Thursday

Jordan (6-1,4-1) vs. Taylor (4-3, 4-1), 6:30 p.m., Rhodes Stadium

Last year: Jordan 34, Taylor 14

• Jordan and Taylor will come together for a huge matchup on Thursday that could decide one of the top spots in district and potentially the top seed in the Division II playoffs out of the district, as both sit at 4-1 so far in district play.
  The Warriors come off a big win over Seven Lakes where they controlled the game from start to finish. The Warriors scored 28 first half points and strolled to a win and were strong, especially defensively throughout the entire game.
  Taylor meanwhile had a very good game against Mayde Creek which they will hope to build off of going into this week. The Mustangs were led by Dante Archie, who had a huge game on the ground, rushing 18 times for 127 yards and three touchdowns. He wasn’t the only one who made an impact in the rush game through, with Joe Praise-Adeyemi rushed for 79 yards and Ethan Jacobson rushed for 56 yards. Daniel Bruns only was forced to pass six times, completing thre passes for 24 yards and a touchdown to Archie. The Taylor defense was huge as well in the game, limiting Mayde Creek to 182 yards in the win.
  Jordan’s challenge in this game will be to slow down a Taylor run game that is headed by a very big, physical offensive line while offensively they will need to find ways to get things going on the ground. Taylor meanwhile will try to be strong again in the run game while mixing in the play action and the Mustangs secondary will need to have one of its best games of the season going up against a Jordan squad that has weapons all over the field offensively.

Cinco Ranch (5-3, 4-2) vs. Katy (6-1, 5-0), 7:15 p.m., Legacy Stadium

Last year: Katy 56, Cinco Ranch 28

• Cinco Ranch faces what may be their most important game of the year so far when the Cougars play Katy on Thursday. The Tigers meanwhile will be coming off a bye and will be ready as they push closer to a District 19-6A title.
  Cinco Ranch comes off one of its best defensive performances of the year in a win over Paetow. It was a balanced night for the Cougars, who had success throwing the ball and committed to running the ball until it paid off in the second half, ending the night with 201 yards through the air and 138 yards on the ground. Gavin Beavers was big in the win, catching nine passes for 125 yards while Marcus Gadlin ran the ball 13 times for 59 yards, Davis Roup threw for 155 yards. The defense was the biggest story of the game though, holding Paetow to under 150 yards in total as they secured a big win by limiting Paetow especially in the pass game to keep their playoff hopes alive.
  Katy meanwhile comes off a well deserved bye week. The last time Katy played it was against Paetow and the Tigers put together a great defensive performance and a ground and pound offense. Tremayne Hill continued to step up and had a big day, rushing for 186 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Gunner Nelson passed for 105 yards and a touchdown while adding a touchdown on the ground while Cade McCall caught two passes for 63 yards and a score.
  Katy has had the edge in this rivalry game for a while and will look to continue that on Thursday, the Tigers will have to limit the Cinco Ranch office, especially through the air, while slowing down an improving defense. Cinco will have to have their best game of the season against the run game if they want to slow down the Katy offense while being aware and ready for play action, the Cinco offense will have to continue to be balanced and not turn the ball over.

Friday

Tompkins (4-3, 3-2) vs. Mayde Creek (3-5, 2-4), 6:30 p.m., Rhodes Stadium

Last year: Tompkins 52, Mayde Creek 28

• Tompkins will be in search of its fourth straight win when the Faclosn go up against Mayde Creek on Friday, while the Rams will be looking to bounce back from a hard loss to Taylor.
  The Falcons dominated against Morton Ranch in Wyatt Young’s first game back from injury and will be looking to build off that. The Falcons controlled the clock and used the run game all game, with Caleb Blocker rushing for 125 yards, Wyatt Young rushing for 81 yards and Jhase McMillan rushing for 38 yards. Young also made an impact in the pass game, throwing for 103 yards and two touchdowns. The Tompkins defense also stepped up in a big way, limiting Morton Ranch from having many explosive plays and getting two turnovers, one of which turned into a touchdown.
  Mayde Creek meanwhile did its best against Taylor, but weren’t able to hang with the Mustangs offensively last week. The Rams were efficient but not explosive in the pass game, as Cole Jensen completed 14 of 23 passes for 96 yards to lead the way while Trey Williams caught three passes for 42 yards. Williams also added a touchdown rushing and Christian Bradford had the most yards on the ground, carrying the ball 10 times for 60 yards. The Rams struggled against the run in the game, allowing 288 yards and three touchdowns rushing.
  Tompkins will try to use the same formula they did last week in the win, pounding the ball through the run game and limiting big plays while trying to force turnovers and that is a good strategy to use. Mayde Creek meanwhile will need to be better with its run defense and continue to be balanced with the pass and run on offense while trying to find ways to get big plays.

Seven Lakes (2-5, 1-4) vs. Paetow (0-7, 0-5), 7:15 p.m., Legacy Stadium

Last year: Paetow 42, Seven Lakes 14

• Paetow and Seven Lakes each come into this week trying to stop a losing slide, as both come off losses where they weren’t able to get going offensively.
  The Spartans played a very good Jordan team last week and weren’t able to keep up with the Warriors offensively. The Spartans managed two scores in the game off a 27-yard run from Edgar Varela, and a 1-yard run from Barrett Hudson ran in a 1-yard score. But the Spartans defense wasn’t able to slow down an explosive Jordan offense.
  Paetow meanwhile had a terrific defensive game against Cinco Ranch, but weren’t able to do enough offensively to get the win. Kaleb Molina did very well for the Panthers, rushing for 97 yards, while Jackson Farrar rushed for 38 to lead the Panthers, but they weren’t able to get things going in the pass game in the loss after an injury to their starting quarterback. The Panthers defense though held Cinco to below their season averages both on the ground and through the air as they kept the Panthers in the game.
  This will be a game in which the Spartans and Panthers both try and get things going in the run game and build off there, it has the makings of a close game and could be decided by which defense steps up to make plays or create turnovers.