Week 1 provided several high-profile matchups in the Houston area, and the fun continues this week as some teams get their final adjustments out of the district. This week’s schedule is loaded once again, featuring matchups between teams ranked by state, some quality action between Houston and Dallas, and plenty of other stories. These are some of the best games to keep an eye on.
Hightower (1-0) at Westfield (1-0)
7 p.m. at Planet Ford Stadium
Both teams had strong performances in their opening games, but Westfield’s 63-3 dismantling of reigning District 16-6A champion Cypress Park was eye-opening. Quarterback PJ Hatter threw six touchdown passes to four different receivers, and the defense was off. Hightower, meanwhile, kicked off his first Class 6A season with a 29-17 road victory over Dawson. The defense threw a shutout in the second half, and sophomore quarterback Joseph Stewart Jr. looked poised in his college debut. Westfield, ranked No. 8 in the state, has beaten Hightower in each of the past two seasons, including last year’s 38-12 road win. The Mustangs will try to make it a three-time championship on their home turf.
Fort Bend Marshall (1-0) at Crosby (0-1)
7 p.m. at Cougar Stadium
Crosby had a big test to start the season, taking on a CE King show looking to challenge North Shore and Atascocita for the District 21-6A crown. The Cougars trailed by just seven points late in the first quarter before the Panthers outscored them 49-0 the rest of the way en route to a 63-7 loss. Crosby will have another tough test this week against perennial powerhouse Fort Bend Marshall. Marshall began his season with a 14-7 home win over Klein and is ranked No. 4 in the Class 5A Division II state rankings. The Buffalos’ defense limited the Bearkats to just 148 total yards. Crosby, who dropped out of the 5A Division I state rankings this week, won this matchup last season at home, 37-28.
Other Thursday games to watch: Klein Forest (1-0) at Humble (1-0); Dobie (1-0) at Grand Oaks (1-0); Memorial (1-0) at Pearland (0-1); Five Ranch (1-0) at Klein Oak (1-0); Manvel (0-1) at Beaumont West Brook (1-0); Fulshear (1-0) at Clements (0-1); Brazoswood (1-0) at Baytown Sterling (1-0).
friday games
Jams (1-0) to Katy (1-0)
6 p.m. at Legacy Stadium
This is the main event of the week in the Houston area, without a doubt. Katy has dominated this series since 2009, going 4-0 and outscoring the Eagles 176-49. The most recent matchup came in 2019 with the Tigers winning 56-14. Katy, seeking her 10th state championship, began the season with a decisive 49-16 road win over a strong Clear Springs team. Mississippi State commitment Seth Davis picked up where he left off last year, rushing for 277 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Atascocita dominated on both sides of the ball during their 37-0 win over Dickinson last week. The Eagles handed the Gators their first shutout loss in 93 games, a streak dating back to 2013.
Bridgeland (1-0) at Tompkins (1-0)
7:00 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium
Perhaps the second biggest game of the week will take place right next to the Katy vs. Atascocita matchup. Bridgeland and Tompkins, both contenders to participate in multiple rounds in the playoffs, will participate in their first matchup as state-ranked teams. The Bears were ranked 22nd in the 6A standings this week, and Tompkins is ranked 12th. Bridgeland posted a 24-21 win over Cy-Fair in their opener and will look to start the season 2-0 for a fourth straight year. Tompkins took care of business against rival District 16-6A Bridgeland in their opener, beating Cypress Ranch 31-23 on the road. This matchup is important for the Falcons as their last game out of the district. But it’s even bigger considering they’re hosting Katy next week.
Ridge Point (0-1) at Dickinson (0-1)
7:00 p.m. at Vitanza Stadium
This is surely one of the best games in the state this week with a couple of 0-1 teams. Ridge Point wanted to be tested from the start, and the team certainly got it during a 44-14 road loss against No. 9-ranked national Austin Westlake. Dickinson also started with a challenge against Atascocita, so both teams now understand where they stand against some of the best teams in the state at this point in the season. The Panthers and Gators remain contenders for the district title, of course, and have comeback performances on their minds this week. This matchup produced a lot of drama last season when Ridge Point prevailed with a 42-36 win. Friday’s encore could be another close game.
Clear Springs (0-1) at Shadow Creek (1-0)
7 p.m. at Liberty Field
This will be the first showdown between these shows. Shadow Creek put on a strong showing in its opening, winning the battle for Highway 288 against Alvin ISD counterpart Manvel, 32-13. The No. 17-ranked Sharks in the state showed off their ability to make explosive offensive plays with senior quarterback Duke Butler and running back Tylik Burton leading the attack. The defense also performed well, keeping the Mavericks out of the game all night. Clear Springs will be looking to bounce back after her initial loss to Katy. The Chargers will need a better start this week after falling 21-0 in the first quarter against the Tigers. One silver lining for Clear Springs in that loss was that the defense forced three turnovers.
