Previews and Predictions for the Best Week 10 Texas High School Football Games of 2024

Brownwood (4-3, 1-1) at Stephenville (7-1, 2-0): The Battle of 377 has lost a little bit of its luster, as Brownwood has been a bit up and down this year with a young offense. But make no mistake, the Lions would love nothing more than to spoil what will be the final game in this series at Tarleton Memorial Stadium. Last week, the Lions slipped past Burnet, 31-30, as QB Judson Coalson threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns and added 121 yards on the ground to pace Brownwood. The Lions' defense came up with a two-point conversion stop in overtime to secure the win. Stephenville got pushed by a strong Lampasas bunch, but the 'Jackets escaped Badger Field with a 42-31 win. QB Ryan Gafford threw for 263 yards and five scores to pace SHS. Stephenville’s offense has too many weapons with RB Sawyer Wilkerson and Texas Tech commit WR Tristian Gentry. Brownwood keeps it close but Stephenville pulls away. Stepp’s Pick: Stephenville by 16

Sulphur Springs (7-1, 3-1) at Lake Dallas (5-3, 1-3): It’s desperation time for a Lake Dallas squad that was state ranked earlier this year as the Falcons are finding themselves on the brink of playoff elimination after last week’s disappointing 44-14 blowout loss on the road to Aubrey. The Falcons fell behind 38-0 at halftime as they were hammered by big plays and the offense just couldn’t keep up. In comes Sulphur Springs, who has been impressive all year. The 'Cats rolled to an easy 56-7 win last week at home over Nevada Community. After falling behind 7-0 early on, SSHS rattled off eight straight touchdowns. Texas State commit WR Skylar Lewis got things started with a long touchdown catch, and then RBs Jaxson Haire and Deuce Timmons each posted two touchdown runs to pace the Wildcats. Expect a desperate Lake Dallas team to throw everything at Sulphur this week, but if the Wildcats can withstand the early onslaught they should wear LDHS down with a big offensive line and the potent downfield passing attack. Stepp’s Pick: Sulphur Springs by 12

Waco Connally (5-3, 2-1) at Waco La Vega (5-3, 3-0): It’s always a battle when these two schools north of Waco get together, as Connally heads across I-35 to take on a surging La Vega squad. The Cadets bounced back nicely from a district loss to Robinson with a dominant 34-7 win over Lorena last week. CHS rolled up nearly 500 yards of offense in the win, led by QB Jamarion Vincent and RB Braeden Ford, who ripped through Lorena’s defense. Connally’s defense did its part by pitching a shutout through three quarters before Lorena got on the board late. La Vega got its statement win last week, as the Pirates dispatched state-ranked Robinson with a 35-22 win. RB Bryson Roland had a monster night with four rushing touchdowns and the Pirates defense brought back memories of its state title teams with a physical performance that limited the dynamic Robinson offense. Connally has had La Vega’s number in recent years, but the Pirates are peaking at the right time. If the defense keeps playing at this level, the Pirates will be a threat in Region III. Stepp’s Pick: Waco La Vega by 10

Jefferson (8-0, 4-0) at Texarkana Liberty-Eylau (7-1, 4-0): While top-ranked Malakoff lurks in Region II, both Jefferson and Liberty-Eylau feel they have the firepower to challenge in Region II. They’ll square off in Texarkana for the 8-3A Division I crown. Both teams are coming off blowout wins in tuneups for this showdown, as Jefferson ripped past Sabine, 74-12, and Liberty-Eylau drilled White Oak, 78-20. Jefferson got a monster night from QB Thimyus Taylor (five passing touchdowns and two rushing scores) and four other players found the end zone twice for the Bulldogs in the thumping. RB Kamran Williams, a UNLV commit, generates the headlines but this is a team that’s developing depth under first-year head coach Ty Taylor. Liberty-Eylau, also under a first-year head coach in Brad Willard, only has a single blemish on its resume, but that was a loss to Carthage. The Leopards are doing damage at the 3A level and a big reason is the play of QB Trip Baysinger, who threw for 443 yards and eight scores in the win. Junior WR Dequane Prevo is among the most highly recruited playmakers statewide in the class of 2026 and can make teams pay in an instant. He hauled in four touchdown receptions last week. Look for a shootout in this one, but the difference is Jefferson’s defense, which has been the most consistent unit throughout the season. Stepp’s Pick: Jefferson by 5

