WEEK 9 PREVIEW: Breaking down the biggest games in Texas high school football

Odessa Permian (6-0, 3-0) at San Angelo Central (7-0, 3-0) All eyes out west will be on San Angelo Friday night as the district title in the Little Southwest Conference is on the line. Two years ago, these two met on the last week of the season and unbeaten Permian was upset by San Angelo Central in front of a sellout crowd of over 20,000. The scenario is similar this year with Permian unbeaten, but this time Central comes in undefeated and riding a 21-game regular season winning streak. Permian comes in fresh off its most impressive performance of the year a 49-7 rout of a very good Amarillo Tascosa squad at home. Permian’s defense was the story as it held one of the state’s most potent rushing attacks to just 179 yards on 43 rushing attempts and four first half three and outs. The Panthers offense was clicking as well as quarterback Steve Steen again had a big night accounting for 300 total yards of offense and five total touchdowns. It’s been a bit of an uneven season for San Angelo Central who has had to fight through numerous injuries and yet the Bobcats are unbeaten after rolling past Wolfforth Frenship, 49-14. Junior quarterback Maverick McIvor continued his big season with 337 yards of offense and five total touchdowns in the win. The Bobcats defense played better the past couple of weeks, but Permian’s skill position talent is going to pose a real challenge. The Panthers boast some real playmakers and I think a banged up Central defense could get exposed some this week. Home field advantage will help the Bobcats, but Permian looks to be the class of West Texas in 2017. Stepp’s Pick: Odessa Permian by 8 Max’s Pick: Central Ishmael’s Pick: Odessa Permian Brady’s Pick: Central See Tepper's Pick Converse Judson (7-0, 4-0) at Schertz Clemens (7-0, 4-0) After a bit of a slow start last week, Judson got things rolling and handled rival San Antonio Wagner 49-14 in its annual Hammer Bowl showdown at Rutledge Stadium. The Rockets were sparked by a 75-yard kickoff return from Rashad Wisdom late in the second quarter that gave them a 21-14 lead and they never looked back. Sincere McCormick led the way for the Rockets offense with 168 rushing yards and three touchdowns while Houston-commit Julon Williams returned to the lineup to play quarterback after missing the victory of San Antonio East Central two weeks ago. Williams only had two carries last week, but expect the handcuffs to be taken off this week as the Rockets look to take another step towards a perfect season. Clemens before last week was one of the state’s more under-the-radar unbeaten squads, but the Buffaloes certainly are on the map now after defeating Smithson Valley, 16-10 to end the Rangers unbeaten season. It was a slugfest of the highest order as neither offense generated more than 200 yards of offense and Clemens got the win despite just eight first downs. Clements has playmakers with running back Marshawn Brown and wide receiver Tommy Bush, but the lack of production last week against Smithson Valley is concerning going into the Judson game because the Rockets just have so much firepower. I think the Buffalo defense contains Judson better than most this week, but I think in the second half the big plays start coming in bunches and Converse Judson pulls away. Stepp’s Pick: Converse Judson by 15 Max’s Pick: Judson Ishmael’s Pick: Judson Brady’s Pick: Judson See Tepper's Pick Mansfield Lake Ridge (6-1, 4-0) vs Mansfield Legacy (6-1, 4-0) The 10-5A title is on the line in Mansfield as Lake Ridge and Legacy square off. Lake Ridge won six straight since dropping its season opener to 6A Denton Guyer, including an easy 52-7 win over Midlothian a week ago. The Eagles got four touchdown passes and 236 yards passing from quarterback Chandler Rogers and got a solid rushing game from Dewone Jackson who ran for 107 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Legacy had a breakthrough season last year advancing to the state quarter-finals and the Broncos continued that this year with just one loss to powerful Aledo. Last week, the Broncos had a big test from Waxahachie, but escaped with a 39-34 victory. Grant Johnson and Jalen Catalon combined for 236 rushing yards and four touchdowns to lead the way as the Broncos don’t do anything fancy on offense, but are brutally effective. I expect a lot of points in this one. Both teams are very powerful on offense despite getting it done with different styles. I think Legacy may have a slight edge on defense, but I think Lake Ridge’s balance and tempo on offense could be what makes a difference in this one. Stepp’s Pick: Mansfield Lake Ridge by 7 Max’s Pick: Lake Ridge Ishmael’s Pick: Lake Ridge Brady’s Pick: Lake Ridge See Tepper's Pick Longview (6-1, 3-1) at Tyler John Tyler (5-2, 3-1) There’s a lot on the line in this one as both traditional East Texas powers are still in the mix for a district title in 11-6A and maybe, more importantly, the winner likely hosts a first round playoff game. One really odd fact I read on this game is that it’s been nearly 20 years (2000) since John Tyler beat Longview at Rose Stadium. The Lions have gotten the better of Longview a few times, but it’s always been at Lobo Stadium. Longview dropped its district opener to Mesquite Horn, but the Lobos won three in a row since inserting sophomore quarterback Haynes King into the starting lineup. Last week the Lobos ran past North Mesquite 41-7 as King threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns as the normally