WEEK 11 PREVIEW: Breaking down the biggest games in Texas high school football

Port Neches-Groves (8-0, 7-0) at Nederland (6-2, 5-2) Port-Neches Groves and its high-powered offense will look to cap off a perfect regular season with a win at arch-rival Nederland in what DCTF calls the state’s most intense rivalry. In fact, it’s so intense it has not one but two nicknames, Mid-County Madness and the Bum Phillips Bowl.  The Indians offense, led by quarterback Roschon Johnson, hasn’t scored less than 42 points in a single game all year. Last week the defense also was elite as PNG rolled past Beaumont Ozen, 48-0. Ozen only managed 97 yards of offense, while Johnson threw for 284 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another score in the lopsided victory. Nederland’s playoff status is still a bit up in the air. The Bulldogs are in outright with an upset win, but a loss possibly throws the team into a three-way tie with Vidor and Beaumont Central. NHS took care of business last week knocking off Lumberton 41-31 as Devon Simmons led an offense that rolled up over 500 yards of offense rushing for 248 yards and two scores. Nederland’s defense, especially late last week, showed some vulnerability and that’s a bit out of character as this group held powerful Port Arthur Memorial to just 13 points. It’ll need a similar effort to stay in the game this week as PNG has the kind of offense that can simply overwhelm you. It’s a rivalry game and some major upsets and strange things have happened in the past. Expect 12,000-plus to be in attendance and expect a lot of points, but I’m starting to think this PNG squad can be a threat in Region III. Stepp’s Pick: Port Neches-Groves by 9 Max’s Pick: Port Neches-Groves Ishmael’s Pick: Port Neches-Groves Brady’s Pick: Port Neches-Groves Click Here For Tepper's Pick Aledo (9-0, 6-0) at Saginaw Boswell (9-0, 6-0) Aledo brings its 25-game win streak into Saginaw this week as it takes on an undefeated Boswell squad in search of respect. These two met twice last year and Aledo was dominant in both meetings winning by 25 and 28 points. The big question is can Boswell find a way to be competitive with Aledo in the event of a second meeting in the playoffs? Aledo’s got Oklahoma commit running back Jase McClellan back in the fold and he had a huge game last week with 179 yards rushing and five touchdowns as the Bearcats blew Justin Northwest out, 48-0. Boswell got off to a slow start last week trailing EMSISD rival Chisholm Trail 17-13 at the half, but outscored CTHS 31-7 in the second half to cruise to a 44-24 win.  Sophomore quarterback Brayden Thomas threw for 268 yards and a touchdown in the win and Derrick Berry ran for 151 yards and four second half touchdowns to ignite a huge second half for the Pioneers.  Boswell has to withstand what is a usual early surge from Aledo. If Boswell can stay within a score, by halftime this one could be on upset alerts, but that tends to be easier said than done. Stepp’s Pick: Aledo by 21 Max’s Pick: Aledo Ishmael’s Pick: Aledo Brady’s Pick: Aledo Click Here For Tepper's Pick Jacksboro (9-0, 4-0) at Holliday (8-1, 4-0) The 5-2A Division II title is on the line as unbeaten Jacksboro visits red hot Holliday. Jacksboro under first-year head coach Brannon Rogers has gotten things done with an outstanding defense allowing less than 14 points five times thus far. Last week, Jacksboro got out to a quick 20-0 lead last week in an easy 56-20 win over Wichita Falls City View. Quarterback Payton Laake tossed four touchdown passes in the win, while running back Hunter Jackson ran for 192 yards and two touchdowns as well. Holliday dropped its final non-district game to Class 4A Iowa Park, but since then the Eagles have dominated in district play rolling past four opponents by a combined score of 180-31 including last week’s 45-7 win over Millsap. Quarterback Kade Patterson threw for 263 yards and four touchdowns. Justin Jones accounted for 129 yards of offense including three total touchdowns. Both teams have dominating defenses and this one will come down to which offense can be more consistent. I like Holliday in what should be a close one. The Eagles at home are always tough to beat and with a balanced offense HHS could take home a district title. Stepp’s Pick: Holliday by 3 Max’s Pick: Holliday Ishmael’s Pick: Holliday Brady’s Pick: Holliday Click Here For Tepper's Pick