Cisco (5-3, 1-2) at Anson (5-3, 1-2): With Stamford and Hawley stealing the headlines in 4-2A Division I, it’s easy to forget about these two very good teams out in the Big Country. Their matchup this week, barring something crazy elsewhere in the district, likely decides third place. Cisco was no match for Hawley last week in a 41-0 loss. The Loboes tallied just 215 yards of offense and suffered a big blow in the second quarter losing QB Julius Proffitt to an injury. He did not return and Cisco’s chances at an upset were doomed. Anson blew past Olney, 45-0, last week as QB Cory Layne Jr. threw for 284 yards and four touchdowns in the blowout victory. If Proffitt is unable to go this week, I don’t think Cisco generates enough offense to keep up with the dynamic passing game Anson brings to the table. Stepp’s Pick: Anson by 11

Tioga (6-2, 4-0) at Wolfe City (7-1, 4-0): There’s been a pretty clear separation in 6-2A Division I, as Tioga, Wolfe City and Alvord are three games clear of the rest of the district with just two games remaining. A win for the Bulldogs wraps up the district title after THS rolled to a 50-24 win over Alvord last week. QB Rocky Urich had a big night to lead Tioga to the win. Speaking of big nights, Wolfe City’s H.D. Davis was a one-man wrecking crew last week in the Wolves' 70-28 drubbing of Whitewright. The senior workhorse ran for 350 yards and four touchdowns to lead WCHS. Tioga likes to put the ball in the air and Wolfe City prefers to ground and pound. Look for a lot of points in this one, but at home I like a more battled tested Wolfe City team. Stepp’s Pick: Wolfe City by 2

Cooper (6-3, 5-0) at Honey Grove (7-1, 4-0): It’s the showdown many in Northeast Texas have been waiting for all season as Cooper, the small school team of record in the Red River Valley, will look to hang on to that crown against an up and coming Honey Grove squad looking to make a statement. Against a tough non-district slate, Cooper got off to a slow start, but the Bulldogs have played well as of late winning five straight. They did have a tough time with an improved Alba-Golden squad but escaped with an 18-9 win. RB Adryean Mapps was the offensive force for the Bulldogs, as he finished with 10 carries for 88 yards rushing with two touchdowns, while Jase Miler and Courion Finney combined for 126 yards on the ground. Honey Grove was idle last week, and their last win two weeks ago was also over Alba-Golden, but in much more convincing fashion, as the Warriors rolled to a 41-7 win. Baylor commit RB Ryelan Morris is the headliner, but RB Deon Morris and RB Tre’Lyn Bailey are explosive and can do plenty of damage. This looks to be Honey Grove’s time. They are a real threat in Region III and are just too explosive for Cooper. Stepp’s Pick: Honey Grove by 13

Wheeler (7-1, 3-0) at Wellington (6-2, 3-0): The top two teams in 5-2A Division I will meet up to decide the district crown in this juicy Texas Panhandle showdown. Wheeler had gone 19 straight quarters without allowing a touchdown, and although that streak did end, they still rolled past Clarendon, 59-6. Julius Atherton ran for 280 yards on 23 carries with three touchdowns. Wellington cruised to a 56-14 win over Shamrock last week, as the Skyrockets' potent rushing attack was led by Noah Cantu and Travon Lewis. Cantu tallied 133 yards and two scores, while Lewis ran for 101 yards and three touchdowns. If you like old-school throwback football, this is the game for you, Wheeler is much improved, but Wellington has the big-game pedigree and that plays a major role in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Wellington by 14

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QUICK PICKS

Springtown (8-1, 5-0) at Decatur (5-3, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Springtown by 7

Tyler Chapel Hill (6-3, 3-2) at Henderson (6-2, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Henderson by 6

El Campo (6-2, 2-1) at Port Lavaca Calhoun (4-4, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: El Campo by 13

Ponder (5-4, 2-3) at Paradise (6-2, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Paradise by 14

East Chambers (6-2, 4-1) at Orangefield (6-2, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Orangefield by 8

Littlefield (5-4, 1-2) at Lubbock Roosevelt (5-3, 0-2) Stepp’s Pick: Littlefield by 10

Cedar Hill TLC (8-0, 3-0) at Scurry-Rosser (7-1, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Scurry-Rosser by 6

Cotulla (6-2, 4-1) at Dilley (7-1, 5-0) Stepp’s Pick: Dilley by 3

Hico (5-3, 1-2) at Hamilton (8-0, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Hamilton by 18

Windthorst (7-1, 4-0) at Electra (7-1, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Windthorst by 21

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Last Week: 13-7 65.0%

Season: 112-48 70.0%