Rockwall (7-2) vs. Belton (7-3) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Rockwall’s Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium:
Two of the state’s most potent offenses meet up in Rockwall Friday night as Belton makes the trip up from Central Texas looking to pull the upset on a Rockwall squad whose only two losses this year are to unbeaten Highland Park and Longview. Rockwall had last week off and it’ll be interesting to see how the ‘Jackets handle the idle time right before the playoffs. Rockwall’s offense is led by Minnesota commit QB Jacob Clark who has thrown for 27 touchdowns this year, and recent Ohio State commit WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba who has accounted for 20 total touchdowns this season and is averaging over 18-yards per reception.

Belton had a shot to play for the district title last week, but simply had no answers for the Waco Midway rushing attack last week in a 53-21 loss. BHS lost its starting signal caller a couple of weeks ago and the Tiger offense is, although still good, definitely has lost some punch. On the road and against a powerful offensive attack in Rockwall, that’s not a good recipe for the Tigers.
Stepp’s Pick: Rockwall by 15

Pearland (10-0) vs. Dickinson (9-1) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Pearland’s The Rig:
It’s really rare that you get this kind of matchup in the first round of the playoffs, but here we are. Two state-ranked teams who have just a single loss between them meet up in what should be a dynamic first round game. Dickinson comes into this one on a two-game winning streak after a shocking Week 9 loss to Clear Springs. The Gators rolled past Alvin, 41-7, as junior QB Mike Welch continued his magical season and that speedy and aggressive DHS defensive attack shut down the ground oriented Alvin Wing-T attack.

Pearland under first-year head coach Ricky Tullos has gotten better each week as QB JD Head, who moved in this summer, has given the Oilers a dynamic passing threat and that combined with a big offensive line and RB Jaelin Benefield has made PHS a tough team to beat. Pearland’s defense, which has allowed just 21 points in the past three weeks appears to be playing its best football of the year as well. These two met in the 2014 and 2015 playoffs, with Dickinson winning both matchups, including an overtime thriller in 2015 at NRG Stadium. At The Rig in Pearland, look for the Oilers to win what will be an absolute slugfest.
Stepp’s Pick: Pearland by 4

Mesquite Poteet (8-2) vs College Station (8-2) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Mesquite’s Memorial Stadium:
College Station, the defending 5A Division II state champions, will have to take the three-hour road trip north after finishing in third place in the absolutely brutal District 8-5A Division I. The Cougars fell to Magnolia West 27-21 last week as two late turnovers ended their chances for a comeback win, CSHS can’t afford to dig an early hole this week against a Mesquite Poteet offense that’s one of the state’s most explosive.

Poteet, after the heartbreaking loss to Tyler John Tyler, bounced back with a 53-39 win over McKinney North as junior running back Seth McGown ran for 242 yards and three touchdowns, while two-way star Cam Lampkin had 91 receiving yards and an interception return for a touchdown that kept a late McKinney North rally at bay. Mesquite Poteet’s defense has at times left a lot to be desired and that ultimately will be its undoing likely in the next round, but I don’t expect College Station’s offense to be able to keep up this week.
Stepp’s Pick: Mesquite Poteet by 10

Kaufman (7-2) vs Lovejoy (7-2) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Kaufman’s Lion Stadium:
If you like points, Kaufman might be the place for you Friday night as two offenses with a lot of firepower hook up in a fascinating bi-district matchup. After a tough loss at home to Royse City in Week 9, Kaufman bounced back with two straight key wins down the stretch over Sulphur Springs and Forney to secure a home playoff game. Injuries and suspension have taken Kaufman’s top two running backs out of the picture so dual threat QB Trey Collier has taken on the role of primary ball carrier and his three touchdown runs last week proved to be the difference for the Lions who have shown a lot of grit in their first year as a 5A program.

Lovejoy got bit by the turnover bug last week in a 48-45 loss to Frisco. The Leopards dug themselves a 34-10 hole in the second quarter and nearly rallied back but a late fumble doomed the comeback attempt. Lovejoy QB Carson Collins had a monster night in the loss throwing for 521 yards and three touchdowns and he’s got weapons all over the field with Jahi Rainey and Jacob Terwiliger leading the charge. Kaufman’s injuries have really depleted what looked to be a real contender in Region II and unless the Lions' defense can force a bunch of turnovers, they may be hard pressed to keep pace with Lovejoy.
Stepp’s Pick: Lovejoy by 14

Springtown (8-2) vs Hereford (6-4) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Snyder’s Tiger Stadium:
Springtown bounced back from its loss to Wichita Falls Hirschi in Week 10 with a big 56-33 win over Burkburnett a week ago. The Porcupine offense exploded in the second half of the win scoring 42 points as sensational RB Cameron Rickett ran for three second half scores and hauled in one touchdown pass. He finished with five total touchdowns on the evening.

