Blitz Picks - Week 1
The time has come yet again for picking winners for Big Country high school football. Week one is always the toughest because we don’t know as much as we’d like about teams and, this season in particular it seems, there are SO MANY great games between teams we think are pretty darn good. Jim Ned at Hawley, Permian at Abilene High, Wylie at Brownwood, Keller at Cooper, Westbrook against Happy, May against Jayton, Coleman at Mason... the list goes on and on.
My final numbers for the 2021 season: 376 out of 473, a respectable 79.5 percent.
Here’s to a great season for all our area teams and, to a lesser extent, the success of the Blitz Picks (only if I’m picking your team…).
*NOTE: “The Spread” comes from Dave Campbell’s Texas Football (texasfootball.com)
Odessa Permian at Abilene High
The Eagles begin playing as a 5A team against… old 6A rival Permian. The Panthers enter the season at #50 in the DCTF preseason poll, while the Eagles are #12 in 5A Division I. Last season the Warbirds really started to make people take notice when they beat up Permian 42-21 on the road, now the Panthers will be looking for revenge in the season opener.
THE SPREAD: PERMIAN BY 2
THE PICK: ABILENE HIGH
Also of note, my condolences and prayers to the family of former Permian, Abilene High and ACU among others head coach Gary Gaines, who passed away earlier this week. I met/interviewed Coach Gaines a few times when I was a fresh-faced TV sports reporter for KRBC and he was at ACU. Let’s just say he was more patient with a young, dumb reporter than he should have been. Rest in peace, Coach Gaines.
Keller at Cooper (Thursday)
The 2021 season opener against Keller did not go the Cougars way in a 39-0 home defeat, now they’d like to change that. Both teams are coming off 6-5 seasons and looking for greater things in 2022, and Cooper would love to get things going with a win as they face a 6A team that is predicted to finish third in District 4-6A.
THE SPREAD: KELLER BY 1
THE PICK: KELLER
Wylie at Brownwood
These two played in the same district for many seasons and continue their rivalry with a stellar season opening non-district game. It’s another coin flip game for me, as the Bulldogs looked pretty good to me in their scrimmage against Abilene High and Brownwood has plenty of preseason hype as a team that could make a deep playoff run in 4A Division I. The Bulldogs will have the size advantage, while the Lions should have the edge with their playmakers.
THE SPREAD: BROWNWOOD BY 3
THE PICK: BROWNWOOD
Photo: Brownwoodnews.com
Slaton at Snyder
It’s a battle of Tigers in Snyder Friday night as Wes Wood and company kickoff the season against Slaton. Snyder took care of Slaton 29-8 in this exact season opener a year ago and are big favorites to get 2022 started on the right foot against the 3A Division I Tigers. Finally, a game that doesn’t seem that hard to pick.
THE SPREAD: SNYDER BY 36
THE PICK: SNYDER
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo & Design
Sweetwater at Idalou
The Mustangs hit the road to begin a new year, and they’ll have a different look as they try to replace the likes of Harrison Foster and Leo Holsey. Sweetwater players and coaches are also dealing with the tragic loss of a teammate and friend this past week, so there’s no telling how they will react. The Mustangs do have the advantage in numbers as a 4A school visiting 3A DII Idalou, but the Wildcats are not pushovers, having made the playoffs 22 years in a row.
THE SPREAD: IDALOU BY 13
THE PICK: IDALOU
Photo: Texpix.com
Jacksboro at Breckenridge
The Buckaroos look to be a team on the rise as they enter year three under Breckenridge alum Casey Pearce. They’ll get 2022 started with a familiar opponent led by a familiar face. Jacksboro is in their first season under Casey Hubble, who coached the Bucks from 2014 to 2019. Breckenridge knocked off the Tigers 49-28 to start 2021 and they hope to repeat the feat to get 2022 going.
THE SPREAD: PICK ‘EM
THE PICK: BRECKENRIDGE
Clyde at #10 Cisco
The Bulldogs held their own in a scrimmage against Hawley, another state ranked team from District 4-2A Division I, earlier this season and now get to face the other state title contender from the district as they make the short road trip to Cisco. Clyde will have a chance to show how much better they are in year two under Danny Dudgeon, but it won’t be easy in week one. Cisco is a legit state title contender and begins their usual run of challenging non-district games against bigger schools with the Bulldogs before facing Wall, Breckenridge and Jacksboro.
