Port Lavaca Calhoun (5-3, 3-1) at Corpus Christi Miller (6-2, 4-0): Port Lavaca Calhoun heads south into the northside of Corpus Christi to take on a surging Miller squad that is playing its best football of the year after a slow start against a very tough schedule. Calhoun didn’t have their best game from a stats perspective last week, but the good news for the Sandcrabs is they still won rather comfortably over Tuloso-Midway, 34-6, to clinch a playoff spot. RB Gunner Martinez was the key cog for Calhoun with 119 yards rushing and a score; he also hauled in a touchdown pass. First year head coach David McHugh’s squad raced past Corpus Christi King, 49-6, last week as QB Jayden Herrera threw for 324 yards and three scores, while completing 18 of 24 passes. The Buccaneers got a solid effort from a stable of ball carriers led by RB Tayshawn Taylor, who ran for 58 yards and two scores, pacing an offense that rolled up 517 yards of offense. On paper this is an intriguing battle that features a major contrast of styles. Miller traditionally has struggled against physical, power run teams like Calhoun. Although the Bucs have improved on defense, Calhoun’s style and senior leadership makes them a difficult matchup. The Sandcrabs take a big step to locking in that No. 2 seed. Stepp’s Pick: Port Lavaca Calhoun by 8
Graham (8-0, 3-0) at Brock (7-1, 3-0): The district crown is on the line in 4-4A Division II as two teams who have battled for regional supremacy will collide once again. There’s not a ton you can take from Graham’s 70-0 win over Burkburnett last week except for the fact that the Steers were just a lot better. QB Cooper Corley leads a dynamic offense that is one of the most senior-laden groups in the state. He threw for 312 yards and three scores and added 83 yards rushing and two scores last week. What’s been the real key to Graham’s hot start has been a defense that’s allowing just over eight points a game and has allowed just 14 points total in the last three weeks. Last week Graham allowed just 97 yards of total offense. Brock’s lone loss of the year is to state-ranked 5A-Division II Anna. Since then, the Eagles have been flawless. Last week, Brock cruised to an easy 59-0 win over Iowa Park. QB Holt Frazier threw for 207 yards and two scores, while RB Bryer McDonald ran for four touchdowns on the ground. Brock’s defense was dominant in the win as well with 10 sacks and they forced three turnovers. Brock’s strength of schedule looks to be far superior, and I think their team speed poses issues for Graham in this one. I’ll look for Brock to jump out quick and hold a Graham second half rally off. Stepp’s Pick: Brock by 10
