Boerne (10-1) vs. La Vernia (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Comalander Stadium: Defending Region IV champion Boerne gets what some believe may be its toughest test inside the region as itl takes on a strong La Vernia squad, who has their eyes set on a big Alamo City upset.

Boerne opened the playoffs last week with a hard-fought 42-28 win over a feisty Taylor Ducks squad.

Hutson Hendrix and Adam Hicks combined for 236 yards on the ground and four touchdowns, while the Boerne defense forced four turnovers.

La Vernia slipped past Tuloso-Midway, 35-14, a week ago as the Bears returned the opening kickoff for a score and then pulled away in the second half after leading just 14-0 at the break.

La Vernia is one of the few teams in the area that can contend with Boerne in the trenches, but the Bears lack of team speed and playmakers at the skill spots will be their undoing in this one.

Stepp’s Pick: Boerne by 14

 

Canyon West Plains (10-1) vs. Graham (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Childress’ Fair Park Stadium: Many in the preseason thought this game would decide the Region I crown in 4A-Division II and it may indeed feature the region’s two top teams, but West Plains and Graham will collide in the area round of the playoffs this week.

West Plains doesn’t have the playoff pedigree that Graham has, but the Wolves dipped their toes into the playoff waters a year ago and looked primed for a run after rolling past Clint, 41-14, to open the playoffs a week ago.

QB Reid Macon threw for 187 yards and three touchdowns, and Jordi Hernandez ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries to lead a balanced Wolves attack.

Graham rolled to an easy 56-0 win over a Hillsboro squad that simply was overmatched. RB Rylan Monsey ran for 182 yards and five touchdowns to pace the Steers offense.

Expect a high-scoring affair, but West Plains’ depth may be the key in this shootout as Graham may be a year away from really being a contender in Region I.

Stepp’s Pick: Canyon West Plains by 10

 

Malakoff (11-0) vs. Mount Vernon (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Tyler’s Rose Stadium: Malakoff, the state’s second ranked team, will look to knock off upstart Mount Vernon, who has started to find its footing with a late season surge.

MVHS won its fourth straight game last week as the Tigers drilled Gladewater, 49-7. Kansas State LB commit Boone Morris had a game to remember in the win setting a school single game record with 26 tackles; he added a rushing touchdown as well.

The Tigers will need their best game of the season to take down the state’s second ranked team.

Malakoff rolled to a convincing 49-0 win last week over Maypearl as RB Jerrion Hall ran for 121 yards and two scores. Chauncey Hogg caught eight passes for 107 yards and had a touchdown on the ground, while QB Mike Jones tallied three touchdowns.

Mount Vernon keeps it close and pushes Malakoff to the second half, but the Tigers from Henderson County are simply too explosive on offense.

Stepp’s Pick: Malakoff by 13

 

Columbus (11-0) vs. Woodville (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Madisonville’s Mustang Stadium: The No. 1 team in 3A-Division I should get tested this week as Columbus tangles with a dangerous Woodville squad that can play with any team in 3A.

Columbus opened the playoffs with an easy 56-8 win over Rockdale. QB Adam Schobel and RB Tyvone Whitehead are one of the state’s top duos and the Cardinals defense continues to play at an elite level despite not getting the press clippings that the offense receives.

Woodville’s speedy playmakers will present a major challenge for Columbus this week. The Eagles rolled past Orangefield, 51-7, a week ago. WR Ty’Marrion Walker had a monster game with 103 yards receiving and a touchdown and he also had a 79-yard kickoff return for a score.

Woodville’s offense will be a challenge, but getting into a shootout with Columbus is a bad idea and the Columbus defense will find ways to slow Woodville down in this one.

Stepp’s Pick: Columbus by 15

 

Jacksboro (11-0) vs. Bells (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Denton’s Collins Stadium: Jacksboro and its potent offensive attack will be a total contrast in styles as the Tigers battle with Bells and the Panthers’ Slot-T offense in Denton.

The Tigers took down Callisburg in a shootout last week, 51-40, as QB Lando Belcher directed a dynamic attack. But the Jacksboro defense struggled, and they’ll need to clean things up this week against a Bells squad that can put up some big numbers on the ground.

Bells struggled offensively last week in a 22-11 win over Mildred; the Panthers in the second half found their offensive rhythm with three touchdowns.

If Bells can keep that momentum going it should be able to control the tempo and keep that dynamic Jacksboro offense off the field.

