Waco La Vega (2-0) vs Corpus Christi Calallen (1-1) at San Marcos: For the third straight week, La Vega takes on a team ranked in the top 10 as the Pirates meet up with Calallen in a neutral site game in San Marcos. La Vega, who was the pre-season No. 1 team in in the state in 4A-Division I, dropped to No. 2 in the state, but that has more to do with how good Argyle has looked early in the year. The Pirates defense through two games is as advertised allowing just 17 total points after last week’s hard fought 13-10 win over Waco Connally. The offense hasn’t been as a sharp and it may struggle even more with the news of QB Ara Rauls likely being out for some time after an arm injury in last week’s win. With inexperience at the QB spot, look for more of the offense to fall on the shoulders of RB’s Jar’Que Walton and Jesse Majors-Sterling; the duo combined for 216 tough yards and both touchdowns last week in the win. Calallen’s offense got in gear last week with a fourth quarter flurry to pull away from Jourdanton in a 56-35 victory. RB Jeremiah Earls led the way for the Wildcats rushing for 317 yards and three touchdowns. The personality of both of these teams is to play things close to the vest, run the football and rely on their defense. So expect a smash-mouth low scoring contest. La Vega’s defense, which has been really good early in the year, may make the difference again as they are sensational at slowing down teams who are one dimensional. Unless Calallen takes to the air, the Pirates defense should have a handle on them. First team to 20 wins! Stepp’s Pick: Waco La Vega by 4
El Campo (1-0) at Port Lavaca Calhoun (1-1): A pair of old rivals down on the coast hook up in a top 10 4A-Division I non-district tilt… and an elite mascot matchup. El Campo’s Ricebirds had the week off after an impressive 35-0 season opening win over Gonzales two weeks ago. El Campo raced out to a quick 14-0 lead as Charles Shorter returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. After forcing a three and out, the ‘Birds scored two plays later as sophomore RB Reuben Owens scored on a 78-yard run. El Campo didn’t have a back top 100-yards, but their three-headed monster of Shorter, Owens and Jontre Davis is going to be tough for any offense to slow down. They have a unique challenge this week trying to slow the “Flying Veer” offense of the Calhoun Sandcrabs; but having an extra week to prep should help El Campo. After falling in the season opener to Waco La Vega, Calhoun bounced back nicely last week rolling past Stafford, 40-15. With RB Steven Johnston more of a decoy on offense last week, QB Jarius Stewart was sensational for Calhoun rushing for 213 yards and five touchdowns. Calhoun’s defense, which was the biggest question mark going into the season, has been solid through two weeks and they showed they can contain a team with speed like La Vega. They’ve got a big test this week with the multiple threats El Campo presents on offense. This one is going to be an absolute thriller, but it won’t last long as both teams will run and run and when they get tired they’ll run the ball some more. El Campo gets the slightest of edges, but it’ll be a fun game to watch. Stepp’s Pick: El Campo by 3