Preview and prediction for the best TXHSFB games of Week 6

Frisco Panther Creek (4-1, 0-1) at Paris (4-1, 1-0): Life in District 7-4A Division I is not easy by any means, and for Panther Creek, who is fresh off a disappointing 42-7 loss to Celina, that's the case. Now, they have to go on the road to a tough environment in Paris and tangle with a surprising Wildcats bunch. Last week, Panther Creek’s explosive offense couldn’t get going with just 58 yards of offense. The loss was so lopsided, one must wonder if, from a coaching standpoint, the staff just moves on from that game and looks ahead to the Wildcats. Paris, on the other hand, went on the road and stunned state-ranked Lake Dallas, 28-23, to get off to a good start in this brutally tough loop. Paris feasted on Lake Dallas mistakes with an interception return for a score and also recovered a fumble inside the LDHS 5-yard line that set up another touchdown. Paris has put itself in the playoff conversation, but the Wildcats can’t be patting themselves on the back this week because Panther Creek is going to be looking to put last week behind them. On the road, it’ll be tough, but PCHS gets out of Lamar County with a big win to avoid a disastrous 0-2 district start. Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Panther Creek by 11

Lago Vista (4-1, 1-0) at Jarrell (4-1, 1-0): We may want to call this the “Alan Haire Bowl,” as the first-year head coach at Jarrell will host Lago Vista in a key district matchup ripe with playoff implications. Haire has installed his Slot-T offense at Jarrell this year after making his name as a head coach at Lago Vista, where he led the Vikings from 2002-2014. His Cougars got off to a nice start in district play last week with an impressive 35-14 victory over Smithville, as RB Jaysen Hobbs had a pair of third-quarter touchdowns to break open a game that was tied 14-14 early in the second half. Lago Vista knocked off an improved Salado squad, 34-24, last week, as the Vikings had to rally from a 24-12 deficit early in the fourth quarter and score 22 straight to rally for the key district win. QB Trip Henderson leads a balanced offensive attack, and LVHS has a dynamic weapon in two-way star and Arizona commit Swayde Griffin. That balance, and being battle tested against a tough schedule, gives Lago Vista the edge in this matchup, which could determine second place in 13-4A Division II. Stepp’s Pick: Lago Vista by 10

Dalhart (4-1) at Muleshoe (4-1): The Dalhart Golden Wolves are trying to weather the storm of an injury to QB Kyler Read, as they knocked off 4A Borger, 21-14, in a slugfest last week. QB Hunter Trusler accounted for all three touchdowns for DHS, with three rushing scores and 136 yards on the ground to pace the Wolves. Muleshoe shook off a close loss to Canadian last week and knocked off Clyde, 63-48. QB Nathan Martens torched the Clyde secondary with 425 yards and seven touchdowns through the air. This Mules' offense is clicking on all cylinders, but they will need to tighten things up on defense if they want to make a legitimate push for a regional title. With its star QB out, Dalhart likely won’t have the firepower to keep pace on the road with the Mules. Stepp’s Pick: Muleshoe by 16

Ponder (4-1, 1-0) at Vernon (3-2, 0-1): Preseason district favorite Vernon is up against it this week, as the Lions host a surging Ponder squad that has its eyes set on getting into the postseason. Ponder rolled past Boyd last week, 45-14, as the Lions got another monster night from QB Tyson Price, who threw for 317 yards and three scores and added 119 yards and three scores on the ground. Vernon went on the road last week and got drilled by Paradise, 34-7. Vernon is a team that relies heavily on its ground game, and the Lions couldn’t get the offense going while being forced into obvious passing situations. They struggled to stop the run, allowing over 300 yards on the ground to Paradise. Tru Gibson got Vernon’s only points of the night and he, along with QB Ty Scott, will need to step their game up this week if they want to keep the explosive Ponder attack off the field. Vernon Lion Stadium is a tough place to play, and it’s a long road trip for Ponder. With Vernon’s back against the wall, I think it controls the tempo and escapes with a key district win. Stepp’s Pick: Vernon by 7