Stepp’s Pick: Bells by 11

 

Hooks (10-0) vs. Daingerfield (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Pittsburg’s Pirate Stadium: It’s an old school Northeast Texas showdown in Pittsburg as two of the state’s most explosive teams meet up in what could be a real shootout.

Hooks led 51-6 at the half last week but left its defense in the locker room in a 92-57 win over Edgewood in what ended up being the state’s second highest scoring playoff game in history.

RB Keyshawn Walls and WR Jatavious Johnson both had big games, but Hooks will have to play four full quarters to take down a playoff tested Daingerfield squad.

The Tigers’ defense was in playoff mode last week as they rolled past New Waverly, 48-0. QB Chase Johnson ran for three touchdowns and threw for three touchdowns to lead DHS.

Hooks has the overall personnel to knock off Daingerfield, but the Hornets can’t have a defensive meltdown like they had in the second half of last week’s game. I don’t have a great read on this one, so I’m leaning to the playoff veterans from Morris County.

Stepp’s Pick: Daingerfield by 5

 

Stratford (11-0) vs. Stamford (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Lubbock’s Pirate Stadium: A year ago, unbeaten Stratford was knocked off in the area round of the playoffs by a team from the Big Country, and the Elks are in the same position this week as they tangle with 9-1 Stamford.

Stratford rolled in its bi-district playoff win last week as the Elks blasted Sundown, 62-6. QB Bryce Braden ran for 61 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 120 yards with two more scores. Julio Valdez caught five passes for 100 yards with a pair of scores, while Israel Licon rushed for a game-high 96 yards on just eight carries with a touchdown.

Stamford dispatched Forsan with ease, 42-6, as the Bulldogs outscored Forsan 21-0 in the final frame to put the game out of reach.

Justin Brady’s 100-yard interception return for a score was a potential 14-point swing as Forsan was looking to make it a one-score game early in the fourth. QB Christian Duran threw three touchdown passes as well to carry the Bulldogs offensive attack.

Stamford is a strong team, but the Bulldogs are junior heavy; it’s not their time. Stratford is poised to contend for a Region I crown.

Stepp’s Pick: Stratford by 9

 

Beckville (10-1) vs. Garrison (10-1), 7 p.m. Thursday at Longview’s Lobo Stadium: Region III in 2A-Division I gets interesting starting this week as a battle of two 10-1 teams who only have a loss to Timpson on their resume meet up in Longview.

Beckville has rattled off 10 straight wins since losing that season opener and a big part of the Bearcats success has been the move of Texas Tech commit QB J’Koby Williams to the QB spot. The most dangerous Bearcat has the ball in his hands every play and he’s a flat-out handful to contain.

Last week BHS rolled to an easy 41-0 win over Alba-Golden as Williams ran for four touchdowns.

Garrison played Timpson very close in Week 11, losing by nine, but the Bulldogs showed no signs of a hangover blasting Jewett Leon 58-0 in a game where the Garrison starters sat the entire second half.

Antonio Yarborough had a huge night with double digit tackles, two interceptions, one that he returned for a touchdown, and he had a 46-yard touchdown run on his lone carry of the night.

Garrison is a big and physical team, but they are athletic at the skill spots and that balance will overwhelm a Beckville team who may have the best player on the field in Williams, but Garrison’s deeper with talent.

Stepp’s Pick: Garrison by 11

 

Quick Picks

El Paso Riverside (9-2) vs. Springtown (8-3), 6 p.m. Thursday at Midland’s Astound Broadband Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Springtown by 27

Brownwood (10-1) vs. Canyon Randall (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Midland’s Ranger Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Brownwood by 16

Canyon (9-2) vs. Lubbock Estacado (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Canyon’s Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Canyon by 5

Decatur (7-4) vs. Andrews (6-5), 6 p.m. Thursday at Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Decatur by 17

Stephenville (9-2) vs. Dallas Carter (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Waxahachie’s Lumpkins Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Stephenville by 12

Alvarado (7-4) vs. Celina (10-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Fort Worth’s Ranger Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Celina by 14

Frisco Panther Creek (10-1) vs. Waco La Vega (7-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Frisco’s Ford Center Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Panther Creek by 6

Kilgore (10-1) vs. Bay City (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Houston’s Sheldon ISD Panther Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 8

Lumberton (8-3) vs. Needville (9-2), 7 p.m. Thursday at Katy’s Legacy Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Needville by 3

