Waco La Vega (3-0) at Argyle (3-0): The headliner in the state this week features the top two teams in the DCTF 4A-Division I rankings who have met four times in the past two seasons. In the regular season, Argyle has gotten the best of La Vega, but the Pirates have won the two playoff games and hold bragging rights. Both teams have impressive resumes and get things done in very different ways. La Vega has three wins over teams who at the time they played were ranked in the state top ten, including a hard-fought neutral site victory last week over Corpus Christi Calallen, 21-13. With senior QB Ara Rauls out after surgery for an arm injury, La Vega found a way with Jordan Rogers, one of the stars on defense moving to QB and directing the offense. Jar’Que Walton, who finished with 192 yards rushing on the night, got a 71-yard touchdown run in the fourth-quarter to give the Pirates the final margin. But it was La Vega’s defense against a prodding Calallen offense that made the difference. In three games they have allowed just 10 points per game. Argyle got pushed a bit last week against rival Celina, but the Eagles early lead proved to be enough in a 35-21 win. QB CJ Rogers continued his stellar play for Argyle, throwing for 213 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 78 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Argyle attack. AHS raced out to a 21-0 lead, but Celina fought back cutting the lead to seven at 21-14 before Argyle managed to pull away late. Argyle has been laser sharp early in the year and with the Eagles in top form early on, they should again get the better of a La Vega squad that doesn’t really peak until November and a La Vega team that right now is offensively challenged. The Pirates defense keeps them in it, but Argyle pulls away in the second half. Stepp’s Pick: Argyle by 13
Texarkana Pleasant Grove (2-1) vs Silsbee (1-0) at Carthage: After the disappointing loss to Argyle at home two weeks ago, the Hawks took out their frustration last week on a good Paris team and dominated on the road in a 35-7 win. The Hawks dominated up front on both sides of the ball with Logan Johnson and Nick Martin combining for 220 yards rushing and each had a touchdown, while QB Jalen Woodside ran for a score and threw a touchdown pass to LSU commit Landon Jackson. Silsbee, who saw their season opener cut short before halftime two weeks ago, was able to complete their game last week as the Tigers blasted Lumberton, 56-14. RB Malik Jones did plenty of damage for the Tigers running for 170 yards and four touchdowns on just eight carries in only one half of action. Silsbee’s skill players will be their edge along with overall team speed, but Pleasant Grove’s dominance up front again will be too much as they’ll wear down the smaller Tigers in the second half. Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Pleasant Grove by 14