Waco Connally (3-0) at China Spring (2-1): Waco Connally has hopes of challenging in 4A-Division II Region III and this will be a real measuring stick test for the Cadets as they take on back-to-back state champion China Spring in a showcase game in the Waco area.

Connally rolled past Cameron Yoe, 59-38, thanks to RB Kiefer Sibley, who ran for 391 yards and five touchdowns. QB/DB Jamarion Vincent accounted for three touchdowns and intercepted a pass.

China Spring made quick work of Mexia last week in a 69-27 win in large part to Kyle Barton, who ran for four touchdowns before the backups spent most of the second half in action.

QB Cash McCollum, a UNT commit, will be a force this week, but the key in this one will be China Spring’s defense; if they can slow down Connally’s dynamic skill talent it’ll put pressure on the Cadets defense, which has struggled early in the season.

Stepp’s Pick: China Spring by 17

Cuero (3-0) at Corpus Christi Calallen (2-1): Powerful Cuero will look to keep its fast-start going this week down on the coast against perennial power Calallen, which has bounced back nicely after a season opening loss to Gregory-Portland.

Cuero got pushed for the first time this season last week in a 41-34 win over Yoakum. The Gobblers fell down early 14-0, but a kickoff return for a touchdown from Daylon Gibbs ignited the comeback and QB Mason Notaro added a pair of touchdown runs and a touchdown pass to lead Cuero to the win.

Calallen’s defense was stout in a 28-10 win over Corpus Christi Flour Bluff. RB Luke Medina ran for 175 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Wildcats to the win.

Calallen’s offense has shown progress in the past two weeks, but keeping up with a dynamic Cuero squad that’s stout in all three phases is a real challenge.

Stepp’s Pick: Cuero by 13

Alvarado (3-0) at Rusk (2-1): Unbeaten Alvarado takes a trip out east to take on a strong Rusk squad in a fascinating cross-regional matchup.

A week ago, Alvarado drilled an over-matched Dallas Lincoln squad 57-3 as QB Cordea Collier threw for 208 yards and five touchdowns, while Alvarado allowed just 124 yards of offense.

Rusk dropped a heart-breaker last week falling on the road to Athens, 45-38. QB Brady Barrier led the Eagles attack throwing for 282 yards and two touchdowns and he added a pair of short touchdown runs as well.

Alvarado isn’t being discussed much as a legit contender in Region II, but it may need to enter the discussion. This is a legitimate team who will be a force come playoff time.

Stepp’s Pick: Alvarado by 22

Jasper (2-1) at Franklin (3-0): Franklin won its 35th game in a row last week over Diboll, 28-13, in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated. The Lions raced out to a 21-0 halftime lead on the strength of a defensive and special teams touchdown, mixed in with a Bubba Jackson touchdown run.

They’ll have a serious challenge this week against an athletic Jasper squad that’s loaded with front-line talent the Bulldogs fell from the 4A-Division II state rankings last week after an upset 34-29 loss to Spring Legacy.

The Bulldogs will be locked in and focused and if they can play their assignments and not over-pursue the Franklin Slot-T attack they’ll have a shot to pull the upset. But RB Jayden Jackson is a load for the Lions and the defense for Franklin seems to be adept at making plays in key moments, so give the edge to Franklin at home.

Stepp’s Pick: Franklin by 7

Brock (1-2) at Gunter (3-0): It’s a battle of Class 3A powers as Division I Brock, in its swan-song as a 3A program, head to Gunter to take on the defending Division II state champion Tigers.

Brock lost a heartbreaker to Wimberley last week, 35-27; it was the Eagles’ second loss by single digits to a top five team in 4A-Division II thus far.

QB Brody Woods threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns to lead Brock, but the concern was the Eagles’ running game was held in check as Brock ran for just 57 yards on the night.

Gunter was dominant for the third straight week as the Tigers blasted Trinity Christian-Addison, 38-0. The game was called at halftime due to storms that hit the area. This game was an absolute thriller a year ago and should be dynamic again this season.

The edge goes to Brock whose defense will be by far Gunter’s biggest test of the young season.

Stepp’s Pick: Brock by 2

Goliad (2-1) at Jourdanton (3-0): Goliad will travel west over to Jourdanton in an interesting matchup of potential challengers to Edna’s dominance in Region IV of 3A-Division I.

After an opening loss to Tidehaven, Goliad has bounced back nicely the last two weeks with dominant wins outscoring opponents 119-13. Last week the Tigers ripped past San Antonio Cole, 63-6, scoring 57 unanswered points after Cole tied the game early on 6-6.

Jourdanton knocked off Pleasanton, 35-21, a week ago as the Indians rattled 35-straight points after falling behind 7-0 early. RB Caden Schute led the way for JHS with three touchdowns on the ground. Jourdanton allowed two late touchdowns with backups in the game, so don’t be too concerned about this defense, which is off to a strong start.

Jourdanton stakes its claim in this one as the chief challenger to Edna in Region IV with a strong win.

Stepp’s Pick: Jourdanton by 14

Childress (2-1) at Holliday (2-1): Childress heads south on Highway 287 down to Holliday where the Bobcats will look to bounce back after they suffered their first loss of the season at home in a 42-13 decision to Bushland.

Childress saw its offense held in check as the Bobcats managed just 184 yards against a Bushland defense that had seen its share of struggles early on.

After a Week 2 loss to Jim Ned, Holliday rebounded nicely as the Eagles defense dominated last week in a 19-0 win over Idalou. Holliday switched back to the I-formation in the fourth quarter of last week’s game and it paid off as two touchdowns in the final quarter put the game away for HHS.

Expect Holliday to line right up and try to run it downhill at a Childress squad that’s smaller and not as deep. Holliday rolls in this one as Childress doesn’t match up well with the Eagles.

Stepp’s Pick: Holliday by 17

Tolar (2-1) at Comanche (3-0): The headline in this one may be about the two star running backs who are not playing in Tolar’s Peyton Brown and Comanche’s Sawyer Wilkerson.

Tolar, being the smaller school, may be more negatively impacted by the loss as the Rattlers don’t have the depth Comanche brings to the table.

Tolar took on a strong private school squad in Dallas Christian last week and the Rattlers had no answers for the Chargers dynamic skill talent in a 37-6 loss.

Comanche rolled past Early 57-0 as the Indians unleashed their passing game in the win. QB Layden Welch threw for 266 yards and four touchdowns. Baylor commit WR/DB Kyler Beaty had six receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns and he’s a real matchup issue for Tolar in this one.

Comanche pulls away in the second half at home for the win in this one.

Stepp’s Pick: Comanche by 11

Quick Picks

Seminole (3-0) at Andrews (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Seminole by 6

Monahans (3-0) at Snyder (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Monahans by 17

Nacogdoches (2-1) at Tyler Chapel Hill (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Tyler Chapel Hill by 22

Gregory-Portland (3-0) at Boerne (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Gregory-Portland by 4

Port Lavaca Calhoun (2-1) at Yoakum (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Yoakum by 9

Llano (2-1) at Coleman (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Llano by 15

Edna (2-1) at Sinton (1-2) Stepp’s Pick: Edna by 10

West (1-1, 0-0) at Whitney (3-0, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Whitney by 7

Newton (1-0) at West Orange-Stark (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Newton by 3

Collinsville (3-0) at Cooper (2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Cooper by 6

Last Week Record: 16-4 80.0%

Season Record: 29-11 72.5%