Blitz Picks - Week 1
The long offseason is finally over and football is back in the Big Country and across the Lone Star State.
Picking games with accuracy, especially in week one, is pretty much a crapshoot, but last season I managed to hit on 25 of 30 on the way to nailing 84.5% percent of picks over the entire season. With that being said, there are some TOUGH games to pick this week.
Here’s hoping your team gets started with a bang as we dive into the picks for week one.
Abilene High at Amarillo Tascosa
The Warbirds kick off 2021 with a long road trip to Amarillo to take on Class 5A Division I Tascosa. The Rebels won at Shotwell a year ago 26-20, but the Eagles were without head coach Mike Fullen for that one. The triple-option offense the Rebels run is getting more rare by the season and always tough to stop. Look for the Eagles to pull off the “upset” and make for a happy (long) bus ride home to Abilene.
THE PICK: ABILENE HIGH
Keller at Cooper
The Cougars open the 2021 season at home against a Keller squad that went 3-6 and missed out on the playoffs last season. Cooper has some big holes to fill at the skill positions on offense, but their offensive line and defense have many returning starters and should help carry the Coogs to a season opening win.
THE PICK: COOPER
Wylie at Burleson
Wylie heads east for a Thursday night opener against Jon Kitna (yes, that Jon Kitna) and the Burleson Elks. Burleson did not reach the playoffs last season, while Wylie did for the first time as a 5A team. Winning on the road will be tough, but the Bulldogs have what it takes to start the season with a win.
THE PICK: WYLIE
Lampasas at Brownwood
The Lions start the season at Gordon Wood Stadium against a Lampasas team that will be looking to replace all-everything quarterback Ace Whitehead, who helped the Badgers beat up on Brownwood 55-23 last year. Brownwood is a 21-point underdog according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, but I think they can start 2021 with a bit of an upset win. Also, good luck and congrats to my friend Carl Wayne, who hired me while I was still in college to run the audio board for his games on KVRP in Haskell and eventually put me on the air to do color and play-by-play with him back in the day, as he takes over for the legendary Dallas Huston as the Voice of the Lions on KOXE radio.
THE PICK: BROWNWOOD
Synder at Slaton
The Tigers look to begin their bounce-back after a disappointing 2020. They should be able to do just that, and avenge a season opening loss a year ago, at Class 3A Slaton.
THE PICK: SNYDER
#9 Sweetwater at Stephenville
The Mustangs have plenty of muscle behind quarterback Leo Holsey, new head coach Russell Lucas and a #9 preseason ranking in the 4A Division II preseason poll, but their season opener is a tough one at 4A Division I playoff contender Stephenville. Sweetwater dropped a 58-32 shootout in the Mustang Bowl to kick off 2020 and would love to return the favor in Stephenville.
THE PICK: STEPHENVILLE
Jacksboro at Breckenridge
The Buckaroos enter year two under Casey Pearce looking to get their offense rolling after a rough 2020. Beating Jacksboro in the opener will be no easy task as the Tigers are expected to challenge for a district title. Breckenridge is a 28 point home underdog according to DCTF.
THE PICK: JACKSBORO
#5 Cisco at Clyde
The Danny Dudgeon era opener will be a difficult one for Clyde as they welcome 2A Division I state title contender Cisco to town. The Loboes look to be too much for the young Bulldogs in week one.
THE PICK: CISCO
Bangs at Early
The Dragons shut out the Longhorns in week one a year ago, and a more experienced Early squad is ready to return the favor in 2021. Look for the Longhorns to get past their rivals on Friday night.
THE PICK: EARLY
#1 Jim Ned at Ballinger
Jim Ned only suffered one defeat on their way to the 3A Division I state championship last season, falling in the season opener to Ballinger 20-14. Xavier Wishert and company likely have a bit of revenge in the back of their minds as they head south to battle the Bearcats to kick off 2021.
THE PICK: JIM NED
Eastland at Wall
Two teams that have a lot of holes to fill due to graduation meet to get the season going Friday when Eastland visits Wall. The Hawks only return three starters , three on offense and none on defense, but their option attack is always hard to deal with. Eastland begins a new era without Texas Tech signee Behren Morton under center.
THE PICK: WALL
Reagan County at Merkel
The Badgers begin year one under head coach Will Kates with what looks to be a winnable game against Reagan County. Merkel rolled to a 46-14 win in this matchup a year ago, and should prevail in a much closer contest this time around.
THE PICK: MERKEL
Winters at Anson
Winters and Anson do battle for the third time 365 days Friday night. The Tigers took care of the Blizzards 34-22 in week one of 2020 and again in the playoffs 45-7.
THE PICK: ANSON
#5 Albany at Colorado City
Cancelled
Quanah at Haskell
Mitch McLemore takes over in Haskell with a tough season opening battle of Indians against Quanah. Quanah got the best of Haskell in 2020 and is the favorite to do the same this time around.
THE PICK: QUANAH
#9 Hawley at Roscoe
The Plowboys will be much better this season, but ninth ranked Hawley should have the horses to get the job done to kick off 2021.
