. Both teams have had up and down seasons, but with a second-place finish that could set the winner up for a lengthy playoff run. Stamford last week knocked off a tough Anson squad 28-21 as the Bulldogs defense forced four turnovers. The offense is a concern as SHS ended the night with just 185 yards, but they did cash in on the short fields and that was vital. It was all clicking on the offensive side of the ball for Hawley last week in their 53-6 win over Olney. QB Aiden Romo threw for 161 yards and three scores, while the Bearcats running game was strong with 174 yards as a team and they chipped in two rushing touchdowns each from Brycen Stofel and Hunter Hudson. That Hawley offense is the key. Unless Stamford forces some turnovers, the Bearcats should pull away. Stepp’s Pick: Hawley by 13

Spearman (6-3, 3-1) at Panhandle (7-2, 3-1): Panhandle had designs on a possible state run in 2025 and they can still make that run, but it won’t be as district champions after the Panthers were knocked off a couple of weeks ago in a shootout with West Texas High. PHS QB and Army commit Broxton Robinson might be the best player in the Texas Panhandle and he kept his sensational senior season going last week in their 67-6 rout of Amarillo Highland Park. Robinson was solid on offense and while playing linebacker he also had an interception return for a score. Caden Armes returned the game’s opening kickoff for a score and had a punt return for a score as well. Spearman pushed West Texas High to the limit, but fell late 21-19. QB Jailen Vasquez has been a revelation for Spearman who has opened up the offense this year. I expect a close game as Spearman is much better than given credit for, but Panhandle has the difference maker in Robinson. Stepp’s Pick: Panhandle by 4

Quick Picks

Canyon (6-3, 2-2) vs Canyon Randall (7-2, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Canyon Randall by 6

Navasota (7-2, 3-1) at Fort Bend Crawford (8-1, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Fort Bend Crawford by 11

Eagle Mountain (7-2, 3-1) at Graham (6-3, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Graham by 2

Texarkana Pleasant Grove (8-1, 4-0) at Van (6-3, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Pleasant Grove by 20

Rockport-Fulton (6-3, 3-0) at Sinton (8-1, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Sinton by 8

Pottsboro (8-1, 5-0) at Whitesboro (5-4, 3-2) Stepp’s Pick: Pottsboro by 14

Little River-Academy (5-4, 3-1) at Cameron Yoe (3-6, 1-3) Stepp’s Pick: Little-River Academy by 17

Orange Grove (8-1, 5-1) at London (5-4, 4-2) Stepp’s Pick: Orange Grove by 15

Jacksboro (5-4, 4-0) at Holliday (6-3, 2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Jacksboro by 5

Alvord (7-2, 5-0) at Wolfe City (5-4, 4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Alvord by 11

Last Week’s Record: 18-2

Last Week’s Win %: 90.0%

Season Record: 134-46

Season Win %: 74.4%