Cisco at Hawley, Timpson at Garrison, Farwell at Panhandle and more!

Stafford (6-3, 3-2) at Bay City (6-3, 3-2): Second place is up for grabs in 12-4A Division I this week when Stafford heads south to take on Bay City. Both of these teams are hard to pin down as they are both very talented playmakers, but they have had some results that will leave you scratching your head. Stafford has lost two straight since last week’s 28-11 loss to El Campo. The Spartans offense at home couldn’t get anything going against a suddenly improved El Campo defense. Bay City after their own two-game skid earlier. In district play has bounced back nicely with back-to-back wins over Needville and Iowa Colony. However, last week was tough as the Blackcats narrowly escaped a young and talented Iowa Colony team, beating the Pioneers 28-27. BCHS rolled up over 400 yards in the win led by Ayden Smith and Jada Andrews who both ran for two touchdowns. The key in this game will be defense and consistency, and Stafford, especially on the defensive side of the ball, gets the edge in what should be a tight one. Stepp’s choice: Stafford with 3

Midland Greenwood (5-4, 2-1) at Wichita Falls Hirschi (6-2, 2-1): The strange race in 3-4A Division II ends this week as Midland Greenwood and Wichita Falls join the winner to claim the district title and the loser to potentially fall as far as fourth. Greenwood last week were upset at home against Graham, falling to the Steers 21-14. Aaron Fikes ran for two touchdowns in the loss, but Greenwood’s offense struggled to throw the ball with just four passing yards. Hirschi rolled past struggling Sweetwater last week 53-7, the Huskies were led by USC commit A’Marion Peterson who ran for 267 yards and three touchdowns, while SMU commit WR Jamarion Carroll had five receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Hirschi after their midseason road bump is rounding into form and playing more consistent football, and that’s bad news for the rest of their Region I counterparts heading into the playoffs. Stepp’s Pick: Wichita Falls Hirschi by 21

Silsbee (9-0, 5-0) at Jasper (7-2, 5-0): Silsbee will try to cap an undefeated regular season, but to do that they will have to go on the road and take down old rival Jasper who is much improved and getting better every week under first year head coach and Jasper alum Kendrick Crumedy. Silsbee moved the game to Thursday last week and looked the part of a state title contender as the Tigers demolished Bridge City 70-0. QB Mason Brisbane threw five touchdown passes in the win, and while Silsbee has a headliner in junior WR Drelon Miller, there are plenty of other playmakers capable of doing plenty of damage. The Jaspers have made great strides as the season has progressed, and the scary part is that the Bulldogs are still relatively young. Last week JHS put itself in position for the 9-4A Division II title with a solid 28-8 win over Hardin-Jefferson, the key to the Bulldogs late season surge has been their defense, the last three weeks allowing less than ten points per game . That defense will face its biggest test of the year against this explosive Silsbee offense, which in my view is the difference in this one, Silsbee’s offense is a bit too potent for Jasper. Stepp’s choice: Silsbee by 11

Pottsboro (8-1, 5-0) at Mount Vernon (8-1, 4-1): Pottsboro will try to wrap up a district title this week by sweeping past the Northeast Texas schools, but instead of doing it at home, they’ll have to go on the road against Mount Vernon. Pottsboro took down Commerce 31-14 a week ago, RB Halen Flanagan ran for 216 yards and three touchdowns to pace the Cardinals in the win, PHS trailed 14-7 at the half and didn’t complete a pass while the game was played in a driving rain . Mount Vernon has adjusted to life without QB Braden Bennett, and they’ve relied on the legs of RB McKenzie McGill. The Tigers have had two weeks to prepare for this one, and they get Pottsboro at home, as it’s a long road trip, which is going to go with Mount Vernon in a bit of an upset. Stepp’s pick: Mount Vernon with 6

