Stephenville (13-0) vs Melissa (11-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bedford’s Pennington Field: Unbeaten Stephenville will face their third and final test out of District 7-4A Division I and it’s the “final boss” as the ‘Jackets take on district champion Melissa. Stephenville the last two weeks has taken care of Paris and defending state champion Argyle in consecutive weeks. In last week’s 21-17 win over Argyle the ‘Jackets trailed early 14-0 before rallying for the win, behind a stellar defensive effort and a rushing and receiving touchdown from Coy Eakin. Melissa has been on an absolute tear of late and that continued last week as the Cardinals rolled past Waco La Vega 41-14 QB Sam Fennegan had a monster night for the Cardinals throwing for 301 yards and three touchdowns and the Melissa defense continued to play well, holding an explosive La Vega running game in check. Melissa’s defense has been key during their long winning streak and their ability to contain that dynamic Stephenville attack is the key. Stepp’s Pick: Melissa by 6
Tyler Chapel Hill (10-3) vs Little Cypress-Mauriceville (11-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Cypress' Cy-Fair FCU Stadium: It’s a regional final of surprise teams as fourth place Tyler Chapel Hill battles it out with surprising Little Cypress-Mauriceville who under first year head coach Eric Peevey has taken Region III by storm. Chapel Hill last week avenged their regular season loss to Kilgore with a thrilling double overtime win over Kilgore 41-35. Chapel Hill’s sensational freshman duo of QB Demetrius Brisbon (178 total yards 2 TDs) and RB Ricky Stewart (201 yards rushing; 2 TDs) led the way and the Bulldogs defense came up with a key stop in overtime to get the win. Little Cypress-Mauriceville’s defense came to play last week as the Bears suffocated an explosive El Campo offense in a 24-21 win. It’s the first trip tom the regional finals for LCM since 1997. RB Da’Marion Morris led the way for the Bears with 177 yards rushing and the eventual game winning touchdown with just over five minutes remaining. This game will be dictated by pace, if this game is under 30 points for either team then LCM advances as the Bears defense is one of the state’s most underrated, but if the tempo is fast and it gets into a shootout, that’s a Chapel Hill victory. Stepp’s Pick: Tyler Chapel Hill by 2