El Paso Americas (1-0) vs El Paso Eastlake (1-0): District play gets started in the Sun City with a big as two squads filled with star-power will hook up at the Socorro Student Activity Center. Americas, last year’s defending district champion, got off to a slow start but held off a feisty El Paso Del Valle squad 28-20 behind a strong effort from RB Aaron Dumas. The New Mexico commit ran for 178 yards and three touchdowns and the Trailblazers defense came up with key turnovers late to seal the win. Eastlake had no troubles last week as the Falcons, behind a dynamic offense, blew past El Paso Parkland, 59-25. QB Orion Olivas was sensational throwing for 359 yards and six touchdowns in the first half alone as Parkland had no answers for a veteran Eastlake attack. Americas is going to bring a different style game to the table than what Eastlake saw last week. The ‘Blazers won’t try to get into a shootout, instead they are going to physical with Eastlake and give them heavy doses of power running with Dumas. The question is can Eastlake hold up to the pounding for four quarters or can they lure Americas into their style of game? If they can, the Falcons can pull the upset, but that’s easier said than done. Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Americas by 8
Southlake Carroll (1-0) at Rockwall (2-0): If you like offense, then this is probably the game for you as two of the state’s top junior QB’s will be on display Friday night as Carroll heads east to take on unbeaten Rockwall. Southlake Carroll had to wait a week to get the season started, but the Dragons offense showed no signs of rust as they knocked off Rockwall-Heath, 72-57, behind 387 yards passing and five touchdowns from Texas commit QB Quinn Ewers. Sophomore RB Owen Allen chipped in 218 yards rushing and four touchdowns as well. The downside is WR Brady Boyd, a Minnesota commit, was injured in the game and out for an undetermined period of time; Boyd had 138 yards receiving and a pair of touchdowns. The Dragons young defense did have their share of struggles allowing Rockwall-Heath to roll up 700 yards of offense and allowed 57 points. Rockwall’s got plenty of offense on their side as well as the ‘Jackets are averaging 59.5 points per game thus far after a 60-38 win over Dallas Jesuit last week. QB Braedyn Locke led the assault for Rockwall with 283 yards and four touchdowns passing and a 24-0 third quarter run proved to be the difference as Rockwall broke a close game open. Expect this one to be high-scoring as both offenses as among the state’s best. Expect Southlake Carroll’s young defense to be much improved this week and they’ll make the adjustments needed to slow Rockwall down some. Southlake Carroll escapes Wilkerson-Sanders with a hard-fought, shootout win a battle of 6A Top 25 teams. Stepp’s Pick: Southlake Carroll by 11