Midlothian Heritage at Stephenville: 5A Midlothian Heritage hits the road to take on 4A-Divison I state title contender Stephenville in what should be an absolutely entertaining affair. The Jaguars are led by a veteran offense with QB Carter Rutenbar and two-way dynamo Ryan Satterwhite at WR/DB, so expect them to put points up. But Stephenville’s big and physical defensive front is going to be a real challenge. Stephenville’s offense is going to be a real problem at the 4A with the return of QB Ryan Gafford, Texas Tech WR commit Tristan Gentry and a pair of RB’s in Bryson Powell and Comanche transfer Sawyer Wilkerson, who has topped 2,000 yards the past two years. Stephenville’s defense at home gets the job done in key moments and the ‘Jackets make their case as a title contender with a win over a top 15 5A squad. Stepp’s Pick: Stephenville by 7

Sinton at Beeville Jones: Sinton, who has designs on pushing for a regional crown in Region IV in 4A-Division II, gets a tough road test to open the year against a Beeville squad that was an area round playoff team in 2023 in 4A-Division I. Beeville has a few questions going into the year as the Trojans have a new head coach in Dave Holmgreen, who comes over from Gregory Portland where he was an assistant coach. The question for Beeville will be do the Trojans open up the offense a bit more? RB/DB Davyn Perez is a dynamic two-way talent. Sinton comes into the season absolutely loaded with skill talent with the return of QB Triston Handson, WR Jacoby James and RB Derek Garcia. Where the Pirates have a few more question marks will be on defense where they were hit hard by graduation. Expect a high-scoring affair with Sinton’s explosive skill players getting the edge over a Beeville squad trying to learn new schemes. Stepp’s Pick: Sinton by 10

Brock at Decatur: Brock makes the move up to Class 4A-Division II after years of domination in 3A-Division I. But the Eagles are no strangers to playing 4A competition as evidenced by their non-district schedule the past two seasons. However, Brock enters 2024 with a lot of questions as Billy Mathis’ squad will be young. QB Brody Woods is back to lead the offense after a strong sophomore season and will be counted on to guide the BHS offense.  Decatur also enters with questions as Steve Huff’s squad after back-to-back state semifinal appearances at the 4A-Division I level has to replace the school’s all-time leading rusher in Nate Palmer, who is now at TCU. Much like Brock, Decatur has a veteran QB back in Jed Ross, who tossed 31 touchdown passes in 2023 as a junior. Both teams have a lot of questions except at the QB spot. Which new faces are able to step up? Stepp’s Pick: Decatur by 3

West Orange-Stark at Newton: It’s an old-school showdown in Southeast Texas as West Orange-Stark heads north into the Piney Woods to take on Newton. The Mustangs are led by QB Marcus Turner who is a dangerous dual-threat weapon for the WOS attack. Keep an eye on sophomore RB Kehlvy Jefferson who turned heads as a freshman, he could be in for a monster season. Newton’s got plenty of veteran talent returning from a team that knocked off West Orange-Stark in a close game a year ago. ATH Kendray Porter, Jr. is a versatile weapon that can line up a multiple spots on either side of the ball. The defense for the Eagles is led by Braylen Patterson and LB Braylon Watson, who both tallied over 130 tackles a year ago. Both teams will be better in 2024, but Newton’s veteran experience and playing at home will be the edge for Newton. Stepp’s Pick: Newton by 6

Columbus at Cuero: There’s talk of a state championship in Columbus for the 2024 season at the 3A-Division I level, but the question for the Cardinals will be can they survive a gauntlet of a non-district slate that features five 4A opponents, including a pair of state powers. The first of those tests is right off the bat as the Cardinals head south into Cuero to take on the always tough Gobblers. TCU QB commit Adam Schobel leads the offense along with Air Force commit Grayson Rigdon, who makes his 11-man debut after spending three years terrorizing the six-man ranks. Sophomore WR Braylon Fisher is an exciting weapon on the outside, while TCU TE/DE commit John Schobel leads the Cardinals on defense. Cuero will lean heavily on its veteran defense that returns seven starters while its young offense tries to find itself. The Gobblers have some pieces in the trenches that will be exciting, but early in the year against a senior-laden Columbus squad, Cuero could be in for some tough sledding. Stepp’s Pick: Columbus by 9

