Predicting the Biggest Week 7 Games in Texas: 6A-5A

Odessa Permian (6-0) at Midland Lee (4-2): District play finally gets going this week in the Little Southwest Conference and the story through non-district play has been the Permian Panthers, who own a couple of really nice non-district wins as they’ve rolled to a 6-0 record. Last week Permian took care of Camden (NJ), New Jersey’s 2025 state champions, 28-13. Three different Permian backs found the end zone. Dae Dae McDowell’s sensational 55-yard run in the third quarter set the stage as Permian’s defense totally dominated with a second half shutout. RB Josh Taylor led Permian’s balanced ground attack with 82 yards and a score. Midland Lee bounced back nicely from a blowout loss two weeks ago at Austin Westlake as the Rebels drilled Somerset Academy out of Nevada, 61-6. QB JP Reyes had a big night with 341 yards passing and five scores, while several Midland Lee ball carriers combined for 137 yards on the ground and two scores. One concern for Midland Lee coming out of the game are the turnovers; they did have three turnovers and against this battle-tested Permian squad that could be a real game changer. This rivalry is as intense as it gets. Not only is a district title possibly on the line, but both these teams are likely heading to Division I, so seeding is on the line as well. Permian’s got the juice this year and I think Jeff Ellison’s squad takes a big step towards a perfect regular season. Stepp’s Pick: Odessa Permian by 5

Denton Guyer (4-1, 2-0) at Lewisville (2-3, 2-0): 

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Don’t let the records fool you heading into this one. This is a top 15 matchup in the state as No. 10 Denton Guyer visits No. 12 Lewisville in a game that will likely decide the 5-6A crown. Lewisville’s record is blemished by three non-district forfeits and in reality, on the field, the Farmers hold an impressive 5-0 mark. Guyer took on unbeaten Denton Braswell last week and the Wildcats made quite the statement with a dominant 51-7 win. Guyer’s defense, which many consider among the best in the state, held Braswell to just 138 yards of offense, less than two yards per rush and they forced a pair of turnovers. QB Carter Morgan was absolutely on his game last week for GHS as well as he threw for 289 yards and four scores, while adding 52 yards on the ground and a touchdown for Guyer. Since the DEC ruling that they used an ineligible player in three non-district games, Lewisville has adapted to a new offensive identity and been just as lethal as the Farmers pulled away from a scrappy Frisco Wakeland squad, 38-8, last week. A 21-point third quarter explosion proved to be the key for the Farmers as RB Derrick Martin had 146 yards and three scores, while QB Aiden Evans in his second start threw for 139 yards and added 54 yards rushing and a score on the ground. Lewisville’s defense also played well forcing three Wakeland turnovers and limiting the Wolverines to just two yards per rush. Guyer’s defense excels in stopping the run and with Evans at QB, the Lewisville passing game is a bit limited. I think that’s the major key in this game and Guyer finds a way through in a low scoring slugfest. Stepp’s Pick: Denton Guyer by 7

Longview (4-1, 2-0) at Rockwall (4-1, 2-0): There’s a strong chance this matchup will go a long way in deciding who reigns supreme in the ultra-competitive District 10-6A. Both teams will be well rested going into this one as the entire district had a bye last week. In their last outing Longview continued to show why most believe they have the top defense in the district with a dominant 42-7 win over a struggling Royse City squad. The Lobos smothered RCHS holding them to just 169 yards of offense and just 27 yards rushing on the night. QB Jacaiden Davis, filling in for UTEP commit Johnny Hamilton III, showed he was more than capable of piloting the Lobos attack throwing for 170 yards and two scores. Junior WR Jaden Hurndon led the Lobos receivers with four catches for 49 yards, but what’s made Longview tough this year is they’ve gotten back to playing Lobo football and that is running the ball. Longview had three backs top 71 yards rushing with Jakelvin Muckelroy tallying 94 yards and a score, Zycharionne Vaughn getting 88 yards and two scores, while Addison McGee ran for 71 yards and had a 20-yard touchdown catch. Rockwall, as has been the case most of the time, gets things done with a flamethrower of an offense and that’s been the case through the first half of 2026. In their last outing, a 49-42 win over North Forney, the ‘Jackets rolled on offense putting up 469 yards and running out to a 35-14 lead at the half. QB Collins Jones threw for 232 yards and three scores and RB Kaydon Castro added 138 yards and two scores on the ground. The downside however is Rockwall’s defense did struggle as they got touched up for 42 points and 518 yards. The key question for Longview will be can their defense continue their hot start and will the offense continue to run the ball effectively as Hamilton is expected to return to pilot the offense after the bye week. If Longview runs the ball and gets a couple of stops against that dynamic Rockwall attack, the Lobos should cruise. Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 13

