Blitz Picks October 30
A crazy ending to the 2020 regular season, at least for 4A and down, is just about here. Some teams have been unaffected by COVID, some have had to miss a game, while others are playing four games in 15 days to get it all in.
The picking hot streak continued with a 23-25 performance, the second best percentage wise of the season. Let’s see if we can continue to get lucky as the district action heats up.
Week 9: 23 for 25 (92.0%)
Week 8: 22 for 24 (91.7%)
Week 7: 26 for 27 (96.3%)
Week 6: 20 for 25 (80.0%)
Week 5: 21 for 28 (75.0 %)
Week 4: 22 for 26 (84.6%)
Week 3: 22 for 29 (75.9%)
Week 2: 22 for 30 (73.3%)
Week 1: 25 for 30 (83.3%)
Season: 203 for 244 (83.2%)
Cancelled: Lockney at Roscoe (weather)
Abilene (1-3, 1-1) at Midland Lee (3-1, 0-1)
After taking down Odessa Permian, the Eagles hope to head west and pull off their second straight upset. Lee was off last week and will have had plenty of time to scout Abilene, but the Warbirds will have a lot of momentum with them as they look to make a statement in District 2-6A. Mike Fullen, who is battling colon cancer, returned to the sidelines two weeks ago and earned Dave Campbell’s Texas Football 6A Coach of the Week honors for helping lead Abilene High to the win last week over Permian.
The pick: Midland Lee
Cooper (3-1, 2-0) at Arlington Heights (2-0, 0-0) - Thursday
The Cougars can stay atop the district standings with a win at Arlington Heights Thursday night. The Yellowjackets have not played a district game yet and their last action was all the way back on October 9. Cooper clobbered Granbury on the road last week and looks to be the class of the district.
The pick: Cooper
Wylie (2-0, 0-0) at #8 Wichita Falls Rider (4-1, 1-0)
The Bulldogs finally return to the field with a tough district contest at state ranked Wichita Falls Rider. The Raiders have played three games while the Bulldogs have been idle, beating Hirschi and Wichita Falls but falling to Lubbock Coronado. Wylie hopes the early season momentum they’ve built can somehow carry over.
The pick: Rider
Brownwood (3-4, 1-1) at Waxahachie Life (2-6, 1-3) - Wednesday
The Lions can clinch a playoff spot with a win under the rare Wednesday night lights in Waxahachie. Brownwood looked very strong in their return to the gridiron, beating Alvarado 47-14 at Gordon Wood Stadium. Life beat Alvarado 20-14 three weeks ago, but lost big their last two times out to Midlothian Heritage and Stephenville.
The pick: Brownwood
Snyder (2-5, 0-3) at Pecos (2-4, 0-3)
The final playoff spot out of District 1-4A Division II is on the line when the Tigers visit Pecos. Snyder battled hard in a 17-14 loss to Greenwood last week, and hopes they have enough to get past a Pecos team that fell to the Rangers 39-10.
The pick: Snyder
Monahans (4-5, 2-1) at Sweetwater (6-1, 3-0)
The Mustangs can clinch an outright district title, their first since 2015, with a victory over Monahans. Sweetwater was off last week, while the Loboes knocked off Pecos 35-19. The Mustangs have won six straight after a season opening loss to Stephenville and the home field advantage should be enough get them over the top.
The pick: Sweetwater
#5 Jim Ned (6-1, 3-0) at Breckenridge (0-7, 0-3)
The Indians look for a seventh straight victory as they travel to Breckenridge this week. The Indians have been dominant during district, and should have the firepower to win yet again against the struggling Bucks.
The pick: Jim Ned
Wall (5-3, 2-1) at Clyde (4-4, 3-0)
The Bulldogs can keep district championship hopes alive if they can pull off an upset of the Hawks. Clyde picked up a big win at Early last week, while Wall got a week off and a forfeit victory over Breckenridge.
The pick: Wall
TLCA San Angelo (0-8, 0-3) at Early (4-4, 1-2)
The Longhorns can clinch their first postseason berth since 2008 with a win over the Eagles. Early fell at home to Clyde a week ago, but will be heavily favored to win on their home field Friday night.
The pick: Early
Bangs (7-0, 3-0) at Ballinger (8-1, 3-0)
Here is the game we’ve been waiting for in District 3-3A Division II as Bangs heads to Ballinger. The Dragons have not been tested all year, while the Bearcats have close wins over Jim Ned and Clyde and a loss to state ranked Llano on their ledger. This should be a close contest, which may give the Bearcats a slight edge. That, plus home field advantage, makes Ballinger the pick to win a close one and take command of the district.
The pick: Ballinger
Eastland (5-3, 3-0) at Merkel (3-4, 1-2)
The red-hot Mavericks head to Merkel this week to try to stay perfect in District 5-3A Division II play. Eastland took care of Jacksboro last week 55-20 to remain the only unbeaten team in the district. Merkel stayed in the playoff race with a win at Dublin, but may have their hands full against the Mavericks this week.
The pick: Eastland
Anson (5-2, 2-1) at Haskell (2-5, 1-2)
Both teams look to bounce back after disappointing losses a week ago. Anson got shut out in the second half in a 21-20 loss to Hawley, while Haskell came up shy against Forsan 56-14. The Indians need a win to keep their postseason chances alive, while Anson hopes to stay a game back of Hawley.
The pick: Anson
Hawley (6-2, 3-0) at Colorado City (0-8, 0-3)
The Bearcats travel west as they look to stay perfect in District 3-2A Division I action. Hawley hopes to avoid a letdown against the struggling Wolves, who had to forfeit last week against Stamford..
