El Campo (3-2, 1-0) at Bay City (4-2, 1-1): For the 104th straight year and 120th time overall, El Campo and Bay City will face off in the state’s oldest continuous rivalry.

This season’s matchup has plenty of intrigue primarily because Bay City suffered an upset loss at the hands of Navasota last week. A Blackcats loss to El Campo would begin to put Bay City’s playoff hopes in some doubt with tough games still looming with unbeaten Iowa Colony and Needville.

El Campo has won three straight games since getting Texas Tech QB commit Oliver Miles back, and the Ricebirds appear to be rounding into form under first year head coach Travis Reeve. 

The Ricebirds were idle last week after rolling past Navasota 48-14 in their district opener. That’s an extra week to prep for Bay City and an extra week to get even more acclimated to the new schemes.

El Campo gets a big win and really puts the pressure on Bay City for the final three games of the season.

Stepp’s Pick: El Campo by 10

Texarkana Pleasant Grove (5-0) at Gilmer (3-2): District play in 7-4A Division II gets started with what most believe will be the district title game as third ranked and unbeaten Pleasant Grove visits ninth ranked Gilmer, which has won three straight games after an 0-2 start.

Pleasant Grove’s offense has been cooking the last three weeks by scoring at least 45 points in wins over Midland Christian, Frisco Memorial and Paris.

In the Hawks 45-0 win over Paris two weeks ago, Arkansas QB commit Ahkari Johnson threw for two scores and ran for two scores, while Torion Phillips had an interception return for a touchdown.

Gilmer’s offense has been on fire all year. The Buckeyes average 52 points per game led by RB Will Henderson, who has put up monster numbers all season. The big concern is Gilmer’s defense, which allows 50.6 points per game. That’s a trend that must turn around starting this week or Gilmer could get blown out at home as Pleasant Grove’s defense is good enough to get a stop or two here and there.

Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Pleasant Grove by 16

Hitchcock (6-0) at Yoakum (4-2): The brutal 12-3A Division I race gets kicked off this week with a fascinating matchup as powerful Hitchcock travels south to take on a much-improved and battle tested Yoakum squad.

Hitchcock comes into this one on a short week as the Bulldogs blew past 4A Salado on Saturday, 45-14, in a game that really wasn’t that close. Hitchcock led 45-0 at halftime behind four passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown from QB Lloyd Jones, III. UNLV commit WR/DB Damian McDaniel had a touchdown catch and an interception, while 2025 WR Kelshaun Johnson hauled in a pair of touchdowns to lead a Bulldogs onslaught in the first half.

Yoakum took a long road trip up to Waco and came up just short losing to 4A Waco La Vega in a hard fought 28-21 overtime contest. QB Zach Taylor, an Army commit, had a strong game in the loss with a hand in all three touchdowns.

The biggest question for Yoakum coming into this one will be how they bounce back after a long road trip and an overtime game against a very physical La Vega squad. Hitchcock played Saturday but its starters all were on the bench early in the third quarter.

Yoakum’s speed is good, but Hitchcock’s playmakers are on a different level and they present so many matchup problems for teams in space. HHS wins a close and entertaining game down in DeWitt County.

Stepp’s Pick: Hitchcock by 9

Hondo (5-0) at Jourdanton (5-0): The top game in the Greater San Antonio area this week is out in Jourdanton as unbeaten Hondo comes to town in a key district opener that could determine a district title. Both teams are fresh off a bye week coming into this one.

Hondo knocked off Class 4A Bandera, 37-25, in their last outing. The key was a strong first half offensive performance for the Owls, whiich rolled up a 27-12 half time lead.

Jourdanton routed San Antonio Kennedy, 56-16, as QB Matt Hicks and the Indians offense put up big numbers against a much larger school. Hicks had 204 yards passing and two touchdowns and he added a touchdown on the ground as Jourdanton rolled up just shy of 600 yards of offense.

Hondo gives JHS its toughest test of the season, but Jourdanton takes a big step towards a district title with the win at home.

Stepp’s Pick: Jourdanton by 10

Coahoma (3-2) at Littlefield (4-1): Coahoma and its powerful offensive attack heads north to the South Plains where the Bulldogs tangle with surprising Littlefield.