THE SPREAD: CISCO BY 32
THE PICK: CISCO
#5 (3A D1) Jim Ned at #5 (2A D1) Hawley
Here we have the best 11-man season opener in the Big Country for sure, and maybe in the state. The Bearcats, fresh off a trip to the state championship game, punch up two classes against a Jim Ned team that has won 26 of their last 27 games. There are so many playmakers and hard-hitters on both teams, and it’ll be interesting to see how things play out. Shout out to Mitch Ables and Matt Fanning for setting this game up as it is one of the marquee games in the Big Country this season. I can make a case for both teams winning this one, but I think it may boil down to an experienced Jim Ned defense going up against an inexperienced Hawley offensive line. The Indians are breaking in a new quarterback, but they have plenty of returning talent on the line and at running back.
THE SPREAD: JIM NED BY 5
THE PICK: JIM NED
Ballinger at Sonora
The Bearcats begin the Ty Lang era with an early season test at Sonora. While Ballinger has the edge in being the larger program, the Broncos return eight starters on offense and seven more on defense from a team that shared a district title a year ago and beat the Bearcats 28-21. Ballinger is replacing a lot of key players on both sides of the ball and may have a hard time in their season opener.
THE SPREAD: SONORA BY 11
THE PICK: SONORA
Photo: Brownwoodnews.com
Early at Bangs
The Longhorns have their sites set on a season to remember, and knocking off their rivals down the road in the season opener would be a great start. Early has plenty of firepower on offense and defense, while Bangs is coming off a rough rebuilding season. The Dragons do have stud running back Guy Powell to lean on, but he will need help for Bangs to hang with Early in this one.
THE SPREAD: EARLY BY 46
THE PICK: EARLY
Wall at Eastland
The Mavericks kick off a difficult non-district schedule against a Wall team looking to bounce back from a “down” (they still went 5-5 and made the playoffs) season. Eastland dropped a seven point decision to the Hawks a year ago and have lost season openers to Wall two years running.
THE SPREAD: WALL BY 1
THE PICK: WALL
Merkel vs Clifton at Cisco (Thursday)
The Badgers kick off their second season under Will Kates with a neutral site game against Clifton. Merkel returns many key players from a 4-6 campaign, while Clifton went just 1-9 a year ago but returns 13 total starters. The Badgers have a chance to build momentum towards a return trip to the playoffs with a win in this one.
THE SPREAD: CLIFTON BY 1
THE PICK: MERKEL
Anson at Seymour
Cory McCombs makes his Anson head coaching debut as his Tigers travel north to Seymour. Anson will be a mostly young team, but the same cannot be said about the Panthers who return 10 starters on both sides of the ball. Anson has the 2A DI vs 2A DII advantage and they hope to get the McCombs era off to a good start with a tough season opener.
THE SPREAD: SEYMOUR BY 24
THE PICK: SEYMOUR
Photo: Cassie Gang
Colorado City at Roscoe
We have another coaching debut in this one as Monty Leaf takes over for Colorado City this season. His Wolves will have a tough task on their hands as they visit resurgent Roscoe, a team coming off its best season in 13 years. The Plowboys are loaded on both sides of the ball and look to take a step towards being a regional contender this season. Colorado City snapped a 26-game losing streak a year ago and is hungry to prove they can return to their winning ways this season.
THE SPREAD: ROSCOE BY 40
THE PICK: ROSCOE
Photo: Gary Ford
Photo: Gary Ford
Stamford at Hamlin
Jones County rivals meet for the 97th time Friday night in Hamlin. The Pied Pipers aim to improve after a tough winless first season under Chris Evans, while Stamford hopes to make strides in year two under Britt Hart. The two teams have split the previous two season openers with the home team coming out victorious in each ballgame.
