Predicting the Biggest Week 6 Games in Texas: 4A, 3A, 2A

Bay City (4-1, 1-0) at Navasota (4-1, 1-0): Buckle up for this one as a district title in 11-4A Division I is likely on the line between two top 10 caliber teams on a statewide level. Bay City showed no signs of a letdown last week after the big win over West Orange-Stark as the Blackcats rolled past Brookshire Royal, 49-7. QB Keimarion Wiggins had a big night throwing for 198 yards and three scores and adding 59 yards on the ground and two scores. Sophomore RB Daveion Agu topped 100 yards rushing for the second straight week; he led a balanced Bay City ground game with 125 yards on the ground and a score. Bay City ran for 313 yards as the offense tallied an impressive 511 yards. Navasota opened district play a week ago with a dominant 46-27 win over West Columbia as the combination of QB Jace Jablonski and RB Cameron Burrell controlled the game and the Rattlers defense forced three West Columbua turnovers. Jablonski ran for 105 yards and three scores, and he added 164 yards in the air and a touchdown, while Burrell added 109 yards on the ground and two scores and he caught two passes for 40 yards. Bay City’s still riding high after that big win over West Orange-Stark two weeks ago. The Blackcats’ defense is operating at an elite level, but it’s a tough road trip all the way up to Navasota. It’ll be close, but Bay City’s defense combined with elite playmaking ability on offense gives the Blackcats the nod. Stepp’s Pick: Bay City by 6

Kerrville Tivy (4-0, 1-0) at San Antonio Davenport (3-1, 1-0): The game of the week in the Alamo City pits two state ranked teams going at it. New 4A contender Kerrville Tivy, who has looked great dropping down from 5A thus far, takes on a new power in the city in Davenport, which has had big success since opening in 2022. Tivy made quite the statement last week as the Antlers rolled up over 600 yards of offense in a shocking 70-14 win over Austin LBJ last week. QB Cohen Stehling was the maestro of the Tivy attack with an eye-popping 515 yards through the air and eight touchdowns and 89 yards rushing and a score. It’s the second straight week that Stehling has tallied nine total touchdowns in an MVP-type pace. Davenport won a shootout over a strong Canyon Lake squad last week, 56-41. The Wolves were led by QB Tristan Torrez, who threw for 319 yards and five scores, and he added a rushing touchdown as well in the win. If you like offense, this might be the game for you as both teams can get up and down the field with anyone in 4A. I likely would have leaned heavy to Davenport in this one during the preseason, but the Wolves have shown vulnerability on defense in recent weeks and Tivy’s offense is an absolute wagon. Tivy makes their big statewide splash at the 4A level this week with a high-scoring win over state-ranked San Antonio Davenport. Stepp’s Pick: Kerrville Tivy by 3

Slaton (3-2) at Bushland (3-2): After getting off to a slow 1-2 start, it appears the Slaton Tigers are starting to find their footing as Clint Conkin’s squad has rattled off two straight wins, including a dominant 63-6 win over Lubbock Trinity Christian last week. The Tigers’ running game was lethal last week rolling up 409 yards on the ground and seven scores, led by Trae Harris’ 104 yards rushing and two scores. WR Z’Qedrian Wadley had a 30-yard touchdown run and hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass in the dominant Slaton victory. Bushland raced past 4A-Division I Hereford with ease last week in a 62-21 win. The Falcons were led by QB Parker Hall, who threw for 186 yards and two scores and he added 44 yards on the ground and a score. The Falcons also returned a kickoff for a score and had an interception return for a score in the win. Slaton’s team speed will keep them in this game, but taking the long trip up to the Amarillo area and dealing with Bushland’s big edge in the trenches will be too much for the Tigers to overcome. Stepp’s Pick: Bushland by 17

