El Paso Pebble Hills (10-1) vs. North Crowley (11-0), 5:30 p.m. Friday at Andrews’ Mustang Bowl: Pebble Hills made some history last week winning their first playoff game in school history and doing so in emphatic fashion taking down longtime El Paso menace Odessa Permian in a 45-28 win. QB Gael Ochoa triggered a dynamic Pebble Hills offense throwing four touchdowns, while LB Bobby Deal picked off two passes and contributed on offense hauling in a touchdown pass. North Crowley, under first-year head coach Ray Gates is having a dream season and it continued last week with a dominant 66-17 win over Keller Timber Creek. The Panthers got the running game untracked last week as Dejuan Lacy and Cornelius Warren combined for 382 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the win. North Crowley’s overall team speed and physicality will be something Pebble Hills has never dealt with before and NCHS will have major edges at most positions, the only question for North Crowley will be how they handle the six-hour road trip west. If they navigate that and don’t get off the bus sluggish, the Panthers should roll. Stepp’s Pick: North Crowley by 21

Rockwall (10-1) vs. Waxahachie (9-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Arlington’s Globe Life Field: Rockwall has quietly put together a strong season, yet the 10-1 Yellow Jackets have flown under the radar, they’ll have a chance to pop up on the radar this week if they can take on up and coming Waxahachie, who won a 6A playoff game for the first time last week. Last week Rockwall got off to a slow start, but pulled away from Sachse in the second half of a 50-24 victory. QB Lake Bennett torched Sachse throwing for 424 yards and four touchdowns in the win and the ‘Jackets defense allowed just three second half points. Waxahachie went down to Central Texas and knocked off a tough Temple squad in their backyard 30-21, it was the Indians ground game that was key as Jayden Becks and Iverson Young combined for 175 yards rushing, while the Waxahachie defense forced five Temple turnovers. If Waxahachie’s defense can stand on their heads and cause Rockwall to get out of character and turn the ball over, the Indians can pull the upset. But that’s not the norm from Rockwall who typically takes care of the football. Stepp’s Pick: Rockwall by 8

Lake Travis (6-4) vs. Cibolo Steele (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Pflugerville’s The Pfield: It’s a rematch of a Week 2 game in which Steele survived a rally from a depleted Lake Travis squad to get the win. Lake Travis of today is a much different team and after their impressive 35-10 win over Round Rock, it might be fair to call the Cavs the favorite despite Steele’s unbeaten record. In that 35-10 win, Lake Travis’ dominant third quarter proved to be the difference as LTHS outscored RRHS 21-0 to turn a 10-7 halftime deficit into a 28-10 lead. Sophomore QB Kadyn Leon threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to pace the Cavaliers. Steele is unbeaten, but this version of the Knights is young and has been improving each week, last week they took down San Antonio Johnson 34-17 as sophomore QB Chad Warner led the Knights throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns, while Utah State commit RB Jaydon Bailey  chipped in 193 yards rushing and a touchdown. Steele is sophomore-heavy and has improved since Week 2, but so has Lake Travis who has gotten healthy. This is going to be a close one, but I’m going to roll with the hot hand and take Lake Travis. Stepp’s Pick: Lake Travis by 6

Denton Guyer (11-0) vs. Highland Park (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Frisco’s Ford Center: It’s a battle of unbeatens Friday night as Guyer and Highland Park elected to get out of the cold weather and play indoors. We feel like we know Guyer pretty well, considering the strength of their district as the Wildcats own wins over Allen, Prosper and McKinney along with non-district wins over Aledo and Lancaster. Last week Guyer had no troubles blasting past Flower Mound Marcus 42-7 as the Wildcats were led by QB Jackson Arnold who threw for two touchdowns and 230 yards and he added in a couple of rushing touchdowns as well. Highland Park is unbeaten but the Scots haven’t truly been tested in a while as 7-6A isn’t considered one of the stronger districts in DFW. They got pushed a bit last week, but the Scots passed the test pulling away from Arlington Bowie in a 44-27 win. QB Brennan Storer led the charge for Highland Park throwing for 345 yards and four touchdowns. Guyer’s got the better personnel, but one issue all year has been depth, the Wildcats had great luck with injuries during the regular season, but the secondary took a blow late in the game last week when junior DB Eli Bowen, a FBS recruit went out with an injury that according to reports will end his season. Look for Highland Park to try and work on Bowen’s replacement in the Guyer secondary, which could mean this results in a shootout, the Scots keep it close throughout, but Arnold and that Guyer offense pull it out late. Stepp’s Pick: Denton Guyer by 8

