Previews and predictions of the best Week 7 TXHSFB games

Midland (4-1) at Wolfforth Frenship (4-1): It’s a clash of opposites in this key 2-6A opener, as Midland High and its option-based ground offense takes on high-flying Wolfforth Frenship. Midland High closed out non-district play last week in style with an easy 56-31 win over Santaluces (Fla.) in a game that the Bulldogs led 56-10 going into the fourth quarter before SHS added some late window dressing. MHS ran for 444 yards on the night, as UTEP commit RB Elijah McCoy ran for four touchdowns and Chris Lange ran for two scores along with a receiving touchdown. As for Frenship, there aren’t many offensive attacks in the state, regardless of classification, as potent as the Tigers' as they enter district play averaging 53.6 points per game. Frenship has a pair of dynamic FBS prospects on the outside in WRs Leyton Stone (Texas Tech commit) and Chase Campbell. QB Holden Phillips has had three games with six or more touchdown passes this year, but the Tigers did struggle a bit two weeks ago in a 35-34 win over private school power Midland Christian. This game might come down to who has the ball last, and at home, I’ll lean toward Frenship, where we could easily see 100 total points when this one wraps. Stepp’s Pick: Wolfforth Frenship by 4

Waco Midway (4-2, 1-1) at Temple (4-1, 1-0): After two weeks of district play in 12-6A, it’s clear that every week is going to bring a surprise or two. The balance from top to bottom will have the media looking deep into tiebreakers as we approach the playoffs. Midway bounced back from a district-opening loss with a solid 27-7 win over Killeen Shoemaker a week ago, as the Panthers got a balanced effort on offense with Lathan Whisenton leading the way with a pair of rushing touchdowns. The Panthers' defense has been stellar all year, and that unit was the story as it contained a dynamic Shoemaker attack. After hitting rock-bottom with a 1-9 season, Temple is back, as the Wildcats are off to a strong 4-1 start. They had last week off after racing past Shoemaker, 44-26, two weeks ago. The catalyst was the Wildcats' defense, which forced three turnovers, including a scoop and score to pull away for the win. After forcing just one turnover in their first three games, the Wildcats have forced eight turnovers in the last two games. QB Champ Mayo had a monster night for THS, throwing for 363 yards and four touchdowns to pace the offensive attack. This is a big game for playoff positioning, as the loser of this matchup will be facing an uphill climb. Midway’s defense has impressed all season, so we’ll give the edge to the Panthers. Stepp’s Pick: Waco Midway by 6

Humble (4-1, 1-1) vs Humble Atascocita (5-0, 2-0): After falling to North Shore, 42-0, in the district opener, Humble had a “get right” game Saturday night as they rolled past struggling Channelview, 49-21. The Wildcats, on short rest, will now tangle with one of the state’s most dynamic teams in Humble Atascocita. RB McArthur Baker III led the Wildcats' offensive onslaught in the win, as he ran for four touchdowns on just 13 carries, as the Wildcats scored their most points in a single game since Week 1 of 2020. Atascocita played in one of the wildest games of the year last week, as the Eagles ran out to a 35-7 halftime lead on Humble Summer Creek, but then allowed 32 straight points to nearly blow the lead. However, Tory Blaylock’s third touchdown run of the night with 15 seconds left secured the 42-39 win for the Eagles in a classic. WR Christopher Toney hauled in a touchdown reception from QB Cardae Mack and had a touchdown run or AHS, who broke numerous big plays in the first half. There is a concern about a few key injuries on the defensive side of the ball, but the Eagles should have enough to take care of a solid Humble squad, as long as they don’t have a hangover from the emotional win a week ago. Stepp’s Pick: Humble Atascocita by 21

San Antonio Johnson (4-1, 2-0) vs San Antonio Reagan (3-2, 2-0): Once again, the Stone Oak Super Bowl could very well be the deciding factor in the district chase as both Johnson and Reagan come into this one undefeated in district play. Both teams got off to slow starts last week but rallied with a late charge to win by double digits. Johnson, which had to reinvent itself after the departure of QB Ty Hawkins this summer, now leans heavily into the running game, where Lorenn “Bubba” Johnson leads the way. In last week’s 55-28 win over San Antonio Roosevelt, Johnson ran for 247 yards and six touchdowns. Reagan got off to a slow start on Saturday, as the Rattlers trailed 16-0 early to heavy underdog San Antonio Madison, but then outscored Madison, 41-10, the rest of the way for a 41-26 win. Since a season opening upset win over Brennan, Reagan has struggled to find consistency, and while Johnson may not have the raw talent it had a year ago, it found an identity and consistency. Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Johnson by 3

