Temple (6-2, 4-0) at Killeen Harker Heights (6-1, 3-0): This is a rivalry that’s only recently developed in Central Texas as longtime power Temple looks to hold off Killeen Harker Heights and take control of the 12-6A race. Temple got pushed last week, but the Wildcats were able to hold off a desperate Hutto squad in a 31-27 win. Baylor commit and all-state LB Taurean York chipped in on the offensive side of the ball in a big way with two rushing touchdowns and he caught the game winning touchdown with 42 seconds left in the game to lift Temple to the win. Harker Heights had last week off, they took care of Hutto 42-24 in their last outing. Houston commit RB Re’Shaun Sanford ran for 272 yards and three touchdowns in the win for the Knights, who trailed by three at the half, before their second half explosion. The last two seasons Harker Heights has dropped close ones to Temple, this may be the year they break through and get that win that likely will secure a district title. Stepp’s Pick: Killeen Harker Heights by 4

Klein Collins (7-0, 4-0) vs Klein Cain (6-1, 3-1): Klein Collins looks to continue the gauntlet in 15-6A as they take on a strong Klein Cain squad who has spent part of the season state ranked. The unbeaten Tigers were pushed last week but they were able to hold off up and coming Klein Forest 28-17. Klein Cain, who fell to Forest two weeks ago bounced back with a dominant 53-20 win over Klein Oak. Just a week after struggling on the offensive side of the ball, the Hurricanes attack exploded with 32-first half points to turn the game into a rout by halftime. Expect a low scoring defensive slugfest as that’s the style of game Collins typically plays and the Tigers for some reason always seem to lure opponents into their type of game. Stepp’s Pick: Klein Collins by 7

Katy (7-0, 5-0) vs Katy Cinco Ranch (6-2, 5-1): Katy can all but clinch the 19-6A title this week with a win over Cinco Ranch, the Tigers have dominated this series which for a few years was the best rivalry Katy ISD. The Tigers had last week off after pummeling Katy Paetow 54-0 two weeks ago on a Thursday night. Katy dominated the game in every fashion, Mississippi State commit RB Seth Davis had two touchdown runs in the first half as the Tigers scored on their first five drives of the game. Cinco Ranch took on a desperate Paetow squad last week and the Cougars were able to hold off PHS 35-24. QB Gavin Rutherford, known for his passing ability only threw for 130 yards and two touchdowns, but he had a monster night on the ground picking up 191 yards and three touchdowns rushing to lead Cinco to the win. Cinco Ranch if they play their A-game has the firepower to hang in with Katy, but that’s asking a lot. Katy dominates the second half after CRHS hangs around for a half. Stepp’s Pick: Katy by 12

Dripping Springs (6-1, 4-1) at Lake Travis (4-3, 4-1): Dripping Springs is coming off their first loss of the season last week as the Tigers were more than competitive with powerful Austin Westlake, but they just couldn’t get the offense going in a 29-10 loss. The Tigers turned the ball over four times and despite a great effort from their defense they wore down in the fourth quarter and Westlake pulled away. Lake Travis knocked off Austin Anderson 45-21 as the Cavaliers after being tied at the half at 21-21 got the running game going behind Nico Hamilton and outscored Anderson 24-0 in the final two quarters. This young Lake Travis team has battled through a lot of adversity this year and even though Dripping Springs is more highly rated, I think Lake Travis gets the win at home. It’s asking a lot for Dripping Springs to get up for back-to-back showdowns against powerful teams like this and I’m not sure what they’ll have left in the tank for this one. Stepp’s Pick: Lake Travis by 3

Aledo (6-2, 6-0) at Denton Ryan (4-2, 4-1): Statement made, Aledo erased any doubts about their ability to still challenge in Division I with an absolute demolition of previously unbeaten Burleson Centennial to the tune of 64-21 on Friday night. The win extended Aledo’s district winning streak to 109 games as QB Hauss Hejny threw for 273 yards and four touchdowns and added in 175 yards and two more scores on the ground to lead the Bearcats. Aledo’s defense, which had struggled against option oriented offensive units in recent years, locked down Burleson Centennial in the second half. Denton Ryan had last week off after they were beaten by Burleson Centennial 23-16. The big question with Ryan will be the status of QB Khalon Davis and RB Kalib Hicks, they didn’t play in the loss to Burleson Centennial and Ryan’s offense struggled without their two stars. If those two play, Ryan will be in this one until the end of the game, but if Davis and Hicks are still out, Aledo rolls. Stepp’s Pick: Aledo by 17

