Predicting the Biggest Week 4 Games in Texas: 4A, 3A, 2A

El Paso Chapin (1-2) at El Paso Andress (3-0): Northeast El Paso will be buzzing this week as this neighborhood rivalry takes center stage. Chapin, a 5A-Division II program, is reeling a bit after a surprise loss last week to Andress’ district rival El Paso Riverside, 44-43. A disaster of a first half doomed Chapin in the loss as the Huskies dug themselves a 26-14 hole at halftime that they were unable to climb out of. ATH Fabian Ortiz led the charge on offense with 72 receiving yards and a score along with 62 yards on the ground. Andress stepped up to the 6A level this past week and passed the test with a hard-fought come-from-behind 20-17 win over El Paso Franklin. Andress trailed 17-7 going into the fourth quarter, but QB Jamari Milton’s touchdown run cut the lead to one score and then Julian Guzman’s touchdown run with just under two minutes left in the game gave AHS the lead. Franklin tried to rally, but junior DB Calvin Hutchings picked off a pass and Andress kneeled it out to get the huge win. The Eagles are looking like a real threat out of the Sun City this year and with QB Milton leading the charge as one of the state’s best kept secrets, look for Andress to roll this week. Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Andress by 17

Lubbock Liberty (3-0) at Canyon West Plains (2-1): Two of the newest 4A programs in West Texas do battle as third-year program Lubbock Cooper Liberty battles with fifth-year program Canyon West Plains. No 4A team out west has been as dominant as Liberty has been in the early portion of the year as the Patriots are fresh off a 56-25 demolition of Midland Greenwood. QB Cy Leach completed all 13 of his pass attempts on the day for 226 yards and two scores and Talon Wilcox had three rushing touchdowns as well. Liberty’s defense forced three Greenwood turnovers, which allowed them to cruise into halftime with a 42-8 lead and play backups much of the second half. After dropping their season opener to Wall, Canyon West Plains has found their footing the last two weeks. Last week the Wolves raced past Seminole 54-24 as RB Slade Russell continues to have a monster season, and the young West Plains defense continues to improve on a weekly basis. Liberty is a different animal right now. They have size, speed and unusually good depth for a 4A-Division II program. I expect them to get a big road win as non-district begins to wind down. Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Liberty by 10

West Orange-Stark (3-0) at Bay City (2-1): Unbeaten West Orange-Stark will look to keep their strong start going, but this time on the road as the Mustangs take the long trip from the Golden Triangle down to Bay City. WOS last week had no trouble with local rival Bridge City in an easy 42-0 win as RB Khelvy Jefferson ran for 145 yards and two scores and QB Kwalin Dugas completed all three of his passes thrown for 88 yards and two scores. Dugas showed his running ability as well with 115 yards and a score on the ground. On defense, West Orange-Stark was just as stingy holding Bridge City to just 108 yards of offense on the night. There’s not much you can take from last week’s blowout win for Bay City over Houston Furr as the Blackcats cruised to a 62-0 win. QB Kemarion Wiggins and RB Aiden Williams are a tremendous 1-2 punch for BCHS, but the key this week will be can the ‘Cats contain a physical ground attack of West Orange-Stark? Stepp’s Pick: West Orange-Stark by 11

Corpus Christi Calallen (2-1) at Sinton (2-1): Two of the small school powers on the Coastal Bend clash this week in a measuring stick game after both teams are coming off losses last week. For Calallen, the loss was a bit more lopsided as the Wildcats were trounced by Gregory-Portland 47-7. Calallen’s offense moved the ball well early on, but couldn’t convert in the red zone and the defense just simply wore down in the second half as a 20-7 halftime score turned into a rout in the second half. Sinton went on the road last week and suffered a close loss to Cuero, 38-31. RB Marcos Zapata had a pair of touchdown runs and QB Quincy Bess ran for a score as well. The Pirates’ special teams also returned a kickoff for a score, but they definitely feel like they left some opportunities on the table in the defeat. Sinton’s offensive firepower is key in this game; the Pirates get the edge in what should be a very competitive matchup. Stepp’s Pick: Sinton by 7

Bellville (2-1) at Columbus (3-0): Most people think of Sealy as Bellville’s big rival, but Columbus isn’t far off at No. 2 as these two nearby communities who pride themselves on physical football will renew their rivalry. Bellville last week let a second half lead slip away in a 29-25 loss to Stafford. The Brahmas Slot-T offense had three backs top 100 yards led by Travis Turner, who ran for 144 yards and two scores. The biggest concern was Bellville’s offense, especially in the second and third quarters, with their inability to punch it in from the red zone as BHS settled for three field goals. Top ranked Columbus is 3-0 against 4A programs in non-district thus far after the Cardinals blew past Needville 48-21. RB Doc Cantu had a monster night for CHS running for 273 yards and seven scores. He found massive holes time after time operating behind a big offensive line anchored by Texas commit Keyon Hemphill-Woods. Sophomore QB David James added balance to the Columbus attack with 155 yards through the air and the Columbus defense kept the explosive Needville offense in check. Expect a quick and physical game with both teams perfectly happy to line up and run the ball and be physical. The difference is that Columbus defense and their balance on the offensive side. Stepp’s Pick: Columbus by 10