Richland (6-0, 2-0) at Denton Ryan (4-1, 2-1): After last week’s difficult loss to Aledo, Denton Ryan will need to pick itself up off the mat to tangle with unbeaten and state-ranked Richland. Last week, the Royals rolled to an easy 57-14 win over Keller Fossil Ridge, as QB Drew Kates threw for 357 yards and five touchdowns. Richland will be much more reliant on the arm of Kates and his trio of talented WRs with the injury to Baylor commit RB Michael Turner, who is out for the year with an injury. Ryan raced out to a 27-8 lead in the second quarter and looked poised to end Aledo’s 122-game district winning streak, but the offense went silent in the second half and the defense lacked answers for the dynamic Aledo attack in a 42-27 defeat. ATH Braeden Mussett led the Raiders with a touchdown pass and a touchdown reception from QB Quin Henigan in the loss. Richland is potent on the offensive side of the ball, but Ryan will be an in a bad mood after that disastrous second half. Stepp’s Pick: Denton Ryan by 12

Georgetown (4-1, 1-1) at Leander Rouse (2-3, 1-1): The race in 8-5A Division I is a jumbled mess right now with several teams vying for playoff spots. Two of the teams in the mix at 1-1 will meet up in a massive game where the winner will have a leg up in securing a playoff spot. After the Eagles' surprise loss to Leander two weeks ago, Georgetown rolled to an easy 65-7 win over Killeen Chaparral as RB Jett Walker ran for 212 yards and three scores, while adding a 38-yard touchdown reception. After knocking off Lake Belton to open district play, Rouse fell to district leader Cedar Park, 35-25, a week ago. QB London Morgan tossed three touchdown passes to lead the offense, but in key moments when Rouse threatened to jump back in the game, Cedar Park’s offense had an answer. When clicking on all cylinders, Georgetown is a top-10 type team in 5A Division I,  and the Eagles will have a little too much firepower for Rouse in this key Central Texas matchup. Stepp’s Pick: Georgetown by 11

Arlington Seguin (5-1, 3-1) at Argyle (4-1, 3-0): Every week in 3-5A Division II is a battle, and this week it is no different as Arlington Seguin will look to rebound from their first loss of the season against district leader and state-ranked Argyle. Last week, Seguin fell 38-24 to Mansfield Timberview, as the Cougars struggled to slow down a tough Timberview ground game and the offense failed to find consistency against a strong Timberview defense, specifically on the ground. Seguin ran for less than 1 yard per carry and had just 27 yards on the ground. Argyle had no such troubles in a 63-14 rout at Everman last week. The Eagles scored 63 points in the first half, as QB Maguire Gasperson threw for 376 yards and six touchdowns and Argyle rolled up 556 yards of offense. Argyle’s massive offensive line and dynamic downfield passing game will be too much for Seguin to handle on the road. Stepp’s Pick: Argyle by 17

Marshall (4-1, 1-0) at Texarkana Texas High (6-0, 2-0): If anyone has the athletes and playmakers to challenge Texas High in 7-5A Division II, it’s the Marshall Mavericks, who will look to go up to Grimm Park and knock off unbeaten and state-ranked Texas High. Last week, Marshall opened up district play with a solid 29-7 win over a Mount Pleasant squad that is better than their record indicates. MHS scored 21 points off Mount Pleasant miscues (two fumbles and a kickoff that was not fielded). QB Alton Henderson threw for 120 yards and a pair of touchdown passes, while a pair of RBs ran for over 100 yards. Isaiah Bush had 115 yards and a touchdown and RB Semaj Gatson had 109 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Texas High ripped past Whitehouse, 51-10, last week, as the Tigers had the game put away by halftime, when they led 41-3. Texas High is absolutely loaded offensively, and it starts with QB David Potter and an array of weapons for him to distribute the ball to. The question for the Tigers has been their defense but they look to be rounding into form. Marshall’s tough ground oriented offense will keep the Mavs in it, but Texas High is far too explosive. Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Texas High by 18

QUICK HITS

El Paso Franklin (3-3, 1-1) at El Paso Eastwood (3-3, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Eastwood by 2

Crowley (3-3, 2-0) at Mansfield (6-0, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Mansfield by 6

Aldine Nimitz (5-0, 2-0) at Spring Westfield (3-2, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Spring Westfield by 11

Round Rock Cedar Ridge (3-3, 3-1) at Austin Vandegrift (4-1, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Austin Vandegrift by 15

Harlingen (4-2) at Brownsville Veterans Memorial (4-2) Stepp’s Pick: Brownsville Veterans Memorial by 7

McKinney North (3-3, 3-1) at Frisco Reedy (4-1, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Reedy by 9

San Antonio Pieper (5-0, 2-0) at Seguin (3-2, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Pieper by 14

Harlingen South (3-3, 2-2) at Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (3-2, 2-1) Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial by 6

Anna (2-3, 1-2) at Frisco Emerson (5-1, 3-1) Stepp’s Pick: Anna by 8

Waco University (4-1) at Bryan Rudder (5-0) Stepp’s Pick: Waco University by 6

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Last Week: 16-4 80.0%

Season: 91-29 75.8%