Predicting the Biggest Week 5 Games in Texas: 4A, 3A, 2A

Stephenville (4-0) vs Canyon West Plains (2-2): These two 4A state powers have split the last two meetings in the playoffs. If they meet again this year, it’ll be in the state title game. Stephenville has won their last 20 games, but the ‘Jackets did get tested last week in a 42-23 win over 5A Abilene Wylie. QB Trot Jordan threw for 197 yards and four touchdowns, while RB Zyler McClendon tallied 204 yards on the ground and a score. The top receiving target was sophomore WR Caden Monk, who had 10 catches for 107 yards and two scores. West Plains nearly pulled off the upset last week but were stunned late in a 29-28 loss to Lubbock Liberty at home. RB Slade Russell had his fourth straight 200-yard rushing game as he tallied 206 yards and two scores to lead the Wolves charge as they rallied from a 14-0 deficit to take the lead late before Liberty pulled it out with under a minute remaining. West Plains has played a brutal schedule, but the defending state champions are playing on a different level than the rest of the state in 4A-Division I. Stepp’s Pick: Stephenville by 17

Midland Greenwood (3-1) at Wall (4-0): Last week, Midland Greenwood bounced back nicely from a tough Week 3 loss to Lubbock Liberty, but this week the challenge is again very tough as the Rangers visit the Concho Valley to take on powerful Wall. Last week Greenwood took on much-improved Wichita Falls Legacy, a 5A opponent that came into the game unbeaten and the Rangers escaped with a 43-42 win. It was a back-and-forth affair, and it was a Hayden McNutt’s two-point conversion reception from Andrick Rodriguez with 1:43 remaining that proved to be the game winning score. Greenwood got three touchdown runs from Tripp Martin, including a 68-yard jaunt with 1:48 remaining that set up the game winning two-point conversion. 3A-Division I No. 3 Wall had no trouble with Ozona last week in an easy 51-6 victory. QB Gunner King continues to shine in his fourth varsity start. Last week the senior threw for 337 yards and five scores, and he added a touchdown on the ground. RB Gunner Garza added 78 yards rushing and a score and he also had a 37-yard touchdown reception for the Hawks. Wall has shown they have the front-talent to play with larger schools (as evidenced by their Week 1 win over Canyon West Plains), but Greenwood may be a bit too much and the Rangers break Wall’s 20 game winning streak. Stepp’s Pick: Midland Greenwood by 8

Robinson (3-1) at Glen Rose (3-1): If you like points in bunches, this may be the game for you as two of the top offenses in 4A-Division II will meet up in what should be a true measuring stick as these programs prep for district play. Robinson raced past Franklin, 52-38, last week as TCU commit Brice McCurdy had another monster night throwing for 379 yards and five scores. His top two targets also had huge nights as Dylan Medlock hauled in 10 passes for 169 yards and three scores and Brayden Terry had eight catches for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Glen Rose has been living dangerous the past two weeks, but the Tigers have managed to grab wins in back-to-back close games, including last week’s 42-39 win over China Spring. QB Judd Connally had a game for the ages with 216 passing yards and a score and 235 yards on the ground and three scores. I’m not sure either defense will be able to consistently generate stops, but the balance and the firepower of the Robinson offense led by McCurdy gets the edge in this showdown. Stepp’s Pick: Robinson by 9

Winnsboro (4-0) at Commerce (3-1): District 7-3A Division I play gets started with a bang this week as two powerful offenses hook up in an opener dripping with playoff implications. Winnsboro’s much-improved defense continues to play well as the Red Raiders last week dominated an explosive Hooks offense in a 38-6 win. Ky Caddell threw for 195 yards on just six completed passes and tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Kash Noble to pace the Red Raiders attack. Bruising RB Neree Castleberry paced the WHS ground game with 68 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Commerce has bounced back nicely from their loss to Canton two weeks ago. Last week the Tigers had no trouble with Blue Ridge in a dominant 59-27 victory. QB Aidan Brown, one of the state’s best kept secrets, stuffs the stat sheet with huge numbers every week. Last week the senior signal-caller threw for 288 yards and three scores, and he added 175 yards on the ground and three more scores. The Tigers rolled up 563 yards of offense. This game comes down to defense; both offenses are plenty explosive and right now I like the Winnsboro defense, which is allowing just over six points per game. Stepp’s Pick: Winnsboro by 7

Goliad (2-2) at Edna (3-1): Former district rivals Goliad and Edna will renew acquaintances in what is now a non-district matchup after the UIL moved Edna over to Region III. It’s been an up and down start for a young Goliad squad, and the Tigers took it on the chin last week in a disappointing 35-13 loss to Poth. Three turnovers proved to be incredibly costly in the loss and Coach Salazar knows his team has to clean that piece up as district play approaches. QB Corbin Rosenquest had 238 yards of total offense and ran for a score to lead the Goliad attack. Edna took down an athletic and much-improved Rice Consolidated squad, 27-14. RB Maverick Robertson had a monster night for the Cowboys with 286 yards rushing and three scores. Edna’s defense also showed up big with a couple of key interceptions that snuffed out Rice Consolidated scoring threats. Edna’s combination of speed and physicality is a tough matchup for anyone in Region IV; it’s why the Cowboys won the region three straight years from 2022-2024 and that’s the key in this game. Stepp’s Pick: Edna by 14

