Springtown (4-0) at Midlothian Heritage (3-1): These teams get one more test before district play as ninth ranked in 4A Division-I Springtown takes on newly unranked Midlothian Heritage. Springtown continued their push for a higher ranking as they put away Godley 52-20. They shut down Godley with four sacks, two interceptions, and a fumble. Junior RB Ashton Strahan dominated the ground game as he put up 149 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. Midlothian Heritage was handed their first loss this season by a coming-into-form Melissa squad 48-28. Although they fell, the Panthers put up a fight. Quarterback Kaden Brown was the brightest spot as he threw 20 of 28 for 276 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He also did work on the ground as he gained 60 yards and a touchdown for 13 carries. Junior wide receiver Jason Barela also chipped in for 100 yards and a score. Junior safety also contributed as he forced an interception. Heritage will need to bring their offense while protecting the football from the Porcupines. Springtown will have a big test if they want to continue to climb in the rankings. DCTF Intern Joshua Price’s pick: Midlothian Heritage by 10

Waco La Vega (2-2) at Corpus Christi Miller (3-1): It’s a rare Saturday special on the Texas coast as two top-ten teams close out the non-district slate and for the home team Miller, this is a real measuring stick to see where the Bucs stack up against one of the state’s best in Waco La Vega. La Vega has lost two games in a row, but the Pirates come in with some confidence after taking defending state champion Argyle to the limit in a 17-14 loss. La Vega hit a long pass early in the fourth quarter to take a 14-10 lead on the defending champs, but Argyle returned the ensuing kickoff and then stopped the Pirates three more times down the stretch to secure the win, but La Vega impressed in the defeat. Miller’s offense had no trouble getting going last week as they blasted Class 6A Brownsville Hanna 62-28 as sophomore QB Jaedyn Brown torched the Hanna secondary throwing for 473 yards and an incredible eight touchdowns in the win. The matchup between the Miller WR’s and La Vega’s lockdown corners will be a fun one to watch all afternoon, but the key here may be La Vega’s offense, if the Pirates can be physical and get the running game going and keep that explosive Miller offense at bay on the sidelines, the Pirates could have a fun ride home back to Waco. Stepp’s Pick: Waco La Vega by 5

Gilmer (4-0) at Carthage (2-0): It doesn’t get much better than this out in East Texas as it’s a rematch of the 4A-Division II state title game featuring the number one team in the state taking on the state’s number two team. Gilmer has been sharp early in the year, but last week for the first time they struggled a bit on the defensive side of the ball in a 49-35 win over Lindale. RB Ashton Haynes ran for three touchdowns to lead the Gilmer attack, Rohan Fluellen caught a pair of touchdown passes and he picked off a pass as well, one of four interceptions the Gilmer defense forced on the night. UTSA commit QB Brandon Tennison threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score as well. Carthage has had back-to-back bye weeks after opening the season looking a bit sloppy in two wins over Crosby and San Antonio Cornerstone. Turnovers and inconsistent play on the offensive line have plagued the Bulldogs early in the year, but the one constant has been that incredible defense led by LB Kip Lewis, an Oklahoma commit. Carthage has several players back this week after missing time due to injuries and Covid protocols, so expect a much sharper performance from the Bulldogs offense. This won’t be the lopsided result the state title game was, but Carthage is still the team of record in 4A-Division II and until that’s proven otherwise, you’ve got to go with CHS. Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 13

Tuscola Jim Ned (4-0) at Snyder (4-0): Surprising Snyder welcomes defending 3A-Division I state champion Jim Ned to town in a battle of unbeaten teams. Jim Ned got pushed last week by an elite 2A program in Cisco in a 28-14 victory. The Indians were led by Xavier Wishert who ran for 175 yards and two touchdowns while QB Tate Yardley added 145 yards passing and a touchdown along with a touchdown rushing in the win for Jim Ned. Snyder continued their surprise run with a dominant 42-7 win over San Angelo Lake View. RB Jorge Martinez rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns, while QB Hunter Stewart threw for 144 yards and added 41 yards and one rushing touchdown. The Tigers have done well early on, but they haven’t seen a team with the experience or talent that Jim Ned brings to the table, this will be an eye-opening experience for a Tigers team that will be a contender for a playoff spot in 1-4A Division II. Stepp’s Pick: Tuscola Jim Ned by 17

