4A-2A Ultimate Preview: The Best Week 2 Games in Texas

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Springtown (1-0) at Graham (1-0): Springtown opened the season with a resounding 30-9 win over 5A Joshua last week as the Porcupines got contributions from multiple areas. QB Kaine Hill, back after a monster sophomore season, had a touchdown on the ground and through the air. Three different ball carriers had at least 50 yards rushing on nearly seven yards per rush. After trying to slow down Joshua’s flexbone offense last week, they’ll have a different challenge this week against the more wide-open Graham attack. Graham went on the road and left Midland with a 17-7 win over Midland Christian behind a stout defense. The Steers allowed a big play in the first half through the air, but they totally dominated the second half on their way to the win. QB Jace Gill led the offense with a touchdown on the ground and through the air. Graham will need to be a little bit sharper on the offensive side of the house this week against an explosive Springtown attack, but that sharpness may need a couple more weeks to develop as Graham’s extremely young on the offensive side of the ball. Stepp’s Pick: Springtown by 10

Waco La Vega (1-0) at Celina (1-0): One of the highest profile matchups in the state this week is in the 4A level as Waco La Vega, last year’s 4A-Division II state runner-up, heads north to take on defending 4A-Division I state champion Celina. La Vega blitzed past Kennedale at home last week, 41-3. QB Kourtney Parr ran for a score and threw for a score in the win. The Pirates returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and had a punt return for a score as well, while the defense held a potent Kennedale rushing attack to just 55 yards on the night. They’ll need that defense to play even better this week as they try to slow an explosive Celina offense led by Oklahoma QB commit Bowe Bentley. The Bobcats used a pair of second half turnovers to blow past Bellville 50-28 in a neutral site matchup at Waco Midway last week. Bentley tossed three touchdown passes, while RB Logan Gutierrez tallied a score on the ground as well. Celina’s defense did struggle at times against a stout Bellville running game. Can a La Vega offense that has some talented young backs establish the running game and keep the ball away from Bentley? If they can, they have a chance to pull the upset. But if La Vega gets one dimensional, Celina will tee off. Stepp’s Pick: Celina by 15

Tyler Chapel Hill (1-0) at Gilmer (1-0):

Two of the top teams in East Texas will renew a fun non-district rivalry in Upshur County as Chapel Hill visits the Gilmer Buckeyes. Chapel Hill raced past Jasper 49-7 last week as WR Damarcion Blaylock had a monster night with 123 receiving yards and three scores; he also ran for a touchdown and had a kickoff return for a touchdown to lead the Bulldogs. Chapel Hill’s veteran defense, which brings back 10 starters, had a strong debut outing as well. Gilmer pulled away from a feisty Longview Pine Tree squad, 41-25. Early in the fourth quarter leading 19-17, Gilmer got a fumble return for a touchdown and then recovered a pooch kickoff and scored two plays later to break the game open at 34-17. Gilmer also return a muffed field goal snap for a touchdown in the first half. QB Zade Taylor had a strong night as well throwing for a score and getting a score on the ground as well. I don’t expect Chapel Hill to make the same mistakes Pine Tree did on special teams and the Bulldogs passing attack led by QB Malik Gee and WR’s Blaylock and Maliek Brown may be too much for a young Gilmer secondary. Stepp’s Pick: Tyler Chapel Hill by 7

Bay City (1-0) at Edna (1-0): Despite the difference in size of these two schools, for whatever reason the past few years 3A-Division II Edna has simply had 4A-Division I Bay City’s number. In fact, Edna has won the last four meetings, including an impressive 35-7 win last year. Bay City will look to reverse that trend this week as they head 40 miles west to Jackson County on Highway 111. Last wee,k Bay City’s young offense looked in mid-season form as the Black Cats raced past Sweeny, 48-14. A three-touchdown outburst in the second quarter put the game to bed by halftime. RB Aiden Wiggins ran for 123 yards and two scores, while ATH Keimarion Wiggins threw for 130 yards and a score; he also caught three passes for 62 yards and two scores. Edna looked strong in Jamie Dixon’s head coaching debut as the Cowboys raced past Vanderbilt Industrial, 46-2, in the Lavaca River Showdown. RB Maverick Robertson ran for three scores, while QB Trevor Floyd threw for a score and ran for a score in his debut at QB. Edna’s special teams also got involved with a kickoff return for a score as well. Edna’s taking a major step forward in competition this week and Bay City would love for nothing more than to put an end to Edna’s dominance. That veteran Black Cats defense and overall team speed gets the job done this year on the road. Stepp’s Pick: Bay City by 5

