Celina (6-0, 2-0) at Sulphur Springs (5-0, 1-0): Top-ranked Celina hits the road this week to East Texas, where the Bobcats tangle with newly state-ranked Sulphur Springs. Celina didn’t have any sort of hangover after a big win over Aubrey as they rolled to a 49-10 win. It was more of the same from the Bobcats, who used their balanced offense to run out to a big lead and coast in the second half. Unbeaten Sulphur Springs is led by a talented junior class, so many believed 2025 would be the year the Wildcats would really be a threat, but that arrival may be a year earlier than expected after SSHS opened district play with a dominant 35-14 win on the road over a good Aubrey squad. RB Deuce Timmons found the end zone four times to lead the Wildcats and the defense kept a potent Aubrey running game in check all night. This game is in Sulphur Springs, and the Wildcats have had two full weeks to cook something up to slow the Celina juggernaut. I think SSHS keeps it close for a half, but Celina will wear the Wildcats down in the second half and take another step toward the district title. Stepp’s Pick: Celina by 18

Kilgore (4-2, 1-1) at Tyler Chapel Hill (5-1, 2-0): It’s time for another edition of the Kilgore-Chapel Hill rivalry, which has been among the best in East Texas, and the state, since 2020. This will be the teams' eighth meeting since 2020, with Chapel Hill holding a 4-3 edge in the series. The most interesting fact is Kilgore is 3-1 in the regular season, but CHHS has eliminated Kilgore from the playoffs in three straight years. Where will Kilgore’s heads be after the Bulldogs were stunned at home by Henderson in a massive 27-24 upset last week. Henderson raced out to a 21-0 halftime lead and then held on down the stretch as Kilgore rallied to tie it at 24, but the Lions got a late field goal to stun Clint Fuller’s squad. QB Kayson Brooks was solid, throwing for three touchdowns for Kilgore, but KHS simply put itself in too big of a hole against a rapidly improving Henderson bunch. Chapel Hill didn’t get the prettiest win, but a win is a win, as CHHS knocked off Palestine behind a stellar defensive effort. Chapel Hill needed that defense to step up with the absence of Baylor commit QB Demetrius Brisbon. Texas commit RB Ricky Stewart did play and ran for 118 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries. Kilgore is a tough matchup for Chapel Hill even at full strength, but Coach Fuller will have the Ragin’ Red on full rage mode as they look to get the bad taste of last week out of their mouths. Look for the 9-4A Division I race to get even more muddled up this week as Kilgore goes into Tyler and grabs a much-needed win. Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 7

Center (5-0) at Carthage (4-1): It’s a matchup of the two favorites in 8-4A Division II as unbeaten Center will head up to Panola County to try to pull the upset against No. 1 Carthage. A year ago, Center got into shootout after shootout and eventually the offense just couldn’t keep up. The difference this year is the Roughriders are playing good defense after taking down Madisonville in a 17-14 slugfest two weeks ago. Center’s offense is quite young, featuring several sophomores and freshmen, so that certainly contributes to the early season inconsistency. Carthage took on 6A San Benito out of the Rio Grande Valley and it was no contest from the beginning, as the Bulldogs led 49-0 at halftime and cruised to a 56-0 win. Carthage’s stars played well early and then spent the second half relaxing on the bench while younger players got valuable experience. Expect QB Jett Surratt and that Carthage offense to be locked in this week against a good Center defense. RB KJ Edwards is a true difference maker, and the Bulldogs end Center’s perfect season in emphatic fashion. Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 23

Sealy (4-1) at Bellville (2-3): Two long-time Austin County rivals meet up in a showdown that could have major title implications in 11-4A Division II. Sealy comes into this one with an offense that’s been among the best in the state, as the Tigers average 47.4 points per game with the only blemish being a 35-34 loss to Bay City. In their last outing two weeks ago, Sealy earned its 13th straight win over Needville in dominant fashion with a 55-17 victory. QB Kane Killough tossed three touchdown passes and added three touchdowns on the ground, as the Tigers found the end zone on each of their first seven possessions. At first glance, you may see Bellville’s 2-3 record and think “What’s wrong with the Brahmas?” Don’t let that record fool you, this is still an outstanding team, as Bellville’s three losses are to the No. 1 teams in 4A Division I and 3A Division I and the fifth-ranked team in 3A Division I. Last week, Bellville pushed Columbus in a 49-35 loss, as the Brahmas' offense seemed to find their footing, but defensively Bellville struggled - notably in the secondary. Look for Sealy to try to lure Bellville into a shootout, as that might be their best shot at an upset. Look for RB DD Murray to have a big night for the offense, as Bellville pulls away late. Stepp’s Pick: Bellville by 17

