Klein Oak (1-0) at Spring (1-0): A battle of potential 6A Top 25 teams in the northern suburbs of Houston should give us a great idea of where these two teams stand in the local pecking order.

Klein Oak rolled past Spring Dekaney, 41-6, as QB P.J. Hatter ran for a score and threw two touchdowns and RB Keishaun Wooten ran for 133 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers dominated from start to finish.

Spring started out strong as well as the Lions handled Fort Bend Travis 38-17 as QB Bishop Davenport threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns and he added a rushing touchdown. His favorite target was Travis Sims, who hauled in seven passes for 110 yards and two scores and Sims added a touchdown on the ground as well for the Lions.

Oak will need to try and control the game in the trenches and keep that explosive Spring offense on the sidelines, if they do that they’ll have a shot at the upset, but that’s easier said than done as Spring doesn’t need much time to get Davenport and that offense rolling.

 Stepp’s Pick: Spring by 10

Converse Judson (1-0) at Lake Travis (1-0): Converse Judson earned one for the 210 last week as the Rockets stunned heavily favored DeSoto 35-28 and avenged an embarrassing season opening loss a year ago.

A 22-point second quarter burst from the Rockets proved to be too much for DeSoto to overcome as QB Michael Burroughs ran for two scores and a key pick six from LB Devon Boyd-Smith was the difference as the Rockets held off a second half rally from DeSoto.

Lake Travis also knocked off a power from the DFW area at home last week as the Cavaliers took care of Arlington Martin, 40-28.

The LTHS trio of QB Bo Edmundson, RB DJ Johnson and WR Caleb Burton did plenty of damager for the Cavs as Edmundson threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, Johnson ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns, while adding in 73 yards receiving and a score. Burton, an Ohio State commit, had nine catches for 152 yards and a touchdown.

That’s a lot of firepower on the Lake Travis side and Judson’s asking a lot of their defense to play at that level two weeks in a row.

Stepp’s Pick: Lake Travis by 12

White Settlement Brewer (1-0) at Denison (1-0): A Brewer team that’s generating a lot of excitement in Tarrant County, got the win last week but it was hard earned as the Bears knocked off Midlothian 23-20. Brewer stopped Midlothian on the six-yard line as the Panthers were driving for the game winning score. RB’s Tyrelle Davis and Montrail Cushionberry lead the Brewer offense combining for 202 yards rushing and a touchdown, while QB Jaylen Spriggs ran for a score and had a touchdown pass. Denison once again dispatched of rival Sherman in their annual rivalry showdown, giving first year head coach Brent Whitson his first win at Denison. The 37-13 win for Denison was their record ninth straight over Sherman. Notre Dame commit RB Jadarian Price, in his fourth Battle of the Axe game saved his best for last throwing up 259 rushing yards and a back breaking 69-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Denison had plenty of offensive balance as QB Caleb Heavner, a three-year starter added 180 yards passing and two touchdowns through the air. This is a fascinating matchup and one that an up and coming Brewer squad could use as a catalyst to a big year, but going up to Texoma in a tough road environment will be a test for the Bears. This is a toss up for me, both of these teams are going to need to be accounted for come playoff time, but give the edge to Denison at home. Stepp’s Pick: Denison by 4

Aledo (1-0) at Frisco Lone Star (1-0): Aledo will face what is probably their toughest test of the regular season this week as they head up to Frisco for a Thursday night special against a talented Lone Star squad. Aledo knocked off 6A Parker County rival Weatherford last week 47-7 as RB Ryan Williams ran for three touchdowns and junior QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi added a pair of scoring tosses as Aledo after a sluggish first half, totally dominated the Kangaroos in the second half. Lone Star ripped past private school power San Antonio Cornerstone 59-14 as the Rangers were led by QB Garrett Rangel. The Oklahoma State commit threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns, while ATH Ashton Jeanty ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns and added in a touchdown reception as well for Lone Star. Lone Star’s skill kids are their edge, but Aledo’s dominance in the trenches has been their calling card in these kind of big games against elite competition, that makes a major difference. Stepp’s Pick: Aledo by 6

Lubbock Cooper (1-0) at Lubbock Coronado (0-1): Lubbock Cooper opened up the season in emphatic fashion with an easy 27-0 win over Andrews. The Pirates defense, considered by many to be among the best in the state lived up to the billing picking off five Andrews passes and held the Mustangs to just 34 yards rushing on the night. The Pirates offense did enough to get the job done as QB Holt Gibson threw a pair of touchdown passes and a trio of backs combined for 180 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns, Wolfforth Frenship spoiled new Coronado head coach DJ Mann’s debut at his alma mater as the Mustangs dropped a 28-26 decision to Frenship. Antonio Malone was solid for the Mustangs rushing for 101 yards and two touchdowns, but five Coronado turnovers proved to be too much to overcome in the loss. I don’t expect Coronado to turn the ball over as much this week, but the offense will have a tough time getting going against that stout Cooper defense. Expect another close one, but Cooper’s defense and experience are the edge in this showdown. Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Cooper by 7

Quick Picks

San Angelo Central (1-0) at El Paso Montwood (0-1) Stepp’s Pick: San Angelo Central by 10

Southlake Carroll (1-0) at Rockwall-Heath (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Southlake Carroll by 8

Alvin Shadow Creek (0-1) vs Cypress Bridgeland (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Alvin Shadow Creek by 2

Cy-Fair (0-0) vs Cypress Park (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Cypress Park by 13

Dickinson (1-0) at Fort Bend Ridge Point (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Fort Bend Ridge Point by 5

Harlingen (1-0) at Edinburg Vela (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Edinburg Vela by 3

San Antonio Veterans Memorial (1-0) at San Antonio Taft (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Taft by 5

Crosby (0-1) at Manvel (0-1) Stepp’s Pick: Manvel by 11

McAllen (1-0) vs McAllen Memorial (0-1) Stepp’s Pick: McAllen Memorial by 6

Burleson Centennial (1-0) vs Burleson (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Burleson by 7