Tyler Chapel Hill (5-2, 1-2) at Kilgore (5-1, 2-0): It’s a dogfight this week in 9-4A Division I as the Tyler Chapel Hill Bulldogs square off against the No. 8 Kilgore Bulldogs. Tyler Chapel Hill continued its descent from the DCTF rankings as they fell to Palestine last week 30-27. At halftime, Chapel Hill was down 23-0 but they were able to score 27 straight points to get it close to end the game. Freshman quarterback Demetrius Brisbon helped rally his team back as he ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns; Brisbone didn’t start the game but came in to start the third quarter and showed why the coaching staff has been so high on him. After their bye week, Kilgore didn’t miss a beat as they had a dominant 46-26 win over Mabank. Quarterback Da’Marion Van Zandt was 13 of 17 for 274 yards and three touchdowns and one interception. His main target was Dadrian Franklin, who had two touchdowns. Running back Davin Rider had 118 yards and a touchdown.  Tyler Chapel Hill will need to come out a lot faster if they want to make sure this game remains close, they cannot afford a third straight slow start and they can’t afford a third straight district loss. Kilgore has been playing great football recently and is simply more consistent than Chapel Hill at this stage. DCTF Intern Joshua Price’s Pick: Kilgore by 10

Monahans (6-0, 0-0) at Snyder (5-2, 0-1): The district race in 1-4A Division II was thought to be Sweetwater’s to lose, but both Monahans and Snyder are showing they’ll be teams to contend with in 2021. Unbeaten Monahans had the week off last week and the Loboes appear to finally be getting the hang of the spread offense under Fred Staugh. Monahans in their six non-district games is averaging over 30 points per game and their defense time and time again has stepped up in key moments as MHS has played several close games. Snyder pushed district favorite Sweetwater to the brink last week, but the Tigers suffered their second straight close loss, this time by a score of 42-37. RB Jorge Martinez led the Snyder attack rushing for 235 yards and three touchdowns, but the Tigers were unable to contain the dynamic Sweetwater offense. They’ll face a similar test this week against this battle hardened Monahans bunch. Expect another down to the wire thriller, but in close games Monahans seems to have the right touch. Stepp’s Pick: Monahans by 4

Sealy (4-2, 1-0) at Bellville (6-0, 1-0): Austin County will be alive Friday night as two old rivals who both are outstanding on the gridiron lock horns once again. Sealy after back-to-back losses to close out non-district play bounced back with a stellar defensive effort in a 26-0 shutout win over Brookshire Royal. WR/LB Thomas Clark caught a touchdown pass and also had an interception return for a touchdown to pace the Tigers, while junior QB D’vonne Hmielewski ran for a score and threw for a touchdown. Bellville on the other hand has absolutely obliterated their opponents, outscoring teams by over 44 points per game. Utah State commit Robert Briggs again showed off his versatility last week in the Brahmas 72-0 win over Wharton, he ran for two scores, caught a touchdown pass and had a touchdown reception as well. Baylor commit RB Richard Reese ran for two scores and broke the school record for career touchdowns. Bellville will be pushed this week, Sealy is solid across the board and won’t be intimidated by Bellville’s elite front-line talent, but this Bellville bunch has the looks of a special group. Bellville breaks a couple of big plays late and gets a big home win at the “Pasture of Pain.” Stepp’s Pick: Bellville by 14

Yoakum (5-1, 1-0) at Columbus (4-2, 1-0): First place in the brutally tough 12-3A Division I is on the line in this one and possibly contender status in Region III as well as Yoakum makes the trip north to Columbus. Yoakum opened up district play in impressive fashion last week as the Bulldogs rolled past Boling 33-13 behind a tough defensive effort that slowed down an athletic Boling offense. Columbus had an offensive explosion last week as Cardinals in a shootout pulled away from Hitchcock 56-35. Freshman QB Adam Schobel was the key for Columbus in the win as he had a monster night and giving Columbus a real threat in the passing game that will make the Cardinals powerful rushing attack that much stronger. Columbus has battled bouts of inconsistency at times this year and against this veteran Yoakum squad that could spell trouble. Stepp’s Pick: Yoakum by 6

Quick Picks

Springtown (4-2, 0-1) at Wichita Falls Hirschi (4-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Wichita Falls Hirschi by 13

Austin LBJ (6-0, 1-0) at Fredericksburg (4-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Austin LBJ by 20

Corpus Christi Miller (4-2, 1-0) at Corpus Christi Calallen (5-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Calallen by 3

Waco Connally (2-3, 1-0) at Salado (4-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Salado by 11

West Orange-Stark (5-1, 3-0) at Orangefield (5-1, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: West Orange-Stark by 24

Shallowater (4-2, 1-0) at Lamesa (3-3, 0-1) Stepp’s Pick: Shallowater by 18

Jefferson (4-2, 1-1) at Gladewater (4-2, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Gladewater by 12

Lago Vista (4-2, 1-0) at Llano (4-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Llano by 6

Childress (6-0, 3-0) at Friona (6-0, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Childress by 23

Omaha Pewitt (3-3, 2-0) at DeKalb (5-2, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: DeKalb by 5

Alvord (4-2, 1-0) at Collinsville (3-3, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Alvord by 2

Shiner (6-0, 0-0) at Flatonia (3-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Shiner by 33

Mason (5-1, 1-0) at Harper (6-0, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Mason by 14

McCamey (4-1, 1-0) at Wink (4-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Wink by 7

Roscoe (4-1, 0-0) at Ralls (5-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Roscoe by 6