Humble Summer Creek (7-4) vs. Alvin Shadow Creek (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Houston’s TDECU Stadium: It’s a battle of the Creek’s at the University of Houston Friday night as two teams vying for regional supremacy hook up. Summer Creek’s 7-4 record isn’t the most impressive, but the resume is salty with close losses to North Shore, Atascocita and Klein Collins. Last week the Bulldogs rolled in a 72-7 win over an overmatched South Houston squad. Speaking of rolling, unbeaten Shadow Creek opened the playoffs in style drubbing Brazoswood 77-7 at home. The Sharks got three first half touchdown passes from QB Duke Butler and a pair of touchdown runs from Jacob Washington as Shadow Creek threw up 56 first half points. This will be a physical game, both defenses are fast and fly around, the difference is Shadow Creek’s offensive balance and experience at QB which gives them the edge in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Alvin Shadow Creek by 4

Amarillo Tascosa (10-1) vs. Burleson Centennial (10-1), 2:30 p.m. Friday at Wichita Falls’ Memorial Stadium: It’s a rematch of a playoff game a year ago as two teams who are mirror images of each other in a lot of ways meet up in a rare Friday afternoon showdown. Both teams run the flexbone (and run it quite well) and their game a year ago was a tight one, with Tascosa coming out with a close win. Amarillo Tascosa had no trouble last week in their playoff opener blasting El Paso Ysleta 70-7. Sophomore WR/DB T.J. Tillman hauled in a first half touchdown pass and returned an interception for a touchdown to lead the Rebels who also ran for 393 yards on the night, THS put up 49 first half points and rotated personnel in during the second half. Burleson Centennial was expected to get a push from Lake Belton in their playoff opener, but the Spartans jumped out quick on the Broncos and never looked back in a comfortable 55-28 win. BCHS showed they have balance running the ball as RB Elijah Zeh, QB Phillip Hamilton and RB Jahiem Ababio each rushed for more than 135 yards with at least two touchdowns. Zeh led the way with 184 yards on the ground. The key in this game is the Tascosa defense, the Rebels defensive line is among the best in the state and they’ll control things up front and manage to slow Burleson Centennial down some. Stepp’s Pick: Amarillo Tascosa by 7

Longview (11-0) vs. Frisco Lone Star (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Dallas’ Kincaide Stadium: It’s been a while since Longview has played a playoff game at their home away from home, but the Lobos return to the stadium their fans call “Lobo West” to take on an all of a sudden surging Frisco Lone Star squad. Last week Longview got off to a slow start against Crosby, but eventually the Lobos got the machine going in a 49-15 win. Junior RB Taylor Tatum led Longview with 193 yards on the ground and five touchdowns, while Alijah Johnson added 102 yards rushing. The Lobos defense after allowing two first half touchdowns locked down in the second half and turned the tide. Frisco Lone Star has rattled off seven straight wins after back-to-back losses early in the year, the Rangers blasted Richland 55-15 a week ago as LSHS exploded for 48 first-half points. QB Bennett Fryman tossed three touchdown passes and he added 149 rushing yards and a touchdown to pace the Rangers offensive attack. Lone Star is playing good football and will push Longview, but this is a complete Lobos team that’s been number one in 5A-Division I wire-to-wire, that Longview defense is key and will be the difference along with Taylor Tatum. Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 10

PSJA North (11-0) vs. Corpus Christi Miller (10-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Corpus Christi’s Cabaniss Stadium: It’s time for a referendum on the RGV’s chances to make a semifinal run as unbeaten PSJA North, considered the best team in the Valley this year has a tough road test against 10-1 Corpus Christi Miller. PSJA North last week had no trouble rolling past Donna 41-7. The Raiders rotated several playmakers in on offense and wore Donna down with their big offensive line and the gameplan as it has all season worked to perfection. Corpus Christi Miller led by four touchdown receptions from Lonnie Adkism had no issues in their playoff opener, ripping past San Antonio Southwest Legacy 70-34, with most of Legacy’s points coming in garbage time with the game well in hand. This game in my view comes down to which team imposes their will in this one. PSJA North liks to play a slow pace, be physical with their size in the trenches and wear you down. Miller wants to get up and down the field and use their speed to make plays in space. I think Miller’s speed on both sides of the ball is the difference and they lure North into a game that’s their style. Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Miller by 7

