Preview and prediction for the best TXHSFB games of Week 6

Coppell (4-0, 1-0) at Denton Guyer (3-1, 1-0): The top two teams in 5-6A (and the two preseason favorites) clash in a massive measuring stick game for both programs. Coppell had an easy time in its district opener, as the Cowboys rolled to an easy 49-14 win over Hebron. Baylor commit, QB Edward Griffin III threw for 305 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Cowboys and the defense played its best game of the year by holding Hebron to just 209 yards of offense. Guyer took down previously unbeaten Flower Mound, 44-36, as the Wildcats had to hold off a late FMHS rally after leading 41-21 going into the fourth. Oklahoma commit QB Kevin Sperry had his best game as a Wildcat throwing for 275 yards and four scores, while adding 63 yards on the ground. Guyer’s defense feasted on four Flower Mound turnovers, as well. Coppell’s a battle tested team with one of the state’s best quarterbacks and I don’t see the Cowboys making those type of mistakes this week. Both defenses will come to play, but in crunch time give me Griffin to lead his team on a late drive to pull it out. Stepp’s Pick: Coppell by 4

Rockwall (3-2, 1-0) at Longview (2-2, 0-0): It’s a huge matchup in 10-6A as two of the preseason favorites clash in a key showdown. Rockwall opened up district play in style last week, as the ‘Jackets pounded Royse City, 64-20. QB Brent Rickert threw for 321 yards and six touchdowns, while RB AJ Hatcher added 161 yards and two scores on the ground. Rockwall’s defense, which has struggled lately, put together a strong effort, as well. Longview had a bye week in the opening week of district play, and it came on the heels of a two-game losing streak for John King’s bunch. After losing a one-point heartbreaker at home to South Oak Cliff, Longview’s offense was stuck in neutral in a 21-10 loss to a strong Ruston squad out of Louisiana. The Lobos were plagued by poor execution on offense all night against one of Louisiana’s top teams, so don’t expect two subpar outings in a row. The Longview secondary has had some struggles and Rockwall is capable of exploiting that, but Longview, fresh off the bye week, comes out looking like a different football team this week. Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 7

Bridgeland (3-1, 1-0) vs Cypress Springs (4-0, 1-0): We could see the 16-6A title decided this week as Bridgeland, who has run the district the past few years, will tangle with up-and-coming and unbeaten Cypress Springs. The Bears opened district play two weeks ago with an easy 35-6 win over Langham Creek, as they dominated in all three phases with touchdowns on defense and special teams. Both QBs, Jett Lewis and Tyler Beagal, tossed touchdown passes. Cy Springs got pushed by Cy Ranch in its last outing, but the Panthers pulled away for a 31-16 win behind a strong game from RB Paris Melvin Jr., as he tallied 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also had 161 receiving yards and a score in a monster game. Cy Springs’ speed and talent at the skill spots will be a test for Bridgeland, but the Bears' edge in the trenches, experience at the QB spot and big game experience will be key in this Cy-Fair ISD showdown. Stepp’s Pick: Bridgeland by 6

San Antonio Clark (2-2, 1-0) at San Antonio Churchill (3-1, 1-0): The annual Gucci Bowl in San Antonio has more implications than just bragging rights this year, as both Clark and Churchill look to be firmly in the middle of the playoff race in District 27-6A. Clark opened up district play with a 48-9 rout of San Antonio Lee, as RB Xavier Canavis had a monster night with 232 yards and four touchdowns rushing to pace the Cougars. Clark’s defense was also outstanding, holding Lee to just 189 yards of offense. Churchill has played well under first-year head coach Nate Shaw and has won three of its first four games, including last week’s 37-30 win over San Antonio Madison to open district play. The Chargers raced out to a big lead in the victory behind a blocked punt touchdown and the play of QB Hunter Pavlicek. This is a rivalry game and anything can happen, but through the first four games of the year, Churchill has the stronger resume and the Chargers will earn a massive rivalry win as they look to get back to the playoffs. Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Churchill by 6

Port Arthur Memorial (4-1, 1-0) at Galveston Ball (5-0, 1-0): The race in 9-5A Division I starts to heat up this week as we get a state-ranked showdown down on Galveston Island as No. 10 Port Arthur Memorial visits No. 9 Galveston Ball. Port Arthur Memorial opened district play with an easy 34-0 win over Beaumont United, as the Titans defense was lights out, making it difficult for United to get a first down, much less a point. The one negative for the Titans was some first-half turnovers that kept United in the game until the second half, when Port Arthur Memorial was able to put the game away. Galveston Ball is also coming off a shutout victory, as the Golden Tornadoes drilled Baytown Sterling 45-0 last week. QB Kyden Barker tossed a pair of touchdown passes, while versatile Texas commit ATH Jonah Williams had a 74-yard touchdown run for the Tors. Homefield advantage could be massive in this one, as Courville Stadium in Galveston isn’t an easy place to play when Ball is struggling. When the Tornadoes are rolling? It’s among the toughest places in Texas to play. Jonah Williams puts his stamp on the game late, and Ball earns a massive district victory. Stepp’s Pick: Galveston Ball by 3

