Springtown (4-0) at Midlothian Heritage (3-1): These teams get one more test before district play as ninth ranked in 4A Division-I Springtown takes on newly unranked Midlothian Heritage. Springtown continued their push for a higher ranking as they put away Godley 52-20. They shut down Godley with four sacks, two interceptions, and a fumble. Junior RB Ashton Strahan dominated the ground game as he put up 149 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. Midlothian Heritage was handed their first loss this season by a coming-into-form Melissa squad 48-28. Although they fell, the Panthers put up a fight. Quarterback Kaden Brown was the brightest spot as he threw 20 of 28 for 276 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He also did work on the ground as he gained 60 yards and a touchdown for 13 carries. Junior wide receiver Jason Barela also chipped in for 100 yards and a score. Junior safety also contributed as he forced an interception. Heritage will need to bring their offense while protecting the football from the Porcupines. Springtown will have a big test if they want to continue to climb in the rankings. DCTF Intern Joshua Price’s pick: Midlothian Heritage by 10
Waco La Vega (2-2) at Corpus Christi Miller (3-1): It’s a rare Saturday special on the Texas coast as two top-ten teams close out the non-district slate and for the home team Miller, this is a real measuring stick to see where the Bucs stack up against one of the state’s best in Waco La Vega. La Vega has lost two games in a row, but the Pirates come in with some confidence after taking defending state champion Argyle to the limit in a 17-14 loss. La Vega hit a long pass early in the fourth quarter to take a 14-10 lead on the defending champs, but Argyle returned the ensuing kickoff and then stopped the Pirates three more times down the stretch to secure the win, but La Vega impressed in the defeat. Miller’s offense had no trouble getting going last week as they blasted Class 6A Brownsville Hanna 62-28 as sophomore QB Jaedyn Brown torched the Hanna secondary throwing for 473 yards and an incredible eight touchdowns in the win. The matchup between the Miller WR’s and La Vega’s lockdown corners will be a fun one to watch all afternoon, but the key here may be La Vega’s offense, if the Pirates can be physical and get the running game going and keep that explosive Miller offense at bay on the sidelines, the Pirates could have a fun ride home back to Waco. Stepp’s Pick: Waco La Vega by 5