POJO will have their work cut out for them this week against a tough Hereford squad that loves to dictate the pace with bruising RB Seth Dixon and a tough defense. Hereford’s offense has been hit by the injury bug and will be almost solely reliant on Dixon and that running game. Springtown’s defense isn’t elite but against a one-dimensional team that lacks game breaking speed, the Porcupines will look to put Hereford into obvious passing downs and make them play from behind which will be hard for the Whitefaces.
Stepp’s Pick: Springtown by 16

Lubbock Estacado (7-3) vs Fort Stockton (8-2) Thursday 7:00 p.m. at Midland’s Grande Communications Stadium:
In what is one of the top first round matchups in all of Class 4A, the speedy Estacado Matadors of Lubbock and the surprise story of the Permian Basin, the Fort Stockton Panthers, will converge on beautiful Grande Communications Stadium Thursday for a bi-district showdown. Lubbock Estacado will look to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Levelland last week in what amounted to a district title game. The Mats held a 20-6 lead in the second half, but 21 straight points from Levelland stunned the favored squad from East Lubbock 27-20.

Fort Stockton was picked by most experts to finish fifth or sixth in district play showed it's a legit contender in West Texas finishing third in District 1-4A Division II and playing tough in its losses to Midland Greenwood and Snyder. Fort Stockton ended the season on a high note, rolling past Lamesa 46-14 as QB Nick Johnson led the charge for the Panthers accounting for 373 yards and five total touchdowns. What’s most encouraging for Fort Stockton fans is that Johnson accounted for 209 yards and three touchdowns through the air. If ground-oriented Fort Stockton is able to open the passing game up it should make them an extremely dangerous offense to contain. The key in this game is can Fort Stockton’s defense effectively deal with the big edge in speed that Lubbock Estacado brings to the table? If the Panthers can control the clock and keep their defense fresh, they’ve got an excellent chance to pull the upset. But if the pace of this game gets ramped up, that’s a big edge to first-year head coach Joe Cluley’s squad from Lubbock.
Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Estacado by 10

Sunnyvale (9-0) vs Gilmer (4-6) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Greenville’s Ford Stadium:
Surprising Sunnyvale has a chance to put an end to what’s been an absolutely miserable 2018 season for Gilmer. The Buckeyes limp into the playoffs with a 4-6 record and a third place district finish after last week’s loss to Texarkana Liberty-Eylau. It marked Gilmer’s first losing record in 23 years, but despite being an underdog on paper to unbeaten Sunnyvale, Gilmer has a shot to hang around in this one, mainly due to a very tough strength of schedule.

Sunnyvale rolled through its district slate behind a powerful offense that hasn’t scored less than 35 points in a game this year. QB Tripp McAda makes the Raiders' offense tick. He’s accounted for 33 total touchdowns and will be priority number one for Gilmer’s defense to slow down. If Gilmer can somehow contain McAda, the Buckeyes have shown they have enough of an offense to to do damage. Everything says Sunnyvale wins this game, but I think Gilmer rises up this week and pulls off what would be a pretty sizeable first round upset.
Stepp’s Pick: Gilmer by 3

Atlanta (5-5) vs West Rusk (8-2) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Longview’s Panther Stadium:
Two teams that have been a bit baffling all year meet up Friday night at Spring Hill High School with a chance to start setting their season right. After a brutal start to the season, Atlanta got the ship righted during district (Except for the loss to unbeaten Jefferson), the Rabbits bounced back nicely from the loss to Jefferson with a convincing 54-20 win over Hooks last week. RB Jawan King rolled up 150 yards on the ground on just eight carries, while Caleb Hamilton chipped in 128 yards as well. AHS led 34-14 at the half and never looked back.

West Rusk got off to a sizzling start to the season, but injuries have really hurt Coach John Frazier’s squad which definitely lacks depth moving up to Division I this season. However, it looks like the Raiders are getting healthy at the right time as L.J. Harper and Jaylon Garland combined for six total touchdowns last week as West Rusk drilled Winnsboro, 62-14. The key in this one is West Rusk’s health. If the Raiders can keep Harper and Garland on the field, they’ve been the better team with the better overall body of work.
Stepp’s Pick: West Rusk by 11

Childress (9-1) vs Ballinger (7-3) Thursday 7:00 p.m. at Wolfforth’s Peoples Bank Stadium:
Childress is beginning what it hopes will be a run all the way to the state title game as the Bobcats open with a much improved Ballinger squad. Childress hasn’t been hitting on all cylinders after its tough loss to Canadian a couple of weeks ago. The Bobcats got a 10-point win over Spearman and last week knocked off Tulia, 30-12. QB Luke Lattimer accounted for all five touchdowns in the win, rushing for three scores and throwing for two other touchdowns.

