Blitz Picks - Week 6
WEEK 1 PICKS: 30-40, 75%
WEEK 2 PICKS: 34-44, 77.3%
WEEK 3 PICKS: 42-47, 89.4%
WEEK 4 PICKS: 32-43, 74.4%
WEEK 5 PICKS: 38-45, 84.4%
SEASON: 176-219, 80.4%
We have reached the midway point, week six of an 11 week regular season. Time flies when you’re having fun, right?
The week five picks improved a bit, the second best week of the year so far and we are up over 80% for the season.
They would have been a tad better if I’d used my head instead of my heart to pick Hardin-Simmons over Mary Hardin-Baylor. One of these years…
There are a lot of teams off this week, 21 to be exact as many districts have the bye scheduled before beginning district action next week.
Cooper, Wylie, Breckenridge, Clyde, Jim Ned, Ballinger, Early, Eastland, Merkel, Hawley, Bangs, Albany, Cross Plains, Hamlin, TCLA Abilene, Highland, Ira, Roby, Westbrook, Gorman and Ranger will all be sitting week six out.
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Contact: cody@bigcountryblitz.com
Photo: @AbileneClips
Abilene High (2-3, 1-1) at #9 Amarillo Tascosa (4-1, 1-0)
Series: Abilene High leads 5-4
The Eagles claimed victory in their district opener and now get set for likely their toughest contest of the 2-5A Division I slate at ninth ranked Amarillo Tascosa.
The Rebels played two teams that the Eagles did as well in non-district, Midland Legacy and Permian. While Abilene High fell to both (17-3 to Permian and 56-20 to Legacy) Tascosa earned a split, beating Legacy 48-27 and falling to Permian by one point 13-12. Tascosa is coming off a 45-10 win over rival Amarillo, the biggest margin of victory for the Rebels in series history.
The Eagles put their best performance on the field last week in a 37-7 win against Lubbock Monterey, giving up the fewest yards they have all season (180) while scoring more points and gaining more yards (320) than they had in the previous four weeks.
Abilene High will have to deal with the option running attack the Rebels run so well. They average over 250 yards per game on the ground and have only thrown 26 passes all season. Tascosa ran for 286 yards in a 40-20 season opening win over the Eagles a year ago.
Abilene High won the first five meetings with Tascosa, but the Rebels have picked up wins in the last four. This is the first district matchup between the two since the Eagles cruised to wins in 2012 (49-7) and 2013 (54-14).
STAT LEADERS
Abilene High
Dylan Slack: 79-120, 728 yds, 6 TD, 6 INT; 1 rushing TD
Bam Rashaw: 336 yds, 3 TD
Austin Wood: 22 rec, 172 yds, 1 TD
DeMarco Upshaw: 12 rec, 111 yds, 1 TD
Brelon Badon: 10 rec, 151 yds, 1 TD
Bryce Neves: 35 tkl, 3 TFL, 3 sacks
Kenneth Johnson: 26 tkl, 6 sacks
Noah Hatcher: 29 tkl
Tristen Hall: 3 sacks
Tascosa
Hudson Farris: 11-25, 384 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT; 269 yds, 4 TD rushing
Tayden Barnes: 298 yds, 7 TD rushing
Treshun Wilson: 428 yds, 3 TD rushing
TJ Tillman: 7 rec, 200 yds, 3 TD
Brenyn Barnes: 37 tkl, 4 tfl
Avion Carter: 29 tkl, 4 tfl, 3 sacks
Aushan Wilson: 12 tkl, 3 int
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Abilene High: #44 in 5A D1
Tascosa: #5 in 5A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: TASCOSA BY 25
THE PICK: TASCOSA
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
#9 Brownwood (4-1) at #1 Stephenville (5-0)
Series: Brownwood leads 47-32-2
Another week, another showdown for Brownwood.
This time it’s The Battle of 377 against their biggest rivals, who just happen to be the defending 4A Division I state champions, ranked #1 and are riding a 21-game winning streak.
Stephenville lost star quarterback Ryder Lambert to injury after two weeks but has still been amazing offensively, beating Decatur 52-34, Wylie 56-49 and Wichita Falls Rider 43-42. Their defense, as you can see from the scores, has not been up to standard and that gives the Lions hope in a shootout.