Idalou (4-0) at Shallowater (4-0): It’s a 3A showdown on the South Plains many in the Lubbock area have been waiting on as unbeaten Idalou visits unbeaten Shallowater in a battle of state ranked teams. Idalou roared to an easy 60-20 win last week over 4A Fort Stockton as a 34-point second quarter outburst from the Wildcats put this game to bed by halftime. Two-way star RB/LB A.J. Huddleston led the way with 201 yards rushing and three scores and he hauled in a 44-yard touchdown reception from QB Brayden Hurst. In a supporting role, Jude Heard tallied 177 yards on the ground and three scores as well. Shallowater got a bit of a push last week from Monahans, but the Mustangs were able to hold the Loboes off for a 35-21 victory. QB Logan Winn continues to impress as he threw for 259 yards and four scores, and he added a touchdown on the ground. Winn spread the ball around to multiple receivers as four players had over 50 yards receiving with Micah Blackshear leading the charge with two touchdown receptions and 52 receiving yards. The big difference in this game is Idalou’s front play on both sides of the ball and their ability to run the football, and I think that lifts the Division II Wildcats to a big non-district win over their opponents who are in Division I. Stepp’s Pick: Idalou by 3

Ingram Moore (4-0) at Mason (4-0): The Hill Country should be buzzing this week as unbeaten 3A-Division I Ingram Moore visits the Puncherdome to take on state-ranked Mason, a 2A-Division I program punching up two divisions in this one. Ingram Moore is proving they aren’t just a one-year wonder as the Warriors are off to a sizzling start after last week’s dominant 44-14 win over Bandera. ITM (Ingram Tom Moore as they are known) got 158 yards rushing and two scores from William Symm and 88 yards rushing and two scores from Kaleb Ward to lead the charge. QB Logan Spalding also was stout with 233 yards through the air and two scores. Last week, Mason obliterated a rebuilding Junction squad to the tune of 62-8 as everything went right for the Punchers, who average 58 points per game. QB Ryder Balmos continued his hot start to the season throwing for 198 yards and four scores; RB Slade Buell added 168 yards rushing and three scores as well. Mason’s defense was lights out holding Junction to just 36 yards of total offense and four total first downs. Both teams are very good and expect to play past Thanksgiving, but Mason’s an elite bunch and they have the play in the trenches to hang with a much larger school. Stepp’s Pick: Mason by 9

Gruver (4-0) at Wellington (4-0): Two of the top 2A programs in the Texas Panhandle will clash in a game that will not be for the faint of heart as both teams love to play a physical brand of football. Gruver rolled past Amarillo River Road last week, 63-27. The Greyhounds got 210 yards combined rushing yards from Quin Conyers and Jax Cantu, while QB Jett Pittman tossed four touchdown passes to give Gruver plenty of balance. WR/DB Mason Lankford had himself quite the day with two touchdown catches and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Wellington cruised past Lubbock Trinity Christian last week, 40-6, as QB Callen Kane threw for 184 yards and three scores and added a touchdown on the ground as well. The Skyrockets had a pair of 100-yard rushers as Conner Bowen ran for 111 yards and a score and Colton Jernigan added 100 yards rushing and a touchdown. Wellington’s defense was stellar as well holding Lubbock Trinity Christian to just 189 yards of offense and forcing four turnovers. Gruver’s defense and their physicality is the key in this game. Even though it’s a long road trip down to Wellington, the Greyhounds have the edge in a one-score game. Stepp’s Pick: Gruver by 7

Collinsville (4-0) at Alvord (4-0): Fresh off a massive win over a Muenster team that has been a thorn in their side, Collinsville will look to keep things going as they take on another unbeaten team in Alvord. Last week Collinsville went on the road and took down Muenster 50-47 ending the Hornets fifteen game winning streak, QB Paxton Davidson was the star of the show for the Pirates throwing for 371 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 125 yards on the ground and two scores. Collinsville rolled up 541 yards offense in the win, but more importantly this is a major confidence builder for the Pirates who have legitimate hopes of contending for a state title. It’s the second straight week Alvord is taking on an unbeaten opponent as last week the Bulldogs defense dominated in taking down previously undefeated Era 28-6. RB Cutter Hamilton had a big night for AHS rushing for 206 yards and four scores, while also taking homecoming king honors at halftime. Alvord’s personality has definitely taken on that of head coach Matt Fanning, they play a tough and physical brand of football and will take their deep shots in the passing game when needed, but this Collinsville team is a bona fide title contender with just a bit too much firepower. Stepp’s Pick: Collinsville by 9

Quick Picks

Canyon Randall (4-0) vs Waco University (2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Canyon Randall by 2

Lake Dallas (2-1) at Springtown (1-2) Stepp’s Pick: Springtown by 10

San Antonio Davenport (2-1) at Canyon Lake (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Davenport by 17

Sunnyvale (4-0) at Gilmer (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Sunnyvale by 7

Bishop (2-2) at Raymondville (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Raymondville by 14

Pittsburg (3-1) at Jefferson (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Jefferson by 4

Blanco (3-1) at Poth (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Blanco by 2

Hawley (2-2) at Post (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Post by 10

Weimar (3-1) at Kenedy (4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Kenedy by 13

Jacksboro (4-0) at Cisco (2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Jacksboro by 8

Last Week’s Results: 14-6 70.0%

Season Results: 61-19 76.2%