6A: Waco Midway (6-1, 6-0) at Temple (8-0, 6-0)

Two central Texas teams clash in one of the most anticipated matchups of the season as the winner of this game will be crowned the District 12-6A champion. Midway has yet to face a real challenge since falling to Euless Trinity in week one and the Panthers have not scored less than 50 points in their last five games. Feature back James Fulbright has led the Panther offense but missed last week’s game due to an injury. Chase Palmer ran for 156 rushing yards and four touchdowns but the Panther offense will need all hands on deck going toe-to-toe with Temple’s explosive offense.

Temple’s offense has been electric and averaging over 45 points a game and not posting less than 35 points in a single game this season. The Wildcats use a balanced offense that can beat opposing defenses in a multitude of ways. Running backs Anthony Jackson and De’Jon Overton combined for 199 rushing yards and four touchdowns last week and lead a stable of strong backs. Quarterback Jared Wiley has been accurate all season long and linked with receiver Quentin Johnson on deep ball plays. Massive safety Monto President is a force in the Temple secondary but don't be surprised if there isn't a whole lot of defense played in this one.

5A: Denton Ryan (8-0, 5-0) at Grapevine (7-1, 4-1)

Denton Ryan has already clinched a share of the District 4-5A championship but can win it outright with a win over Grapevine. The Wildcats notched a one-sided 65-0 win over R.L. Turner last week and have been a force throughout the season. Sophomore Seth Henigan (738 passing yards, 9 TD)  has led the Raider multiple spread offense and has speedy options out wide that have given opposing defenses trouble. Feature back Emani Bailey (654 yards, 11 TD) has also emerged as a big play threat nearly every time he touches the ball. 

In order to penetrate Ryan’s 4-2-5 defense, Grapevine will look to their passing game with quarterback Cade Rhodes (1,935 passing yards, 26 TD) at the helm. Rhodes has torched opposing secondaries and has the luxury of having an elusive back in Roshawn Prear lined up alongside him. While the Mustangs' strength is on the offensive side of the ball, their defense has been stout, led by hard-hitting linebacker Blake Maserang (70 tackles, 4 sacks). 

4A: Geronimo Navarro (6-1, 3-0) at Cuero (7-1, 3-0)

Navarro and Cuero have become very familiar with each other as the two have met in the playoffs in each of the past five seasons. This time, the two meet up in a game that will likely decide the District 13-4A champion. Navarro will look to utilize their Wing-T offense, which put up 87 points two weeks ago, to move the chains against the Gobbler defense that has allowed just 23 points in district play. The Panthers boast one of the biggest offensive lines in the 4A classification led by Wyatt Tate (6-6, 315 pounds) and Michael Gilbert (6-3, 315 pounds) who have opened up gaping holes for the Navarro running backs. 

Cuero has had the most success in their running game with a two-headed monster of Keiran Grant (748 rushing yards, 14 TD) and Chance Albrecht (810 rushing yards, 14 TD) in their backfield. Texas commit Jordan Whittington (369 yards, 6 TD) has been plagued by injuries this season, however, when healthy, is one of the most explosive playmakers in the state on both sides of the ball. The Gobblers only loss came at the hands of Yoakum. 

3A: Goliad (7-1, 3-0) at Edna (7-1, 2-1)

Two big-time programs in District 14-3A collide with major playoff implications on the line. Goliad is fighting to stay atop the standings while Edna can make some major ground on the Tigers after last week’s loss to Yoakum. Quarterback Chandler Morris (742 passing yards, 12 TD) has filled in nicely for injured Rocky Morris (988 passing yards, 10 TD) and leads the Goliad offense. Extremely physical feature back Logan Bland (435 rushing yards, 9 TD) rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 41-2 win over Hallettsville. Bland is also a force on the Tigers’ split defense and the Cowboy offensive line will need to keep a keen eye on the wrecker. 

After leading Yoakum for the majority of the game last week, the Edna offense struggled to move the chains in the fourth quarter and the Cowboys fell 21-17. The Cowboys’ Slot-T offense, that leans heavily on their ground game, will need to get going to keep pace with Goliad. To do that, the Cowboys will turn to bruising back Kenny Haynes (1,108 rushing yards, 18 TD) to lead the effort in the trenches. The Cowboy split defense has allowed an average of just 11 points per game and will need to have a similar effort in order to stall Goliad’s electric offense.

2A: Gruver (7-1, 2-0) at Clarendon (6-1, 1-1)

Gruver has a little bit of breathing room ahead of Clarendon after the Broncos lost to Stratford in week six, however, the Greyhounds still need to win in order to set up a showdown with Stratford next week with the District 3-2A championship on the line. Gruver has looked to Creed Spivey to catalyze their multiple pistol offense and the speedy receiver has made opposing secondaries pay. Lineman Fernando Villalobos is a physical presence in the trenches on both sides of the ball and demands attention from opposing teams.

Clarendon’s strength is on the defensive side of the ball and the Broncos have allowed an average just 6.5 points per game in their wins — including three shutouts. The Broncos has used a unique 5-3 stack defense in order to have this success and linebacker Dalton Benson anchors the physical front.