Blitz Picks: September 11
Two weeks are down and the picks are in for week three. I’ll try to pick up the pace after doing a bit worse in week two than week one.
Week 1: 25 for 30 (83.3%)
Week 2: 22 for 30 (73.3%)
Season: 47 for 60 (78.3%)
There are, once again, plenty of games that are hard to call, including a battle of ranked 2A Division II teams as Hamlin visits Albany. I plan on taking some pictures at the Eastland/Jim Ned game, which is another tough one to pick.
#10 4A D2 China Spring (2-0) at Brownwood (1-1)
The Lions have yet another stern test on the schedule as they welcome the now state ranked China Spring Cougars to town with former Brownwood Lion Major Bowden at quarterback. I look for the Lions to build on last week’s “upset” win and get in the win column again.
The pick: Brownwood
Snyder (0-2) @ Lamesa (0-2)
The Tigers are still looking for win number one and have a good chance to get it against a Lamesa team that’s dropped two games by a combined margin of 77-14.
The pick: Snyder
Sweetwater (0-1) at Lake View (2-0)
The Mustangs get back to action after COVID complications kept them off the field last Friday night. Lake View is feeling good after wins over Lamesa and Pecos to start the season.
The pick: Sweetwater
Eastland (0-2) at Jim Ned (0-1)
The Indians return to the field to welcome a group of angry Mavericks to Tuscola Friday night. Eastland gave up a big lead and lost in the final seconds to Holliday at home last week.
The pick: Eastland
#4 2A D1 Cisco (1-1) at Breckenridge (0-2)
The Loboes lost on the road at Wall (now #4 in 3A D1) 35-14 last week and now visit another 3A Division I school in Breckenridge. The Buckaroos have played hard, but dropped a pair of 13-0 games at Jacksboro and Ballinger
The pick: Cisco
Clyde (0-2) vs Riesel (2-0) Saturday, 1 p.m. in Dublin
Clyde and Riesel were set to meet Friday in Hico, but too much rain on a grass field means a Saturday afternoon affair in Dublin. The Bulldogs have two 20+ point losses to Cisco and Idalou, while the Indians have wins over Marlin and Hamilton.
The pick: Clyde
Early (1-1) at Comanche (2-0)
With his first win as head coach under his belt, Daniel Price leads the Longhorns to Comanche to face the unbeaten Indians. Comanche has given up just 7 points so far this season.
The pick: Comanche
Bangs (2-0) at Winters (0-2)
The Dragons are on a bit of a roll to start the year, outscoring Early and Florence by a combined 83-0. The Blizzards have losses to Anson (34-22) and Eldorado (51-19) on their ledger so far this season.
The pick: Bangs
Merkel (2-0) at Hawley (1-1)
Hawley looks to bounce back after last week’s loss to Hamlin against a somewhat surprisingly still unbeaten Merkel team Friday.
The pick: Hawley
Dublin (1-1) at Anson (2-0)
Anson has been impressive in a pair of season opening road wins. They finally get to play at home against a Dublin squad that lost last week at state ranked Albany
The pick: Anson
Colorado City (0-2) at Ballinger (2-0)
The Wolves look to snap a 13-game losing streak, but it will be tough to do at Ballinger. The Bearcats have two hard fought wins under their belts over Jim Ned (20-14) and Breckenridge (13-0.)
The pick: Ballinger
Stamford (1-1) at Childress (2-0)
The site for this game switches due to heavy rains in Jones County this week. That makes the Bobcats, winners over Panhandle 68-45 and Perryton 35-17, even tougher to beat. Stamford is coming off a shut out win at Roscoe.
The pick: Childress
Brady (1-1) at Coleman (1-1)
It’s homecoming in Coleman as the Bluecats hope to get back on track after falling to Anson last week. Brady blasted TLCA San Angelo 81-8 in week one, but were shut down by Comanche last week 28-7.
The pick: Brady
#2 2A D1 Hamlin (2-0) at #6 2A D1 Albany (2-0)
Yet another marquee non-district road game for the Pied Pipers. They finally beat Albany last season and are coming off a revenge victory at then-state ranked Hawley. Albany has been very impressive as well with a 47-0 win over Colorado City and a 64-27 defeat of Dublin.
