Marquee game
Smithson Valley vs. Steele, 7 p.m. Friday at Lehnhoff Stadium: The two area powerhouses square off with the District 27-6A championship on the line.
Steele (9-0 overall, 6-0 in district) has already notched at least a share of its second straight league title and can nab its first outright crown since 2016, when it played for the Class 6A Division II state title.
The Knights rallied to defeated Judson 35-30 last week and now seek their fourth 10-0 regular season and first since 2015, when they advance to the state semifinals and lost to eventual state champion Katy. Steele also went 10-0 in 2011 and 2012.
Smithson Valley (8-1, 5-1) last week rebounded from its lone loss — a 33-32 setback vs. Judson on a 35-yard touchdown pass with 8 seconds left — by topping East Central 21-3. The Rangers came up big defensively, hauling in two interceptions inside their own 5-yard-line and recovering two fumbles deep in their territory.

Notable games
Kennedy vs. Memorial, 7 p.m. Friday at Edgewood Memorial Stadium: Kennedy (6-3 overall, 4-3 in District 13-5A-I) can secure a playoff berth for the first time in a dozen years when it faces its Edgewood ISD rival in the 13th annual Salsa Bowl. The Rockets’ path to the postseason became clearer with Lanier’s 45-14 win vs. Burbank on Thursday. Memorial (4-5, 3-4) is mathematically still eligible to advance to the postseason but needs a win and some help.

Dripping Springs at Seguin, 7 p.m. Friday: Both teams have already locked up playoff spots, but the Matadors (6-3 overall, 5-1 in District 12-5A-I) can grab a share of the league title if they can knock off Dripping Springs (9-0, 6-0), which is No. 7 in Texas Football/Associated Press Class 5A Division I state rankings. Buda Johnson (8-1, 5-1), with a win and a Seguin’s triumph, could make it a three-way tie for the top spot. Veterans Memorial is the district’s fourth playoff qualifier.

Clemens at East Central, 7 p.m. Friday: The Hornets (5-4 overall, 3-3 in District 27-6A) can lock up their first playoff berth since 2015 when they host Clemens (2-7, 2-4) in a crucial encounter. Clemens would be playoff-bound with a win and a Judson triumph over Wagner. Wagner would clinch the district’s last playoff spot with a win vs. Judson and a loss by East Central.

Marion at Cole, 7:30 p.m. Friday: It’s pretty simple. The winner between the Cougars (5-4, 2-3) and Marion (6-2, 2-3) claims District 14-3A-I’s final playoff berth. Poteet (8-1, 5-0), Jourdanton (6-4, 5-1) and Randolph (6-3, 4-1) have secured the other three postseason spots, but if Randolph can defeat Poteet on Friday, there would be a three-way tie for the league crown.

Harlandale vs. McCollum, 7 p.m. Saturday at Harlandale Memorial Stadium: Both teams have already been eliminated from postseason consideration, but not detail will likely matter when the Cowboys and Indians square off in the 58th Frontier Bowl. Expect an overflow crowd.

Central Catholic at Antonian, 7 p.m. Friday: The Buttons (8-1, 5-0) travel to face their archrival with their sights set on locking up an undefeated TAPPS 2-I championship. Antonian (5-4, 2-3) will like nothing less than to play spoiler.

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1