Brownwood gave up 30 to Wylie in a week one loss but has been solid since, giving up just 15 points per game over the past four weeks. They will need to key on Stephenville running back Tate Maruska who is averaging 236.4 yards per game and has rushed for 15 touchdowns. Sophomore Ryan Gafford has been pretty good at quarterback filling in for Lambert so far, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes and throwing nine touchdowns against zero interceptions.
The Lions are getting back to the level they want to be as state contenders and there would be nothing better for them to make their presence felt on a bigger level than knocking off their rivals on the road. They have not turned the ball over the past two weeks, which will be key to them having a shot at pulling off the upset.
The Lions and Yellow Jackets meet for the 82nd time Friday night. Stephenville has won the last two contests and six of the previous nine. The last Brownwood win was a 38-22 decision in 2019.
STAT LEADERS
Brownwood
Konlyn Anderson: 556 yds, 7 TD rushing
Ike Hall: 56-99, 889 yds, 5 TD, 2 INT; 313 yds, 6 TD rushing
Thad Hinds: 20 rec, 392 yds, 3 TD
Chance Jones: 44 tkl
Quinten McCarty: 42 tkl
Sam Kallman: 43 tkl
Stephenville
Ryan Gafford: 36-52, 747 yds, 9 TD, 0 INT; 166 yds, 1 TD rushing
Tate Maruska: 1,182 yds, 15 TD rushing; 8 rec, 58 yds
Tristian Gentry: 24 rec, 478 yds, 6 TD
Payton Poston: 21 rec, 478 yds, 7 TD
Kyler Eudy: 50 tkl
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Brownwood: #8 in 4A D1
Stephenville: #5 in 4A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: STEPHENVILLE BY 10
THE PICK: STEPHENVILLE
Photo: Snyder ISD
#2 3A D2 Holliday (4-0) at Snyder (2-3)
Series: First meeting
The Tigers return home after a close loss at Big Spring to play host to a small school that will not be a pushover.
Holliday checks in at #4 in the state in 3A Division II with a quartet of impressive victories on their register: 28-7 over 4A Iowa Park, 41-19 at Jim Ned, 37-7 over Idalou and 28-14 at Childress. The Eagles, who went 13-1 last year, are coming off their bye week.
Snyder almost rallied from a 27-7 halftime deficit last week and hopes to carry that momentum over to this matchup, which is the first ever football meeting between the two schools.
STAT LEADERS
Holliday
Peyton Marchand: 22-45, 364 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT; 62 yds, 3 TD rushing
Tyrese Polite: 261 yds, 4 TD rushing
Parker Jones: 4 rec, 80 yds; 36 tkl, 6 tfl
Collin Hays: 48 tkl, 4 tfl
Snyder
Easton Stewart: 46-71, 587 yds, 6 TD, 2 INT; 24 yds, 1 TD rushing; 7 tkl, 2 INT
Dylann Angeley: 18-39, 267 yds, 4 TD, 3 INT; 31 tkl, 2 INT
Dom Dominguez: 223 yds, 1 TD rushing; 10 rec, 212 yds, 4 TD
Jay Castillo: 10 rec, 217 yds, 2 TD
Chon Vasquez: 36 tkl, 2.5 tfl, 1 int
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Holliday: #2 in 3A D2
Snyder: #59 in 4A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: HOLLIDAY BY 29
THE PICK: HOLLIDAY
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo & Design
Sweetwater (1-4) at Lubbock Estacado (2-3)
Series: Estacado leads 10-8-1
Sweetwater hopes to put a tough overtime loss at Clyde behind them as they head north this week to face Lubbock Estacado.
The Matadors fell at Canyon West Plains, a new school for 2022, 35-14 last week. Their wins this season are 28-24 in week one at Greenwood and 39-13 in week four at Levelland. They have losses to Dumas 34-7 and Palo Duro 31-20 on their ledger as well.
The Mustangs have kept it close the last two weeks and are looking to put it all together in their second straight road game and final contest before beginning district play against Greenwood on October 14.
The Matadors won the last meeting between the two teams 53-20 in 2019, but the Mustangs claimed victory in the previous eight contests before that.