run-based Lobos decided to open things up as injuries have decimated the group of running backs. John Tyler also dropped its district opener in embarrassing fashion to Rockwall, 48-7, but since then have been a different team rattling off three straight impressive wins. Last week’s thrilling 37-33 win over previously unbeaten in district Rockwall-Heath may have been the most impressive win yet. Martrevious Allison’s touchdown run with less than a minute left in the game lifted the Lions to a massive win. Quarterback K’Lon Warren was extremely efficient throwing for 194 yards and three touchdowns completing 75 percentof his passes. I’m having trouble getting a good read on this one and I think it’s because both offenses are in a lot of ways still trying to find themselves. Both defenses have played really well the past few weeks and I think this comes down to which offense can move the ball. Each team has an X-factor in Longview’s A’darius Carter and John Tyler’s Cameron Grant. Whichever player has the better game, I think his team comes away with a massive win. I am giving the slight edge to Longview in this one, but I think this is a classic pick-em game. Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 1 Max’s Pick: Longview Ishmael’s Pick: Longview Brady’s Pick: Longview Tepper’s Pick: Longview

Duncanville (7-0, 4-0) at DeSoto (7-0, 4-0) A rivalry that has certainly been amped up in intensity the past two years will be renewed on Friday in DeSoto as the 7-6A title is on the line in front of what should be a full house. Duncanville comes in as one of the state’s hottest teams under third-year head coach Reginald Samples. The Panthers are led by a dominant defense that is extremely tough to run against. The Panthers allowed 24 points in their season-opening win over Plano East and since that game, haven’t allowed more than 14 points in a single game. Duncanville gets it done with a punishing rushing attack led by senior running back Keilon Elder and sophomore ATH JaQuinden Jackson. Senior quarterback Trazon Connley has piloted the offense with poise and can make plays when needed as well. DeSoto comes in without a ton of fanfare. The Eagles are on a 23-game winning streak, which is the state’s second-longest, but they’ve been very workman-like this year. The Eagle defense has also been a calling card allowing just seven points per game in district play. The Eagles offense led by quarterback Courtney Douglas hasn’t been super-explosive but they’ve been balanced and very efficient. Both defenses are as fast and physical as any in the state. They simply shut you down. This is a prove it game for Duncanville. The team is certainly knocking on the door of big success, but can they get that break-through win? A win over DeSoto would be that type of statewide statement the Panthers are looking for and coach Samples has had his fair share of success against DeSoto in the past. But I like the Eagles for two reasons, the first is that the game is in DeSoto, but the second and most important is DeSoto’s ability to throw the ball. It’s tough to beat either of these teams being one-dimensional on offense and I think DeSoto’s ability to be balanced will be just enough to slip past Duncanville in what should be a classic. Stepp’s Pick: DeSoto by 2 Max’s Pick: Duncanville Ishmael’s Pick: Duncanville Brady’s Pick: DeSoto See Tepper's Pick Lubbock Estacado (7-1, 1-0) at Pampa (5-2, 1-0) Very quietly Lubbock Estacado has put together a fantastic season as the Matadors have won seven straight including an impressive 45-19 district opening win over Levelland last week. Its defense will be put to the test this week on the road against a Pampa offense that can score points in bunches. Last week, the Matadors got big games from their running back duo of Kemadrick Williams and Jeremiah Dobbins combining for 261 yards and four touchdowns in the win. The extremely athletic Estacado defense will face maybe its toughest of the year against Pampa quarterback Brandon Steward and receiver Darrell Fields as that duo led the Harvesters to an easy 50-29 win over Borger a week ago. Pampa can score points with most of the state in Class 4A, but the Harvester defense concerns me in this matchup. I think Estacado’s good enough to slow Pampa’s explosive passing game down and I’m not sure Pampa can slow the Estacado attack which has the ability to beat you in a number of different ways. Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Estacado by 15 Max’s Pick: Estacado Ishmael’s Pick: Estacado Brady’s Pick: Estacado See Tepper's Pick San Benito (7-0, 4-0) at Brownsville Hanna (6-1, 4-0) For the second week in a row we’ve got a big time Saturday night matchup in Brownsville as the Valley’s top team in San Benito meets up with surprising Brownsville Hanna. The Greyhounds of San Benito keep rolling and ripped past Harlingen South 48-16 as wide receiver Isaiah Trevino hauled in three touchdown passes and the very underrated SBHS defense again stepped up and had a big performance. Hanna won an absolute slugfest with Los Fresnos beating the favored Falcons 10-7 as Aaron Frausto’s 81-yard fourth quarter touchdown reception from Victor Campos lifted the Eagles to the win despite less than 100 yards of total offense up to that point. Hanna’s defense is going to have to play the game of the year to contain the San Benito offense that is one of the most balanced in the Valley and maybe the most explosive. Stepp’s Pick: San Benito by 21 Max’s Pick: San Benito Ishmael’s Pick: San Benito Brady’s Pick: San Benito See Tepper's Pick