CE King (1-0) at Allen (0-1)
7 p.m. at Eagle Stadium
The Panthers got through their first test of the season against Crosby, but the road gets tougher this week. CE King will make a four-hour journey to tangle with Allen’s perennial power. The Panthers will look to become the second consecutive team from the Houston area to defeat the Eagles on their home field. Atascocita ended Allen’s 122-game home winning streak last September. Allen began the season with a 52-14 home loss against St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Ca.), the No. 1 team in the country. CE King relied heavily on his running game against Crosby, and Keith Willis Jr. made the most of his 12 carries for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Allen, meanwhile, gave up 5.3 yards per carry against St. John Bosco.
Stafford (1-0) at Bellville (1-0)
7:30 p.m. at Brahma Stadium
Bellville and Stafford are ranked No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, in the Chronicle’s Class 4A/3A ratings, making for an intriguing small-school matchup. Bellville landed at No. 10 in the Class 4A Division II state rankings this week after a 24-14 win over La Grange. The Brahmas have won 13 straight regular-season games since 2020. Bellville is 6-4 against Stafford since 2010, a stretch that includes wins in each of the last four seasons. The Brahmas prevailed with a 48-26 win last year. Stafford began his campaign with a 35-7 win over Port Lavaca Calhoun. The Spartans’ defense generated five turnovers and held the Sandcrabs scoreless until the fourth quarter when the game was out of their reach.
Fort Bend Christian (1-0) at Dallas Christian (1-0)
7 p.m. at Wheeler Field
This could very well be the main private school clash in the state this week. Dallas Christian, the defending TAPPS Division II state champion, kicked off the season with a 34-21 road win over Dallas Bishop Dunne. The Chargers have won 19 straight regular-season games since 2019 and have double-digit wins in nine of the last 10 seasons. Dallas Christian is 4-0 against Fort Bend Christian since 2014, winning all of those games by wide margins. That includes last year’s 35-13 win. Meanwhile, Fort Bend Christian dominated during their 51-7 victory over the Iowa Colony last week. Sophomore Cobey Sellers was the star of the show, returning a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns.
Other Friday games to watch: Brookshire Royal (1-0) at Furr (1-0); Cypress Creek (0-1) at Tomball Memorial (1-0); Clear Falls (1-0) at Summer Creek (0-1); Lamar (1-0) at The Woodlands (0-1); Galveston Ball (1-0) at Texas City (1-0); Madison (0-1) at Yachts (0-1); Parochial Episcopalian (1-0) in Episcopalian (1-0); Porter (1-0) at New Caney (1-0); Klein Collins (1-0) at Dawson (0-1); Oak Ridge (1-0) at Stratford (1-0); Willis (1-0) at Temple (1-0).
saturday games
Paetow (1-0) at Cypress Ranch (0-1)
6 p.m. at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium
Paetow started the Lonnie Teagle era on a high note with a 14-7 win over Conroe. Unsurprisingly, the defense rose to the occasion, with five-star defensive lineman DJ Hicks performing as advertised with three sacks, a fumble recovery and a touchdown reception on offense. The Panthers should have a tougher test this week on the road against Cypress Ranch in the first meeting between the programs. The Mustangs opened their season with a 31-23 loss against a state-ranked Tompkins team. Cypress Ranch has expectations of contending for the District 16-6A title this season, so this gives Paetow a quality test before he goes into action in District 19-6A next week against Morton Ranch.
North Shore (1-0) at Spring (1-0)
7 p.m. at Planet Ford Stadium
North Shore couldn’t have asked for a much better start to their Class 6A Division I state title defense. The Mustangs were dominant from start to finish against a strong team from The Woodlands last week, posting a 49-21 win at home. North Shore, the No. 11 team in the country, scored on offense, defense and special teams in that contest. Spring, meanwhile, easily outmaneuvered Fort Bend Travis in their first game, 36-14. The Lions, led by new head coach Antonio Singleton, will have their work cut out for them this week in what appears to be the first matchup between the programs. Spring has suffered just three regular season losses since the start of the 2019 season.
Other Saturday games to watch: Klein (0-1) at Seven Lakes (0-1); Jordan (1-0) at Kingwood (1-0); Alief Taylor (0-1) at Westside (0-1); First Baptist of Pasadena (1-0) in Emery-Weiner (1-0).
