Andrews (1-0) at Canyon (0-1)
After traveling 283 miles last week to Clint, Andrews hits the road once again this week with just a 214-mile road trip to the Texas Panhandle where the Mustangs will take on Canyon. Last week, Andrews rolled past Clint, 34-7, in a game shortened by bad weather in the El Paso area on Friday. RB JaeSean DeBouse had two touchdown runs and hauled in a touchdown pass to lead the Mustangs, who were dominant. One of the biggest surprises of Week 1 in the Texas Panhandle was Canyon falling in surprising fashion to Perryton, 45-44. CHS got plenty of offense on the night rolling up nearly 500 yards of offense, led by QB Boston Bell, who threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns while Colt Cruth ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns. But Canyon’s defense left a lot to be desired. They’ll clean some things up at home, but I really like this Andrews team and they are starting to develop the look of a team that’ll be a tough out come playoff time with that Slot-T offense.
Stepp’s Pick: Andrews by 6

Gilmer (0-1) at Tyler Chapel Hill (1-0)
One of the more head-scratching losses in Week 1 regardless of classification was Gilmer’s 22-15 loss to Longview Pine Tree. Gilmer jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead early and led 15-7 at the half, but the Buckeyes' offense was shut out in the second half while picking up just four first downs. Gilmer was also plagued by poor special teams play all night. Chapel Hill had no illusions of a slow start as the Bulldogs went to Jasper and won 56-20. RB Ricky Stewart, a Texas commit, ran for 225 yards and three scores, while Baylor commit QB Demetrius Brisbon threw for 101 yards and a score and added 51 yards on the ground to go with a score. The Bulldogs' stars only played one series in the third quarter with Chapel Hill up big. Expect Gilmer to come out offensively much sharper and look for the special teams errors to be cleaned up. Chapel Hill’s just too potent on the offensive side of the ball and that’s the key in what will likely be another track meet.
Stepp’s Pick: Tyler Chapel Hill by 9

Malakoff (1-0) at Lorena (0-1)
Defending state champion Malakoff opened up the season in style with an easy 49-0 win over a good West Rusk squad. RB Jason Tennyson returned from an injury that caused him to miss all of 2023 and looked good in his 2024 debut with two touchdown runs, while QB Mike Jones tossed three touchdown passes to lead the Tigers. Lorena struggled last week in a 51-15 loss to Austin Regents, and there wasn’t much good to take out of that game for Lorena fans. Injuries have really hurt Lorena and they likely won’t be getting many of those injured players back any time soon.
Stepp’s Pick: Malakoff by 14

Canadian (1-0) at Bushland (1-0)
Expect a lot of points to be scored in the Panhandle this week as 3A-Division II powerhouse Van takes on 3A-Division I power Bushland in a marquee matchup. Canadian went into Oklahoma and played a much larger school in Elk City and took them down 32-27. QB Clay Kendall tossed three touchdown passes, while WR Julian Dominguez hauled in two touchdown passes and had a touchdown run. Bushland rolled to an easy 61-13 win over Borger as the Bushland defense dominated early on with a scoop and score on defense and consistently set up the offense with short fields as they only ended up with 315 yards of offense while scoring 61. They’ll get a much tougher test this week as Canadian won’t give up the short fields, but the Canadian defense has a few concerns going into this week after Elk City put up some solid numbers. Bushland wins a high scoring affair.
Stepp’s Pick: Bushland by 6

Lexington (1-0) vs Little River Academy (0-1)
Lexington will look to step up this week and take on a larger school after taking out 2A power Marlin, 27-12. DT Gabe Turner did the unthinkable for an interior defensive lineman with not one, but two interception returns for touchdowns in the win. QB Kase Evans threw for 171 yards and added 150 yards rushing to pace the offense. Little River-Academy’s defense had some trouble last week as they simply couldn’t keep up with the ultra-dynamic Waco Connally attack in a 46-22 defeat. The Bumblebees' offense struggled early on as they were down 25-0 at the half, but they finally found some things in the secod half and will look to carry that momentum into this week’s game where they should present some matchup problems for Lexington.
Stepp’s Pick: Little River Academy by 7

Hamshire-Fannett (1-0) at Hitchcock (0-1)
Hamshire-Fannett has earned a reputation as a dynamic offensive team, but the Longhorns showed last week they can play a little defense as well, as they knocked off Little Cypress-Mauriceville, 13-7, on a rainy night in the Golden Triangle. WR Chris Augustine’s touchdown reception with less than a minute left proved to be the difference for the ‘Horns. Hitchcock dropped a 37-36 heartbreaker to Houston Legacy a week ago. Texas Tech commit QB Lloyd Jones III ran for two scores and threw for two more to lead the Hitchcock offense. These two teams have had some absolute battles over the past few years in 7-on-7, and I expect nothing different in this one. The key is Hamshire-Fannett is a little deeper and more complete in the trenches.
Stepp’s Pick: Hamshire-Fannett by 8

Holliday (1-0) at Muenster (1-0)
Both teams come into this one fresh off lopsided results last week, but Holliday, being the 3A-Division II program, expects to be the favorite taking on 2A-Division II Muenster. Holliday opened the season last week in style, blowing away 3A-Division I Breckenridge as the Eagles were led by QB Hunter Jones, who threw four touchdown passes and ran for another. Holliday scored on 10 of their 11 possessions, and the only time they didn’t score was on a missed field goal. Muenster was dominant in a similar fashion as they blew past Fort Worth Lake Country, 54-6. Holliday’s depth and physicality will be a bit too much for a very good Muenster squad punching above their weight.
Stepp’s Pick: Holliday by 10

Albany (0-1) at Hawley (1-0)
A young Albany squad got a major humbling last week as the Lions were trampled by Stamford to the tune of 50-6. Albany couldn’t keep up with Stamford’s team speed across the board and the offense got down early and simply couldn’t get untracked all night. It’s one of those games Albany’s coaching staff will just flush and not look back on. Hawley took care of business last week, rolling past Roscoe, 49-21, as QB Keagan Ables threw for 294 yards and five touchdowns and added 68 yards and a touchdown on the ground. This young Albany team will play better this week, as Hawley doesn’t have the team speed that Stamford brings to the table, so the matchup for Albany will be a bit more favorable. However, Hawley still has too much talent and experience for a youthful Albany squad.
Stepp’s Pick: Hawley by 12

Quick Picks

Celina (1-0) at Waco La Vega (1-0)
Stepp’s Pick: Celina by 13
Corpus Christi Calallen (1-0) at Alice (1-0)
Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Calallen by 3
Graham (1-0) at Springtown (0-1)
Stepp’s Pick: Graham by 15
Cuero (0-1) at La Vernia (1-0)
Stepp’s Pick: La Vernia by 4
Iowa Park (0-1) at Mineral Wells (1-0)
Stepp’s Pick: Mineral Wells by 7
Tatum (1-0) at Daingerfield (0-1)
Stepp’s Pick: Tatum by 9
San Antonio Cole (1-0) at Stockdale (1-0)
Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Cole by 10
Goliad (0-1) at Tidehaven (1-0)
Stepp’s Pick: Tidehaven by 7
Abernathy (0-1) at Sunray (1-0)
Stepp’s Pick: Sunray by 12
Panhandle (1-0) at Stratford (1-0)
Stepp’s Pick: Stratford by 15