South Oak Cliff (8-3) vs. Lovejoy (8-3), 3 p.m. Saturday at Arlington’s Globe Life Field: It’s a regional final rematch from a year ago, but this time it’s in the area playoffs and this matchup is intriguing because both teams who early in the year were thought to be state title contenders have shown vulnerability at multiple points this season. SOC’s offense continued their concerning trend as they had to scrape past a tough Mansfield Summit squad in a 12-7 win. SOC managed just 126 yards and nine first downs in the win, but the defense was again stellar as time and time again the Golden Bears rose to the occasion and got key stops. On paper, Lovejoy especially at the skill spots is as talented as anyone in the state, but the Leopards just haven’t been able to put all the pieces together and last week they had to hang on for dear life at home to beat Whitehouse 38-34. WR Jaxson Lavender led the way with 119 receiving yards and a touchdown. The headline matchup to watch is Lovejoy and their quartet of FBS recruits at WR, going against the SOC secondary, considered by some to be the best in the state at the 5A level. While that matchup draws headlines, the real key to this game is SOC’s offense, can the Golden Bears find a way to control the ball, get first downs and stay out of obvious passing situations? If SOC does that, they’ll win the game because their defense is good enough to contain Lovejoy’s offense, but ALL the pressure can’t fall on that South Oak Cliff defense. Stepp’s Pick: South Oak Cliff by 5

Alamo Heights (10-1) vs. Gregory-Portland (8-3), 7 p.m. Thursday at Cuero’s Gobbler Stadium: A really intriguing Thursday night game in South Texas features two teams hoping to challenge Liberty Hill’s dominance in Region IV the past two seasons. Alamo Heights opened up the playoffs with a solid performance rolling past Kerrville Tivy 64-27. QB Conley McKenna threw for 126 yards and four touchdowns and he added 145 yards rushing and a touchdown to lead the Mules attack. Gregory-Portland opened the playoffs with an easy 64-6 rout of Mission Veterans Memorial. The Wildcats raced out to a 41-0 lead in the first half and used several backups for the majority of the second half. Alamo Heights is fresh and the depth has improved as the year goes along, if the Mules can slow down the Wildcats rushing attack and make them a pass heavy team, AHHS gets the win and sets up a possible rematch with Liberty Hill on Thanksgiving weekend. Stepp’s Pick: Alamo Heights by 9

Quick Picks

Prosper (10-1) vs. South Grand Prairie (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Prosper by 14

Midland Legacy (7-4) vs. Keller (9-2), 1 p.m. Saturday at Midland's Astound Broadband Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Midland Legacy by 7

Lewisville (10-1) vs. Arlington Martin (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Dallas’ Ford Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Lewisville by 6

Wylie (8-3) vs. Duncanville (10-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday at McKinney’s McKinney ISD Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Duncanville by 30

The Woodlands (9-2) vs. Klein Cain (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Shenandoah’s Woodforest Bank Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Klein Cain by 3

Spring Westfield (10-1) vs. Klein Collins (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Tomball’s Tomball ISD Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Spring Westfield by 2

Cy-Fair (10-1) vs. Katy Cinco Ranch (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Cypress’ Pridgeon Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Cy-Fair by 12

Galena Park North Shore (11-0) vs. Dickinson (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Galena Park’s Galena Park ISD Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 20

Houston Lamar (9-2) vs. Fort Bend Ridge Point (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Katy’s Legacy Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Fort Bend Ridge Point by 10

Humble Atascocita (9-2) vs. Clear Springs (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at League City’s Challenger-Columbia Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Humble Atascocita by 15

San Antonio Brennan (10-1) vs. Los Fresnos (7-4), 6 p.m. Thursday at Los Fresnos’ Aguilar Stadium Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Brennan by 35

Austin Westlake (11-0) vs. New Braunfels (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at San Marcos’ Rattler Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Austin Westlake by 27

San Antonio Taft (8-3) vs. San Benito (10-1), 7 p.m. Thursday at Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Stadium Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Taft by 21

El Paso Eastwood (9-2) vs. Trophy Club Nelson (10-1), 7 p.m. at Midland’s King Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Trophy Club Nelson by 28

Wolfforth Frenship (9-2) vs. Southlake Carroll (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday at San Angelo’s San Angelo Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Southlake Carroll by 25

McKinney (5-6) vs. Dallas Jesuit (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Prosper’s Children’s Health Stadium Stepp’s Pick: McKinney by 5

Rockwall-Heath (7-4) vs. DeSoto (9-2), 7 p.m. Thursday at Frisco’s Ford Center Stepp’s Pick: DeSoto by 22

New Caney (11-0) vs. Tomball (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Spring’s Planet Ford Stadium Stepp’s Pick: New Caney by 3