STAT LEADERS
Sweetwater
Chris Gomez: 38-53, 370 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT; 10 yds, 1 TD rushing
Jamarian Amos: 236 yds, 1 TD rushing; 11 rec, 100 yds, 1 TD
Malik Brown: 127 yds, 3 TD rushing
Jadyn Forbes: 16 rec, 245 yds, 3 TD
Roman Camacho: 54 tkl, 5 tfl
Noel Mekogue: 47 tkl, 6 tfl
Korda Moore: 51 tkl, 15 tfl
Landon Thompson: 39 tkl, 2 INT
Estacado
N/A
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Sweetwater: #55 in 4A D2
Estacado: #69 in 4A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: ESTACADO BY 6
THE PICK: ESTACADO
Photo: Anson Tiger Sports Pics
Photo: Cassie Gang
Anson (0-5, 0-1) at Colorado City (0-5, 0-1)
Series: Colorado City leads 15-14
Two teams yet to find the win column meet up in district play this week as Anson visits Colorado City. Either Cory McCombs and Monty Leaf, both coaching in their first year at their respective schools, will get victory number one with their new teams.
Both struggled against the cream of the district crop a week ago. Anson fell 55-0 to Hawley and the Wolves lost 54-0 Cisco.
The Tigers have taken the last two games against the Wolves by a combined 97-28. Colorado City last beat Anson in 2009.
STAT LEADERS
Anson
Tyler Wilburn: 40-77, 411 yds, 3 TD, 4 INT
Tegen Saiz: 361 yds, 3 TD rushing
Stryker Dillard: 21 rec, 243 yds, 1 TD
Colorado City
Jordan Garza: 23-62, 264 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT; 216 yds, 3 TD rushing
Aedan Briseno: 391 yds, 1 TD rushing
Trey Martinez: 7 rec, 87 yds, 1 TD
Mayson Monroe: 7 rec, 71 yds, 1 TD
Nicholas Santana: 23 tkl
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Anson: #84 in 2A D1
Colorado City: #98 in 2A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: ANSON BY 6
THE PICK: ANSON
Photo: Gary Stennett
Cisco (4-1, 1-0) at Winters (1-4, 0-1)
Series: Winters leads 12-7-2
The Loboes hit the road to Winters for the second district contest for each squad.
Cisco has no issues in a 54-0 shut out of Colorado City last week, while Winters struggled in a 48-12 loss at Stamford.
The Blizzards have lost their last three ballgames, while Cisco enters on a two-game winning streak.
Cisco has prevailed in the last three matchups with the Blizzards. Winters won 12 of 13 in the series between 1961 and 2001.
STAT LEADERS
Cisco
Hunter Long: 29-49, 458 yds, 5 TD, 1 INT; 594 yds, 10 TD rushing
Trent Huston: 348 yds, 5 TD rushing; 4 rec, 65 yds, 1 TD
Cade Gayle: 9 rec, 204 yds, 3 TD; 2 INT
Tre Brackeen: 5 rec, 93 yds, 1 TD
Winters
Chris Martinez: 59-116, 708 yds, 7 TD, 10 INT; 52 yds rushing
Alejandro Garcia: 403 yds, 3 TD rushing
Aidan Bryant: 17 rec, 201 yds, 2 TD
Aidan Leamon: 11 rec, 165 yds, 2 TD
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Cisco: #11 in 2A D1
Winters: #74 in 2A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: CISCO BY 41
THE PICK: CISCO
Photo: Gary Ford
Stamford (5-0, 1-0) at Olney (4-0, 0-0)
Series: Stamford leads 14-7
The first District 4-2A Division I matchup of unbeatens goes down this week when Stamford visits Olney.
The Cubs were off last week, while the Bulldogs took care of Winters 48-12 to improve to 5-0 on the season.
Stamford has one of the best defenses in the area, allowing just 8.2 points per game, and scores 41.6 points per contest on offense — third best among area 11-man teams.
The Bulldogs will have their hands full with an Olney offense that has only thrown 12 passes all season averages over 400 yards per game on the ground, including a season high 492 yards rushing in their last outing against Willow Park Trinity Christian. The Cubs also have wins over Alvord 31-0, Petrolia 43-6 and Haskell 34-7, meaning they’ve only allowed three touchdowns the entire season. Stamford has only allowed five, so it will be interesting to see which team will have the upper hand in what seems like, on paper at least, a matchup of two very good teams.
The last matchup between the Cubs and Bulldogs was a 58-0 Stamford victory in 2017. The Bulldogs have won seven in a row against Olney. The Cubs last victory was in 2000.