Ballinger comes into this game on a roll winning its last two games by a combined 95-7 score, including a 55-7 rout of San Angelo TLC last week. Edgar Nunez rushed for 202 yards and two scores and Damian Wilborn rushed for 112 and two more touchdowns, while the BHS defense shut down TLC’s running attack allowing just 68 yards on the ground. Look for Childress to come out sharp, Lattimer and that offense will be clicking on all cylinders Thursday night.
Stepp’s Pick: Childress by 22

Bogota Rivercrest (7-2) vs Celeste (9-1) Thursday 7:30 p.m. at Melissa’s Cardinal Field:
After starting the season 9-0, Celeste dropped its season finale to Collinsville by three points two weeks ago and now the Blue Devils have had to wait two weeks to get back on the field. They’ll have their hands full with a battle-tested Rivercrest squad that saw its own struggles late in the season losing two of its final four games. In fact, Rivercrest’s shocking 20-19 loss to Honey Grove last week was the Rebels first loss at home since 2015 and send RHS to a third place finish after back to back district titles.

Celeste’s team speed will be a tough matchup for the Rebels, but Rivercrest has a significant edge up front and in overall playoff experience. That could be vital in this matchup which looks very even on paper.
Stepp’s Pick: Bogota Rivercrest by 3

Hamlin (9-1) vs Miles (7-3) Friday 7:00pm at Sweetwater’s Mustang Bowl:
After rolling to nine straight wins to open the season, the Pied Pipers got a bit of an eye opener last week and were stunned by longtime nemesis (and underdog) Albany, 34-27. Hamlin dug itself a 21-0 hole in the first half just couldn’t get any offense going in the second half and only finished with 207 total yards on the night. HHS rallied in the second half and tied the game at 27 but a late Albany touchdown proved to be the difference.

The Pipers probably can’t wait to get back on the field this week to erase that bad taste in their mouth, so if Miles wants to have any chance at pulling the upset Friday night it has to withstand an early barrage from Hamlin’s talented and versatile offensive attack. Miles last week escaped a potential upset bid from Rocksprings, taking the Angoras down 20-14. The Bulldogs rely heavily on their defense, but their resume doesn’t stack up here. Expect Hamlin to roll in this one.
Stepp’s Pick: Hamlin by 24
 

Quick Picks
San Angelo Central (7-3) vs. Arlington Lamar (9-1) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Arlington’s Cravens Field
Stepp’s Pick: Arlington Lamar by 13

San Antonio Madison (8-2) vs. San Antonio Warren (8-2) Friday 7:30 p.m. at San Antonio’s Heroes Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Madison by 11

El Paso Americas (6-4) vs. Midland Lee (8-2) Friday 6:00 p.m. at El Paso’s Socorro ISD Student Activity Center
Stepp’s Pick: Midland Lee by 10

Pflugerville Hendrickson (7-2) vs. Cypress Ranch (10-0) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Cypress’ Cy-Fair FCU Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Cypress Ranch by 9

Beaumont West Brook (8-2) vs. Humble Kingwood (7-3) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Beaumont’s Memorial Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Beaumont West Brook by 6

Eagle Pass (8-2) vs. PSJA (7-3) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Pharr’s PSJA Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: PSJA by 4

Crowley (7-3) vs Grapevine (8-2) Thursday 7:00 p.m. at Midlothian’s Midlothian ISD Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Grapevine by 7

Cedar Park (7-3) vs Austin LBJ (8-2) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Cedar Park’s Gupton Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Cedar Park by 4

Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (10-0) vs Brownsville Veterans Memorial (7-3) Thursday 7:00 p.m. at Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial by 17

Lubbock Cooper (10-0) vs Fort Worth Eastern Hills (3-7) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Woodrow’s Pirate Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Cooper by 37

Marshall (8-2) vs Rosenberg Lamar (7-3) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Marshall’s Maverick Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Marshall by 13

Mission Pioneer (7-3) vs Port Lavaca Calhoun (7-3) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Mission’s Thompson Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Port Lavaca Calhoun by 5

Paris (7-2) vs Dallas Carter (6-4) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Denison’s Munson Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Paris by 25

Crandall (7-2) vs Henderson (7-3) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Palestine’s Wildcat Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Henderson by 10

Zapata (7-3) vs Boerne (8-2) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Laredo’s Shirley Field
Stepp’s Pick: Boerne by 26

