Preview and prediction for the best TXHSFB games of Week 5

Bushland (4-0) at Dumas (2-2):
Red-hot Bushland will put its unbeaten record on the line in one of the Panhandle’s toughest environments as they venture into Dumas to take on the Demons, who are reeling after back-to-back seven-point losses. Regardless of classification, Bushland has been among the most impressive teams in the Panhandle this year. Last week, the Falcons took down Dumas’ district rival, Canyon West Plains, 28-15. Bushland QB Quaid Ferris threw four touchdown passes in the win, while WR/DB Ty Purcell hauled in two touchdown receptions and added an interception on defense. Dumas fell to 5A Plainview, 35-28, despite strong efforts from QB Colton Mills (275 yards passing, one rushing touchdown, one receiving touchdown) and RB Conor Fry (172 yards, two rushing touchdowns). Dumas will keep this close at home, but Bushland’s defense, which has been stellar all season, will make the difference.
Stepp’s Pick: Bushland by 10

Kilgore (3-1) at Longview Pine Tree (4-0):
As always, 9-4A Division I is a total meat grinder, and the addition of Longview Pine Tree has only added to the mix. Both Kilgore and Pine Tree play an old-school, physical style of football, so if you’re looking for a throwback matchup, this one’s for you. Kilgore, after losing in controversial fashion to Gilmer two weeks ago, bounced back on the road to knock off Texarkana Pleasant Grove, 37-31, in a double-overtime thriller. KHS trailed 24-10 going into the fourth quarter and rallied to send the game to overtime. RB Rayshaun Williams had a pair of key touchdown runs, including the game-winner in the second overtime. One concern for Kilgore is its secondary, led by Michigan commit Jayden Sanders, which struggled to contain Pleasant Grove’s passing attack. Pine Tree has excelled in close games, with three of its four wins coming by seven points or less. Last week, the Pirates slipped past Class 5A Hallsville, 30-27. PTHS led 20-7 at the half, as RB L’Marion Hunter scored two touchdowns, but the Pirates had to hold off a late Hallsville rally for the win. Pine Tree opened up the offense some last week, and they’ll need that balance again this week, but I don’t expect Kilgore to play two straight subpar games on defense.
Stepp’s Pick: Kilgore by 7

Hitchcock (3-1) at Silsbee (4-0):
After dropping its season opener, Hitchcock has been on an absolute tear the past three weeks, picking up wins over Hamshire-Fannett and, most recently, a 21-14 upset of state-ranked 4A Division II Bellville. The story was Hitchcock’s much-maligned defense, which played lights out in slowing Bellville’s Slot-T offense. A big reason for that was the play of DL Malcolm Simpson, a Nebraska commit. Texas Tech commit QB Lloyd Jones III was sensational, as well, throwing three touchdown passes and giving Bellville all kinds of problems with his elusiveness in the pocket. In the preseason, many “experts” (myself included) thought Silsbee would fall back to the pack after two great seasons and the loss of a stellar senior class. Instead, Randy Smith’s squad is off to a 4-0 start after taking down 5A Division I Beaumont West Brook, 27-13, to extend its regular-season winning streak to 28 games. WR Jacaleb Johnson was the star for the Tigers with six catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns, while Silsbee’s defense continues to play well, allowing just 16 points per game. Silsbee isn’t as explosive as in past years, but they may be better equipped for a playoff run due to improved play in the trenches. Hitchcock is also improved up front, and they still have a big edge in the skill positions, so I’m picking the 3A Bulldogs to get another big win.
Stepp’s Pick: Hitchcock by 8

Bellville (2-2) at Columbus (4-0):
Can Class 3A Columbus run the table and knock off four straight 4A opponents to start the year? If so, they’ll have to get past a Bellville team that’s likely in a foul mood after being upset by Columbus’ district rival, Hitchcock, 21-14, last Thursday. Bellville’s Slot-T offense never found its rhythm, despite the defense playing well and slowing down Hitchcock’s explosive attack. Meanwhile, Columbus dominated for the fourth straight week, drilling Madisonville 62-35. RB Grayson Rigdon ran for 252 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries, while QB Adam Schobel and a bevy of talented receivers give Columbus plenty of offensive firepower, having topped the 60-point mark in four straight games. Expect Bellville to work out some offensive issues this week, but I’m not sure it will be enough to keep up with one of the state’s best offenses.
Stepp’s Pick: Columbus by 7

