Brownwood (3-1) at Waco Connally (3-1): Brownwood heads east into Central Texas where the red hot Lions will try to contain a dynamic Waco Connally bunch. Brownwood has won three straight and last week was their best performance yet as the Lions defense rose to the challenge to defeat previously unbeaten and state ranked Glen Rose 17-3. QB Ike Hall threw for 94 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown, while Brownwood’s defense limited Glen Rose to just 274 yards of offense and a field goal. Waco Connally dropped their first game of the year last week in lopsided fashion as the Cadets fell to China Spring 51-21. Connally’s offense was limited without the services of Oklahoma State commit QB Jelani McDonald and the Cadets defense had no answers for a dynamic China Spring attack. Brownwood is more than capable of doing damage on offense themselves, but the Lions are still trying to find their groove, if McDonald plays the lean is to Connally, but without McDonald (which is more likely) Brownwood gets the edge. Stepp’s Pick: Brownwood by 9
El Campo (2-2) at Navasota (3-1): After an 0-2 start El Campo has gotten their wheels back on with back-to-back convincing wins to even their record up at 2-2. Last week in their annual rivalry game with Wharton, the Ricebirds rolled to an easy 50-14 win as Louisville commit RB Rueben Owens returned from injury and ran for four touchdowns in the win. District play opens this week and a long road trip up to Navasota looms. Navasota bounced back from their first loss of the season last week taking down Huffman-Hargrave 42-14 in their own convincing win. Zy’Merrick Taylor ran for 144 yards, while Deontray Scott chipped in 132 yards on the ground and a touchdown. QB Hudson Minor added three rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown to pace a balanced Rattlers attack. El Campo’s deeper and has more talent and after their two mystifying early performances Chad Worrell’s squad seems to be rounding into form and they’ll open up district play with a big win. Stepp’s Pick: El Campo by 7