Galena Park North Shore (6-0, 3-0) at Humble Summer Creek (4-2, 3-0): 

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North Shore was shutout in the season finale by Humble Summer Creek a year ago, and at that point most dismissed the Mustangs as a true title contender. All North Shore has done since that loss is rattle off a dozen straight wins and win a state title in the process. North Shore and that stubborn defense, which may be the best in the state, will look to get a measure of revenge against a Summer Creek squad that’s gotten their wheels back on after a slow start. North Shore last week rolled past Humble 41-0 as the Mustangs have now pitched a shutout in four of their six games. They held Humble to just four first downs on the night and just four yards rushing on 26 carries. QB Darrell Haynes, who comes in on short yardage plays, had three touchdown runs, while RB’s Kaden Brantley, Amari Louisville and Jamarkeus Houston combined for 162 yards on the ground. If there was one downside on the night it was that North Shore really wasn’t able to get the passing game hitting in chunks like they’ve done in some earlier games. Summer Creek rolled to an easy 57-2 win over Humble Kingwood last week to give the Bulldogs their third straight win to open district play. For the SCHS defense it was their best game of the year holding Humble Kingwood to just 115 yards of offense on the night. The offense led by North Carolina QB commit Noah Spinks and Texas Tech WR commit Benny Easter was fantastic as the Bulldogs put up 40 first half points, which enabled them to rest their starters for the majority of the second half with a big lead. Spinks threw for 234 yards and three scores, two going to Easter, while RB Keshawn Jackson provided balance with 125 yards rushing and two scores. The key in this game last season was Summer Creek’s defense, which absolutely played the game of their lives in whipping North Shore 27-0. I don’t think they have another game in them like that, and I think North Shore’s punishing ground attack and physical defense will just be too much for the Bulldogs. Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 13

Hutto (5-1, 2-0) at Cedar Park (6-0, 2-0): 

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We are a long way from deciding the 24-6A title, but this showdown could big a big step in settling that crown as Hutto brings their five-game winning streak into Gupton Stadium to take on surprising unbeaten Cedar Park. Hutto blasted Cedar Park Vista Ridge last week, 68-10. QB Micah Antoun had a huge night with a school record breaking performance of eight touchdown passes while throwing for 442 yards to lead the Hippos. Speaking of career games, Oklahoma WR commit Jaiden Fields had a monster night as well with 11 catches for 201 yards and seven touchdowns. He added a 16-yard run, seven tackles on defense, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery as well. Hutto’s defense put together maybe their best effort of the year and they’ll need another great showing this week against a very good Cedar Park offense that can frustrate you with deadly accuracy in the short passing game. Last week the Timberwolves eased past Leander Rouse, 37-23, as QB David Cooper and that offense operates at a high level. LB Coby Taute had a tremendous game for the CPHS defense notching 15 tackles, while DB CJ Rogers also played well in the win. This is going to be a shootout, no questions about it. Cedar Park’s defense across the board is a little stronger than Hutto and I think the Timberwolves can go score for score with the Hippos. I’ll go with the home team in a close one. Stepp’s Pick: Cedar Park by 2

Port Arthur Memorial (6-0, 4-0) at La Porte (3-2, 3-0): First place in the rugged District 9-5A Division I is on the line this week as Port Arthur Memorial, which has won 20 of their last 21 games treks over to Bulldog Stadium to take on a La Porte squad that’s had two weeks to prepare for this one. Port Arthur Memorial hasn’t been winning in the prettiest ways, but the Titans just keep winning nonetheless as Brian Morgan’s squad last week won an ugly 21-7 victory over Beaumont West Brook. ATH Brandon Richards led the charge for PAM with 194 yards on the ground and a touchdown and he caught a 36-yard touchdown catch as well. What has been a constant for Memorial this year has been their defense, which is allowing just over nine points per game. After a slow start to the season, La Porte seems to have gotten their wheels back on with three straight wins. Two weeks ago, the Bulldogs won a 45-42 shootout over Beaumont West Brook as RB Sean Simon ran for 210 yards and two scores and QB Josh Wells added four touchdowns through the air. What’s concerning about La Porte and their long term viability as a regional contender is the defense, as good as Port Arthur’s defense has been, La Porte’s has been bad. The Bulldogs are allowing just under 40 points per game and that’s simply not going to cut it. We’ve got to go with the proven commodity that defense travels and Port Arthur will bring that tough defense to La Porte and that will be the difference. Stepp’s Pick: Port Arthur Memorial by 9

