Leander @ Cedar Park

   No extra motivation is needed in this “down the street” rivalry, but they’ve got it anyway as big playoff implications ride on the outcome of this game.  These two schools share a stadium in Leander at the LHS campus on Bagdad Road.  It is dubbed the “Battle of Bagdad” or “The Crosstown Showdown” depending on who’s asked around the area.

  Leander (4-2) currently sits a game ahead of Cedar Park (3-3) in district.  Cedar Park is in a must win situation, and Leander also faces consequences with a loss.  Five teams could potentially be tied for three open playoff spots after Week 10.  Stony Point is the only safe team in the district right now.

   Leander ended their two game losing streak against McNeil last week in a 28-21 win.  Cedar Park also rebounded from two losses to beat Round Rock 27-13.  This should be a very closely matched football game.  It’s hard to imagine either team jumping out to a big lead in a game like this.  This has the look of a potential classic on paper, and 14-5A playoff positioning is on the line.  OUR PICK- LEANDER

Weslaco @ Los Fresnos

  The game 32-5A has been waiting for takes place this week when Weslaco visits Los Fresnos with the district championship up for grabs.  Weslaco is 8-1, their only loss coming in non-district to Donna (current 30-5A frontrunners).  Los Fresnos is 7-2 overall and 6-0 in district like Weslaco.  Los Fresnos hasn’t quite matched the form of last year, but they are doing very well considering most would call this a rebuilding year after losing key pieces of talent from last year’s 12-1 team.

  Both of these teams have extremely potent offenses.  Weslaco senior running back Mishak Rivas is widely regarded as the best players in Texas this year.  Rivas has been lighting up the Valley for three years now, but was overshadowed somewhat the previous two by Bradley Stephens at McAllen Memorial.  However, those in the Rio Grande Valley are very familiar with his on-field exploits- all too familiar if you don’t support Weslaco.  Rivas averages 15 yards per carry and has scored 27 TDs in nine games.  He’s already over 2,200 yards.  Junior QB Dylan DeLeon has provided stability to the attack and helps balance things out so defense can’t just go all out on Rivas.

  Weslaco averages nearly 510 total yards a game and Los Fresnos allows 245.  Again, the Falcons weren’t given as much of a chance this year after losing the Springer brothers but they are right in the thick of the district title chase again this year.  Senior LB Edgar Martinez will be one of the Falcons responsible for containing the Panther attack.  Overall, this should be an electric encounter that could turn into a barrage of offense.  In that kind of a game, Weslaco has too much firepower to ignore.  OUR PICK-WESLACO