Galena Park North Shore at The Woodlands: North Shore opened the 2022 season with a blowout win over The Woodlands, serving notice that the Mustangs were still the team of record in the Houston area. They have a new head coach in former OC Willie Gaston, but they’ve got playmakers galore with the return of junior QB Kaleb Bailey, WR Deion DeBlanc, North Texas commit WR Christopher Barnes and RB D’Andre Hardeman Jr. Defensively the Mustangs are also dynamic with LB Dillon Dixon leading the front seven along with what many believe as the best secondary in the state with five-star junior DB Devin Sanchez and Lavonte Johnson. The Woodlands is loaded offensively with Wisconsin commit QB Mabrey Mettauer along with WR Quannell Farrakhan Jr. and RB Kiandrea Barker, a transfer from Arkansas who is committed to Penn State. The Highlanders defense still has some questions going into the season and that’s where North Shore separates iitself in this matchup. Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 14
Pflugerville Weiss at Round Rock: Up-and-coming Pflugerville Weiss is a team to watch in the Austin area, but because the Wolves are one of just two Austin teams in Region II (Hutto being the other), they fly a bit under the radar. Their talent, though, is eye-catching. WR’s Adrian Wilson (Oregon commit) and North Texas commit Jacques Spradley-Demps lead an explosive offense. S Peyton Morgan (Texas Tech commit) is the leader of an athletic defense. State 7-on-7 champion Round Rock has some high hopes heading into the season as the Dragons are fresh off a 9-2 campaign. QB Mason Cochran leads the offense, while Notre Dame commit DB Leonard Moore is the headliner of the Dragons young, but very talented defensive unit. Weiss has more front-line skill talent, but Round Rock is playing at home and have an advantage up front. This will be close and great measuring stick for two programs looking to jump into the upper echelon in the capital city. Stepp’s Pick: Round Rock by 3