Lovejoy (6-0, 2-0) at Argyle (5-1, 2-0): The top two teams in 3-5A Division II have lived up to the billing thus far as No. 8 and unbeaten Lovejoy visits brand new Argyle ISD Stadium to take on No. 3 Argyle. After two straight weeks of heart stopping wins, Lovejoy had a bit of an easier time last week as the Leopards rolled past Nevada Community, 70-7. QB Nixon Slaughter threw for 209 yards and three scores and added a rushing touchdown as Lovejoy led 49-7 at the half and sat their starters for most of the second half. What should encourage head coach Todd Dodge the most is the fact that Lovejoy’s defense played their best game of the year holding Community to just 167 yards of offense on the night. Argyle had a similar dominant performance as the Eagles drilled Eagle Mountain, 56-21, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicates. Argyle led 42-7 at the half and 56-7 into the fourth quarter as QB Hayes Hackney threw for 301 yards and six scores, with Julian Caldwell hauling in nine passes for 210 yards and five scores. Caldwell has an incredible 14 touchdown catches in just four games played as he sat out the first two games of the season with a minor injury. Both offenses can put up big numbers. The key will be which defense can generate pressure on the opposing QB. If you let Slaughter and Hackney have time, they will dissect your defense. Argyle has an underrated running game and a very good offensive line, that’s an edge from an offensive balance standpoint and I like the Eagles defense and overall strength of schedule just a little better over Lovejoy. Stepp’s Pick: Argyle by 8

New Caney West Fork (4-1, 2-0) at Huntsville (3-2, 2-0): 

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Two teams right in the thick of the playoff race in 9-5A Division II will battle it out for a share of the district lead and possibly the inside track to hosting a playoff game in the bi-district round of the playoffs. West Fork has been a real surprise in the Houston area under first year head coach Brian Cope. The Gators have earned wins in key “swing games” over Humble Kingwood Park and last week a 17-6 win over New Caney Porter. The Gators defense played their best game of the year holding Kingwood Park to just 131 yards of offense and they put the game on ice late as Gary Pearce had an interception return for a score late. ATH Landon Walker gave the offense a boost with a 45-yard touchdown run as well. Huntsville was supposed to take on Montgomery Lake Creek on Thursday, but bad weather moved the game to Saturday. But that didn’t phase the Hornets who went on the road and got a massive 30-24 win. The Hornets ran out to a quick 20-0 lead on the strength of two Zay Adolphe touchdown runs, but Lake Creek rallied in the second half to cut the lead to six twice. RB Ja’Khavien Birks’ second touchdown run late in the third quarter proved be the difference for Huntsville in the win. It’ll be a short week for Huntsville and Adolphe got a bit banged up in the game; his health is vital for Huntsville to be a district title threat. It’s a short week, but with the game being at home, the edge has to go to Huntsville who has plenty more big game experience than West Fork at this stage. Stepp’s Pick: Huntsville by 11

Quick Picks

El Paso Pebble Hills (5-1, 2-0) vs El Paso Eastlake (4-1, 0-1) Stepp’s Pick: El Paso Pebble Hills by 17

Wylie East (4-1, 2-0) vs Wylie (4-1, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Wylie East by 6

Willis (4-1, 1-1) at The Woodlands (4-1, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: The Woodlands by 9

Klein Cain (4-1, 2-1) vs Klein (6-0, 4-0) Stepp’s Pick: Klein by 2

Fulshear (5-0, 2-0) at Cypress Ranch (4-1, 1-1) Stepp’s Pick: Cy Ranch by 11

Laredo LBJ (4-1, 2-0) vs Laredo United (2-2, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Laredo United by 12

College Station A&M Consolidated (4-2, 3-1) at Pflugerville Weiss (4-1, 3-0) Stepp’s Pick: Pflugerville Weiss by 7

El Paso Del Valle (3-2) at Canutillo (4-1) Stepp’s Pick: Canutillo by 5

Prosper Richland (3-2, 1-2) at Frisco Emerson (4-2, 2-2) Stepp’s Pick: Frisco Emerson by 4

Mercedes (4-1, 1-0) at Gregory-Portland (6-0, 2-0) Stepp’s Pick: Gregory-Portland by 31

Last Week’s Results: 17-3 85.0%

Season Results: 90-30 75.0%