THE SPREAD: STAMFORD BY 23
THE PICK: STAMFORD
Photo: BigCountryPreps.com
Cross Plains at Winters
It’s another battle of 2A DII against 2A DI as the smaller Buffaloes travel to the slightly bigger Blizzards home field. Cross Plains is also dealing with tragedy as they mourn the loss of senior Ryan Hopkins earlier this month, and you’d expect they’d be fired up for the season opener in his memory. Winters hasn’t had a winning season since 2018 and would love to get 2022 started with a tone-setting victory.
THE SPREAD: CROSS PLAINS BY 16
THE PICK: CROSS PLAINS
Photo: Terry Thompson
#9 Coleman at Mason
Here is another one of the great week one matchups as Coleman, fresh off an amazing 11-1 season, looks to do even better as they open against perennial 2A DII power Mason. The Punchers went 9-2 a year ago and return 11 total starters. The Bluecats welcome back just about everyone and hopes to open a beefier non-district schedule this season with a win.
THE SPREAD: COLEMAN BY 6
THE PICK: COLEMAN
Photo: Julia Vega
Lubbock Trinity Christian at #1 Albany
When you’re coming off a run to the state semifinals and enter the season as the preseason #1 team in the state it’s hard to find non-district games. That’s why the Lions will host Lubbock Trinity Christian, a private school that went 10-4 last season and lost in the TAPPS DIII state championship game, in what could be a barnburner in week one. Albany is tough to beat at home and looking to prove they deserve that preseason ranking in week one.
THE SPREAD: TRINITY CHRISTIAN BY 4
THE PICK: ALBANY
TLCA Abilene at Water Valley
This game peaks my interest for the fact that both teams will be playing 11-man football after battling in the 6-man ranks last season. It is just year three of the program for the Eagles, while the Wildcats return to 11-man for the first time since 2001. Water Valley has had plenty of success in the six-man ranks, including a 12-1 record in 2021. The Eagles will play their home district games at Hawley this season, but will have to hit the road for all five non-district games starting Friday.
THE SPREAD: WATER VALLEY BY 34
THE PICK: WATER VALLEY
Photo: Gary Ford
New Home at Haskell
The Indians are another team that should take some big steps forward in 2022 and they hope to get things rolling as they host New Home Friday night. The Leopards went 8-4 a year ago and return 12 starters overall. Haskell should be used to the system under second-year head coach Mitch McLemore by now, which should pay dividends on the field starting Friday night.
THE SPREAD: NEW HOME BY 6
THE PICK: NEW HOME
Hermleigh at Sands
The defending district champion Cardinals kickoff a new campaign on the road at Sands. Hermleigh has some big losses but should be able to lean on the likes of Kai Vargas and Patrick Carr as they look to get things off to a good start. Sands is coming off a 5-6 season and returns four starters on offense and five on defense.
THE SPREAD DCTF: HERMLEIGH BY 15
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: HERMLEIGH BY 45
THE PICK: HERMLEIGH
Loraine at Highland
Loraine and Highland meet yet again in non-district action in what should be a great way to kick off the year for many six-man fans. The Bulldogs are #9 in the 1A DII preseason rankings on sixmanfootball.com, while Highland checks in at #25 in 1A DI. The Hornets won a close one 62-48 over Loraine last year, and the Bulldogs will be eager to prove they are a better team this time around.
THE SPREAD DCTF: LORAINE BY 17
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: LORAINE BY 14
THE PICK: LORAINE
Photo: SMcCowen Photography
Photo: SMcCowen Photography
Ira vs #6 (1A D2) Motley County at Jayton
The Jayton Gridiron Classic continues to put together top-not season openers, and this is one of them. Although they are the bigger school, Ira is the underdog heading into this one against the defending 1A DII state runner-up Matadors. However, Motley County returns just one starter on each side of the ball while Ira will lean on four total returning starters.
THE SPREAD DCTF: MOTLEY COUNTY BY 27
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: MOTLEY COUNTY BY 7
THE PICK: IRA
Roby vs Claude at Motley County (Saturday)
The Lions begin the Israel DeLeon era with a neutral site meeting with Claude at Motley County Saturday. Roby is 28th in the sixmanfootball.com preseason rankings while Cladue, coming off a 2-8 2021, checks in at #68. The Lions will be playing for their third head coach in three years and hope to get off to a good start in non-district before facing life in the super competitive District 8-1A Division I.
