Denton Braswell (3-0) at Flower Mound (3-0): District play gets started in 5-6A this week and two of the district’s most pleasant surprises will face off in a game that could be massive on the playoff race. Braswell has looked like a different team early in the season under first-year head coach Justen Evans. The Bengals won just two games in 2024 and 2025, but with a 3-0 mark, the fanbase is thinking playoffs in 2026. In their last outing, a 13-10 win over previously unbeaten Plano West, it was the Braswell defense that stepped up in holding Plano West to 215 yards. The BHS attack moved the ball well, but turning the ball over three times was a big negative in the win. RB Chris Lark ran for 144 yards and a score; he teams with Zahir Trufant to give Braswell a solid 1-2 combo in the ground game. Flower Mound has looked really sharp the last two weeks with dominant wins, including last week’s 42-24 victory over Saginaw Boswell. Trailing 17-14 at the half, FMHS exploded for 21 third quarter points to cruise to the win. The Jaguars offense rolled up 612 yards of offense on the night, paced by a crushing ground game. Wyatt LeJeune ran for 177 yards and two scores, while Slate Dettweiler added 143 yards rushing and two touchdowns. This one is going to come down to the wire. Flower Mound has two big edges in this game - they are at home and they are outstanding up front on both sides of the ball. Stepp’s Pick: Flower Mound by 4
Waco Midway (3-1) at Lake Belton (3-1): District play gets started with bang this week as Lake Belton steps right up to the plate in their first district game as a 6A program as they tangle with district favorite Midway. Last week Midway bounced back nicely from a loss to Cedar Park with a hard-fought 21-10 rivalry game win over Belton. Notre Dame RB commit Lathan Whisenton had a strong night pacing the Panthers with 140 yards on the ground and three scores. The Panthers defense was strong as well holding an explosive Belton passing attack in check, but the offense will need more balance this week as passing for just 97 total yards won’t cut it if Midway wants to compete in the playoffs. Lake Belton was on the right side of an absolute shootout last week with Killeen Ellison, but the Broncos survived 54-52 as QB Jessiah James threw for 364 yards and two touchdowns and RB Adrian Pippins tallied 198 yards and four scores. The Broncos’ defense is a concern going into this one as Midway has one of the top defensive units in Central Texas, so I don’t expect the offense to go crazy this week. The question is can Lake Belton’s defense hold up their end of the deal if the offense is slowed down? I think Midway’s defense holds up and the offense gets right this week. Stepp’s Pick: Waco Midway by 9