Marquee game
Johnson vs. Reagan, 1 p.m. Friday at Heroes Stadium: Simply put, the District 28-6A championship is on the line in this one.
Johnson (7-0 overall, 6-0 in district) is unblemished under first-year coach Mark Soto and seeks its second league crown and first since 2017, when it used a goal-line stand and an ensuing 99-yard scoring drive to top Reagan 21-14. The Jaguars are coming off a bye week.
Reagan (7-1, 6-0) aims for its first district crown since 2016, when it won the last of four straight titles. The Rattlers have 28-6A’s top offense, but their defense could be the difference. The defense is allowing about 200 yards per game and should get a strong test from Johnson quarterback Ty Reasoner, who has thrown for more than 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Notable games
Judson vs. Wagner, 1 p.m. Friday at Rutledge Stadium: Both teams have secured Class 6A Division II playoff berths, but there will still be much more than bragging rights up for grabs when they square off in a District 27-6A contest. Judson (5-1 overall, 5-0 in district) can lock up at least a share of the league title and the No. 1 playoff seed. Wagner (4-2, 4-2) can potentially be in the running for the No. 1 D-II spot with a win and a loss by Judson next week vs. Smithson Valley.

Steele at Smithson Valley, 2 p.m. Friday: The winner in this showdown between two of the area’s top programs grabs District 27-6A’s No. 1 seed in the Class 6A Division I playoffs and stays alive for a shot at earning at least a share of the league championship. Smithson Valley (6-1, 4-1) has won four in a row since a district-opening loss to Wagner. Steele (5-3, 5-1) had a five-game winning streak snapped with last week’s loss to Judson.

Harlan vs. Brennan, 3 p.m. Saturday at Farris Stadium: The Bears (7-1, 6-1), riding a three-game winning streak — including last week’s 35-34 decision vs. Marshall — can lock up the District 29-6A title outright with a win. Harlan (4-3, 4-2) can potentially move into a four-way tie for first with Brennan, Warren and Stevens with a victory, or drop into a three-way tie with Stevens, Taft and O’Connor with a loss.

Brandeis vs. Churchill, 6 p.m. Friday at Heroes Stadium: The Broncos (5-2, 4-2) can strengthen their playoff aspirations with a win. A loss, however, could leave Brandeis in a four-way tie with Churchill, Roosevelt and Madison in a fight for District 28-6A’s final two postseason berths with a week remaining.

Lanier vs. Highlands, 2 p.m. Friday at Alamo Stadium: The winner of this District 13-5A I Zone B contest advances to play Zone A winner Brackenridge for the overall league championship. Highlands (3-0 overall, 2-0 in zone play) and Lanier (2-1, 2-0) are unbeaten in divisional competition.

Tale of the tape
Corpus Christi Miller QB Andrew Body vs. Boerne defense: A Texas Southern commit, Body has passed for 3,780 yards and 44 touchdowns and rushed for 1,183 yards and 20 more scores, including 567 all-purpose yards (300 passing, 267 rushing) and eight TDs in last week’s 54-49 win vs. Lampasas, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A Division I. For his career, Body has amassed 12,542 yards — No. 5 in Texas history — and 134 TDs.
Boerne is allowing 17.8 points and 286 yards per game, a key to why it is in the third round for only the second time and for the first time since 2004.

Jourdanton QB Cole Andrus vs. Llano QB Case Kuykendall: The Indians tangled with No. 7 Llano in a contest that could provide plenty of offensive fireworks. Andrus has thrown for 3,800 and 46 TDs, with his favorite target Jarel Lilly racking up 79 receptions for 1,552 yards and 18 TDs. Kuykendall has amassed roughly 3,000 all-purpose yards, including more than 1,700 passing and 1,200 rushing.

UIL third-round pairings
Class 4A Division I
Boerne vs. Corpus Christi Miller, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Alamodome

Class 4A Division II
Navarro vs. Navasota, 7 p.m. Friday at Giddings
Wimberley vs. Sinton, 2 p.m. Saturday at Rutledge Stadium

Class 3A Division I
Jourdanton vs. Llano, 7 p.m. Friday at Gupton Stadium (Leander)

Class 2A Division II
D’Hanis vs. Falls City, 7 p.m. Friday at Jourdanton

TAPPS second-round pairings
Division III
Houston Northland Christian vs. Holy Cross, 2 p.m. Saturday at Wheatley Heights

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1