Midland Lee (9-1) vs Euless Trinity (8-1), 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Arlington’s Globe Life Park: It’s a Saturday night special in Arlington as Midland Lee makes the trek east looking to punch their ticket to the regional semifinals as they take on an always tough Trinity squad. Midland Lee’s offense is one of the most explosive in the state led by QB Mikey Serrano and a cast of dynamic skill position players. Last week the Rebels put that offense on display in a 66-21 win over El Paso Montwood. Midland Lee put up 56 first half points as Serrano threw for 148 yards and three touchdowns passes, while also rushing for two scores. RB Makhilyn Young rushed eight times for 154 yards and a TD and added 48 receiving yards on three catches. Midland Lee didn’t play their starters in the second half. Trinity had to wait until Saturday for their playoff opener, but the Trojans wasted little time in burying Keller Timber Creek with their potent rushing attack, 44-20. Trinity ran out to a 38-3 lead after three quarters with a suffocating defense and 258 yards and four rushing touchdowns from RB Ollie Gordon. RB Gary Maddox chipped in 111 yards on the ground and two touchdowns as well. This is going to be an absolute shootout; both offenses strength’s play right into the weakness of the opposing side, so the question becomes which defense is going to find a way to get a stop or two each half. That edge goes to Trinity as their defensive line strength and ability to get pressure will force Midland Lee off the field a few times and allow their grinding rushing attack to take hold. Stepp’s Pick: Euless Trinity by 10
Cy-Fair (10-1) vs Katy Tompkins (9-0), 6 p.m. Friday at Katy’s Legacy Stadium: The Region III Division I race really heats up this week with several big-time matchups in the Houston area and this showdown headlines the slate. Cy-Fair didn’t show any signs of a hangover last week after dropping their regular season finale as the Bobcats blew past Houston Westside, 47-7. RB LJ Johnson ran for 154 yards and two scores in limited action, while QB Carter Cravens tossed four touchdown passes to lead the Bobcats. Tompkins had no trouble in their playoff opener rolling past Fort Bend Travis, 42-10. The Falcons defense, which has been among the state’s best all year, stifled an explosive Travis offense and even chipped in a touchdown of their own. Although Alabama QB commit Jalen Milroe gets a lot of the headlines (and he did throw a pair of touchdown passes), this is a Tompkins team that has plenty of punch with the running game. RB Marquis Shoulders ran for 118 yards and a touchdown last week, while Sherman Smith added 49 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Expect a low-scoring defensive slug-fest. The difference in this one is Milroe and the Tompkins offense; he gives the Falcons a dimension that Cy-Fair doesn’t have and that Falcons offense makes plays late to get them to the regional semifinals. Stepp’s Pick: Katy Tompkins by 6