Midland Greenwood (1-0) at Sweetwater (1-0): Midland Greenwood has its sights set on challenging for the Region I title in 4A-Division II and after one week the Rangers look in mid-season form as they cruised past Childress 42-21. The game wasn’t as close as the score indicates as the Rangers led 35-7 at half and powered down in the second half. QB Lincoln Madrid had a hand in four scores as Greenwood won their 300th game in program history. Sweetwater rolled to an easy Week 1 win last week as the Mustangs handled Idalou 44-22. It was the first win for SHS under new head coach Brian Hodnett. QB Caiden Ortiz threw for 287 yards and three scores, while LB Braxton Bartee blocked a punt for a touchdown, recovered a fumble and racked up 10 tackles. Sweetwater’s offensive firepower will be a tough test for the Rangers, but Greenwood’s depth, experience and leadership at QB will be a big key in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Midland Greenwood by 14

Grand Saline (1-0) at Palmer (1-0): One of the state’s most underrated QB matchups will take place in Ellis County as Grand Saline heads west to take on a strong Palmer squad. Grand Saline rolled to a 42-21 win over Cooper last week as QB Jett Taylor threw for 117 yards  and three scores; he added 200 yards on the ground and a touchdown as well. Palmer rolled as well as the Bulldogs blasted an over-matched Blooming Grove squad 65-12. QB Eric Cisneros, a four-year starter, had a big night with 110 yards rushing and four scores and he added 102 yards through the air and two touchdowns. Both offenses are explosive. This game simply comes down to which of these defenses get stops and in a way this game will be a microcosm of their entire 2025 seasons. They’ll go as far as the defense takes them. Stepp’s Pick: Palmer by 4

Tidehaven (1-0) at Goliad (1-0): The game of the week in the Crossroads region features 3A-Division II powerhouse Tidehaven traveling over to Goliad, a 3A-Division I squad hoping to take the jump into the powerhouse category. Tidehaven opened the season in emphatic fashion as the Tigers ripped through Palacios 72-0. QB Kale Russell and the Tigers attack dominated from the outset. Goliad escaped Tidehaven’s district rival East Bernard in a close 20-14 win as the Tigers defense rose to the occasion late with an interception that sealed the win as East Bernard was looking for a game-winning score. Goliad’s skill playmakers of ATH LaMont Franklin and RB Donovan Perry will need to have big nights as they look to go blow-for-blow with this veteran Tidehaven attack. Goliad’s an underdog, but if they can get after Russell and pressure him some, they have the chance to pull the upset, much like they did a year ago. Stepp’s Pick: Tidehaven by 2

Hawley (1-0) at Albany (1-0): Albany will look for their second straight win over a Big Country 2A-Division I power as they will host Hawley. Hawley opened the season with a strong 33-14 win over Roscoe, spoiling Dan Loyd’s debut as a head coach. Hawley’s ground game was operating at a high level as John Doerschuk rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns, while Camden Ables rushed for 118 yards and another score. Albany’s defense was lights out last week as they knocked off Stamford 21-7. The Lions totally contained Stamford’s young offensive attack, while RB Breylon Billington ran for 119 yards and two scores. Hawley’s going to have to get the passing attack going if they want to get past Albany in this one. The Lions defense is experienced and tough and a one-dimensional offense won’t cut it. Look for the Lions to go 2-for-2 against Division I opponents from the Abilene area. Stepp’s Pick: Albany by 11

Stratford (0-0) at Panhandle (1-0): Two of the best at the 2A level in the Panhandle meet up as Stratford visits the Panthers, who many believe can get to Arlington at the 2A-Division I level. Stratford led Abernathy 14-0 late in the second quarter last week before rain and lightning called the game off. The game officially is a no-contest, but the Elks have to feel good about the performance. QB Chase Lantelme was off to a sizzling start throwing for 176 yards and two scores on just five pass completions. Panhandle absolutely demolished a rebuilding Clarendon squad, 71-0. Army QB commit Broxton Robinson threw for 174 yards and six scores and added a touchdown run on the ground to lead a dominant Panhandle effort. Stratford’s defense will be much better equipped to slow Robinson down, but Panhandle in 2025 has the look of a complete team on the offensive side and the defense continues to make strides. At home, with a chance to make a statement, I think Panhandle does just that with a solid win over an underrated Stratford bunch. Stepp’s Pick: Panhandle by 14

Quick Picks

El Paso Austin (1-0) at El Paso El Dorado (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: El Paso El Dorado by 18

Eagle Mountain (1-0) at Grandview (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Grandview by 14

Whitney (1-0) at Benbrook (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Benbrook by 3

Lorena (0-1) at Malakoff (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Malakoff by 4

Jefferson (1-0) at Newton (0-1) Stepp’s Pick: Newton by 3

Little River-Academy (0-1) at Lexington (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Lexington by 9

Hitchcock (1-0) at Hamshire-Fannett (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Hamshire-Fannett by 7

Wichita Falls City View (1-0) at Windthorst (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Windthorst by 10

Honey Grove (1-0) vs Marlin (0-1) Stepp’s Pick: Marlin by 3

Junction (1-0) at San Saba (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: San Saba by 4

Last Week’s Record: 18-2

Last Week’s Win %: 90.0%

Season Record: 18-2

Season Win %: 90.0%