STAT LEADERS
Stamford
Christian Duran: 47-70, 886 yds, 8 TD, 1 INT; 246 yds, 5 TD rushing
Hayden Henager: 477 yds, 4 TD rushing; 14 rec, 299 yds, 9 TD
Kason Vega: 337 yds, 5 TD rushing; 43 tkl, 5 tfl
Quinton Pryor: 12 rec, 201 yds, 1 TD
Olney
Gatlin Guy: 5-12, 128 yards, 1 INT; 327 yds, 5 TD rushing
Jovani Rockmore: 506 yds, 7 TD rushing
Luis Castillo: 2 rec, 95 yds; 23 tkl, 3 sacks
AB Marquez: 39 tkl
Braulio Flores: 12 tkl, 3 INT
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Stamford: #16 in 2A D1
Olney: #21 in 2A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: STAMFORD BY 1
THE PICK: STAMFORD
Photo: Colemantoday.com
#6 Coleman (4-1, 1-0) at San Saba (4-1, 0-1)
Series: Coleman leads 17-14-1
Coleman recovered from a tough loss at 4A Llano by shutting out Goldthwaite 61-0 last week, now they turn their attention to a San Saba squad hoping to bounce back from its first loss of the season.
San Saba dropped a 40-28 district opening decision at Hamilton last week, but had been dominant until that game with wins over Florence 46-14, Junction 19-6, Johnson City 28-3 and Eldorado 26-0.
The Bluecats topped the Armadillos 49-7 in district play last season. The series between the two schools dates all the way back to a 32-0 Coleman victory in 1923.
STAT LEADERS
Coleman
Jadin Jackson: 33-59, 630 yds, 4 TD 3 INT; 334 yds, 4 TD rushing
Ryland Gentry: 558 yds, 10 TD rushing; 3 rec, 35 yds
Braxton Smith: 18 rec, 381 yds, 3 TD
San Saba
Lance Taylor: 40-66, 531 yds, 9 TD, 1 INT; 231 yds, 2 TD rushing
Ethan Gonzlaes: 476 yds, 2 TD rushing; 5 rec, 40 yds
Tyler Johnson: 26 rec, 307 yds, 8 TD
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Coleman: #8 in 2A D1
San Saba: #41 in 2A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: COLEMAN BY 27
THE PICK: COLEMAN
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo & Design
Roscoe (3-1) vs. Sunray (4-1) at Lubbock Cooper Middle School
Series: First meeting
The Plowboys hope to bounce back from last week’s loss to New Home, but it won’t be easy against 4-1 Sunray.
Roscoe gave up 60 points to the Leopards last week and will have to step up on defense against a Sunray squad that beat Crosbyton 77-20 last week and is averaging 44.6 points per game. Roscoe is no slouch on offense either, scoring an area high 45.3 points per game on the season behind the passing duo of Jax Watts to Seth Wilcox. They have connected 23 times for 540 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022.
Sunray also has wins this season against Hooker, Oklahoma 32-29, Dimmitt 50-6 and Stinnett West Texas 43-12 to go along with a 41-21 week two loss to defending 2A Division II state champion Stratford.
STAT LEADERS
Roscoe
Jax Watts: 776 yds, 10 TD, 2 INT
Gaven Martinez: 164 yds rushing
Seth Wilcox: 23 rec, 540 yds, 7 TD
Sunray
Armando Lujan: 106-169, 1,485 yds, 18 TD, 3 INT; 226 yds, 4 TD rushing
Dominic Casares: 144 yds, 3 TD rushing; 3 rec, 24 yds
Kagan Davis: 28 rec, 340 yds, 5 TD
Damian Barragan: 25 rec, 411 yds, 7 TD
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Roscoe: #34 in 2A D2
Sunray: #29 in 2A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: SUNRAY BY 3
THE PICK: ROSCOE
Haskell (2-3, 0-1) at Petrolia (1-4, 1-0)
Series: Haskell leads 3-1
Haskell took state power Windthorst to overtime before falling 26-20 last week, now they head to Petrolia for what should be a winnable game against the Pirates.
Petrolia entered the win column with a 34-7 victory at Electra last week, but had lost its first four games of the year 34-14 at Muenster Sacred Heart, 43-6 to Olney, 36-21 at Quanah and 38-6 against Alvord.