Royse City (7-4) vs. Killeen Harker Heights (10-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Waco’s Waco ISD Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Killeen Harker Heights by 7

Spring DeKaney (8-3) vs. Cypress Falls (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Porter’s Randall Reed Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Cypress Falls by 2

Houston Memorial (8-3) vs. Katy (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Houston’s Tully Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Katy by 20

Houston Heights (8-3) vs. Fort Bend Hightower (9-2), 1 p.m. Saturday at Houston’s Delmar Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Fort Bend Hightower by 12

Houston C.E. King (7-4) vs. Clear Falls (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Houston’s Sheldon ISD Panther Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Clear Falls by 10

Austin Vandegrift (10-1) vs. Converse Judson (5-6), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Round Rock’s Reeves Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Austin Vandegrift by 23

San Antonio Harlan (9-2) vs. Weslaco (8-3), 1 p.m. Saturday at Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Stadium Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Harlan by 26

Dripping Springs (10-1) vs. San Antonio Brandeis (9-2), 2 p.m. Saturday at San Antonio’s Heroes Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Dripping Springs by 18

San Antonio Warren (8-3) vs. Harlingen (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Farris Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Harlingen by 1

Abilene (5-6) vs. Red Oak (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Mansfield’s Newsom Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Red Oak by 13

Aledo (9-2) vs. Lubbock Cooper (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Sweetwater’s Mustang Bowl Stepp’s Pick: Aledo by 10

Midlothian (11-0) vs. Amarillo (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Wichita Falls’ Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Midlothian by 17

Mansfield Timberview (11-0) vs. Barbers Hill (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Cedar Park’s Gupton Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Mansfield Timberview by 6

Frisco Reedy (11-0) vs. Lancaster (9-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Irving’s Ellis Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Lancaster by 12

Port Arthur Memorial (10-1) vs. Frisco Wakeland (7-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Lufkin’s Martin Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Port Arthur Memorial by 3

Magnolia West (8-3) vs. Georgetown (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Magnolia’s Mustang Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Georgetown by 5

Angleton (9-2) vs. College Station (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Cypress’ Cy-Fair FCU Stadium Stepp’s Pick: College Station by 7

College Station A&M Consolidated (9-2) vs. Fulshear (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at College Station’s Tiger Stadium Stepp’s Pick: College Station A&M Consolidated by 4

Smithson Valley (10-1) vs. Manvel (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bastrop’s Memorial Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Smithson Valley by 8

San Antonio Southside (10-1) vs. McAllen (6-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Corpus Christi’s Danaher Stadium Stepp’s Pick: McAllen by 2

Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (9-2) vs. Edinburg Vela (10-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Edinburg Vela by 3

Brownsville Veterans Memorial (9-2) vs. Victoria West (6-5), 7 p.m. Thursday at Corpus Christi’s Cabaniss Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Brownsville Veterans Memorial by 5

Canutillo (9-2) vs. Fort Worth Arlington Heights (10-1), 4 p.m. Friday at Odessa’s Ratliff Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Canutillo by 7

Abilene Wylie (8-3) vs. Colleyville Heritage (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Grapevine’s Mustang-Panther Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Abilene Wylie by 7

Argyle (11-0) vs. Wichita Falls Rider (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Mineral Wells’ Ram Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Argyle by 14

Grapevine (10-1) vs. Abilene Cooper (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Fort Worth’s Crowley ISD Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Grapevine by 17

Midlothian Heritage (10-1) vs. Crandall (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Grand Prairie’s Gopher-Warrior Bowl Stepp’s Pick: Midlothian Heritage by 10

Melissa (9-2) vs. Ennis (6-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Dallas’ Wildcat-Ram Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Melissa by 9

Terrell (6-5) vs. Everman (9-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Carrollton’s Standridge Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Everman by 6

Fort Bend Marshall (10-1) vs. Waco University (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Giddings’ Buffalo Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Fort Bend Marshall by 29

Montgomery Lake Creek (11-0) vs. Leander Rouse (6-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday at College Station’s Cougar Field Stepp’s Pick: Montgomery Lake Creek by 11

Belton (9-2) vs. Brenham (7-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bryan’s Green Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Belton by 10

Austin LBJ (9-2) vs. Port Neches-Groves (9-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Katy’s Rhodes Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Austin LBJ by 13

Liberty Hill (10-1) vs. Mercedes (6-5), 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Gustafson Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Liberty Hill by 33

Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (8-3) vs. Lockhart (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio’s Alamo Stadium Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Flour Bluff by 19

Mission Sharyland (7-4) vs. San Antonio Veterans Memorial (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Laredo’s Johnson Student Activity Center Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Veterans Memorial by 15