Tuscola Jim Ned (3-2) at Comanche (3-2): Two of the favorites in 3-3A Division I clash to open up district play with the winner likely having an inside track to one of the top two playoff spots. Both teams have been a bit up and down in non-district, but Jim Ned has certainly faced the tougher schedule. Over the last two games, Jim Ned has picked up back-to-back wins over tough 3A Division II squads in Jacksboro and Holliday. In a 17-15 win over Holliday two weeks ago, it was the Indians' defense that stood tall and a fourth quarter field goal with just under nine minutes remaining proved to be the difference. In their last game, Comanche blasted struggling Early, 54-20, as QB Cayden Davis had a monster night with 290 yards of offense and four touchdowns. Comanche rolled up 403 yards on the ground in the victory. Jim Ned’s defense has been key early on, and they have gone through a tougher non-district gauntlet than Comanche, so the edge goes to Jim Ned in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Tuscola Jim Ned by 10

Teague (4-1) at Fairfield (3-2): Longtime Freestone County rivals Teague and Fairfield will clash for the 70th time in a game that is ripe with playoff implications in 9-3A Division I. Last week, Teague held off a late Bullard rally to win 30-28, as the Lions held a 22-7 edge at halftime before Bullard made things interesting late. The Lions' duo of QB Zak Leija and RB Ny’land Coaster was the key for the Lions in building that big lead. Fairfield’s offense exploded last week in the Eagles' 69-40 win over McGregor, as the Eagles got monster games from QB Kohl Collins (547 yards and six touchdowns passing), WR Calyn Wilson (248 yards and three touchdowns receiving) and WR Finn Smith (221 yards and two touchdowns receiving). Fairfield’s defense has been a little shaky through the first half of the year, allowing nearly 29 points per game, and that’s the big difference in this one. Teague’s defense is physical and capable of getting stops in key moments, so we are going with the Lions. Stepp’s Pick: Teague by 8

Wichita Falls City View (4-1) at Jacksboro (4-1): It’s a state-ranked showdown in the Wichita Falls area as eighth-ranked City View heads south on Highway 281 to take on No. 6 Jacksboro. City View has a dynamic group of skill players and will present a challenge for the Tigers and their high-flying offense. City View ran past a good Childress squad in their last outing, as QB Malachi Williams and RB Keshawn Perry powered the Mustangs to the impressive win. After a close loss to Jim Ned in Week 4, Jacksboro took out some frustration on Burkburnett two weeks ago with a 71-2 win. The Tigers' defense forced six turnovers, including a pair of interception returns for touchdowns. The offense, led by QB Wyatt Gavitt, was hitting on all cylinders. Colorado State commit WR/LB Cannon Valenzuela had a pair of interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and he also hauled in a touchdown pass. Jacksboro’s defense is the key in this one. The Tigers have a guy in Valenzuela that City View might not have an answer for. Stepp’s Pick: Jacksboro by 8

Miles (4-1) at Albany (3-2): After getting off to a bit of a slow start this season, a young Albany squad has gotten its wheels back on with three straight wins. Two weeks ago, the Lions took down previously unbeaten Anson, 27-17, as RB Branson Beal ran for 201 yards and two scores, while QB Chip Chambers tossed a pair of touchdown passes. Miles has hopes of challenging Albany for district supremacy after a 4-0 start, but was upset in its final non-district game by Ozona, losing 34-28. The Bulldogs were led by QB Liam Yancy, who threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns - all to WR Cooper Ellison, who finished with 235 receiving yards on a dozen receptions. Albany looks to be figuring things out, while Miles’ concerns on the defensive side of the ball began to show up two weeks ago. Albany gets a big district victory to open up district play. Stepp’s Pick: Albany 12

QUICK HITS

Brownwood (3-2) at Lampasas (5-1) Stepp’s Pick: Lampasas by 6

Somerset (5-0) at Canyon Lake (4-2) Stepp’s Pick: Somerset by 7

Seminole (6-0) at Fort Stockton (5-1) Stepp’s Pick: Seminole by 21

Glen Rose (3-2) at Godley (3-2) Stepp’s Pick: Glen Rose by 22

Whitney (4-1) at Grandview (2-3) Stepp’s Pick: Whitney by 9

Goliad (4-1, 2-0) at London (3-2, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Goliad by 19

West Rusk (3-3, 2-0) at New Diana (5-0, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: New Diana by 17

Woodville (5-1, 2-0) at Newton (3-3, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Woodville by 3

New Home (2-3) at Abernathy (3-2) Stepp’s Pick: Abernathy by 4

Garrison (4-1) at Shelbyville (4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Garrison by 3

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Last Week: 16-4 80.0%

Season: 86-34 71.7%