Coahoma fell to high-flying Merkel in their last outing, 34-27. The Bulldogs allowed 434 yards of offense in the defeat. RB Jaidyn Vineyard ran for 168 yards and three scores, while QB Boyd Cox had 168 yards through the air and a touchdown.

Littlefield is also coming off a bye week. The Wildcats have won four straight after dropping their season opener and last week may have been their best performance in a 49-13 win over Brownfield. QB Chip Green led LHS with 128 yards through the air and two touchdowns, adding 146 yards rushing and a touchdown. 

Littlefield’s defense has been stout early in the year and that group is the key for the Wildcats to open up district play with a win.

Stepp’s Pick: Littlefield by 12

Bells (4-0) at Gunter (5-0): It’s a state ranked battle in Texoma to open 8-3A Division II play as eighth ranked Bells visits No. 1 Gunter. Bells and their Slot-T offense rolled past Callisburg, 49-22, two weeks ago as the Panthers tallied nearly 400 yards on the ground in the victory.

Gunter drilled struggling Gladewater, 49-7, two weeks ago as the Tigers were led by QB Walker Overman, who ran for a score and added three passing touchdowns as the Tigers attack has taken to the air a bit more this season.

Bells and their offense will try to play keep away from that explosive Gunter attack. It was the Bells formula in their meeting a year ago when they kept things close with Gunter. The problem is this Gunter team may be more talented than a year ago and the Tigers roll after Bells keeps it close for a half.

Stepp’s Pick: Gunter by 21

Stratford (5-0) at Farwell (4-1): Stratford and their stout defense will face a big test on the road this week as they travel nearly three hours south down to Farwell in a battle of teams known for tough and physical football.

Stratford looked fresh coming off their bye week as they played up two full classifications last week and took care of Class 4A Perryton, 33-13. QB Bryce Braden hooked up with Israel Lincon for a pair of touchdown passes and Braden added 63 yards on the ground to lead the Elks. Braden was also a force on defense with 16 tackles.

Farwell has had a week to sit on their 35-27 loss to Friona two weeks ago. Corey Stancell led Farwell’s offense 197 yards rushing and two touchdowns, but the Steers defense struggled against a Friona team that was winless heading into the game.

That defense will face their biggest test of the year against a Stratford team that’s as physical as any in the state. Stratford grinds Farwell down in what will be a showcase of old school football.

Stepp’s Pick: Stratford by 13

Coleman (5-1, 2-0) at Tolar (4-1, 1-0): The 5-2A Division I title is likely on the line this week as Coleman heads north to the Snake Farm to take on a strong Tolar squad that’s weathered the storm of losing their best player to an injury.

Coleman’s offense was hitting on all cylinders last week as the Bluecats topped the 40-point mark for the second straight week in a 40-26 win over San Saba. Jadin Jackson, who had played QB the past two years for Coleman, is being moved all over the field and he’s a real weapon for Coleman as he tallied 150 yards rushing and two scores and added 88 yards receiving. WR Hunter Lackey hauled in three touchdowns for Coleman in the win.

Tolar rolled past Hamilton, 38-0, in their district opener as the Rattlers raced out a 28-0 halftime lead and cruised to the easy win.

Tolar’s defense has been stellar early on and that unit along with their offensive balance is key as the Rattlers look to cement their place as the team to beat in Region II in 2A-Division I.

Stepp’s Pick: Tolar by 14

Quick Picks

Frisco Panther Creek (5-1, 2-0) at Dallas Carter (4-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Panther Creek by 4

Lindale (3-3, 2-0) at Kilgore (5-1, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 15

Hamshire-Fannett (6-0, 2-0) at West Orange-Stark (3-3, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Hamshire-Fannett by 12

Bellville (6-0, 2-0) at Brookshire Royal (3-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Bellville by 25

Gatesville (4-2) at Waco Connally (3-3) Stepp’s Pick: Waco Connally 8

Malakoff (6-0, 2-0) at Teague (4-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Malakoff by 23

Universal City Randolph (6-0, 2-0) at Llano (4-2, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Universal City Randolph by 3

Edgewood (3-3, 1-1) at Troup (5-0, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Troup by 15

Wallis Brazos (5-1, 1-1) at East Bernard (2-3, 0-1) Stepp’s Pick: East Bernard by 3

Cayuga (3-3, 1-1) at Kerens (3-3, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Kerens by 4

Last Week Record: 17-3 85.0%

Season Record: 92-28 76.7%