AREA ROUND PREVIEW: Breaking down the biggest games in the Texas high school football playoffs

Midland Lee (10-1) vs Arlington Lamar (10-1), 4 p.m. Saturday at Arlington’s Cravens Field: After beating Arlington Lamar out in Midland two years ago, Midland Lee owes the Vikings a return trip to the DFW area, thus the Rebels take the five-hour road trip out east for a fascinating showdown. After dropping their regular season finale to Odessa Permian, Midland Lee bounced back nicely blowing past El Paso Montwood, 65-32, as QB Mikey Serrano threw for 324 yards and five touchdown passes to lead the Rebels’ attack. Midland Lee has several playmakers on offense, but the headliners is definitely Loic Founoji, who owns nearly every school record for receiving and in this game two years ago proved to be the difference for the Rebels. Arlington Lamar is fresh off an upset of Euless Trinity last week, beating the Trojans, 37-34, as Oklahoma commit WR Trevon West was unstoppable hauling in 11 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns to lead Lamar, who rallied from two touchdowns down in the second quarter to get the win. Expect a lot of points in this one as both offenses are high flying. It’ll come down to which defense in key moments can get off the field and that edge goes to Lamar at home. The Vikings showed they can be a shutdown defense last week pitching a second half shutout against Trinity until the final minute of the game. Midland Lee’s defense hasn’t shown that ability since early in the season.

Stepp’s Pick: Arlington Lamar by 7