#4 SA Madison @ #14 SA Reagan

Madison RB Devin Thomas and Reagan RB Marcus Wright will claim most of the ink this week given the gaudy stats they’ve put up already (Wright- 1,113 yards; Thomas- 1,112), but this game could come down to the performance of the supporting casts for the Mavs and Rattlers respectively.  Thomas and Wright are always likely to get theirs.  Both of these teams are unbeaten at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in district.

 Madison traveled up to Smithson Valley last week and beat the Rangers on the road sending a clear message not only to 26-5A but also the state.  The Mavericks answered the bell in a big way on defense last week and need more of the same against the Reagan offense this week.  If Madison can play well defensively again this week, they’ll firmly establish themselves as one of the premier units in the state.  Madison may turn to Thomas, just as Reagan may turn to Wright, in order to keep the Rattler offense off the field and grind away the clock.  However, senior QB Brian Ehrlich and the receivers have proven more than capable if called upon.

This is the first true “prove it” game of the year for Reagan.  After riding a wave of momentum to the state quarters last year, Reagan came into this season with bigger expectations than they’ve ever had.  Reagan’s biggest wins came in their first two games against O’Connor (21-14) and Georgetown (29-26).  The Rattlers absolutely must get Wright going this week as that is their hope of limiting the Madison offense’s time on the field. 

There may not be a team in Texas playing better football right now than Madison and we are picking them to win this game and cement their position at the top of 26-5A.  OUR PICK- MADISON

#24 Cy Falls vs. Cy Ridge

Two of the Houston area's most explosive offenses meet in this game between 17-5A district title contenders.  Cy Ridge scored 55 against Langham Creek last week (55-13) and Cy Falls dropped 57 on Cy Creek (57-32).  Falls and Ridge are both 3-1 and 1-0 in district.  Falls lost to Bryan (33-22) in their first game and Ridge slipped against Klein (10-7).  Both played well last week and the winner of this game will likely be seen as the favorite to win the district.

With junior QB Kolby Gray now healthy, the Falls offense has started to take off.  The Golden Eagles piled up well over 600 total yards last week.  If Gray can be consistent, this Falls offense will be hard for anyone to slow down.  Senior Shane Turner is an outstanding running back.  Defensively, Falls will need to play their best game of the year so far to keep Ridge in check.

Russell Shepard, Ridge's junior QB, is a threat from anywhere on the field as a runner.  Defensively, Ridge is playing well this year.  They are quick and talented.  Seniors Royce Hill (DB) and Jerrod Fleming (DL) are two of the Rams' most experienced players.  Ridge's defense could make the difference in this game.

Both of these offenses are very potent so it could come down to which defense is able to make a stop in a key moment.   If this is anything like the game the two played last year, we can expect a very good game between two very talented teams.  We pick Cy Falls in an air tight game.  There doesn't appear to be much separating these two right now.  OUR PICK- CY FALLS