Gilmer, Carthage set to battle in classic 4A battle

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1. Gilmer 3-0 at Carthage 3-0, 7:30 p.m. Friday

Deep in the East Texas piney woods, an intriguing Class 4A matchup unfolds Friday when Gilmer travels to Carthage. Gilmer is averaging 64 points while Carthage is allowing an average of only 14. Since Gilmer is in Division II and Carthage is in Division I, the two powers cannot meet in the playoffs. The playoffs are almost a given for these tradition-rich programs. Gilmer's most recent state title came n 2014. Carthage won three consecutive state titles starting in 2008 and last wore the crown in 2013.

That game and nine other intriguing Week 4 match-ups:

2. Lone Star (Frisco, Texas) 3-0 at Ryan (Denton) 3-0, 7 p.m. Friday

Eight offensive starters return for Lone Star, a state finalist a year ago. Most notable is quarterback Jason Shelley, a Utah pledge who threw for 3,716 yards, rushed for 1,661 and had a hand in 55 touchdowns. Ryan has a proven quarterback as well in junior Spencer Sanders. As a sophomore on a 13-1 team, Sanders threw for 2,599 yards and rushed for 860 more.

3. The Woodlands 2-1 at George Ranch (Richmond) 2-1, 7 p.m. Friday

Coming off a confidence-boosting victory over Katy, The Woodlands face another 2015 state champion this week. George Ranch moves up to Class 6A this fall after winning the 5A-DI title last fall in dominating fashion. Eric Schmid, son of head coach Mark Schmid, leads the Highlanders. End Toby Ndukwe, an SMU commit, spearheads a rugged Longhorns' defense.

4. Cedar Ridge (Round Rock, Texas) 3-0 at Temple 2-1, 7:30 p.m. Friday

Cedar Ridge is 12-1 in regular season games over the last two seasons thanks in part to senior quarterback Garrett Sharp. Last fall, Sharp produced over 3,400 yards of offense and 43 touchdowns. Temple senior quarterback Reid Hesse in three games this season has thrown for 804 yards and six touchdowns.

5. Iraan 3-0 at Mason 2-1, 7:30 p.m. Friday

Iraan lost only one offensive starter from last year's 13-1 regional finalist in Class 2A-DII and has a proven rusher in Daryel Lozoya. The Punchers, state finalists in 2014, boast a pair of talented two-way linemen, Riley Pape and Michael Jefferson.

6. Steele (Cibolo) 2-1 at Smithson Valley (Spring Branch) 1-1, 7:30 p.m. Friday

Pick your poison with Steele quarterback and Texas Tech pledge Xavier Martin. The senior so far has rushed for 461 yards and five touchdowns and thrown for 546 yards and six scores. Josh Adkins (391 passing yards, five touchdowns), a 6-3 senior and a New Mexico State commit, will try to counter Martin in the District 27-6A opener for both teams.

7. Argyle 3-0 at Wylie (Abilene) 2-1, 7:30 p.m. Friday

This is the sixth meeting of the Class 4A-DI powers in the last five years. Argyle has won the last four, including two last season, 20-10 in a season opener and 24-17 in a state semifinal. Argyle is coming off a convincing victory over rival Celina. Wylie's lone defeat this season came at the hands of Class 5A Monterey (Lubbock).

8. Lake Ridge (Mansfield) 2-1 at Lancaster 2-1, 7:30 p.m. Friday

This District 10-5A opener could very well be for the championship. Both have recovered since losing season openers to Denton schools. Lake Ridge, which reached the state finals in 5A-DI last season, edged Poteet (Mesquite) last week on a Chandler Rogers touchdown pass to Zach Jackson in the final two minutes. Lancaster has rolled to two easy wins with the Trevor Hatton to Cartrell Thomas passing connection.

9. Stratford (Houston) 2-0 at Canadian 1-2, 7:30 p.m. Friday

Gage Brooks, a 215-pound senior running back/middle linebacker, leads Stratford with 199 rushing yards after two games. Canadian, last year's unbeaten Class 2A-DI state champion, is making the move to 3A-DII this year. Junior Chris Jones is the main weapon with 234 rushing yards and three scores.

10. North Mesquite (1-2) at Mesquite (2-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday

The 47th meeting in a closely-contested series. North Mesquite holds a 23-22 edge with one tie. However, Mesquite has won four of the last five. The Skeeters' senior running back Chance Fisher has produced 382 yards as a runner and 214 as a receiver. For the Stallions, Ja'Quez Gooch has thrown for 386 yards and seven touchdowns.