THE SPREAD DCTF: CLAUDE BY 3
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: ROBY BY 45
THE PICK: ROBY
Rotan at Robert Lee
The Yellowhammers almost lost head coach Dale Means to Springlake-Earth this offseason, but he had a change of heart and will return for his third season at the helm. His squad is a talented one and should be able to get off to a good start on the road against a Robert Lee team that went just 2-8 in 2021.
THE SPREAD DCTF: ROTAN BY 16
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: ROTAN BY 45
THE PICK: ROTAN
#1 Westbrook vs #7 Happy at Jayton
The Happy Cowboys do not have to wait long to get another shot at the team that knocked them out of the playoffs, as the Jayton Gridiron Classic delivers a 1A DI semifinal rematch in week one. Westbrook, defending state champs and preseason #1 in every poll, beat the Cowboys 54-20 a year ago to punch a ticket to Jerry World. Both teams return a number of talented players, but it’ll be tough to tame the Wildcats this season, who seem motivated to leave no doubt and go undefeated on their way to another championship.
THE SPREAD DCTF: WESTBROOK BY 14
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: WESTBROOK BY 20
THE PICK: WESTBROOK
Baird at Meadow
The Bears lost 11 seniors, quite a high number in the six-man ranks, and hope to reload starting with a road trip to Meadow. The Broncos went 4-7 a year ago and made the playoffs, while Baird had a better record, 6-3, but missed out on the postseason thanks to a tougher district. There is quite the difference in spreads on this game, making it interesting to see how this one will play out.
THE SPREAD DCTF: MEADOW BY 7
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BAIRD BY 45
THE PICK: MEADOW
Photo: Sara Overstreet
Lometa at Gorman
Both teams enter the season with high hopes and they are also pretty close in the sixmanfootball.com preseason rankings. Gorman is #22 in DI and Lometa is right behind them at #27. Both were playoff teams a year ago as well, and both saw their season come to an end with a loss to Water Valley.
THE SPREAD DCTF: GORMAN BY 7
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: GORMAN BY 7
THE PICK: GORMAN
1A D1 #3 May at 1A D2 #3 Jayton
Yet another amazing matchup in week one of the six-man season pits two-time state runner-up May against longtime power Jayton. Both teams check in at number three in the state in their respective divisions in the DCTF poll and both are number five in the sixmanfootball.com poll. The Jaybirds have the homefield advantage and there should be a great crowd on hand in the nightcap of the Friday game of the Jayton Gridiron Classic.
THE SPREAD DCTF: PICK ‘EM
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: MAY BY 15
THE PICK: MAY
Veribest at Santa Anna (Thursday)
The Mountaineers have been very good in non-district play over the past two seasons, going a combined 11-1, and they hope to keep that trend rolling as they enter year one under head coach Jose Luna. Veribest is coming off a 4-5 season, while Santa Anna went 6-4 and missed out on the postseason.
THE SPREAD DCTF: SANTA ANNA BY 16
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: SANTA ANNA BY 45
THE PICK: SANTA ANNA
Aspermont at Blackwell (Saturday)
Aspermont makes the move to 1A DII this season and will be tested right off the bat against Blackwell. Blackwell is coming off a fifth straight trip to the playoffs and should be in contention to make it six in a row, while Aspermont is hoping to get back in the dance for the first time since 2018.
THE SPREAD DCTF: BLACKWELL BY 21
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BLACKWELL BY 35
THE PICK: BLACKWELL
Lueders-Avoca at Trent
The Gorillas enter year three under Chris Ellison with a home against first-year head coach David Finch and the Raiders. Trent has improved greatly over the past three seasons and have the opportunity to win their season opener for the first time since 2014. Lueders-Avoca has gotten off to slow starts but rallied to make the playoffs over the past few years, but would love to get things going with a road win over the Gorillas.
THE SPREAD DCTF: LUEDERS-AVOCA BY 1
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: LUEDERS-AVOCA BY 45
THE PICK: TRENT
Harrold at Paint Creek
The Pirates play their first game under new head coach Shannon Waters and it looks like a winnable one against a Harrold team that often battles low numbers. Paint Creek beat Harrold twice last season, 52-0 and 60-0.