THE PICK: HAWLEY
Hamlin at Stamford
The Pied Pipers steamrolled Stamford in the 2020 season opener, but a young Hamlin squad will have to grow up in a hurry to beat the Bulldogs this time around. Chris Evans makes his Hamlin coaching debut against new Stamford head man Britt Hart.
THE PICK: STAMFORD
Miles at Coleman
Coleman is a team set to make a statement in 2021, and the first opponent is a Miles squad they shut out 32-0 a year ago on the road.
THE PICK: COLEMAN
Cross Plains at Menard
The Buffaloes hit the road to start the season and should be able to come away with a win against a Menard team that is heading to the six-man football ranks starting in 2022.
THE PICK: CROSS PLAINS
Aspermont vs #7 Follett in Jayton
There are some great games on tap for the Jayton Gridiron Classic, including this Saturday evening affair between Aspermont and Follett. The Panthers are state ranked in 1A Division II and will be a tough test for the Hornets
THE PICK: FOLLETT
Lubbock All Saints at Hermleigh
Hermleigh begins the second Sam Winters era with a home contest against Lubbock All Saints.
THE PICK: HERMLEIGH
Ira vs TURKEY Valley in Jayton
Ira and Valley kickoff the Jayton Gridiron Classic Thursday night at six, and the Bulldogs should be able to start off the season on the right foot.
THE PICK: IRA
Roby at Sands
Roby heads west to Sands to begin the Matt Tarbutton era. The Lions squeaked out a one-point win, 46-45, in the season opening matchup a year ago.
THE PICK: ROBY
Rotan at Bronte
The Yellowhammers have high hopes this season and they should be able to get off to a good start as they visit a Bronte squad that went 1-8 in 2020.
THE PICK: ROTAN
Highland at Grady
Highland visits Grady to get the year going, and the Hornets hope this game is the first step in a season that sees them return to the playoffs.
THE PICK: HIGHLAND
#4 Westbrook at #1 Motley County
The Wildcats have had some very tough non-district games lately, and this is yet another as they visit top ranked (in Division II) Motley County. Westbrook got the best of the Matadors a year ago, 58-36. This will be one of the better six-man games in the state this week.
THE PICK: MOTLEY COUNTY
Crowell at Baird
Crowell 45’d the Bears to start 2020, but do not expect that to be the case in 2021.
THE PICK: BAIRD
#3 May vs #2 Borden County at Jayton
This game is another contender for six-man game of the week in the Lone Star state as third ranked May meets number two Borden County in Jayton Friday night at 6 p.m. Both teams have to replace a ton of talent from 2020 teams that made deep playoff runs.
THE PICK: BORDEN COUNTY
Trent at Santa Anna
Two teams hoping to challenge for a playoff spot meet to kick off the season. Santa Anna took the opener at Trent in 2020, 46-0.
THE PICK: SANTA ANNA
Zephyr at Sidney
The D1 Bulldogs make the short road trip to battle the D2 Eagles Friday night. Zephyr looks to avenge a 48-0 loss to kick off 2020.
THE PICK: SIDNEY
Eden at Blackwell
Division I Eden upset the Division II Hornets to get the 2020 season underway and they certainly have the returning talent to get the job done again against a young Blackwell squad.
THE PICK: EDEN
Abilene Christian at LoRAINE
Loraine kicks off what they think could be a very good season against Abilene Christian. The Panthers play game one under new head coach Daren Miller.
THE PICK: LORAINE
TLCA Abilene at WOODSON
Jeremy Kirk takes over for the Eagles this season and they head to Woodson to kick off 2021. Woodson was supposed to face Panther Creek and TLCA Abilene was supposed to visit Lueders-Avoca this week, but Panther Creek and Lueders had to cancel due to COVID concerns.
THE PICK: WOODSON
Wilson at Rule
The Bobcats are a playoff contender in 2021 and kick off the season against a Wilson team they nipped 42-41 to fire up 2020.
THE PICK: RULE
Moran at Benjamin
The Bulldogs hope to bounce back from a winless 2020, but their first battle will be a tough one against Benjamin.
THE PICK: BENJAMIN
Harrold at Paint Creek
The Pirates return to the field for the first time since 2017 when they host Harrold in the first of two matchups with the Hornets this season.
THE PICK: HARROLD
Bryson at Blanket
The Tigers play their first game for Casey Mund at home against Bryson. Blanket was originally scheduled to host Gorman, but the Panthers had to cancel.
THE PICK: BLANKET
Veribest at BrookEsmith
The Mustangs kick off the Todd Lawdermilk era against a Veribest team that went 3-5 a year ago.
THE PICK: BROOKESMITH
Gustine at Rising Star
Yet another coaching debut here, this one for Rising Star’s Derek Stevens as the Wildcats host Gustine.
THE PICK: RISING STAR
RANGER AT OGLESBY
The Bulldogs hit the road to play their first ever six-man football game and their first contest under new head coach Eric Sanchez. Oglesby is coming off a ten-win season in 2020.
THE PICK: OGLESBY
