Friday

District 19-6A

Morton Ranch (3-3, 1-1) vs. Tompkins (6-1, 2-1), 6 p.m., Legacy Stadium

• Morton Ranch will have a larger hurdle to climb to get back into the thick of the playoff chase with its loss to Seven Lakes last week. The Mavericks took the lead with two minutes remaining, but Seven Lakes marched down the field on a final drive and the Morton Ranch defense was unable to stop them. Morton Ranch will need to find some wins down the rest of its district schedule and hope for slip ups from teams in the playoff race to get back into things. The key for the Mavericks will be finding a consistent defense and passing game. The run game is a threat for the team but the defense was inconsistent last week, playing one bad and one great half, and the passing game is improving but can get better.
  Tompkins got right back into its groove after losing to Katy two weeks ago as the team trounced Taylor to get back in the win column. Cole Francis and Josh McMillan II both had huge days and the Tompkins offense was rolling while the defense also made plays, limiting Taylor to 178 total yards and nine first downs. The question this week for Tompkins will be how well can they stop the run, Morton Ranch’s Santana Scott and Josh Johnson make a formidable backfield threat and the key for the Tompkins defense will be to slow those two players down.

Taylor (1-6, 0-3) vs. Mayde Creek (2-4, 0-2), 7 p.m., Rhodes Stadium

• Taylor continues to slip down the district standings and are now the owners of a six-game losing streak. The Mustangs have also been ravaged by injuries and have had plenty of bad luck along the away and it all came to a head against Tompkins. The Falcons did anything they wanted against the Taylor defense and there was no answer from Taylor. The team’s lone big play came on a run from Michael Whitaker III on a run and the pass game is a work in progress as Taylor has had to make multiple quarterback changes this year due to injuries. The Mustangs are badly in need of a win and have the opportunity in facing a rebuilding Mayde Creek team.
  Mayde Creek ran into Katy last week and put up some decent numbers in the pass game on offense but continued to struggle in the run game. Overall the team passed for 113 yards but combined ran for -19. Jordan Kelly did his best to lead the team as he had 2 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown but that ended up being Mayde Creek’s only score of the game. The defense struggled against Katy but did get three sacks and forced a fumble while the special teams unit blocked a field goal. Mayde Creek will look to get back in the win column this week as they continue to develop their quarterbacks and run game while Taylor will be determined to half their losing skid and look for a stronger performance from the defense.

District 19-5A

Paetow (6-0, 4-0) at Terry (2-5, 1-4), 7 p.m., at Traylor Stadium

• Paetow continued its march through district with a 77-0 stomping of wisdom and has Terry up next. CJ Dumas threw for 121 yards and three touchdowns, eight different players carried the ball for Paetow, ending up with 233 yards and six rushing touchdowns on the ground. Wisdom was held to -50 yards by the Paetow defense and the defense also created two turnovers, both interceptions. Terry has also had its fair share of struggles this year and Paetow should be able to continue its dominance, setting up a huge matchup with Fort Bend Hightower next week.

Saturday, Oct. 16

District 19-6A

Katy vs. Cinco Ranch, 11 a.m., Legacy Stadium

• Katy continued its dominance with a blowout of Mayde Creek and the Tigers now get a game against Cinco Ranch. Katy did what was expected against the Rams, controlling the game on offense and creating turnovers and playing strongly on defense. The Katy defense forced an interception and three fumbles, recovering one of them and held Mayde Creek to the negatives in rushing yards. Mayde Creek did hit one big pass play but that was the only mistake from the Tigers defense.
  Cinco Ranch comes off a bye week and will be trying to stay in a strong position in the district playoff chase. The Cougars last game came against Mayde Creek and they put together a strong performance, with Gavin Rutherford passing for 216 yards and two scores and also rushing for 60 yards and another two touchdowns. Grayson Williams had 96 receiving yards and Seth Salverino caught two balls for 87 yards. The defense held Mayde Creek to under 200 yards but will be tested by the Katy offense. Katy will continue will look to continue to march towards a district championship.

Non-District

Jordan vs. Lake Belton, noon, Rhodes Stadium

• For the second time this season, Jordan will take on Lake Belton. Jordan had a bye week last week after coming off a heartbreaking loss to Hitchcock in which Jordan almost came away with a victory. In Jordans’ last game against Lake Belton, Jordan allowed Lake Belton quarterback Connor Crews to throw for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 7 of 10 passing while he also ran for 77 yards. D’Arius Wilkerson rushed for 58 yards and Micah Hudson had 52 yards rushing and two touchdowns while Hudson also had five receptions for 134 yards and two scores. Jordan put up 28 points in the game but it wasn’t enough, as Lake Belton put up 35 points. Jordan’s defense will have to make a concerted effort to slow down Crews and Hudson and the defense must have a strong game if the Warriors are to come away with the victory.