Cuero at El Campo: Things will be hopping in Ricebird land as powerful Cuero comes calling in what should be a great opening matchup in Class 4A. Cuero took home a regional title last year in 4A-Division II, but the off-season has brought about big changes for the Gobblers who moved to Region III in UIL Realignment and they have a new head coach as Jared Fikac comes over after a stint at Georgetown East View. CHS returns RB Tycen Williams who ran for over 2,100 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior and they’ve got a veteran defense that brings back eight starters. El Campo made a regional semifinal run last year under first-year head coach Chad Worrell, but its now or never for the Ricebirds as a decorated senior class gets one more shot at glory. The headliner in that crew is RB Reuben Owens, the Louisville commit is one of the top backs in the country and he’s a big a play waiting to happen after running for nearly 3,000 yards and 46 touchdowns a year ago. El Campo’s defense at times has struggled the past couple of seasons and that group will have to show improvement if they want to challenge in Region III in 4A-Division I. El Campo’s offense is as powerful as any with Owens leading the charge and their defense will key in on the Cuero ground game and the Ricebirds open with a strong season opening win. Stepp’s Pick: El Campo by 12
Gregory-Portland at Corpus Christi Calallen: Long-time rivals Gregory-Portland and Calallen renew their rivalry and 2022 may be the year G-P breaks through and gets back in the win column against CHS for the first time since 2014. After a slow start in 2021 under first-year head coach Brent Davis, Gregory-Portland got it going down the stretch advancing to the regional finals. G-P will be plenty explosive on offense with RB Dalvin Batts and QB Brenden Redden back to lead the way. It’s been an off-season of change for Calallen as for the first time since 1983 someone other than Phil Danaher will be leading the way on the sidelines as the state’s all-time winningest coach announced his retirement shortly after the end of the 2021 season. Longtime DC Steve Campbell is now the man in charge, he was Danaher’s right-hand man so don’t expect too much to change for the Wildcats. RB’s Epi Hinojosa and Luke Medina will be the key contributors for the Calallen Wing-T offense, but Calallen does have some question marks on the defensive side of the ball. Gregory-Portland’s experience and new attitude could be exactly what’s needed for G-P to end their long losing streak to Calallen. Stepp’s Pick: Gregory-Portland by 7