Tidehaven (7-2, 5-0) at Van Vleck (6-3, 4-1): Most of the attention down in the Crossroads region of Texas centers around Cuero, Shiner and Refugio, but surprisingly Tidehaven may deserve some attention as David Lucio’s team looks to close out a district title. Last week, the Tigers pulled off a massive win when they took down district favorite Boling 35-26, QB Kale Russell threw for 261 yards and five touchdowns and WR Ti’Shain Davis hauled in six passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Van Vleck, who won the district title a year ago, kept their hopes alive for a share of the title with a 15-14 win over East Bernard, the Leopards defense was outstanding in containing East Bernard’s Slot-T offense, but can they slow down the speed What has been a lethal passing game for the Tidehaven this year, I think the Tidehaven offense continues to put up big numbers in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Tidehaven by 9

Farwell (8-1, 3-1) at Panhandle (7-2, 3-1): Farwell and Panhandle will square off in a battle for second place in District 1-2A Division I. Farwell made quick work of Stinnett West Texas last week in a 68-0 blowout, while Panhandle rolled past Sanford-Fritch 72-0. Both teams have a main performer as Farwell is led by RB/LB Corey Stancell, while Panhandle is led by QB Landyn Hack who threw five touchdown passes and ran for another touchdown in the win. Hack and the balance of the Panthers’ offensive attack is the difference in this one, as Farwell does what they do well, but the Panhandle’s much-improved defense will cut in on the run and slow Farwell down. Stepp’s choice: Panhandle with 11

Cisco (8-1, 5-0) at Hawley (9-0, 5-0): The headliner in the big country this week could be a preview of a regional final, as Cisco heads about an hour west to face undefeated Hawley. Last week, Cisco rolled past Anson 41-6 a week ago as Trent Huston ran for 187 yards and five touchdowns on just 16 carries. Hawley had the game against Stamford pushed to Saturday night, but that was no problem for the Bearcats, who posted a 32-0 shutout. Hawley’s front line talent is as good as any, especially on offense, they are balanced and they can beat you in a number of ways, add the fact that the Bearcats defense is rounding into form at the right time and Hawley wins his third straight over Cisco. Stepp’s pick: Hawley with 8

Timpson (9-0, 5-0) at Garrison (7-2, 4-1): Undefeated Timpson will look to wrap up its third consecutive undefeated regular season, but they will have to do so on the road against always-tough Garrison. The Bears rolled last Thursday in a 67-14 rout of Shelbyville. Bussey ran for three scores in the win, while fellow FBS recruit WR Voskey Howard chipped in two touchdown runs and a touchdown reception. After their loss to Joaquin, Garrison has rattled off three straight blowout wins, including last week’s 40-14 drubbing of San Augustine. It’s a tall order for anyone at the 2A level to keep the likes of Bussey and Howard in for long, Garrison hangs around for a quarter, but the Bears overwhelm the Bulldogs in this one. Stepp’s choice: Timpson by 26

Quick choices

Fort Worth Dunbar (5-4, 5-1) at Kennedale (6-3, 5-1) Stepp’s pick: Kennedale by 11

Fredericksburg (5-3, 3-1) at Boerne (9-0, 4-0) Stepp’s choice: Boerne by 15

Sinton (6-3, 3-0) at Ingleside (8-1, 3-0) Stepp’s choice: Sinton with 2

Tatum (5-4, 3-1) at Atlanta (7-2, 3-1) Stepp’s pick: Tatum of 3

Orangefield (7-2, 5-0) at East Chambers (7-2, 4-1) Stepp’s choice: Orangefield with 10

Falfurrias (7-2, 3-1) at San Diego (7-2, 3-1) Stepp’s choice: Falfurrias of 7

Holliday (9-0, 4-0) at Callisburg (6-3, 4-0) Stepp’s pick: Holliday by the 6th

Flatonia (8-1, 5-0) at Holland (5-4, 4-1) Stepp’s Choice: Flatonia by 13

Ganado (7-2, 3-2) at Refugio (8-1, 5-0) Stepp’s choice: Refugio by 22

Sunray (8-1, 3-0) at Vega (5-4, 3-0) Stepp’s choice: Vega with 2