North Crowley vs Lancaster at Ford Center: It’s a Saturday afternoon showdown that’ll be played in cozy 72-degree temperature indoors at the Ford Center as 6A state semifinalist North Crowley takes on Lancaster a 5A regional finalist a year ago that’s making the move to Class 6A in 2024. North Crowley enters 2024 with an absolutely loaded squad, led by three-year starter QB Chris Jimerson, a North Texas Texas commit. He’s got weapons galore on the outside and an offensive line that has at least three FBS prospects, including Missouri commit Henry Fenuku and junior OL John Turntine, III, who is considered one of the state’s top offensive linemen in the Class of 2026. Texas commit LB Jonathan Cunningham leads what should be a strong defense. The only real question for the Panthers is depth and experience on the defensive line. Despite the move to Class 6A, Lancaster is as talented at the skill spots as anyone led by QB Carter Jones, who is committed to Nevada. Oklahoma WR commit Emmanuel Choice is the headliner on the outside. Lancaster has talent on defense as well with California LB commit Ke’Brion Winston and Texas Tech DB commit Braylan McDonald. Both teams' skill position talent is absolutely loaded. The key to this one will come down to the play up front and that’s where the edge lies with North Crowley. How will Lancaster fair in the trenches with the step up to 6A? Stepp’s Pick: North Crowley by 16

Alvin Shadow Creek at Humble Summer Creek: It was a mere two years ago that these two teams played a fantastic regional semifinal, with Summer Creek establishing themselves as a Houston area power with the win over a favored Shadow Creek squad. The Bulldogs propelled that strong 2022 season to a state title game appearance in 2023. Kenny Harrison’s squad expects to again contend with the return of QB Blake Thomas and a veteran offensive line. Where Summer Creek really shines is on defense as they return seven starters led by TCU commit DE Chad Woodfork. Offensively, Shadow Creek is as dynamic as any team in the state with Baylor WR commit Jacorey Watson and Ashton Jones and Texas WR commit Chris Stewart. Joseph Stewart gives the Sharks a real weapon at QB after he transferred in from Fort Bend Hightower. Shadow Creek’s defense is equally loaded with TCU LB commit Anthony Williams and Texas A&M CB commit Cobey Sellers as the headliners. The key question for Shadow Creek is despite all the skill talent, will they be good enough up front to win games, especially against a team like Summer Creek, who is known for being strong in the trenches. Stepp’s Pick: Humble Summer Creek by 7

Dripping Springs at Austin Vandegrift: A real budding rivalry in the Austin area is Dripping Springs and Vandefgrift, who are adding to the local 6A depth making it more than just a Westlake/Lake Travis discussion. Dripping Springs has advanced to the regional finals in two straight seasons, but the Tigers will lean on some new faces in 2024 as all but one starter on the defense has graduated. Expect Drip to lean on the talents of its offense with QB Maddox Maher and RB Jack Tyndall returning after strong 2023 efforts. A year after playing for a state title, Vandegrift suffered the dreaded 10-1 in 2024 as the Vipers surprisingly went Division I and ended up falling to Lake Travis in the first round of the playoffs. VHS was hit hard by graduation on the offensive side of the ball so they’ll lean on a defense led by Arizona State DE commit Daeshon Morgan. Both teams have big question marks on one side of the ball. Whichever team is able to mitigate that perceived weakness early in the year gets the win and I think Vandegrift’s offense is going to be ahead of the Dripping Springs defense in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Austin Vandegrift by 3

San Antonio Reagan at San Antonio Brennan: Two of the Alamo City’s best get to battle it out to open the season as Reagan visits Brennan in an exciting Saturday night showdown. Reagan posted an 11-1 mark a year ago falling to Austin Westlake in the area playoffs, but the Rattlers do have some holes to fill after graduating a large senior class. The cupboard isn’t bare for RHS with RB Cole Pryor back and QB Caleb Capuccio, who, as a sophomore, was 8-0 as the Reagan starting QB before moving to WR a year ago. The Reagan defense, although solid, has struggled in the past against teams who bring a lot of speed to the table, and that’s one thing the Bears have plenty of. Brennan posted a 10-3 mark a year ago in what many feel was a rebuilding year. BHS has QB Cayden Glass back after a strong sophomore season and speedy RB Micai Thompson to carry the offense. LB Solza McCulloigh and DB Tristan Escobar are back to lead a speedy defense that always plays very physical. That physicality is what gives Brennan the edge in this one. Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Brennan by 4