Tatum (4-1, 1-0) at Texarkana Liberty-Eylau (3-1, 0-0): Tatum is off to a fast start in 2024, and it’s been on the strength of a speedy flexbone offense that’s averaging 42 points per game halfway through the season. The Eagles opened up district play in style last week with a 63-0 romp over Sabine. It was a balanced effort for the Tatum offense, as QB Jacorie Bradley had two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown, RB Cayden Tatum led the ground assault with 138 yards and three scores and Jamarro Gipson ended the night with 92 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Liberty-Eylau opened up district play with the bye week, so the Leopards have had two weeks to prep for Tatum’s offense. In its last outing against 4A Bullard, L-E had to rally from a 24-7 deficit to escape with a 27-24 win at home. QB Trip Baysinger had a pair of key touchdown runs to lead the rally for the Leopards. This is a massive game in a tough, loaded 8-3A Division I, and with the game being in Texarkana, the Leopards get the slightest edge in what should be a classic. Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Liberty-Eylau by 2

Stratford (2-2) at Childress (2-3): Both teams come into this one a bit off-kilter through the early part of the season. Stratford has seen some early season struggles due to injuries and playing a brutal schedule. Childress has played a tough schedule, as well, and the Bobcats are also dealing with the growing pains of being a fairly young team in 2024. Stratford got back on the winning track last week with a nice win over a good private school squad in a 30-12 win over Lubbock Trinity Christian. QB/LB Brice Braden had 116 yards of offense and ran for two scores, and the defense played its best game of the season to date. Childress struggled mightily last week with the team speed of Wichita Falls City View in a 41-25 defeat. The Bobcats are still figuring things out, while Stratford looks to be getting healthy at the right time. Stepp’s Pick: Stratford by 10

Idalou (4-1) at Wall (4-1): Idalou comes into this one feeling like it let one slip away last week. The Wildcats lost a heartbreaker to 3A Division I power Shallowater, 24-20, after they got down early and nearly rallied back behind QB Kutter Houchin. Wall used a 30-0 second-half run to roll past Sweetwater, 41-21, as the Hawks got 312 passing yards and three touchdowns from QB Landon York to lead the comeback after trailing 21-12 at the break. This could potentially be a playoff preview in 3A Division II Region I, as both teams have ambitions of deep playoff pushes. It’ll be interesting to see how the teams approach this matchup as each closes out non-district. In my view, Wall is a bit more battle tested against the tough schedule, so I'll go with the Hawks in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Wall by 7

Ganado (4-1, 1-0) at Kenedy (2-3, 0-1): Ganado’s looked like a different team since getting QB Bryce Ullman back from injury, and last week they showed just how lethal they can be as they demolished Flatonia, 84-3. Ullman threw for 221 yards and seven touchdowns last week and added a touchdown on the ground, as the Indians clobbered a Flatonia squad that is struggling in 2024. Kenedy took one on the chin to Schulenberg, losing 49-0 in the district opener. The Lions went through a coaching change in late June and are still adjusting. Having to deal with a Ganado squad that’s clicking on all cylinders could be a real issue Friday night. Stepp’s Pick: Ganado by 42

Quick Hits

El Paso Bowie (2-2, 0-2) at El Paso Riverside (4-0, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Riverside by 13

Sanger (2-3, 1-0) at Caddo Mills (3-2, 0-1) Stepp’s Pick: Caddo Mills by 17

Lorena (1-3) at Lampasas (4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Lampasas by 14

Port Isabel (4-0) at Roma (4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Port Isabel by 3

Atlanta (4-1) at Jefferson (5-0) Stepp’s Pick: Jefferson by 12

Orangefield (3-2, 1-0) at Anahuac (4-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Anahuac by 11

Rice Consolidated (5-0, 1-0) at East Bernard (5-0, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: East Bernard by 14

Italy (4-1, 1-0) at Rio Vista (2-2, 0-0) Stepp’s Pick: Italy by 9

Munday at Windthorst Stepp’s Pick: Windthorst by 27

Grapeland (3-2) at Alto (5-0) Stepp’s Pick: Alto by 10

Last Week: 12-8 60.0%

Season: 70-30 70.0%