Lake Belton (7-1, 5-1) at Midlothian (7-0, 5-0): The showdown most have been waiting on in District 4-5A Division I is this week as Lake Belton travels north to Midlothian to take on the unbeaten Panthers. Lake Belton rolled past Granbury 69-14, WR Micah Hudson was again dominant for the Broncos who ran out to a 41-0 lead at halftime and cruised in the second half. Midlothian is coming off their bye week, they also took on Granbury in their last outing and the Panthers drilled the Pirates winning 56-7. The Panthers used a balanced attack to roll up 520 yards of offense with seven different backs gaining at least 30 yards of offense. Midlothian’s personality is to run the football and grind you down, but they also have a big-time playmaker on the outside in Bryant Wesco, that offensive balance along with an above average defense gives Midlothian the edge in this showdown. Stepp’s Pick: Midlothian by 9

New Braunfels Canyon (6-1, 3-1) at Seguin (6-1, 4-0): Former Seguin HC Travis Bush brings his Canyon Cougars to Seguin to take on the Matadors in a key 12-5A Division I showdown. Canyon rolled past Kyle Lehman last week 49-14 as QB Deuce Adams and the Canyon offense opened up a 28-0 halftime lead and cruised to the easy homecoming win. Seguin got pushed last week by Buda Hays Consolidated, but the Matadors escaped with a 41-34 win as Devin Matthews scored on a 62-yard touchdown run on the game’s final play to precent overtime and lift the Matadors to remain unbeaten in district play. This will be a hotly contested game, Seguin is typically much tougher to beat at home, but Canyon has some dynamic playmakers and that offense is the difference in this one. Stepp’s Pick: New Braunfels Canyon by 9

Corpus Christi Miller (7-0, 4-0) vs Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (5-2, 4-0): First place in 14-5A Division I is on the line Thursday night in this battle at Buccaneer Stadium in front of what should be a packed house. Miller has been on tear all season and that continued last week as the Bucs rolled past Corpus Christi Moody 56-0. WR Lonnie Adkism, a Sam Houston commit leads a bevy of talented skill players that make Miller a real contender in 5A-Division I Region IV. Veterans Memorial got an unexpected push last week from Corpus Christi Carroll, but the Eagles survived in a 28-21 win. Alejandro Guerrero hauled in a fourth quarter touchdown pass from Elijah Durrette that proved to be the difference in the win. Veterans Memorial will need to play their best game of the year defensively to keep this one close, this may be Miller’s year as not only is Justen Evans’ squad still plenty explosive on offense, but they are playing better on the defensive side of the ball as well. Miller makes their statement as a true regional title contender with a big win. Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Miller by 14

Quick Picks

El Paso Franklin (5-2, 4-1) at El Paso Pebble Hills (7-1, 5-1) Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Franklin by 2

Waxahachie (5-2, 2-2) at Mansfield (6-1, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Waxahachie by 13

Mesquite Horn (6-2, 3-1) at Rockwall-Heath (5-2, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Mesquite Horn by 6

Cypress Bridgeland (4-3, 3-1) vs Cypress Woods (4-3, 2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Cypress Bridgeland by 10

Humble Atascocita (6-1, 4-0) at Houston C.E. King (5-2, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Humble Atascocita by 17

El Paso Chapin (3-4, 2-0) at Canutillo (5-2, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Canutillo by 14

Frisco (6-1, 5-0) vs Frisco Reedy (8-0, 6-0) Stepp’s Pick: Frisco by 3

Humble Kingwood Park (6-1, 5-0) at Barbers Hill (5-2, 4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Humble Kingwood Park by 3

College Station (6-1, 4-0) at Georgetown (5-2, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: College Station by 13

Frisco Independence (7-0, 3-0) at Argyle (7-0, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Argyle by 17

Texas City (4-3, 2-2) at Dayton (5-2, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Texas City by 3