Midland Legacy (3-0) at Cibolo Steele (2-1): Midland Legacy will make the long road trip to the Alamo City this week as the Rebels tangle with Steele in a matchup of state ranked Class 6A programs.

Legacy went to Abilene last week and took down Abilene High, 48-17, behind another dynamic offensive performance. Purdue commit QB Marcos Davila was outstanding throwing for 352 yards and four touchdowns, while ATH Damian Johnson ran for 87 yards and two touchdowns and he also had a pick-six.

Steele bounced back nicely from its loss to Lake Travis last week as the Knights blew past Hutto 57-27 behind QB Chad Warner, who threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns to lead a balanced attack.

Expect a shootout in this one as both teams are plenty explosive. The difference in this one is Steele’s dynamic secondary; they’ll make life tough for the Rebels passing game in this showdown.

Stepp’s Pick: Cibolo Steele by 12

Abilene (2-1) at Wolfforth Frenship (3-0): Abilene High will look to get off the mat after the Eagles were drilled at home by Midland Legacy 48-17 a week ago. It doesn’t get any easier as the Eagles hit the road to the Lubbock area to take on unbeaten Wolfforth Frenship.

Abilene left a lot on the table last week in the loss rolling up 453 yards in the loss. The Eagles had three trips to the red zone that resulted in just three points and turned the ball over on downs three times in Midland Legacy territory. They’ll need to be more efficient on offense this week to keep up with a Frenship offense that’s among the state’s most explosive.

The Tigers outlasted Lubbock Monterey, 54-52, in quadruple overtime as QB Hudson Hutcheson had a monster night throwing for 563 yards and five touchdowns in the win.

Frenship’s defense will need to improve because Abilene High has some firepower. Do the Eagles have a better defensive effort in them this week?

Stepp’s Pick: Wolfforth Frenship by 6

Lake Belton (2-1, 0-1) at Killeen Shoemaker (2-1, 0-1): The 4-5A Division I race took an interesting turn last week as the two Central Texas powers who were favored to win the district in the preseason both suffered losses to open district play last week.

That makes this game even more crucial for both teams as the loser of this one will be up against it if they want to host a first-round playoff game.

Lake Belton fell to Red Oak, 38-34, in overtime last week as the Broncos allowed a 4th and goal conversion from the 17 yard-line in overtime that lifted Red Oak to the win. New Texas Tech commit Micah Hudson had a strong showing for the Broncos with three receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown.

Shoemaker also fell at home a week ago losing to Midlothian, 35-26. RB Brandon Brown led the way with 106 yards on the ground and two touchdowns for the Grey Wolves.

Lake Belton’s offense has been stellar all year and the Broncos find more of that magic this week to get that much needed district win.

Stepp’s Pick: Lake Belton by 7

Lufkin (3-0) at Longview (2-1): If you want a good, old school rivalry game to open the district slate, it doesn’t get much better than Lufkin and Longview as the 7-5A Division I slate gets started with an absolute bang.

Lufkin has hopes of a return to the playoffs and the Panthers have looked strong early and last week’s 24-17 win over A&M Consolidated proved just how dangerous they can be.

Despite A&M Consolidated being laser focused on containing Notre Dame commit RB Kedren Young, the senior ran for 149 yards and a pair of touchdowns to help Lufkin get the home win. Both of his touchdowns came in the fourth quarter, including a 91-yard jaunt that flipped the game’s momentum.

Longview earned a rain-shortened 28-7 win over Tyler Legacy last week. Oklahoma commit RB Taylor Tatum ran for a pair of scores, while WR Dakaylen Reese continued his hot start with a touchdown reception for the Lobos.

Longview’s defense is the key in this one, the Lobos have one of the best defensive units in the state regardless of classification and that unit at home in front of a packed house will put together their best effort of the young season.
 

Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 11

San Antonio Wagner (2-1) at Smithson Valley (2-1): District play gets going in 12-5A Division I as San Antonio Wagner brings its ground-based attack out west to take on perennial powerhouse Smithson Valley.

Wagner rolled past San Marcos last week, 62-17, keyed by a 28-point first quarter and third quarter explosion when San Marcos had clawed back to within two scores.

Wagner’s offense will face a tough test against a stout SVHS defense allowing just 34-points through three games.

Smithson Valley dominated San Antonio East Central last week, 57-7, as the Rangers offense rolled up 565 yards of offense. Smithson Valley had a pair of backs top 100-yards last week as Cade Spradling ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns, while Daniel DeHoyos added 110 yards on the ground and a touchdown rushing.

Smithson Valley typically handles teams who are one dimensional quite well. Expect the Rangers to win a low scoring slug fest using WR Freddie DeBose in some down the field play-action type deep shots.

Stepp’s Pick: Smithson Valley by 13

Frisco Emerson (3-0) at Mount Pleasant (2-0): Unbeaten and state ranked Frisco Emerson will take the long road trip out east on I-30 where they’ll take on 2-0 Mount Pleasant in what is expected to be a hostile environment at Sam Parker Field.

The Mavericks got pushed last week by fellow unbeaten Frisco Panther Creek, but pulled away in the second half for a 48-31 win. Oklahoma commit QB Mike Hawkins had a big night for the Mavs throwing for 216 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 68 yards on the ground and a touchdown as well. Texas State commit WR Kylen Evans added 97 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Mount Pleasant is off to a hot start behind an opportunistic defense and the play of QB Mason McMinn. Their game against Texarkana Liberty-Eylau was ruled a no-contest a week ago as storms rolled through Northeast Texas last Friday.

Emerson will enter this game as a big favorite, but this is a chance for Mount Pleasant to measure themselves against an elite team.

Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Emerson by 20

Quick Picks

Southlake Carroll (3-0) at Keller Timber Creek (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Southlake Carroll by 24

Klein Oak (2-0) at Dickinson (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Dickinson by 10

Fort Bend Ridge Point (1-2, 1-0) vs Fort Bend Hightower (3-0, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Fort Bend Hightower by 4

Austin Vandegrift (3-0) at Round Rock Stony Point (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Austin Vandegrift by 20

Harlingen (3-0) vs Laredo United South (1-2) Stepp’s Pick: Harlingen by 2

El Paso Del Valle (2-1) at Canutillo (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Canutillo by 3

Port Arthur Memorial (2-0, 0-0) vs New Caney Porter (2-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Port Arthur Memorial by 15

Lubbock Cooper (1-2) at Wichita Falls Rider (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Wichita Falls by 5

Lovejoy (2-1) at Terrell (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Lovejoy by 16

Alice (2-1) at Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (1-2) Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Flour Bluff by 7

Last Week Record: 12-8 60.0%

Season Record: 25-15 62.5%