Waxahachie (4-0, 1-0) at DeSoto (3-1, 1-0): Many think Waxahachie is the new and up and coming program in the DFW area 6A ranks and the Indians will get the chance this week to take that leap as they travel north on I-35E to take on perennial power DeSoto. Waxahachie has rolled up an impressive 4-0 record in dominating fashion, but the Indians four opponents have a combined 2-14 record. We believe DeSoto is really good, but the Eagles one big test didn’t go well as they were drilled by Baltimore St. Frances, a prep powerhouse. Both teams rolled last week as Waxahachie hammered struggling Cedar Hill 51-21, led by 300 yards of offense and four touchdowns from QB Roderick Hartsfield, Jr. DeSoto behind six touchdown passes from QB DJ Bailey demolished an overmatched Dallas Skyline squad 63-0. This game features a boatload of talent on both sides of the ball, both teams have questions in the trenches on both sides of the ball, there’s a little bad blood on both sides of this one as well, so it’ll be an emotionally charged atmosphere as well. The two keys for this game are QB play, which signal caller distributes the ball to playmakers without making mistakes and which team controls their emotions better and avoids costly mental errors. This will be must-see television in DeSoto, we lean to the Eagles at home. Stepp’s Pick: DeSoto by 4
Killeen Harker Heights (3-1) at Pflugerville Weiss (2-2): Harker Heights has to be kicking themselves after letting a 27-7 halftime lead slip away last week on the road at Ratliff Stadium. Odessa Permian scored 21-straight down the stretch to hand the Knights their first loss at 28-27. HHHS will have a quick turnaround this week as they have to travel down to Pflugerville for the 12-6A opener against a Weiss squad that’s won two straight after an 0-2 start. Weiss led New Braunfels 42-21 with just over eight minutes left and the Wolves had to pull it out in overtime with a 49-42 win they almost let slip away. The short week benefits Weiss for sure who didn’t have to deal with the long travel after the Friday night game, but Harker Heights has impressed me early on and despite coming off the tough loss, I lean to the Knights who I think could bring home a district title in 2022. Stepp’s Pick: Killeen Harker Heights by 8