El Campo (6-5) vs. Tyler Chapel Hill (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Spring’s Planet Ford Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Tyler Chapel Hill by 11

Iowa Colony (11-0) vs. Lindale (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Bryan’s Green Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Iowa Colony by 2

San Antonio Davenport (8-3) vs. Beeville Jones (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Jourdanton’s Indian Stadium Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Davenport by 6

Port Lavaca Calhoun (7-4) vs. Burnet (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Bastrop’s Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Port Lavaca Calhoun by 3

Alice (9-2) vs. Lampasas (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Gustafson Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Alice by 5

Monahans (11-0) vs. Sweetwater (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Seminole’s Wigwam Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Monahans by 23

Wichita Falls Hirschi (6-4) vs. Seminole (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Colorado City’s Wolf Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Seminole by 4

Glen Rose (7-4) vs. Perryton (4-7), 7 p.m. Friday at Iowa Park’s Hawk Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Glen Rose by 31

Aubrey (8-3) vs. Van (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Royse City’s Royse City ISD Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Van by 4

Sunnyvale (9-2) vs. Gilmer (8-3), 7 p.m. Thursday at Tyler’s Rose Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Gilmer by 10

Texarkana Pleasant Grove (11-0) vs. Caddo Mills (8-3), 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Melissa’s Kenny Deel Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Pleasant Grove by 22

Carthage (11-0) vs. Van Alstyne (7-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Mount Pleasant’s Sam Parker Field Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 35

Silsbee (11-0) vs. Gatesville (7-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday at College Station’s Tigerland Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Silsbee by 15

Bellville (11-0) vs. Madisonville (9-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Klein’s Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Bellville by 17

Waco Connally (8-3) vs. Jasper (7-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Palestine’s Wildcat Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Jasper by 5

Wimberley (11-0) vs. Orange Grove (7-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Schertz’s Lehnhoff Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Wimberley by 34

Bandera (10-1) vs. Ingleside (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Pleasanton’s Eagle Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Ingleside by 3

Sinton (8-2) vs. Lago Vista (7-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Alamo Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Sinton by 1

Port Isabel (9-2) vs. Geronimo Navarro (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at San Diego’s Vaquero Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Geronimo Navarro by 25

Dalhart (8-3) vs. Paradise (10-1), 6 p.m. Friday at Vernon’s Lion Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Paradise by 19

Bushland (10-1) vs. Whitesboro (6-5), 6 p.m. Thursday at Vernon’s Lion Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Bushland by 16

Clyde (10-1) vs. Shallowater (6-5), 4 p.m. Saturday at Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Clyde by 3

Brock (8-3) vs. Muleshoe (9-2), 5 p.m. Thursday at San Angelo’s San Angelo Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Brock by 27

Winnsboro (10-0) vs. Teague (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Kaufman’s Norville Field Stepp’s Pick: Winnsboro by 14

Tatum (6-4) vs. Whitney (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Dallas’ Kincaide Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Whitney by 7

Grandview (10-1) vs. Pottsboro (9-2), 7 p.m. Thursday at Mesquite’s Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Grandview by 13

Diboll (9-2) vs. Little River-Academy (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Navasota’s Rattler Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Little River-Academy by 10

Shepherd (6-5) vs. Franklin (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Willis’ Yates Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Franklin by 30

Lorena (9-2) vs. Palestine Westwood (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Corsicana’s Tiger Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Lorena by 18

Universal City Randolph (10-1) vs. Vanderbilt Industrial (7-3), 7 p.m. Friday at La Grange’s Leopard Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Universal City Randolph by 3

Goliad (9-2) vs. Hondo (10-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Marion’s Veterans Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Goliad by 15

London (7-4) vs. Blanco (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Heroes Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Blanco by 16

Crane (8-3) vs. Lubbock Roosevelt (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Big Spring’s Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Roosevelt by 24

Wall (9-2) vs. Childress (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Post’s Redman Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Wall by 17

Canadian (11-0) vs. Early (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Wolfforth’s Peoples Bank Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Canadian by 31

Idalou (7-4) vs. Alpine (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Andrews’ Mustang Bowl Stepp’s Pick: Idalou by 21

Holliday (10-1) vs. Leonard (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Weatherford’s Kangaroo Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Holliday by 11

Scurry-Rosser (11-0) vs. Comanche (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Burleson’s Burleson Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Comanche by 2

Gunter (11-0) vs. Wichita Falls City (7-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at Denton’s Collins Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Gunter by 37