Wichita Falls Memorial (4-1, 1-0) at Amarillo Palo Duro (3-1, 0-0): The 2-5A Division II pack looks to be much more competitive from top to bottom than we originally thought in the preseason, and a big part of that depth comes from the outstanding start to the season for Amarillo Palo Duro. The Dons picked up impressive wins in nondistrict over 5A-Division I Amarillo High and Amarillo Tascosa. The strength for PDHS has been a defense that’s allowing just 15 points per game. The offense has been start and stop at times, but this is a team that plays to its strengths. Despite battling a litany of injuries to its defensive line, Wichita Falls Memorial put together a supreme effort to open district play with a 24-7 win at home over Abilene Cooper. The Cougars had five trips into the red zone and came away with just one touchdown, a testament to the Mavericks' defensive tenacity with their backs against the wall. Memorial was led by RB Kenji Johnson, who ran for 144 yards and a touchdown and added a touchdown reception from QB Joe Castles. It’s a tough road trip for Memorial going all the way up to Amarillo, but if Wichita Falls Memorial’s defense can limit Palo Duro's big plays and get Johnson and RB Eric Powell going, the Mavericks should be able to escape Bivins Stadium with a victory. Stepp’s Pick: Wichita Falls Memorial by 8

Melissa (4-1, 3-0) at Lovejoy (2-2, 2-0): A year ago in Week 11, Lovejoy went into Melissa and flat out dominated the homestanding Cardinals to win the district title. Despite coaching turnover in Lovejoy, Melissa hasn’t forgotten and would love nothing more than to seize control of the 4-5A Division II race with a win this week. Last week, Melissa slipped past Anna, 21-18, as Jacob Nye’s 1-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter proved to be the difference in the game after Anna had taken an 18-14 lead. Melissa’s defense was the story all night, as it forced turnovers on Anna’s final three possessions. Two weeks ago, Lovejoy won a close one over Anna, but that game was a fireworks fest with the Leopards winning 66-62. QB Jacob Janacek had a monster night, but Lovejoy nearly gave away a massive first-half lead, ultimately holding off a late Anna rally. Lovejoy has had a week to prep for Melissa with the bye, but this Cardinals defense has the look of an elite group and will slow Lovejoy with their physicality. Stepp’s Pick: Melissa by 2

Port Neches-Groves (4-0, 1-0) at Huntsville (3-1, 1-0): Is it time to sound the alarm on PNG’s defense? Over the last two weeks, the Indians have allowed a total of 91 points. Though that’s not exactly optimal, PNG’s gotten wins in both games and Jeff Joseph and his staff will never apologize for wins. In last week’s wild 62-56 win over Montgomery Lake Creek, QB Connor Bailey tossed two touchdowns and ran for two scores, while the backfield duo of Tyson Henry and Blair Chatagnier combined for five rushing touchdowns. Huntsville rolled to an easy 42-7 victory over New Caney West Fork in its district opener as the Hornets got two touchdown passes from QB Austin Taylor and two rushing scores from speedy RB Traeshawn Brown. The money matchup in this game is Huntsville’s tough defense and how it handles the PNG offensive line, which just blew open some massive holes in the wild win over Lake Creek. Huntsville will score on the PNG defense, which is struggling in a major way, but can the Hornets defense get a key stop or two at home? I think they can, and I think Huntsville gets a small bit of revenge from its regional final loss a year ago by knocking off the defending state champions. Stepp’s Pick: Huntsville by 3

Quick Picks

Prosper (3-1, 2-0) vs Prosper Rock Hill (3-2, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Prosper by 14

Copperas Cove (3-2, 1-0) at Bryan (2-2, 0-0) Stepp’s Pick: Bryan by 5

Pearland (4-1, 3-0) vs Pearland Dawson (3-2, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Pearland by 3

San Antonio Marshall (2-3, 1-2) vs San Antonio Harlan (3-1, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Harlan by 20

San Antonio East Central (4-1, 1-0) at Cibolo Steele (4-1, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Cibolo Steele by 24

Abilene (3-2, 1-0) at Amarillo (2-2, 1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Abilene by 4

Saginaw Chisholm Trail (4-1, 2-1) at Fort Worth Paschal (3-1, 2-0 Stepp’s Pick: Saginaw Chisholm Trail by 16

PSJA North (4-0, 2-0) at Harlingen South (3-2, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: PSJA North by 18

El Paso Del Valle (4-0, 3-0) at El Paso Chapin (3-2, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Del Valle by 21

Texarkana Texas High (4-0, 1-0) at Whitehouse (2-3, 0-1) Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Texas High by 24

Last Week: 17-3 85.0%

Season: 75-25 75.0%