Amarillo Tascosa (1-0) at Midland Legacy (1-0): It doesn’t matter what the classification of these two teams are, it’s always a close and entertaining game when they get together in a battle of Rebels. Tascosa makes the trip down to the Permian Basin a week after opening the year with a workman-like 28-7 win over cross-town rival Amarillo Palo Duro. RB Treshun Wilson ran for a pair of touchdowns, while QB Coltyn Fulton ran for 119 yards and threw for 119 yards to give THS balance in his varsity debut running Tascosa’s option offense. Midland Legacy’s offense typically gets most of the attention, but its defense rose to the forefront in a 35-7 win over Amarillo High in Week 1; LHS allowed just 190 yards of offense on the night.Purdue commit QB Marcos Davila threw for 209 yards and three touchdowns and Legacy added 235 rushing yards for a balanced offensive effort.Legacy’s offensive balance and improved defense will out-gun what is still maturing Tascosa offense. Stepp’s Pick: Midland Legacy by 10
Aledo (1-0) at Denton Guyer (1-0): A year ago, Aledo came limping into this game after being upset by private school powerhouse Parish Episcopal, while a veteran Guyer squad led by a five-star QB had plenty of momentum. Aledo got beat soundly, but it found its identity that night and parlayed it into 14-straight wins and a state title. The shoe is on the other foot this time as Guyer tries to find itself after a slow start in a 42-14 win over Rockwall-Heath. New QB Logan McLaughlin led the Wildcats to a 21-point third quarter to pull away from Heath. McLaughlin settled in nicely throwing for 195 yards and three scores. Aledo’s 50-35 win over Dallas Parish Episcopal wasn’t as close as the score indicates as the Bearcats led 50-21 before Parish put up a pair of window dressing scores. RB Raycine Guillory was the star of the show, rushing for 122 yards and two scores; he added 71 receiving yards and a touchdown as well. TCU commit QB Hauss Hejny had a strong day as well with 185 yards and two touchdowns passing. Guyer’s defense will keep them in this one, but Aledo’s firepower is among the best in the state regardless of classification. Aledo pulls away in the fourth to get a big feather in its cap, a win over a ranked 6A opponent. Stepp’s Pick: Aledo by 9