Previews and predictions for the best 6A-5A games in Texas for Week 3

Denton Guyer (2-0) vs North Crowley (2-0): The big question going into this game is after knocking off the state’s No. 1 team on the road, will North Crowley have a let-down against a dangerous Guyer squad? After taking down Aledo in Week 1, Guyer handled Arlington Martin, 38-19, but the Wildcats trailed 13-0 early before seizing control of the game with 35 straight points. RB Sterling Schneider ran for 219 yards and a score, while QB Kevin Sperry tossed a couple of touchdown passes in the win. North Crowley’s offense was about as unstoppable as it gets last week in a 57-51 win over DeSoto, as WR Quentin Gibson hauled in four touchdown passes while RBs Cornelius Warren and Daniel Bray combined for 280 yards and four scores on the ground. The concern for North Crowley is the defense allowed DeSoto to have three-100 yard rushers, but in the fourth quarter that unit rose to the occasion and slowed DeSoto enough for the win. Guyer’s concerns are about their inefficiency throwing the ball. The Wildcats have benefitted early from defense and special teams scores, but it’s tough to rely on that long term. Unless Guyer can improve the efficiency throwing the ball, North Crowley’s defense will figure the Wildcats out and pull away in the second half. 

Stepp’s Pick: North Crowley by 15

Trophy Club Nelson (2-0) at Southlake Carroll (2-0): District play begins in 4-6A and we start off with a matchup that could determine the district title as Byron Nelson, fresh off two heart-stopping wins, visits Southlake Carroll. These two played twice a year ago with Byron Nelson knocking Carroll off in the regular season at home, but the Dragons took the rematch in lopsided fashion in the playoffs. Byron Nelson rallied late last week to take down Lewisville, 32-28, as the Bobcats outscored the Farmers 20-7 in the final quarter. QB Grant Bizjack threw for 264 yards and four touchdowns, with three of those scores going to Baylor commit WR Leo Almanza. Southlake Carroll blew past Hebron, 59-16, a week ago, as the rushing duo of Davis Penn (Baylor commit) and Riley Wormley (USC commit) combined for 132 yards and five touchdowns and QB Angelo Renda chipped in 237 yards and two scores through the air. With Byron Nelson’s win over Carroll a year ago, the heat of this rivalry got turned up several notches. There’s no love lost here, and Byron Nelson fully has the Dragons' attention. The Bobcats aren’t as talented across the board as a year ago, but they are scrappy and will find a way to hang around. Ultimately, Carroll has a bit too much talent and will walk out with a key district-opening win. 

Stepp’s Pick: Southlake Carroll by 17

Spring Westfield (1-1) at Galena Park North Shore (2-0): Two teams looking to amend for subpar performances last week get down in Galena Park this week as Westfield and North Shore renew their “Mustang Rivalry.” Westfield’s offense was shut down last week as they fell 14-7 in a defensive slufgest to Fort Bend Hightower. QB Miles Dent and his Westfield teammates will need to be a little sharper this week as they go against North Shore, who defeated Crowley on the road in a tough 28-13 win. QB Kaleb Bailey might have had the worst game of his career Friday night, as the senior signal-caller threw five interceptions. Bailey did throw a pair of touchdown passes in the third quarter to Deion DeBlanc and Quannell Farrakhan Jr. to put the game out of reach. Don’t expect Bailey and the North Shore offense to turn it over this week. Westfield generally gives North Shore a good game but WHS just doesn’t have the firepower in 2024. 

Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 24

Fort Bend Ridge Point (1-1) at Bridgeland (2-0): It’s a Saturday night showdown in Cy-Fair as two extremely talented Houston teams looking to break into the elite in the area hook up in what should be a fascinating contest. Ridge Point comes in smarting a bit after getting upset last Thursday by Fulshear in a 49-41 loss. Houston commit QB Austin Carlisle had a big night with three rushing touchdowns and a passing score, but a couple of key turnovers and the Panthers' inability to slow Fulshear’s three-headed rushing monster doomed the chances for Ridge Point, who held a 21-6 edge early on. Bridgeland rolled past Katy Tompkins, 41-24, last week as the Bears' balanced offense was too much for a young Tompkins squad. Both QBs (Jett Lewis and Tyler Beagal) played and threw touchdown passes, and RB Alex Spence Myers ran for three scores behind an offensive line anchored by Texas A&M commit Jonte Newman and Oklahoma commit Ryan Fodje. Ridge Point’s defensive line is going to be tested again and after last week’s disappointing effort I expect the Panthers to rebound and put together an inspired effort. The Panthers' offense, led by Austin Carlisle, will continue to put big numbers up. 

