Can’t wait until Friday to get your weekly fix of high school football? No worries. Thursday brings some very interesting football, including one of the best college teams in the state.

College

No. 16 SMU at Houston, 6:30pm, ESPN

An unexpected meeting of teams going in opposite directions. Raise your hand if you thought SMU would be unbeaten and ranked on Oct. 24. Anyone? It’s been all about the offense, which has scored at least 37 points in all seven games, led by UT transfer Shane Buechele and James Proche. The Mustangs have become the pride of Dallas and will continue to spread that goodwill by wearing the Dallas-themed jersey they wore when they topped TCU to win the Iron Skillet on Sept. 21, granting a request from Mayor Eric Johnson. The Cougars, on the other hand, have all but imploded in Dana Holgorsen’s first year in charge. Quarterback D’Eriq King announced he was redshirting after playing in four games, and a former player made an accusation that the program was tanking the season. But the Cougars got their first AAC win at UConn on Saturday and would like nothing more than to upset the Mustangs and derail their perfect season.

Jackson State at Prairie View A&M, 6:30pm, ESPNU

After a 3-game losing skid, Prairie View (3-4, 2-2) has bounced back, winning two of its last three games, including a 51-0 drubbing of Virginia-Lynchburg last week. The diminutive Dawonya Tucker averages more than 100 yards rushing, and had a career-best 263 and two touchdowns against Grambling State two weeks ago. Jackson State (2-5, 1-1) flies into the matchup off of a 31-28 overtime win over Mississippi Valley State. Three Tigers earned SWAC Player of the Week honors after the game: linebacker Keonte Hampton, kicker Adrian Salazar and running back Kymani Clarke.

High School

6A No. 5 Galena Park North Shore at 6A No. 8 Beaumont Westbrook, 7pm, TexanLive.com

The showdown is more than just a showdown to determine the District 21-6A champion. This top-10 matchup also features the defending 6A D1 state champions and 6A D2 runner up. North Shore (6-1, 4-0) is rounding into form. Zach Evans averages 11 yards per carry. Receiver Shadrach Banks, back after missing several games with an injury, averages nearly 20 yards per catch. Defensively, the Mustangs have allowed just six points per game since Sept. 27. William Peevey’s West Brook (7-0, 4-0) squad looks to show that they are better than that 56-7 defeat. Troy Yowman has passed for 1,737 yards and 16 scores, seven to top target Thad Johnson. If there’s a chink in the Bruins’ armor, they’ve allowed at least 20 points in six of their seven games.

5A-D1 No. 2 Shadow Creek vs Richmond Foster, 7pm, TexanLive.com

The second-ranked Sharks (7-0, 4-0) have been dominant for consecutive regular seasons. In 2019, only Angleton’s played Shadow Creek within 28 points. Kyron Drones pilots a balanced attack with 1700 total yards and 26 touchdowns. Jeremiah Harris is part of a swarming defense that’s registered 20 sacks and 70 tackles for loss and has allowed less than 7 points per game. Foster (5-2, 3-1) bounced back from a loss to Friendswood with a convincing win over Angleton last week. Ryan Stubblefield powers a potent passing attack (270 yards per game, 27 touchdowns) that targets Cody Jackson (38 catches, 898 yards, 16 TDs) often.

Austin Crockett at Austin Travis

This Austin-area battle isn’t for much other than team pride. The teams have combined for 3 wins, but Travis is one of the state’s feel-good stories of late. Following an Austin American-Statesman story that focused on the challenge low-income schools face to simply be competitive, donations poured in from around the state and as far away as Idaho. Last week, the Rebels arrived at their locker room to find new helmets. They look to put those helmets to good use against District 12-5A-1 rival Crockett. Success may be hard to find for these teams, but at least for Travis, they’ve received an infusion of excitement.

Georgetown East View at Pflugerville Weiss

A year after an understandably rough debut, Weiss (6-1, 4-0) has flipped the script and is very much in the running for the District 13-5A-2 title thanks to an opportunistic defense led by Marcus Lyons (16 TFL) and a balanced offense that features the three-pronged rushing attack of Tavian Cord, Jaden Askew and Devin Cross. East View (5-2, 2-2) has dropped two of its last three games, including a 35-28 decision to Leander Glenn last week. The Patriots rely on quarterback Jackson Coulson (1,668 yards passing, 18 TDs) and running back Emarion Brooks (93 yards per game, 9 TDs).

5A-D2 No. 2 Manvel at Houston Sterling

Since the thrilling win over Fort Bend Marshall on Sept. 20, the Mavericks (7-0, 5-0) have rolled, including the last two weeks that have seen them beat Madison and Milby by a combined 113-0. Manvel QB Tucker Yarbrough’s thrown 24 touchdown passes and just one interception. Sterling (5-3, 5-1) also boats shutout wins over Madison and Milby and is well-positioned to reach the playoffs after missing last season. Frank Brown Jr. leads a balanced offense with 679 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing.

4A-D2 No. 5 Lubbock Estacado vs Perryton

Fifth-ranked Estacado (8-0, 2-0) looks for its ninth straight win before finally hitting its bye week. The Matadors have allowed just 16 points in their last four games. Jermiah Dobbins averages more than 200 yards per game on the ground. Perryton (1-6, 0-1) has struggled, losing five straight entering this week’s game.

SA Warren at 6A No. 21 SA Brandeis

Unbeaten Brandeis (7-0, 6-0) looks to continue is roll in a District 28-6A battle with a Warren (4-3, 3-3) team looking to stay in playoff contention. Jordan Battles leads Brandeis’ bruising rushing attack, and the Broncos have won their last five games by an average margin of 38 points. The Warriors have won two straight to get back into contention. Kyle Elder has seven touchdown catches.

6A No. 9 Cy-Fair at Spring Woods

Another 6A top 10 team takes the field Thursday. Ninth-ranked Cy-Fair (7-0, 5-0) has been dominant following a season-opening 17-16 win over The Woodlands. The defense has held three teams scoreless and held two more to just a field goal. L.J. Johnson has rushed for 1,200 yards and 22 touchdowns. Spring Woods (1-6, 1-4) has found the end zone in just three of seven games.