Sweeny (9-1) vs La Grange (6-3) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Waller’s Waller ISD Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Sweeny by 11

Rio Hondo (8-1) vs Ingleside (5-5) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Los Fresnos’ Aguilar Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Rio Hondo by 7

Brownfield (7-3) vs Slaton (7-3) Thursday 7:30 p.m. at Woodrow’s Pirate Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Brownfield by 3

Diboll (9-1) vs Buna (8-2) Thursday 7:30 p.m. at Jasper’s Bulldog Field
Stepp’s Pick: Diboll by 12

Goliad (8-2) vs Hitchcock (7-3) Saturday 6:00 p.m. at El Campo’s Ricebird Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Goliad by 8

Holliday (9-1) vs Dublin (8-2) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Graham’s Newton Field
Stepp’s Pick: Holliday by 7

Newton (9-0) vs Omaha Pewitt (8-2) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Carthage’s Bulldog Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Newton by 33

Van Vleck (9-1) vs Sonora (4-5) Friday 7:30 p.m. at San Antonio’s Benson Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Van Vleck by 20

Stinnett West Texas (7-3) vs Floydada (8-2) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Bushland’s Falcon Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Stinnett West Texas by 15

Centerville (7-3) vs Cushing (6-3) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Crockett’s Driskell Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Centerville by 21

Refugio (8-2) vs Yorktown (6-4) Friday 7:30 p.m. at Karnes City’s Johnson Field
Stepp’s Pick: Refugio by 31

Ralls (9-1) vs Clarendon (6-3) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Tulia’s Younger Field
Stepp’s Pick: Clarendon by 6

Grapeland (9-1) vs Hubbard (6-4) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Athens’ Bruce Field
Stepp’s Pick: Grapeland by 20

Woodsboro (10-0) vs Charlotte (7-3) Friday 7:00 p.m. at Three Rivers’ Bulldog Stadium
Stepp’s Pick: Woodsboro by 19

 

Leman Saunders' Six-Man Preview

Each week, six-man insider Leman Saunders will highlight the must-see action in Class 1A. Get in touch with him on Twitter @lemansaunders.

Evant (7-3) vs. Nueces Canyon (7-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Paint Rock
A pair of hard-nosed, grind-it-out teams clash in what should be a classic grudge match. Evant is coming off one of the craziest district finishes in Texas, going from out of the playoffs to district champs in the blink of an eye by virtue of Lometa upsetting Zephyr. There's a common opponent here — Nueces Canyon lost to Leakey by 4 and Evant lost to Leakey by 30 — but in this region, don't put too much stock in transitive results. The question is, who is playing the best right now?
Leman's pick: Evant by 2

Ira (9-0) vs. Crowell (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Jayton
The best game not in Division I Region IV is this one. Ira, under longtime coach Toby Goodwin, is quietly undefeated, while first-year coach Tom McVey has Crowell playing well right now. Both teams have great running games and hard-nosed defenses. Ira's Anthony Coy ran for 302 yards and 6 touchdowns last week against Hermleigh, while Crowell's Jemal Lane ran for 218 yards and 4 scores on just five carries in a win over Chilicothe. Ira's defense may have the edge here.
Leman's pick: Ira by 8

Leakey (9-1) vs. Jonesboro (6-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Brady
Leakey is perhaps the least-talked about contender in Class 1A, but they must first go through the two-time defending state runner-up in Jonesboro. The running games are the keys here — Leakey with Trace Lackey and Jonesboro with Ethan Lilljedahl. If you like old-school football, be in Brady on Friday night. There's something about the upstart Leakey, who was 1-9 as an 11-man program last year, that gives them the edge.
Leman's pick: Leakey by 8

May (7-3) vs. Robert Lee (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Trent
A great match-up between two multi-faceted offensive attacks. May is coming in hot after a win over LIngleville, while Robert Lee dropped its district title game to Eden a week ago. May featured the balanced attack of RB Daniel Salines (861 yards, 13 TDs rushing) and QB Rory Bustamante (671 yards, 16 TDs passing). Robert Lee is a little more wide-open, with multiple passers like Daniel Mendoza, Manny Gamboa, Julian Gamboa and Lane Fowler, all of which have at least 400 yards passing. It's a pick'em game, but Robert Lee has bounceback potential.
Leman's pick: Robert Lee by 10

Eden (6-3) vs. Gorman (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Santa Anna
Eden is hot off its district title win over Robert Lee. These teams are pretty evenly matched, but play the hot hand here.
Leman's pick: Eden by 20

QUICK PICKS

Sterling City over Balmorhea
Union Hill over Coolidge
Aquilla over Newcastle
Ropes over Grady
Walnut Springs over Kopperl