Sulphur Springs (8-1, 4-1) at Frisco Panther Creek (8-1, 4-1): It’s a state ranked showdown in Frisco for second place in the brutally tough District 7-4A Division I as Sulphur Springs visits a surging Frisco Panther Creek squad. Sulphur Springs seems to be adjusting to life without star QB Deuce Timmons after a 38-14 win over Lake Dallas last week. The key stretch was in the final 1:38 of first half when SSHS scored 10 points to turn a 14-7 lead into a 24-7 halftime edge. Two interceptions keyed the flurry as DB Jio Ibarra returned an interception for a touchdown and then a second interception set up a field goal right before halftime. ATH Jaxson Haire again had a big night with two touchdown catches and touchdown run and QB Mason Cooper continues to improve after tossing three touchdown passes. Panther Creek also cruised last week rolling past Aubrey 52-7 as QB Graylyn Fry threw for 352 yards and five touchdowns, three going to Oregon commit Jalen Lott, who finished with 11 catches for 214 yards and three scores. BYU TE commit Parker Ord and Texas Tech ATH commit Donovan Webb also hauled in touchdowns. Panther Creek is a matchup problem for Sulphur Springs because of the explosive passing game. SSHS is great in the front seven but there’s questions in the secondary, with no Timmons, I’m not sure the Wildcats can keep up blow for blow with the Panthers. Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Panther Creek by 13
Dallas Carter (6-3, 6-0) vs Dallas Lincoln (7-1, 5-1): A share of the 8-4A Division I district title could be on the line this week as Dallas Lincoln could potentially move into the No. 1 seed with a win. A win for unbeaten Carter would wrap up an outright district crown. Carter pulled away from Dallas Pinkston for a 57-34 win. The Cowboys offense begins and ends with RB Damarion Boozer, who is one of the state’s most underrated and productive backs. If he gets on a roll, the Cowboys are tough to stop. Lincoln’s made huge strides the last two seasons and the Tigers with a win could take another step forward. LHS easily cruised past Dallas Roosevelt 42-14 as QB Emmanuel Holmes threw for 124 yards and four scores, while RB Ta'Lan Beachum added 178 yards and two rushing scores and he caught one of Holmes’ four touchdown passes.Lincoln’s offense can go blow for blow with Carter. But can the Tigers defense get stops against that tough Carter running game? I think this is a shootout, but I’ll give the edge to the Cowboys to lock up that 1-seed. Stepp’s Pick: Dallas Carter by 7