The pick: Hamlin
#9 2A D2 Cross Plains (2-0) at Haskell (0-2)
The Buffaloes broke into the state rankings after doubling up Goldthwaite 28-14 last week. Now they visit a Haskell team that’s struggling in the early going, coming off a 60-7 loss at Archer City.
The pick: Cross Plains
Miles (0-2) at Roscoe (0-2)
The Plowboys have a good shot at getting in the win column after season opening losses to bigger schools. Miles has yet to score this season, falling to Coleman 32-0 and Coahoma 49-0.
The pick: Roscoe
Benjamin (2-0) at Aspermont (0-2)
The Hornets lost to fourth ranked Jayton last week 54-6, now they welcome in a Benjamin team that has wins over Moran (56-8) and Guthrie (54-8).
The pick: Aspermont
Baird (0-2) at Gordon (1-1)
The Bears fell at home to Hermleigh 58-20 and now have to hit the road to visit a Gordon team coming off a 64-28 win at Newcastle.
The pick: Gordon
Lueders-Avoca (0-2) at Hermleigh (2-0)
The Cardinals have kicked off 2020 with a pair of easy wins over Wellman-Union and Baird. The Raiders have losses to Petersburg and Ira so far this season.
The pick: Hermleigh
#7 1A D2 Blackwell (1-1) at Highland (2-0)
The Hornets escape a district with Blackwell in it, but still face them in non-district play this week. Highland has been impressive thus far, beating Grady 54-6 and Roby 56-6. Blackwell took care of Meadow 62-14 in week two after a season opening 62-60 loss at Eden.
The pick: Blackwell
Ira (1-1) at Eden (1-1)
Ira has yet another tough game on the schedule this week, visiting an Eden team that beat Blackwell in week one before falling to state ranked Leakey last week. Ira is coming off a 52-6 win at Lueders-Avoca.
The pick: Ira
Loraine (2-0) at #4 1A D1 Westbrook (2-0)
It’s a battle of unbeatens as Loraine visits a Westbrook squad that may be the surprise of the six-man season so far. The Wildcats have wins over #6 in 1A D2 Motley County (58-36) in week one and #6 in 1A D1 Borden County (44-30) in week two.
The pick: Westbrook
#7 1A D1 May (1-1) at Knox City (1-1)
The Tigers dropped a 44-40 decision at home to #4 Sterling City last Friday, now hit the road to high scoring Knox City. The Greyhounds beat Morton 54-6 in week one and dropped a 68-67 decision to Motley County in week two.
The pick: May
Rotan (2-0) at Moran (0-2)
The Yellowhammers, winners over Bronte and Woodson, hope to keep their great start rolling as they visit a Moran Bulldog team looking to turn things around.
The pick: Rotan
Santa Anna (2-0) at Rising Star (1-1)
Both teams have shown big improvement early in 2020. Santa Anna shut out Trent and won against Moran last week, while the Wildcats beat Forestburg 58-41 a week ago.
The pick: Rising Star
Roby (1-1) at Bronte (1-1)
The Lions had a rough outing against Highland last week and hope to get back on track on the road at Bronte. The Longhorns broke into the win column Friday 53-6 over Panther Creek.
The pick: Roby
Patton Springs (0-2) at Rule (1-1)
The Bobcats suffered their first loss against Northside a week ago, 64-40, now host a Patton Springs squad that has lost games to Northside, 42-34, and Wildorado, 45-0.
The pick: Rule
TLCA Abilene (0-1) at Panther Creek (0-2)
The Eagles suffered a 67-0 setback to Rochelle in their first ever varsity football game. Now they look for their first victory at winless Panther Creek, who fell at Irion County 54-0 and at home to Bronte 53-6.
The pick: Panther Creek
Jayton JV at Trent (0-2)
The Gorillas have yet to score this season in 46-0 losses to Santa Anna and Mullin. They may have a JV squad on the schedule, but it’s no easy task for a rebuilding program to take on any team from Jayton
The pick: Jayton JV