San Marcos (8-1, 4-0) at Austin Bowie (8-1, 4-0) Another Week 11 game and another district title on the line as the 14-6A title is on the line Thursday as San Marcos visits Austin Bowie. The Rattlers, led by quarterback Prudy Calderon, cruised into their showdown with an easy 65-10 win over Austin Anderson. Calderon finished the night with 351 yards of offense and five total touchdowns in just one half of action. They’ll need a similar effort from Calderon this week as they look to make a statement and show they can contend in the playoffs. Austin Bowie got a 42-28 win over Austin Akins last week. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead and never looked back in the win. San Marcos offense is predicated on winning first down and if the Rattlers’ run-oriented attack can put themselves in workable situations and avoid third-and-long, they could be poised to give a Bowie squad that hasn’t dominated 14-6A as much as a last year a strong run.  I’ll take Austin Bowie at home, but I think San Marcos is in this one until the end. Stepp’s Pick: Austin Bowie by 5 Max’s Pick: Austin Bowie Ishmael’s Pick: San Marcos Brady’s Pick: Austin Bowie Click Here For Tepper's Pick Lubbock Coronado (9-0, 4-0) at Abilene Cooper (7-2, 3-1) It’s a Thursday night showdown in Abilene for the 4-5A title as undefeated Lubbock Coronado and its high-powered attack takes on its toughest test of the year in a road game at Shotwell. The Mustangs offense led by Qua Gray rolled past Lubbock High, 49-3. Gray tossed four touchdown passes and wide receiver Blair Conwright was on the receiving end of three of those along with returning a kickoff for a touchdown in the win. Abilene Cooper has plenty of offensive firepower as well and could be the one 5A program in West Texas capable of keeping pace with Lubbock Coronado. The Cougars rolled past San Angelo Lake View 70-19 last week as Tyrees Whitfield ran for 173 yards and four touchdowns, three in the first quarter as the Cooper offense rolled up over 600 yards of offense. Both offenses are capable of throwing up big numbers, but this one comes down to which defense can rise to the occasion. I think Cooper will come out fast and try to throw an early knockout punch as it looks to put the Mustangs on their heels. But I think it’s the underrated Coronado defense which steps up in the second half and clinches an undefeated regular season. Stepp’s Pick: Lubbock Coronado by 6 Max’s Pick: Lubbock Coronado Ishmael’s Pick: Abilene Cooper Brady’s Pick: Abilene Cooper Click Here For Tepper's Pick Amarillo Tascosa (6-3, 2-3) at San Angelo Central (9-0, 5-0) Tascosa’s playoff hopes are on life support and the team has to pull off a big upset on the road against a San Angelo Central squad that hasn’t lost a regular season game since Week 4 of the 2015 season. The Rebels have a more than 300-mile road trip on its hands and the defense, which has struggled against the pass, has the difficult task of trying to slow down Maverick McIvor and the high-flying Bobcats passing game. Look for Tascosa, fresh off a bye week, to try and slow the tempo down with its option offense and multiple speedy running backs. Even though the San Angelo defense at times has struggled, look for the Angry Orange at home, and with their second straight unbeaten regular season on the line, to be amped up, especially after a strong performance last week in a 21-14 win over a dangerous Midland squad. I don’t look for two less-than-stellar offensive games in a row from San Angelo Central so I expect a sharp offensive effort and an early wave from the Bobcats, much like we saw a few weeks back in San Angelo’s big win over Midland Lee. Stepp’s Pick: San Angelo Central by 16 Max’s Pick: San Angelo Central Ishmael’s Pick: San Angelo Central Brady’s Pick: San Angelo Central Click Here For Tepper's Pick Gilmer (7-2, 3-1) at Pittsburg (6-3, 3-1): It hasn’t been a smooth ride for Gilmer in district play as the Buckeyes haven’t exactly been dominant in their past three district wins since dropping their district opener. Quarterback Poppy Brown has put up big numbers in each game, but the Gilmer defense struggled allowing an average of 38 points per game in district play. Last week, the Buckeyes knocked off Atlanta, 45-30, and the one positive for Gilmer was the offense avoided the turnover bug which has plagued them most of the year. The team will look to secure second place in 7-4A Division II against Pittsburg, who defeated Gladewater 28-21 a week ago.  Jordan Turner ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns as Pittsburg rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit to keep its hopes alive for a second seed out of the district. I don’t expect Pittsburg to have the ability to contain Brown and the Gilmer offense, so as long as the turnover bug doesn’t revisit Gilmer, the Buckeyes are due for a strong performance. It would be coming just at the right time as Gilmer tries and gears up for a playoff push. Stepp’s Pick: Gilmer by 11 Max’s Pick: Gilmer Ishmael’s Pick: Gilmer Brady’s Pick: Gilmer Click Here For Tepper's Pick