Poth vs Comanche at Alamodome: It’s an interesting cross-regional showdown to open the season in the Alamodome as 3A-Division II power Poth will take on Comanche, which recently made the move up to Class 3A-Division I. Poth, which played for a state title in 2022 and fell in the regional final a year ago, will lean on a productive defense led by LB Tobyn Noll and versatile ATH Colin Ramzinski. QB Major Luna, who missed all of 2023 with an injury, is ready to step in and lead the Pirates spread offense. Comanche’s been pretty solid the past two seasons posting 18 wins and three playoff victories, but Joaquin Escobar’s squad will be plenty young in 2023 after graduating a D1 athlete and seeing their two-time 2,000 yard rusher move away. ATH’s Cayden Davis and Kazdon Thedford will be asked to carry much of the load for a young group of skill players. Comanche should be a playoff contender, but asking this team in Week 1 to go to San Antonio and deal with Poth is a tall order. Stepp’s Pick: Poth by 14

Wall at Mason: It’s a new era in Wall as the Hawks have a new head coach and a new offense as they move to a pro-spread attack after running the flexbone for years. The biggest question for Craig Slaughter’s squad will be who takes over at the QB spot after last year’s QB Gunnar Dillard elected to focus on baseball. WR/DB Briggs Jones is a dynamic threat with the ball in his hands and will lead the offense, while DE Brylan White and LB Ethan Michaelwicz are three-year starters who anchor an experienced defense. Mason on paper has the look of a that’s once again ready to compete for a Region IV title. The Punchers return 15 starters from a that was 11-1 a year ago. RB/LB Sutten Silerio is a two-way force after rushing for 1,118 yards and 17 touchdowns and adding 100 tackles on defense for MHS in 2023, while QB Carlton Schmidt is back after starting seven games as a sophomore. Junior LB Clancy Osboum was the district defensive MVP as a sophomore and is primed for a monster junior year. Wall still learning its new offense and going on the road against a loaded and experienced Mason bunch is a tall ask for the Hawks. Look for Mason to win this one by double digits. Stepp’s Pick: Mason by 11

Albany at Stamford: The game of the week in the Big Country is full of intrigue as two-time defending 2A-Division II state champion Albany visits a Stamford squad that has their sights set on contending in 2A-Division I. Albany was hit hard by graduation on the defensive side of the ball, but the Lions do return QB Chip Chambers, who had a strong 2023 season. The key for the Lions will be finding consistency in the running game and how their young defense matures. Stamford expects to take a big leap forward in the second year of Wayne Hutchinson’s second stint at the helm. The Bulldogs have all the pieces to contend. The only real concern is a lack of playoff pedigree as they’ve been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in two straight seasons. QB Christian Duran and LB Kaston Vega are three-year starters who provide talent and leadership on both sides of the ball, while RB/LB Cle Whitfield is a two-way force for SHS. Albany’s inexperience on defense early in the year will be a concern especially against a dynamic Stamford squad. Stepp’s Pick: Stamford by 8

Quick Picks

Canyon West Plains at Seminole Stepp’s Pick: Seminole by 3

Tyler Chapel Hill at Jasper Stepp’s Pick: Tyler Chapel Hill by 12

Austin LBJ at San Antonio Sam Houston Stepp’s Pick: Austin LBJ by 24

Diboll at Madisonville Stepp’s Pick: Madisonville by 15

Tuscola Jim Ned at Lubbock Estacado Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Estacado by 4

West Rusk at Malakoff Stepp’s Pick: Malakoff by 17

Little River-Academy at Waco Connally Stepp’s Pick: Little River-Academy by 4

Hallettsville at Shiner Stepp’s Pick: Hallettsville by 2

Marlin at Lexington Stepp’s Pick: Lexington by 7

Holland at Burton Stepp’s Pick: Holland by 10