The pick: Hawley
Stamford (4-4, 1-2) at Forsan (4-3, 2-1)
The Bulldogs can boost their playoff positioning with a road win at Forsan Friday night. Stamford had the week off, while the Buffaloes took care of Haskell. The winner will head into the final week feeling a lot better about their playoff seeding.
The pick: Stamford
Goldthwaite (2-6, 0-3) at #9 Cisco (5-3, 3-0)
The Loboes look for a fourth straight win to start district play as they host the struggling Eagles. Cisco shut out Coleman last week 27-0 and will have to avoid overlooking the Eagles ahead of their matchup with state ranked San Saba next week.
The pick: Cisco
#6 San Saba (6-1, 3-0) at Coleman (6-2, 2-1)
The Bluecats have another battle against a top ten team on their hands when they host San Saba. Coleman is in good shape playoff wise, but can take a huge step forward with a bounce back upset win over the Armadillos.
The pick: San Saba
Winters (2-6, 1-2) at De Leon (1-7, 0-3)
The Blizzards got their first district win last week over Goldthwaite and are looking to extend the winning streak on the road at De Leon. The Bearcats have had a hard time this season, while the Blizzards are looking to sew up a playoff spot.
The pick: Winters
Cross Plains (6-1, 2-0) at #6 Albany (7-1, 4-0)
The Buffaloes can claim at least a share of their first district championship since 1994 with a win, but it won’t be easy at Albany. The Lions got a first half scare from Santo last week before pulling away for a 20-point win. Cross Plains hasn’t hit the field since beating Santo 27-14 back on October 9.
The pick: Albany
Aspermont (3-5, 0-2) at Rotan (6-2, 0-2)
The Yellowhammers hope to snap a two-game losing streak as they host the Hornets. Aspermont has lost their last three, including a bit of a surprising loss to Roby last week.
The pick: Rotan
Hermleigh (9-0, 3-0) at Ira (6-2, 2-0)
The 7-1A Division I title is on the line as these two schools just 20 miles apart meet in Ira. Hermleigh has been hot all year (their closest game was a 28 point win over Roby), and Ira has won their last four outings. The Bulldogs have played the tougher schedule, but the Cardinals believe this is their year.
The pick: Ira
Highland (6-3, 2-1) at #1 Sterling City (8-0, 2-0) - Saturday
Highland already has one win this week (46-0 over Robert Lee on Monday) and their playoff hopes hinge up upsetting top ranked Sterling City on Saturday. The Eagles knocked off Westbrook last week, who pulled away in the second half to beat the Hornets 48-16 back on October 9.
The pick: Sterling City
Baird (3-5, 1-1) at Lingleville (1-7, 0-2)
The Bears need a win to stay in the playoff chase, and taking on a Lingleville squad that gave up 108 points to Santa Anna last week should do the trick.
The pick: Baird
Santa Anna (6-3, 1-2) at Gorman (4-4, 1-1)
The Mountaineers wrap up a great turnaround season at Gorman, hoping to spoil the Panthers playoff chances. A Gorman win and a Baird win at Lingleville would set up a week 11 showdown for the final playoff spot out of 13-1A Division I.
The pick: Gorman
Trent (2-7, 2-1) at Blackwell (5-3, 2-0)
Trent has a pair of forfeit wins the last two weeks, and will aim for their first on-field win of 2020 at Blackwell. However, the Hornets are the district favorites for a reason and will be heavily favored to knock of the Gorillas.
The pick: Blackwell
Loraine (5-3, 2-0) at TLCA Abilene (0-6, 0-2)
The Bulldogs saw their first action since October 2 last week when they made quick work of Olfen 48-0. They’ll likely have a chance to end this one by halftime as well, as the Eagles have not played since falling to Aspermont 54-6 in week five.
The pick: Loraine
Benjamin (4-1, 1-0) at Rule (5-2, 1-0)
The winner of this one will most likely be the District 8-1A Division II champ. Rule picked up a forfeit win over Harrold last week, while Benjamin blasted Chillicothe 70-30. The Bobcats have made big strides this season, but beating the Mustangs will be their toughest task to date.
The pick: Benjamin
Lueders-Avoca (1-7, 1-1) at Woodson (1-5, 1-1)
The Raiders can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Woodson in the regular season finale for both squads. Lueders-Avoca got their first win last week over Moran, while the Cowboys dropped a 50-0 decision to county rival Throckmorton.
The pick: Lueders-Avoca
Throckmorton (6-1, 2-0) at Moran (0-9, 0-2)
The Bulldogs have one last shot at avoiding the oh-fer this season, but they will enter as big underdogs to the 6-1 Greyhounds.
The pick: Throckmorton
Rising Star (3-6, 0-3) at Panther Creek (1-7, 0-2)
Rising Star can end a pretty good first season under Clint Miller in style if they can win at Panther Creek Friday. The Panthers have scored just six points in the two district games they actually got to play, while the Wildcats have been much more competitive.
The pick: Rising Star
Wichita Falls Wichita Christian (3-1) at Abilene Christian (4-0)
The Panthers play their second to last ball game of the season as they host Wichita Falls Wichita Christian Friday night at Shotwell. The Stars rolled past Midland Trinity 72-30 last week while ACS won 52-7 against Wichita Falls Notre Dame. WF Christian’s lone loss came to Lubbock Kingdom Prep 60-42, a team the Panthers beat 44-32.
The pick: Abilene Christian
