Paris (4-5, 4-1) at Caddo Mills (7-2, 4-1): Second place and the chance to host a bi-district playoff game is on the line in this matchup as Paris heads south towards the outskirts of the DFW metroplex to take on a tough Caddo Mills squad in a Thursday season finale. Class 4A schools will have mandatory homefield advantage in the playoffs starting next year, but 7-4A Division I and 8-4A Division I are getting a jump on it with a mutual agreement for the top seeds to host this year. Paris started the year 0-4, but the Wildcats have found their footing winning four of their five district games. A big part of that success has been on offense where QB Tyler Heath, a three-year starter, leads the way. The Wildcats closed out their home schedule with an impressive 49-13 win over an improved Waxahachie Life squad. Heath threw for 353 yards and four scores to four different receivers. WR Kentrell Patterson was the top target with four catches for 107 yards and a score. Caddo Mills was on the verge of an upset win last week as the Foxes led Sulphur Springs 31-28 going into the fourth quarter, but Sulphur Springs managed to pull it out with a 35-31 win. QB Colton Ponton was the key contributor for CMHS throwing for 258 yards and three scores, while WR KJ McGre was the top target with 95 receiving yards and a pair of scores. The key in this game will be which defense can step up and slow down the opposition. Both offenses are loaded with playmakers, and both defensive units have struggled at times. Caddo Mills has shown more consistency, especially on defense, and with this game being at Caddo Mills, the Foxes take the win and the home playoff game. Stepp’s Pick: Caddo Mills by 4
Fredericksburg (7-2, 5-1) at Kerrville Tivy (7-2, 5-1): Seeding in a wild 13-4A Division I will be on the line this week as neither Fredericksburg or Kerrville Tivy controls their destiny for a district title, but the winner of this matchup will guarantee themselves at least the two-seed. Fredericksburg got a major push last week, but the Billies were able to avoid an upset bid from Taylor in a 27-21 win. QB Kress Mohr was the straw the stirred the drink for FHS as he threw for 122 yards and a score and he added 127 rushing yards. The Battlin’ Billies also got strong games on the ground from RB Eli King, who ran for 73 yards and two scores, and sophomore RB Christian Bermudez, who had 54 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Kerrville Tivy’s been living dangerous all year playing in multiple shootouts and it finally bit them last week as the Antlers fell to district leading Canyon Lake, 53-50. QB Gavin Whelan had a big night with 292 yards passing and three scores, while RB Aiden Zavala added 154 yards rushing and three touchdowns, but Tivy’s defense allowed a staggering 782 yards of offense to Canyon Lake. Tivy’s allowing nearly 33-points per game overall; that is the area that must improve if this team wants to compete in Region IV. Tivy has too much firepower for Fredericksburg in this one, but the defensive performance will be something to watch very closely. Stepp’s Pick: Kerrville Tivy by 14