West Rusk (9-2) vs. New Diana (8-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Henderson’s Lion Stadium Stepp’s Pick: West Rusk by 17

Gilmer Harmony (9-2) vs. Arp (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Hallsville’s Bobcat Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Gilmer Harmony by 10

Newton (9-0) vs. New Boston (6-5), 7 p.m. Thursday at Carthage’s Bulldog Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Newton by 24

Rogers (8-3) vs. Comfort (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Buda’s Shelton Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Rogers by 18

Tidehaven (10-0) vs. Dilley (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Corpus Christi’s Warrior Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Tidehaven by 26

Poth (10-1) vs. East Bernard (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Pflugerville’s The Pfield Stepp’s Pick: East Bernard by 3

Odem (8-2) vs. Lexington (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Yoakum’s Bulldog Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Lexington by 8

New Deal (8-3) vs. Cisco (5-6), 7 p.m. Friday at Sweetwater’s Mustang Bowl Stepp’s Pick: Cisco by 2

Sonora (10-1) vs. Farwell (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Snyder’s Tiger Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Sonora by 3

Hawley (9-2) vs. Panhandle (10-1), 8 p.m. Friday at Lubbock’s Lowrey Field Stepp’s Pick: Hawley by 11

Tolar (10-1) vs. Cayuga (7-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at Waxahachie’s Lumpkins Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Tolar by 27

De Leon (7-4) vs. Italy (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at TBD Stepp’s Pick: Italy by 3

Valley Mills (7-4) vs. Tioga (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at River Oaks’ Barnes Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Valley Mills by 4

Marlin (9-2) vs. Coleman (9-2), 7 p.m. Thursday at Stephenville’s Tarleton Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Marlin by 6

Cooper (10-1) vs. Shelbyville (6-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Bullard’s Panther Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Cooper by 28

Timpson (11-0) vs. Wolfe City (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Gladewater’s Murphy Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Timpson by 35

Centerville (9-2) vs. Honey Grove (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday Mineola’s Meredith Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Centerville by 7

Holland (11-0) vs. Shiner (5-6), 7 p.m. Friday at Smithville’s Tiger Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Holland by 8

Mason (11-0) vs. Ganado (9-2), 7 p.m. Thursday at San Marcos’ Rattler Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Mason by 6

Refugio (10-1) vs. Johnson City (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Floresville’s Eschenburg Field Stepp’s Pick: Refugio by 28

La Villa (9-2) vs. Weimar (9-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mathis’ Pirate Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Weimar by 17

Gruver (9-2) vs. Ralls (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Canyon’s Happy State Bank Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Gruver by 21

Clarendon (8-3) vs. Seagraves (6-5), 7 p.m. Thursday at Floydada’s Tyer Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Clarendon by 17

Morton (6-5) vs. Wellington (8-3), 4 p.m. Thursday at Canyon’s Happy State Bank Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Wellington by 29

New Home (11-0) vs. Sunray (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Canyon’s Happy State Bank Stadium Stepp’s Pick: New Home by 1

Wink (10-1) vs. Muenster (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Tuscola’s Indian Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Wink by 5

Albany (11-0) vs. Celeste (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Springtown’s Porcupine Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Albany by 22

Windthorst (9-2) vs. Roscoe (9-2), 7 p.m. Thursday at Abilene’s Moore Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Windthorst by 13

Collinsville (10-1) vs. Miles (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Breckenridge’s Buckaroo Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Collinsville by 19

Simms Bowie (8-3) vs. Deweyville (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at San Augustine’s Wolf Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Simms Bowie by 4

Mart (11-0) vs. Overton (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Crockett’s Driskell Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Mart by 35

Tenaha (9-2) vs. Dawson (9-2), 7 p.m. Thursday at Athens’ Bruce Field Stepp’s Pick: Tenaha by 3

Lovelady (11-0) vs. Hico (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Belton’s Crusader Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Lovelady by 10

Bremond (8-3) vs. Sabinal (5-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Lockhart’s Lion Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Bremond by 33

Falls City (8-3) vs. Rocksprings (6-2), 7 p.m. Thursday at Kerrville’s Antler Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Falls City by 31

Brackettville (9-2) vs. Granger (9-2), 7 p.m. Thursday at Von Ormy’s Southwest Legacy Stadium  Stepp’s Pick: Granger by 25

Agua Dulce (9-2) vs. Chilton (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Flatonia’s Bulldog Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Chilton by 40

 

Last Week Record: 14-6 70.0%

Season Record: 155-45 77.5%