Vernon (3-2) at Idalou (5-0): After battling injuries early in the season, Vernon appears to be hitting their stride under first-year head coach Brock Payne. The Lions will face what is undoubtedly their toughest test of the season as they hit the road to take on No. 1 Idalou. Vernon slipped past Iowa Park in their annual rivalry game as the Lions defense dominated in a 17-0 win. Vernon allowed just 73 yards of offense in the win and that defense led by LB’s Bowie Eakin and Tyce Payne and UTRGV DE commit Adrian Felton has been a calling card all year. The offense did enough in the win as Tyce Payne hauled in a long touchdown pass and WR M’aujehl Aboso scored on a jet sweep for the Lions. Idalou is fresh off their biggest win of the season as last week in a state ranked showdown against fellow unbeaten Shallowater, the Wildcats emerged with a 46-35 win. RB A.J. Huddleston again paced the Idalou attack rushing for 201 yards and three scores. Jude Heard added 74 yards and two scores, while Brayden Hurst added 105 passing yards and 82 rushing yards. The Idalou defense did give up yards, but the key was they forced three turnovers, including an interception return for a score in the first half. Vernon’s defense is good enough to keep them in this one on the road, but Idalou’s a state title contender and at home, it’s tough to pick against this team heading into district play. Huddleston and his dynamic ability will pound out a low scoring win. Stepp’s Pick: Idalou by 8

Whitney (4-1, 1-0) at Grandview (3-2, 1-0): This week’s showdown in Johnson County could go a long way in deciding the 6-3A Division I title as explosive Whitney brings their offensive firepower to Grandview to take on the Zebras, which have gotten their wheels back on after a slow start. For Whitney, make no mistake about it, thing start and end with TCU QB commit Kobe Haynes. In last week’s wild 54-45 win over Mexia, Haynes had another monster performance as he threw for 210 yards and four touchdowns, and he ran for 248 yards and four touchdowns. The Whitney defense has been able to come up with key stops, but a big red flag for this team’s playoff viability is a defense that is now allowing over 34 points per game (and that’s with a week one shutout win factored in). Grandview opened district play last week with their own explosive win as the Zebras raced past Palmer, 64-39, QB Mason Landers had a big night with 330 yards passing and three scores and he added two scores on the ground. RB Briggs Jentsch paced the rushing attack with 134 yards and two scores. WR Kason Sanders also had a huge night catching seven passes for 217 yards and two scores; he ran for 69 yards and another touchdown. Buckle up for this one. This will be an absolute shootout as both teams can get up and down the field and both defenses have at times had their struggles. Whichever defense can get a stop late will win this one and that edge goes to the home team in Grandview. Stepp’s Pick: Grandview by 3

Marion (4-1, 1-0) at Yoakum (2-2, 0-0): The District 13-3A Division I crown could get decided in the second week of district play as an underrated Marion squad visits the defending state champions who are coming off a bye week after running a brutal non-district gauntlet. Marion made quick work of San Antonio Cole last week in a dominant 52-14 victory. The Bulldogs used two signal-callers in the win, and both were equally effective. Junior QB Hayden Hamilton threw for 115 yards and two scores, while sophomore QB Cooper Benavides threw for 151 yards and a score and added two scores on the ground for Marion in the win. Yoakum had last week off, but Bo Robinson’s young squad may be turning the corner a bit as they rolled to a dominant 41-13 win over 4A West Columbia a week ago. Yoakum’s a much better team than their record indicates and their team speed across the board is going to be a real headache for Marion to deal with. Yoakum makes a big statement in their district opener this week. Stepp’s Pick: Yoakum by 20

Wallis Brazos (4-1, 0-1) at Tidehaven (1-4, 0-1): A young Tidehaven team has taken their lumps against a very difficult non-district schedule and this week the Tigers are teetering on the brink a bit as they take on a very good Brazos squad in desperate need of a win themselves. Brazos dropped a 42-35 heartbreaker to district favorite East Bernard last week. The Cougars offense was outstanding as QB Colton Hudgins had a big night throwing for 212 yards and three scores. His top target was WR JT Miles who had six catches for 115 yards and a pair of scores. The key stat in this one was Brazos’ inability to slow the ground game of East Bernard as in key moments, the Cougars simply could not get off the field. Last week was definitely a low point for Tidehaven as they simply were dominated on both sides of the line of scrimmage in a 47-14 loss to Vanderbilt Industrial last week. The game wasn’t nearly as close as the score indicates as Tidehaven trailed at halftime 41-7 before Industrial slowed the game down and cruised to the win. I expect Tidehaven to show a lot of pride this week. It’s not a talent thing for David Lucio’s squad; It is a youth thing. So expect a supreme effort. But Brazos is senior heavy. They’ve been there done that in this rugged district, and I think that experience is key for the Cougars to get a key district victory. Stepp’s Pick: Wallis Brazos by 11