THE SPREAD DCTF: PAINT CREEK BY 4
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: HARROLD BY 22
THE PICK: PAINT CREEK
Abilene ATX at Rule
Okay, I guess I missed a couple of memos on this one. Last I’d heard Rule was visiting Richland Springs to open the season, now they’re set to face a new team I’m just now hearing about: the Abilene ATX Flamingos. I’ve gathered the Flamingos play in the TAIAIO (Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations) and have three games on the schedule. Rule is playing game one under new head coach Caleb Barkowsky and could be in for a very good season, starting about the Flamingos Friday night.
THE SPREAD DCTF: N/A
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: RULE BY 45
THE PICK: RULE
Moran at #1 Benjamin
You couldn’t ask for a tougher season opener for the Bulldogs as they visit the preseason #1 1A DII team in the state, Benjamin. Moran may end up contending for a playoff spot out of a wide-open district, but they will have their hands full with the new look Mustangs that feature a new head coach and transfer Grayson Rigdon, the super sophomore who totaled 426 yards and nine touchdowns for Strawn in the 1A DII state championship game last year.
THE SPREAD DCTF: BENJAMIN BY 76
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BENJAMIN BY 45
THE PICK: BENJAMIN
Blanket at Rising Star
Michael Cherry makes his head coaching debut as he leads Blanket on a short road trip to battle Rising Star. The Tigers are coming off a district championship and should be in the mix to repeat that feat, while the Wildcats finished the year with a winning record but missed out on the playoffs.
THE SPREAD DCTF: BLANKET BY 8
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BLANKET BY 45
THE PICK: BLANKET
Bronte at Zephyr
The Bulldogs make the move to 1A DII this season and look to snap a 14-game losing streak as they host Bronte. Bronte is also moving down a division and went just 2-8 a year ago. Bronte is favored by both outlets, but Zephyr returns a lot of experience and actually has good numbers this year — key ingredients for a week one upset.
THE SPREAD DCTF: BRONTE BY 10
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BRONTE BY 45
THE PICK: ZEPHYR
Brookesmith at Mullin
The Mustangs had a rough go of it in 2021 and welcome head coach Jack Graves to the program. Graves led Santa Anna to winning marks the past two seasons, and hopes to build the program in Brookesmith. Mullin went 5-3 a year ago and missed out on the playoffs.
THE SPREAD DCTF: MULLIN BY 26
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: MULLIN BY 45
THE PICK: MULLIN
Lubbock Titans at Abilene Christian School
The Panthers wrap up a big weekend for Shotwell Stadium (Cooper on Thursday, Abilene High Friday and ACS Saturday) when they play host to Lubbock Christian Home School, AKA the Lubbock Titans. The Titans are a TAIAO team that went 8-4 a year ago and lost to eventual state champ Austin St. Stephen’s in the Division I semifinals. Abilene Christian hopes to be a contender in the TAPPS Division II ranks and beating a solid team like the Titans could propel them to a great season.
THE SPREAD DCTF: ABILENE CHRISTIAN BY 26
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: LUBBOCK TITANS BY 35
THE PICK: ABILENE CHRISTIAN
Ranger at Newcastle (Thursday)
The Bulldogs begin their outlaw schedule with a road trip to Newcastle Thursday night. The program has loved its short time in the six-man ranks and will be tested in week one by a Bobcat team that beat them 68-22 a year ago and went two rounds deep in the playoffs.
THE SPREAD DCTF: NEWCASTLE BY 7
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: NEWCASTLE BY 45
THE PICK: NEWCASTLE
Starting next week you’ll see Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons, Howard Payne and McMurry picks in this spot as well, but this week Cisco College is the only local college team in action.
Gordon’s Fine Arts & Sports Academy at Cisco College
The Wranglers kick off the John O’Mera era at home against Gordon's Fine Arts and Sports Academy, a prep school out of Oklahoma City. Cisco will debut the triple-option offensive attack and likely will have little trouble taking care of the Panthers.