Wall (3-1) at Sweetwater (2-2):
It’s been an impressive start for Wall in the Craig Slaughter era, as the Hawks have won three of their first four games, with their only blemish being a close loss to 4A Division I Brownwood. Last week, Wall held off Monahans, 27-20. The Hawks led 20-0 late in the third quarter as QB Landon York tossed three touchdown passes, but Monahans made a furious late rally, and WHS needed a late defensive stand to preserve the win. Sweetwater has been inconsistent early in the year, but last week the Mustangs earned perhaps their most impressive victory of the season, taking down Lubbock Estacado, 39-25, as RB Korda Moore ran for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Both offenses have plenty of firepower, but Sweetwater looks like they’re rounding into form. With this one being played in the Mustang Bowl, I’ll take the home team.
Stepp’s Pick: Sweetwater by 4

Canadian (3-1) at Sunray (4-0):
Week after week, the Texas Panhandle has delivered titanic matchups, and Week 5 is no exception as Canadian visits Sunray. Canadian needed every bit of its potent offense last week in a wild 74-67 win over Muleshoe. RB Slayden Dickinson ran for 367 yards and seven touchdowns, while QB Clay Kendall threw for 197 yards and two scores and ran for 169 yards and two more scores. Canadian racked up 750 yards of offense, but the concern is the 67 points and more than 600 yards of offense the defense allowed to Muleshoe. Sunray, meanwhile, stepped up last week to take on Canadian’s district rival, Childress, and the Bobcats’ defense shined in a 21-7 victory. Sunray picked off four passes, and after being shut out in the first half, QB Armando Lujan threw for a score and ran for two others to lead Sunray to the win. This will be Sunray’s toughest test of the season, and while they’ll keep it close, Canadian’s depth and talent will be the difference.
Stepp’s Pick: Canadian by 8

Holliday (3-1) at Tuscola Jim Ned (2-2):
Holliday bounced back from a surprise loss to 4A Benbrook with a convincing 56-18 win over another 4A program in Burkburnett. QB Hunter Jones led the way for the Eagles with four touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns. HHS raced out to a 30-6 lead in the second quarter and never looked back. Jim Ned stunned previously unbeaten Jacksboro last week, 42-40, as QB Gray Beasley threw for 145 yards and four touchdowns, while RB Aiden Ellis ran for 171 yards and a score. After struggling offensively early in the season, Jim Ned has found its stride the past couple of weeks, so don’t be surprised if this one turns into a shootout. I think the difference will be Holliday’s defense, which has the ability to make key stops.
Stepp’s Pick: Holliday by 4

Wolfe City (2-1) vs. Timpson (2-1) at Longview:
It’s a bit unusual for both teams to enter a non-district game fresh off a bye week. Wolfe City will play one more non-district game next week against Nocona, while Timpson has just a nine-game regular-season schedule and will be idle again in Week 6. Wolfe City’s offense has been stellar, averaging over 44 points per game through the first three weeks, but they were outgunned by a strong Collinsville squad, 55-42, two weeks ago. As for Timpson, they were overwhelmed by 3A power Palestine Westwood, 63-34, two weeks ago, snapping an 18-game winning streak. QB JJ Garner did all he could for the Bears, tallying 340 yards of offense and five touchdowns, but Timpson was simply outmatched by the larger school. Don’t expect Timpson to be outgunned this week, as the Bears get back on track.
Stepp’s Pick: Timpson by 21

Quick Hits

Stephenville (4-0) at Waco La Vega (2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Stephenville by 18

Brenham (4-0) vs Gilmer (2-2) at Huntsville’s Hornet Field Stepp’s Pick: Brenham by 2

Athens (3-1) at Waco Connally (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Waco Connally by 7

Sinton (4-0) at Corpus Christi Miller (3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Miller by 11

Jefferson (4-0) at Gladewater (2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Jefferson by 14

San Antonio Cole (3-1) at Universal City Randolph (4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Universal City Randolph by 2

Gunter (2-2) at Bells (2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Gunter by 24

Woodville (3-1) at Trinity (3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Woodville by 19

Wellington (3-1) at Panhandle (4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Panhandle by 17

Sonora (2-2) at McCamey (2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Sonora by 13

Last Week: 15-5 75.0%

Season: 58-22 72.5%