Mount Vernon (3-0) at Canton (3-0): It’s a rare Thursday night treat in Van Zandt County as two East Texas teams with high hopes will clash in a real measuring stick showdown before district play ramps up. Mount Vernon got pushed last week against a good Blue Ridge squad, but the Tigers escaped with a 22-21 win. RB Brycen Fountain led the charge for MVHS with 208 yards on the ground and a touchdown. A couple of turnovers prevented Mount Vernon from pulling away, so the Tigers will need to clean that up this week on the road. Canton last week turned the ball over four times, but the Eagles offense was explosive enough on the day to escape Caddo Mills with a come from behind 48-40 win. CHS rolled up 621 yards of offense on the night, with a near 50/50 split between rushing and passing. QB Cort Ray was the story for the Eagles as he threw for 317 yards and five scores and ran for 126 yards and a score. Whichever offense can take care of the football will win this one and I think Canton’s better equipped to get that done at home in a big game. Stepp’s Pick: Canton by 11

Hardin (2-1) at East Chambers (3-0): It’s a sneaky good small school showdown in the Golden Triangle as the speed and big play ability of East Chambers goes up against the brute force and size of the Hardin Hornets. Both teams came away with lopsided wins a week ago, so this should be a really intriguing showdown. Hardin rolled past Beaumont Kelly 57-0 last week as the Hornets rolled up 360 yards of offense on just 30 plays total. ATH Jayden Phelps had a big game hauling in two touchdown passes and returning the second half kickoff for a touchdown as well to lead a balanced Hardin attack. East Chambers rolled to an easy win last week over Houston St. Pius X, 56-14, as RB Earius Ceasar went absolutely nuclear with 402 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground to pace the Bucs. But others played a role, including WR Colby West, who had five receptions for 95 yards. Hardin dominated ECHS a year ago when these two met. I think this year’s meeting is a little closer, but I am not convinced East Chambers can withstand up front for four quarters of the physicality that Hardin will bring to the table, they are just a really difficult matchup. Stepp’s Pick: Hardin by 12

Bishop (2-1) at Kenedy (3-0): Bishop, after suffering a tough loss in a 60-49 shootout to 4A Corpus Christi King, will take on a much smaller school this week, but still a strong foe in state-ranked Kenedy. The Badgers offense continues to play well as QB Braxton Montalvo threw for 404 yards and three scores, while adding two rushing touchdowns to pace BHS. The defense will have to figure things out as they try and contain one of the most dynamic 2A offensive attacks in the state in Kenedy. The Lions blew past Karnes City a week ago 54-6 as several KHS players had standout performances in the victory. QB Jericho Jackson threw for 287 yards and six scores. Sophomore WR Dylan Russell led the way with eight catches for 159 yards and two scores, while sophomore RB Ruben Solis added 159 yards and two scores on the ground. This is a big step up in competition for Kenedy, a 2A-Division I school, but the Lions front line speed and talent is elite. Stepp’s Pick: Kenedy by 7

Canadian (2-1) at Canyon Randall (3-0): It’s a fun matchup of Panhandle powers as 3A-Division II Canadian punches up two divisions to take on unbeaten 4A-Division I Canyon Randall. Last week Canadian dropped a heartbreaker to Shallowater 31-28. The Wildcats led 28-16 with just over a minute left but SHS had a miracle comeback with a touchdown pass, an onside kick recovery and another touchdown pass with 30 seconds left to win the game. QB Brooks Wall led the charge with 137 yards passing and a touchdown and 150 yards rushing and three scores. Randall had no issues last week as the Raiders went on the road and dominated a rebuilding Borger squad to the tune of 49-0. QB Hendrix Funk had a monster night tallying 459 yards through the air and four touchdowns. His favorite target was speedy WR Phoenix Sherwood, who had nine catches for 167 yards and a score; Sherwood also added a touchdown run for the Raiders. One lingering question for Canadian will be the status of QB Weston Mitchell. If Mitchell can play, Canadian has the firepower to keep up with Randall. But if he’s out, I don’t think Canadian has enough to keep pace. Stepp’s Pick: Canyon Randall by 9

Quick Picks

Dallas Kimball (2-1, 1-0) vs Dallas Lincoln (2-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Dallas Lincoln by 3

Wimberley (2-0) at Lampasas (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Wimberley by 2

Brownwood (1-2) at Graham (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Graham by 18

Levelland (2-1) at Sweetwater (1-2) Stepp’s Pick: Sweetwater by 7

Bandera (2-1) at Ingram Moore (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Ingram Moore by 5

Jefferson (2-1) at Texarkana Liberty-Eylau (1-2) Stepp’s Pick: Jefferson by 13

Poth (2-1) at Goliad (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Goliad by 10

Grand Saline (3-0) at Joaquin (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Jefferson by 13

Panhandle (2-1) at Ropesville Ropes (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Ropes by 11

Post (3-0) at Slaton (1-2) Stepp’s Pick: Post by 21

Last Week’s Results: 17-3 85.0%

Season Results: 47-13 78.3%