The district contests continue as the road to the playoffs moves through October. The weather looks pretty good across the state and we'll start to shape the playoff brackets very quickly. A little bit tricky to find competitive games across the private schools this week, but I suspect someone will surprise us. Good luck and safe travels this week!
This Week: (Season: 26-21)
Dallas Parish Episcopal @ Argyle Liberty Christian -- The Warriors are 4-2 but seem to be the favorites right now in Division I. The defense though has been vulnerable. While last week was a relatively comfortable win over Prestonwood, 43 points allowed is not a sign of encouragement. The Panthers will always have something to say about someone else being the favorite. Parish has won five of the last six state titles so that affords a certain amount of credibility. They both played All Saints in the first two weeks with Liberty taking a 3 point win and Parish taking a 20 point loss. With the game in Argyle this matchup very much favors the Warriors. It is a prime candidate for a playoff reversal, but for the regular season its Liberty's day. Warriors win 44-30.
Bellaire Episcopal @ Houston St. John's -- The Knights dropped the last two SPC 4A title games to Kinkaid. This season has been alternating pattern to a 3-3 record, including another loss to Kinkaid. In the previous SPC format this might be for the other title game slot, but with a 4-team playoff this year they'll both probably be in either way. Episcopal is both scoring and allowing over 35 points per game. The Mavericks are also 3-3 but with a slightly easier schedule. The last St. John's win in the series came in 2023 and they've won just five of the last 22 matchups. A home game against a familiar opponent is always grounds for upset potential but I think the Knights are too good to drop this one. The Mavericks will have two big games ahead to claim their spot in the first ever SPC semifinals. Episcopal wins on the road, 42-28.
Dallas Covenant @ Arlington Pantego Christian -- The Knights have been hyped in this space as heading for a last week match with DC for the district title. This is the last chance to derail that with Prince of Peace removing itself from the district standings by forfeiting. Covenant is 3-3 on the season coming off a blowout win over Shelton. They acquitted themselves well in a loss to Dallas First Baptist but did not look the part while being dominated by St. Mark's. So the jury is out a bit on where the Knights stand in Division III. The Panthers were soundly defeated at Dallas Christian last week, but this is their shot at 2nd place and a likely home game in round 1. Pantego is 4-2 but the opening win over Colleyville Covenant doesn't look as good as it did at the time. They struggled to escape a Lake Country squad that is struggling this season. So while not a pushover this appears to favor the Knights. It is a home game though for the Panthers and they are a tougher squad in the enclave of Arlington. Knights should get it done though. Covenant wins 28-8.
Midland Christian @ Fort Worth Christian -- The Mustangs opened the season with a huge comeback and win over their rivals from Liberty, 66-63. They followed that with three straight losses but have since rebounded to even their record at 3-3. They have their whole district slate in front of them as one of the last to start the games that count in the standings. All Saints appears to be the favorite in the district and division so getting the 2nd spot and maybe a first round bye is the task at hand. The Cardinals are 2-5 having lost their district opener to All Saints last week, 37-7. They will need to score to keep this one interesting but they are much better at home. FWC is just 6-19 all time against MCS but 3-1 in playoff games. The Cardinals are allowing too many points to win the big games right now, but this feels like a chance for a notable win. Don't see them quite getting over the mountain this time though. Mustangs win 44-38.
Tyler All Saints @ Dallas First Baptist -- The Saints have been the class of Division IV for some time now and 2026 is no different. At 6-0 it feels like a march to the title game is unstoppable. This is probably the toughest test left on the schedule. FBA is 3-0 all time against the Trojans and its hard to see that changing this week. All Saints powered past Live Oak last week and now at 3-0 on the district slate, they are in the running and if this game was in Tyler it would be a huge opprutunity to announce themselves as contenders. I suppose its still that chance, but on the road it feels a little less likely. If the defense can produce like they have against the lesser opponents this could get interesting. If the game is in the 30s or higher I don't think the Trojans can keep up. Saints win with a 2nd half run, 42-20.
League City Bay Area Christian @ Boerne Geneva -- The Broncos are off to a 6-0 start and all signs point to a showdown with Brazos Christian for the district title. So this is the trap game before the big one. Bay Area is averaging over 50 points per game and has allowed 20 or more just twice this season. Once of those was in a 43 point win so likely not reflective of the quality of the Broncos defense last week. The Eagles have been on the fringe of the Division III contenders in recent seasons and San Antonio Holy Cross struggles have opened a door for replacing them in the "big 3" of Division III. Geneva is averaging over 45 points per game themselves so should not be blown off the field. This is a challenging trip up from the coast but I think the Bronco offense will travel. The Brazos Christian game should be for the district crown, but I think all three should see the playoffs and avoid the wildcard mix that 4th place will have to navigate. Bay Area Christian wins, 49-35.
Quick Hits: (Season: 48-22)
Lubbock Trinity Christian over Fort Worth Lake Country Christian
Fort Worth All Saints over Fort Worth Southwest Christian
Houston Cypress Christian over Victoria St. Joseph
Episcopal School of Dallas over Austin St. Andrew's
Arlington Oakridge over Fort Worth Country Day
Houston Christian High School over The Woodlands The John Cooper School
Houston Kinkaid over Dallas St. Mark's
Tomball Concordia Lutheran over San Antonio Central Catholic
Shiner St. Paul over Hallettsville Sacred Heart
Willow Park Trinity Christian over Tyler T. K. Gorman
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