#8 SA Madison @ #9 Smithson Valley

The top two teams in San Antonio meet in this 26-5A clash.  The winner of this game will be a favorite to win the district and will also confirm their place atop the Region 4 rankings.  Madison’s never beaten Smithson Valley since the Rangers moved up to Class 5A in 2002.  The Mavs finished last year right at .500 but are blowing people off of the map so far this year.  Smithson Valley’s offense has exploded in recent weeks with single game point totals of 61 and 72.

The Rangers are very tough at home and their best defense in a game like this may be their powerful offense.  Senior QB David Pawelek has done well so far this year leading the offense.  This was a question mark coming into this year.  Of course, everyone knew what to expect from senior Trent Rios and his great offensive line.  Senior WR Cody Renken can score from anywhere on the field.  Defensively, the Rangers haven’t been lights out and will need their best effort of the season to date in order to keep Madison’s weapons contained.

No one’s been able to stop Madison’s Devin Thomas so far this year.  Thomas is putting up huge numbers despite playing two quarters in most of their first few games.  While Thomas grabs the headlines, he’s certainly not the only dangerous element in this Mav offense.  Senior QB Brian Ehrlich is leading this offense well and getting the ball to the Mavs playmakers on the perimeter like senior WR Joey Boyd and senior Josh Miles.  Defense definitely can’t afford to sell out on Thomas completely or they will get beaten over the stop by Madison’s speed.  This game will be the first big test for the Mav defense to prove how far along they are.  O’Connor was good, but not as explosive as what they will see against Smithson Valley.  Senior LB Jason McLean and the Madison defense obviously have their work cut out in this game as does the Ranger defense.

They might need a spare scoreboard for this game.  Although the defenses aren’t horrible, this may be one of those games where the offenses just prove to be that good.  We are siding with Smithson Valley at home in what could be a very entertaining game between the best two teams in Region 4 right now.  OUR PICK- SMITHSON VALLEY

#17 Arlington Bowie @ #4 Cedar Hill

8-5A figures to be one of the more entertaining district races in the state.  Bowie and Cedar Hill are two clear cut favorites to make the playoffs and contend for district.  They are both 3-0. Bowie beat Skyline 17-7 last week and Cedar Hill was off after beating North Crowley two weeks ago.  It will be interesting to see how the difference in prep time plays out.  Sometimes, the bye week can be a team’s toughest opponent.  It’s tough to get out of the normal game week routine but, then again, it does allow a team to heal any bumps and bruises and approach the next game fresh.

Bowie’s been a resurgent program under the direction of Kenny Perry.  The Vols program has generally produced some dynamic talent, but the on field results weren’t there to reflect that.  Junior QB Christian Matthews and senior WR Roddy Maginot are two of the best players on the offense.  The defense, led by senior DL Jayvale Fields and LB Marcus McGraw, has been very impressive to start the season.  The Vols allow just 6.7 points a game which makes them one of the top scoring defenses in the state. 

Bowie will need every bit of that defense to contain Cedar Hill’s spread option attack.  Senior QB James Hamilton is among the DFW leaders in rushing yardage.  Junior OL Thomas Ashcraft and senior Michael Washington lead a very good line.  The defense has proven somewhat porous so far and will need to tighten up against a very talented Bowie offense this week.

This has the look of a very good game between two of DFWs most impressive teams this season so far.  Bowie is capable of winning this game, but we pick Cedar Hill in a close game.  This should certainly be a four quarter football game.  It would be surprising if either team pulled away.  Bowie’s defense can make the difference in this game, but James Hamilton and the Longhorn offense should do just enough to get the job done.  OUR PICK- CEDAR HILL