Argyle at Frisco Lone Star: We get a juicy season opener in Frisco as 5A-Division II state title contender Argyle comes calling to take on a dynamic Frisco Lone Star squad that feels like they’ll be a real factor in 5A-Division I Region II. The Eagles offense will be led by QB Maguire Gasperson, who had a strong sophomore debut. He’ll work behind an offensive line that many feel is among the best in the state. WR’s Will Krzysiak and Julian Caldwell give him a pair of dynamic targets in the passing game, so expect Argyle’s offense to be lethal. Argyle typically is very deep and talented on the defensive line and although they have some potential, this year’s group up front lacks experience and they’ll get a big test to open the year against the Rangers. Jeff Rayburn’s squad is loaded with experience on offense led by ATH Davian Groce, who is a Swiss-Army knife that can line up at multiple spots and create mismatches. WR Bryson Jones hauled in 15 touchdowns a year ago and is a force as well, but Lone Star’s got a big question mark at the QB spot. This one can go either way and I have no doubts by district play Lone Star will have that signal-caller question answered. But in Week 1 against a team like Argyle, I’m leaning to the Eagles experience in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Argyle by 6

Lubbock Cooper at Lovejoy: All eyes in the state will be on Collin County to open the season as legendary head coach Todd Dodge makes his return to the sidelines where he’ll lead Lovejoy in its opener, which will be broadcast statewide on Bally Sports Southwest. Lubbock Cooper makes the long trip east and the Pirates are formidable after dropping from Division I. QB Ryan Rodriguez will lead a dynamic offense where he’s got Texas Tech WR commit Michael Dever on the outside. DL Sione Vea is a force up front for an always physical Pirates defense. The big concern for Cooper is the opening of a new high school in the district has really cut into the depth in the junior and sophomore class. This isn’t a deep team. Will that impact them early in the year with the heat? Lovejoy has a lot of questions with a new coaching staff and some young faces being thrown into key roles. They do return one of the state’s top WR’s in Florida State WR commit Daylan McCutcheon, but there’s a lot of youth at the skill spots and on defense. Lubbock Cooper is capable of pulling the upset here, but the long road trip and the heat may wear the Pirates down late. Stepp’s Pick: Lovejoy by 3

Corpus Christi Miller vs Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial: Bragging rights within Corpus Christi ISD are on the line in the season opener as Miller and Veterans Memorial battle in front of what should be a raucous crowd at Buc Stadium. Miller, who drops to 5A-Division II with a ton of experience from a 13-1 squad, has upgraded its schedule in a big way as the Bucs look to challenge for a state title. QB Trevor Long is back and he’s got plenty of weapons at his disposal, including WR Corey Holmes and RB Broderick Taylor, two of the most dynamic skill players in all of South Texas. The key for the Bucs will be how a veteran defense matures going into 2024. Veterans Memorial is on a bit of an island in Division I now as they are the lone CCISD program at that level, so they’ll be hitting the road to the Valley inside of district play. The Eagles will be able to sling it around with anyone in the state with QB Billy White, III, who is also one of the state’s top basketball recruits. He’s got an experienced offensive line, but a lot of new faces at the skill positions. Vets does have some building blocks on defense, but Miller’s skill talent and diversity on offense puts a ton of pressure on a defense and the Bucs much like in last year’s game, find a way to pull away late. Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Miller by 12

Quick Picks

El Paso Pebble Hills at Canutillo Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Pebble Hills by 7

Klein Collins at College Station Stepp’s Pick: Klein Collins by 10

Katy at Dickinson Stepp’s Pick: Katy by 6

Liberty Hill at Cibolo Steele Stepp’s Pick: Cibolo Steele by 11

Austin Westlake vs Prosper at UMHB Stepp’s Pick: Austin Westlake by 6

Weslaco at Harlingen Stepp’s Pick: Weslaco by 7

Red Oak at Colleyville Heritage Stepp’s Pick: Colleyville Heritage by 6

Pflugerville Weiss at Round Rock McNeil Stepp’s Pick: Pflugerville Weiss by 2

Brenham at Huntsville Stepp’s Pick: Huntsville by 13

Alamo Heights at Seguin Stepp’s Pick: Alamo Heights by 17