Winnsboro (2-1) at Mineola (1-2): District 5-3A Division I expects to be a lot of fun this year and things kick off in a big way with old rivals Winnsboro and Mineola hooking up. Winnsboro and their Slot-T offense has been clicking on all cylinders averaging over 36-points per game, but the Red Raiders defense has struggled some, but in their last outing a 35-14 win over Hughes Springs the WHS defense played their best game of the young season. Mineola has one of the top athletes in East Texas in Dawson Pendergrass, but the ‘Jackets depth isn’t what it was a year ago so there are some questions, especially on offense where teams have started to zero in on the FBS prospect and forcing others to beat them. Look for Winnsboro to employ that strategy this week and slow down Mineola’s main weapon. Stepp’s Pick: Winnsboro by 6

Lorena (2-2) at Little River-Academy (4-0): Lorena travels to Little River Academy as they look to break the Bumblebees unbeaten run. Lorena’s 2-2 record is very deceiving, having to face a now 4-0 Franklin squad ranked number one in 3A-Division II as well as a 4A-Division II fifth ranked China Spring. Lorena now has bounced back with two wins against Gatesville and Madisonville. Lorena dominated the Madisonville team by holding them to 145 yards. Lorena brought the pressure forcing one interception and five sacks. Lorena’s offense was channeled all through the ground as running backs Braylon Henry and Reed Michna combined for 192 yards and four touchdowns. Lorena’s nine running backs combined for 34 carries, 370 yards, and six touchdowns. Little River-Academy hasn’t had the most comfortable wins but the Bumblebees are 4-0 on the season and have shown they will be a force in Central Texas. That has been most evident in the latest win over Lago Vista as it ended in a thriller 30-28. Down at halftime, the Bumblebees were able to battle back and win the game late. Keeping their undefeated streak intact. This is a battle-tested Lorena team that is hungry to win. Little River-Academy will need to bring their all if they want to keep this game close. DCTF Intern Joshua Price’s Pick: Lorena by 17

Mart (4-0) at Italy (3-1): Top ranked Mart will look to send a message to the rest of 2A-Division II as they travel north on I-35 take on an Italy squad that has designs on contention in a wide-open Region II. The Panthers easily dispatched of 3A-Division I Whitney last week in a 49-13 win. Mart dominated the second half, as they outscored Whitney, 28-3. Dominic Medlock was key in that second half run as he had a rushing and receiving score and De’traevion Medlock hauled in a nine-yard touchdown reception. Italy rolled past Mildred 50-6 a week ago as the Gladiators were led by QB Jayden Saxon who threw three touchdown passes and Italy’s offense broke several big plays in the second half to bust the game open. Italy is talented enough to push Mart for a half, but the Panthers elite skill talent should overwhelm Italy down the stretch. Stepp’s Pick: Mart by 27

Quick Picks

Melissa (2-2) at Paris (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Paris by 3

Palestine (2-2) at Kilgore (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 14

Huffman-Hargrave (4-0) at La Marque (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Huffman-Hargrave by 11

Boerne (2-2) at Fredericksburg (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Boerne by 9

Pilot Point (1-2) at Peaster (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Pilot Point by 24

Groesbeck (3-1) at Normangee (2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Groesbeck by 21

Wichita Falls City View (2-2) at Windthorst (4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Windthorst by 16

Bells (2-2) at Leonard (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Leonard by 3

Franklin (4-0) at Lexington (2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Franklin by 19

Burton (3-0) at Shiner (4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Shiner by 35