Gruver (5-0) at Panhandle (2-3): Unbeaten Gruver will look to close the non-district slate in style as the Greyhounds are fresh off a big 56-28 win on the road over previously unbeaten Wellington last week. Gruver’s passing game was operating at peak efficiency as QB Jett Pittman had a career night throwing for 340 yards and six touchdowns on just 13 completed passes, so the big plays were coming fast and furious. Pittman also added a touchdown on the ground, while RB Quinn Conyers chipped in 74 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. Gruver’s defense held the explosive Wellington passing game in check as well and that was vital for the ‘Hounds to pull away in this one. Don’t let Panhandle’s 2-3 record fool you; the Panthers are a very good team whose last two losses came to a state ranked 2A team by one score and a good 3A squad in Childress by one score. In last week’s 35-28 loss to Childress, PHS got another strong effort from RB Lukas Purcell, who had 168 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns. But the Panthers defense in those key game changing situations just was unable to manage a stop. PHS allowed 436 yards of offense to Childress in the loss, and the secondary was hit for over 300 yards through the air. That matchup does not bode well for Panhandle. Stepp’s Pick: Gruver by 16

Hawkins (4-1, 1-0) at Price Carlisle (4-0, 0-0): Hawkins will head south to Price to take on district favorite Price Carlisle in an intriguing 10-2A Division I matchup that has plenty of playoff implications. Last week Hawkins opened district play with a hard fought 21-13 win over Cayuga. It was the Hawks’ defense that rose to the occasion holding CHS to just 206 yards of offense. HHS has a pair of key goal line stands to hold Cayuga to field goals, which proved to be the difference. QB Eli Smith was a star on both sides for the Hawks as he threw for 315 yards and three scores and added 11 tackles. WR Eli Snider was the key target with six catches for 191 yards and two scores. Carlisle had their bye week last week, but the Indians took care of business in their last outing taking down Lovelady 35-14 in a hard-fought game that was tied 14-14 at the half. The Indians dominated the second half with three unanswered scores. After the Indians took a 21-14 lead on an Antonio Ibarra TD run, Carlisle got a key goal line stand and then responded with an Elvis Hernandez TD run to seize control of the game at 28-14. Ibarra would put the game on ice with a long TD pass to Camron Cook for the final margin. Hawkins has a dynamic passing game, but Carlisle’s balance in the running game and stout defense is a real issue for Hawkins in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Price Carlisle by 21

Quick Picks

Dumas (1-3) at Lubbock Liberty (5-0) Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Liberty by 19

Decatur (4-0, 1-0) at Lake Dallas (3-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Decatur by 10

Houston Wheatley (2-2, 1-0) vs Houston Yates (3-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Houston Yates by 17

Pearsall (1-2) at Ingram Moore (4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Ingram Moore by 16

Wall (5-0) at Midland Christian (2-3) Stepp’s Pick: Wall by 14

Cameron Yoe (4-0, 1-0) at Franklin (1-3, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Franklin by 2

Daingerfield (1-4, 1-0) at Hooks (1-3, 0-0) Stepp’s Pick: Daingerfield by 9

Granger (3-2, 1-0) at Hearne (1-3, 0-0) Stepp’s Pick: Granger by 24

Ropesville Ropes (4-0) vs Stinnett West Texas (4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Ropesville Ropes by 7

Iraan (3-2) vs Hale Center (4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Hale Center by 11

Last Week’s Results: 16-4 80.0%

Season Results: 77-23 77.0%