Sulphur Springs (7-1, 3-0) at Kaufman (6-2, 2-1): One of the state’s real feel-good stories is going on in Sulphur Springs, where after going 0-10 a year ago, new head coach Brandon Faircloth has come in and completely changed the culture for the Wildcats who have won seven of their first eight games. Last week the Wildcats slipped past old rivals Paris in a thriller 21-14 as junior QB Brady Driver tossed three touchdown passes, two of which went to CJ Williams and the Wildcats defense pitched a second half shutout. Kaufman bounced back from their loss to unbeaten Anna last week and took care of business with a workman like 31-7 win over Mabank. Kaufman’s played the much tougher schedule this season and they are battle tested and despite the massive improvement from Sulphur Springs, the Lions take this one and get the inside track to second place in this district. Stepp’s Pick: Kaufman by 10

Little Cypress-Mauriceville (5-3, 2-1) at Lumberton (7-1, 3-0): Lumberton all season long has proven themselves to be the top team in 4A-Division I in the Golden Triangle, but this will be their toughest test in district play as a dangerous Little Cypress-Mauriceville squad comes calling. LCM after dropping their district opener to Vidor has gotten things rolling, last week they thumped Splendora 55-9 to keep themselves in the race for the district title. Lumberton blasted Huffman-Hargrave 49-7 last week, which is basically about the scoring pace they’ve been on through three district games, the Raiders are big and physical up front and they’ve been executing at an elite level on offense all year long, they are emerging as a real sleeper in Region III come playoff time. Although, Little Cypress-Mauriceville is dangerous, their five wins are over opponents with a combined 8-32 record, this would by far be their best win of the season if they can pull off the upset. Stepp’s Pick: Lumberton by 14

Waco Connally (6-2, 3-0) at Madisonville (5-3, 2-0): A district crown is likely to be decided this week in Madison County as red hot Waco Connally comes to town to take on an under the radar Madisonville bunch that’s peaking at the right time of the year. Connally’s strength is their front line talent, led by QB Oklahoma State commit Jelani McDonald and 4-start 2024 CB Kobe Black, the Cadets are loaded. Another fast rising junior is RB Keifer Sibley who picked up an offer from Colorado last week and put on an absolute SHOW last week in their 58-35 win over Salado running for an incredible 426 yards and seven touchdowns in the victory. Madisonville earned a key road win last week as they knocked off Gatesville 38-19 RB Blessing Ngene ran for 100 yards on 18 carries and Phillip Green ran for two touchdowns to pace the Mustangs, while sophomore QB Ty Williams added balance throwing for 183 yards. Madisonville doesn’t want to get into a shootout with Connally, if they can muck the game up and slow things down they’ll have a chance to pull the upset, but those playmakers for the Cadets are true difference makers. Stepp’s Pick: Waco Connally by 10

Muleshoe (6-2, 1-1) at Shallowater (7-1, 2-0): Muleshoe will look to put themselves into the district title hunt with a win this week, but going on the road to Shallowater will be tall order. Last week the Mules at home earned a hard-fought 14-6 win over Amarillo River Road. QB Sebastian Kirven threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Mules offense, but the MHS defense was the difference in the win totally shutting down a potent River Road attack. Shallowater raced out to a 34-7 lead against second ranked Bushland Falcons and then held on for a 43-28 win. The key in Shallowater racing out to the big lead was their defense which forced three first half turnovers, but the SHS offense is quietly one of the better units in West Texas. Barring a big letdown after the big win at Bushland, Shallowater should have no trouble in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Shallowater by 20

Paradise (8-1, 4-1) at Whitesboro (6-1, 3-1): After suffering their first loss of the season in agonizing fashion, losing to Brock 18-13, the Panthers will take on Whitesboro, fresh off a bye week and who also fell to Brock in the final seconds in their meeting. Paradise trailed Brock 12-0 at the half, but QB Austin Iglesias directed a pair of touchdown drives to give PHS a 13-12 lead which they held until Brock scored with 1:10 left to take the lead. Whitesboro in their 39-35 loss to Brock got two touchdown passes and a touchdown run from QB Mac Harper, but they allowed a pair of Brock touchdowns within two minutes and then Harper was tackled on the one-yard line as time expired on a bang-bang play, which handed the Bearcats their first loss of the season. Expect another absolute heart-stopper in this one between these two Region I contenders, but Whitesboro has the big game pedigree coming off their regional final run a year ago. Stepp’s Pick: Whitesboro by 3

Cameron Yoe (6-2, 4-0) at Franklin (8-0, 4-0): 11-3A Division I will likely have the title decided this week as Yoe visits number one ranked Franklin. Yoe won the Battle of the Bell last week as they rolled past Rockdale 47-21, QB Braylan Drake led the way for the Yoemen throwing three touchdown passes. Franklin got pushed last week by defending Division I state champion Lorena, but the Lions were able to make key plays in key moments in a 49-35 win, Baylor commit Bryson Washington had his best game of the season with six touchdown runs in the victory. Franklin’s defense is the key in this one they’ll get stops on that powerful Yoe offense and I don’t think Yoe’s run defense will be able to contain Franklin’s rushing attack. Stepp’s Pick: Franklin by 16

Early (5-3, 3-0) at Wall (7-1, 3-0): Early has rolled in the last three weeks after that one point loss to 4A Burnet to close out non-district play, the Longhorns ripped past San Angelo Grape Creek 69-0 last week. QB Jaxyn Price threw for 244 yards and four scores to lead Early in the easy win. Wall rolled last week in their 55-0 win over San Angelo TLC, Gunnar Dillard ran for 109 yards and three touchdowns, while Luke Kemp rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Defense is the key in this matchup and that edge goes to Wall, the Hawks allow just over six points per game and have pitched three straight shutouts. Stepp’s Pick: Wall by 8

Hawley (8-0, 4-0) at Stamford (7-1, 3-1): Hawley will look to go into their showdown with state ranked Cisco unbeaten, but they’ll get a solid road test against one-loss Stamford. The Bearcats rolled past Olney last week 34-7 as Rodey Hooper threw for 222 yards and four touchdowns as HHS took to the air a bit more in this game than they have in past games. Stamford had a balanced attack last week as they blitzed past Anson 44-6, QB Christian Duran threw for 146 yards and four scores to lead the Bulldogs, who also ran for 164 yards on the night. Hawley getting the passing game untracked is a scary thought for the rest of Class 2A-Division I as we know Austin Cumpton is going to put up big numbers running the ball. Hawley makes a statement this week with a convincing win this week. Stepp’s Pick: Hawley by 20

Quick Picks

Brownwood (7-2, 3-0) at Andrews (5-3, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Brownwood by 15

El Campo (6-2, 4-0) at Stafford (6-2, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: El Campo by 7

Sunnyvale (5-3, 3-0) at Caddo Mills (8-0, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Sunnyvale by 1

Devine (8-1, 3-0) at Pearsall (6-2, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Devine by 9

Hitchcock (9-0, 3-0) at Hallettsville (6-2, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Hitchcock by 13

Hooks (6-2, 4-0) at DeKalb (7-1, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: DeKalb by 3

Lexington (8-0, 3-0) at Rogers (6-2, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Lexington by 17

Trenton (4-4, 1-2) at Tioga (6-2, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Tioga by 2

Clarendon (6-2, 3-0) at Shamrock (6-2, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Clarendon by 11

Granger (6-2, 2-1) at Milano (6-1, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Granger by 14