Stepp’s Pick: Fort Bend Ridge Point by 4

DeSoto (1-1) vs Corpus Christi Miller (2-0) at Alamodome: DeSoto comes into this one smarting a bit after seeing their 23-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of North Crowley in a 57-51 defeat. DeSoto’s offense held up its end of the bargain by rolling up 563 yards of offense as Virginia Tech commit QB Kelden Ryan threw for 117 yards and two scores. He also ran for 175 yards and four scores. Texas A&M commit RB Tiger Riden ran for 149 yards and a score, while sophomore RB Myson Johnson-Cook added 108 yards on the ground. Defense and miscues doomed DeSoto as the Eagles gave up 557 yards of offense, had a key special teams gaffe early on and amassed 17 penalties for 163 yards. That won’t get it done against the elite in 6A. Corpus Christi Miller totally dominated Seguin, 59-6, as WR Corey Holmes and RB Broderick Taylor had big games for the Bucs. Miller has hopes of making a deep playoff run and HC Justen Evans hopes this experience against an elite 6A team will pay off in the long run. The issue is they are running into an angry DeSoto bunch that will be looking to take out some frustration Friday night. DeSoto gets up big early as they look to clean up a struggling passing attack.

Stepp’s Pick: DeSoto by 31

Huntsville (1-1) at Cedar Park (1-1): After disappointing losses to open the season, both Huntsville and Cedar Park got on the right track last week with wins over 6A opponents. Huntsville looked much more like the state title contender we thought they’d be in 5A Division II this preseason as they rolled past Bryan, 49-24. QB Austin Taylor ran for two scores and threw for another touchdown, while Zay Adolphe ran for a pair of touchdowns to pace the Hornets, who put the game away with 21 straight points to start the second half. Cedar Park pulled off one of the upsets of the night in the Austin area as the Timberwolves knocked off 6A power Austin Vandegrift, 49-46. QB David Cooper tossed three touchdown passes including the game winner in the second overtime, while RB Trae Hill tallied 134 yards on the ground and scored four touchdowns to lead the Timberwolves. Cedar Park is at home so that’s a big edge, but if Huntsville doesn’t get off to a slow start, the Hornets should get out of Austin with a key win to close non-district. 

Stepp’s Pick: Huntsville by 3

Port Arthur Memorial (2-0) at Fort Bend Hightower (2-0): Port Arthur Memorial, a state ranked 5A Division I squad, will take a step up in competition this week taking on a newly ranked 6A squad from Fort Bend Hightower. Memorial took on a talented non-UIL squad in Spring Legacy School of Sports Science, and the Titans' depth and athleticism won out with a 41-34 victory. The Titans exploded for 35 second-half points to pull away as Legacy added some window dressing touchdowns late in the game. Hightower’s defense through two weeks has been sensational, allowing just 21 total points, including last week when they held off Spring Westfield, 14-7. The downside for the ‘Canes early in the season has been their offensive struggles and that could come back to bite them at some point. It won’t be this week at home, as the Hurricanes defense is the key and the offense finally finds their groove. 

Stepp’s Pick: Fort Bend Hightower by 13

Colleyville Heritage (1-1) at The Colony (2-0): The absolutely brutal 3-5A Division II race kicks off with a showdown in The Colony as Colleyville Heritage, one of the preseason district and regional favorites takes on a surprising team from The Colony. Colleyville Heritage dropped a 43-23 decision to Richland last week, as the Panthers fell behind 36-0 after three quarters before making things respectable in the fourth. Turnovers and a lack of consistent running game were the downfall for CHHS in the defeat, as the Panthers had three turnovers, including two interceptions returned for touchdowns. The Panthers also averaged just 2.74 yards per carry in the running game. The Colony pulled off a nice upset over Frisco Wakeland with a 36-35 win, as QB Carson Cox led the Cougars with 370 yards of total offense and five touchdowns (two passing, three rushing) and threw the game-winning two-point conversion pass. CHHS is ripe for an upset on the road, but I expect the Panthers to bounce back and play a much cleaner game as they look to challenge for the district title. 

Stepp’s Pick: Colleyville Heritage by 6

Quick Picks

El Paso Eastwood (1-1) at Odessa (1-0) Stepp’s Pick: Odessa by 4

The Woodlands (2-0) vs Conroe Grand Oaks (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: The Woodlands by 15

San Antonio Taft (1-1) vs San Antonio Marshall (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Taft by 17

Humble Kingwood (2-0) at Houston Stratford (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Houston Stratford by 10

Edinburg Vela (2-0) at Harlingen (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Edinburg Vela by 3

Cedar Hill (1-1) at Red Oak (0-2) Stepp’s Pick: Cedar Hill by 21

College Station A&M Consolidated (2-0) at Pflugerville Weiss (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: College Station A&M Consolidated by 7

Prosper Walnut Grove (2-0) at Frisco Emerson (2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Emerson by 9

Alamo Heights (2-0) at New Braunfels Canyon (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Alamo Heights by 3

Tyler Chapel Hill (2-0) at Whitehouse (1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Tyler Chapel Hill by 16

Last Week: 15-5 75.0%

Season: 28-12 70.0%