Lindale (11-2) vs Kilgore (10-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Nacogdoches’ Bryce Stadium: It’s an East Texas rematch with a little more than a district title on the line as Lindale and Kilgore hook up at Stephen F. Austin for a shot at the state semifinals. Lindale is used to the rematch theme as the Eagles rolled past district rival Tyler Chapel Hill last week, 36-7. Baylor commit RB Jordan Jenkins, who had nine rushing touchdowns in the area round of the playoffs, made his mark once again with 210 yards and three touchdowns and also chipped in a 60-yard touchdown reception. Kilgore got pushed in a big way last week against Huffman-Hargrave, but survived, 20-17. Kilgore raced out to a 20-2 lead on the strength of a touchdown run from Trayveion Epps and a rushing and passing score from QB Dalton McElyea, but Huffman pushed with two late scores to make it interesting. Lindale won a shootout in the first meeting between these two teams, but its defense has shown the ability to be a shutdown unit. They’ll also have games like their area round win over Needville. So which Lindale defense shows up this week? What we do know is Lindale’s offense has shown up week after week and this week it’s no different and the Eagles take another high scoring affair between these two 9-4A Division I rivals. Stepp’s Pick: Lindale by 6
Corpus Christi Miller (9-4) vs Austin LBJ (8-2), 2:30 p.m. Saturday at San Antonio’s Farris Stadium: It’s the two teams who dropped down from Class 5A competing for the regional title in a Saturday afternoon tilt in San Antonio. Miler’s incredible offense picked up right where they left off after their upset win over Lampasas in the area playoffs as the Buccaneers blew past Boerne, 70-45. RB Ethan Greenwood ran for four touchdowns and had a touchdown reception, while Miller QB Andrew Body threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score. LBJ knocked off perennial power Corpus Christi Calallen on Friday, 38-24, as the Jaguars speed proved to be too much. LBJ had a pair of backs top the 100 yard mark in Daqwon Donaldson and Sedrick Alexander, and QB Oscar Gordon made great decisions in the pocket as he continues to progress leading the offense. The headline matchup is the LBJ two FBS commit DB’s Andrew Mukuba (Clemson) and Latrell McCutchin (Oklahoma) matching up against a dynamic quartet of Miller receivers who have a D1 QB in Andrew Body, who is absolutely out of his mind leading the Miller offense. The winner of this matchup wins the game; it’s a heavyweight battle and the edge goes to Miller because of Body’s versatility and the versatility of the Miller offense, which can run the ball very well also. Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Miller by 7