Haskell has yet to really get the offense going so far this season but has been very solid on defense allowing 19 points per game. The Indians have also played Olney and lost by a little bit closer margin of 34-7.
The Indians won the last contest with the Pirates 53-22 in 2017.
STAT LEADERS
Haskell
Marquise Johnson: 41-79, 380 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT; 399 yds, 4 TD rushing
Trevor Henry: 327 yds, 4 TD rushing
Nemo Silvas: 8 rec, 102 yds, 2 TD
Petrolia
N/A
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Haskell: #32 in 2A D2
Petrolia: #63 in 2A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: HASKELL BY 14
THE PICK: HAKSELL
Photo: Bobbie Brown/Texas 1A Fan
Hermleigh (3-1) at Throckmorton (3-2)
Series: First meeting
The Cardinals have a tough matchup on their hands this week as they visit perennial state power Throckmorton.
The Greyhounds have two losses on the season, but they are to Gordon and Whitharral teams that are a combined 9-1 so far in 2022. Gordon topped Throckmorton 49-0 in week one and Whitharral won 102-52 last week. In between, the Greyhounds beat Highland 36-24, Bryson 76-27 and Campbell 63-24.
Hermleigh beat up on Grady last week 62-14 and continues to have one of the best six-man offenses in the area, averaging 61 points per game. This is the Cardinals final non-district game before starting 8-1A Division I play next week against Roby.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Hermleigh: #22 in 1A D1
Throckmorton: #17 in 1A D2
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Hermleigh: #30 in 1A D1
Throckmorton: #22 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: HERMLEIGH BY 1
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: HERMLEIGH BY 23
THE PICK: HERMLEIGH
Photo: Leroy N Anna Lopez
Lueders-Avoca (2-3) at Rotan (1-2)
Series: Rotan leads 5-1
The Raiders visit Rotan in the Hammers final non-district contest of 2022.
Rotan went toe-to-toe with Strawn last week, coming up on the short end of a 105-91 decision while Lueders-Avoca beat Harrold 58-19.
The Yellowhammers have won three in a row against the Raiders, with the last meeting coming in 2019. The only Lueders-Avoca win in the series was in 2016.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Lueders-Avoca: #66 in 1A D2
Rotan: #51 in 1A D1
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Lueders-Avoca: #54 in 1A D2
Rotan: #50 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF : N/A
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: ROTAN BY 45
THE PICK: ROTAN
Amarillo PCHEA (1-4) at Baird (2-2)
Series: First meeting
The Bears finally get to play at home in 2022 and they’ll do it against first-year program Amarillo Panhandle Christian Home Educators Association.
Baird was off last week, but evened its record with a 40-25 win at Veribest the week before.
PCHEA did not score a point in losing its first four games of the season to Miami, McLean, White Deer and the Follett JV but did find the win column for the first time with a victory over the Amarillo Holy Cross JV on Saturday.
The Bears should be able to use this one as a tune up for the district opener next week against Perrin-Whitt.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Amarillo PCHEA: #11 in TAIAO D3
Baird: #51 in 1A D1
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Amarillo PCHEA: #125 in Private Six-Man
Baird: #54 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: BAIRD BY 39
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BAIRD BY 45
THE PICK: BAIRD
#3 May (4-0) at Burnet Smoking For Jesus Ministry Christian School (1-4)
Series: First meeting
The Tigers opponent may have an odd name and a 1-4 record, but May will be on high alert as they visit the two-time defending TCAL state champion Eagles.
Smoking For Jesus has played a very strong schedule thus far, beating Marble Falls Faith 98-62 to go along with losses to Cherokee 60-14, Austin Veritas 56-52, Bastrop Tribe 76-31 and Jonesboro 58-44. Jonesboro is expected to be one of May’s top challengers in District 14-1A Division I this season.
May was off last week but knocked off Garden City 63-34 the week before, a win that is looking even more impressive since the Bearcats are coming off a win at Westbrook on Friday night.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
May: #2 in 1A D1
Smoking For Jesus: #2 IN TAIOA D2
DCTF Computer Rankings:
May: #1 in 1A D1
Smoking For Jesus: #21 in Private Six-Man
SPREADS
DCTF: MAY BY 33
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: MAY BY 45
THE PICK: MAY
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
#9 Gordon (4-0) at Santa Anna (3-2)
Series: Gordon leads 1-0
The Mountaineers face their third straight big challenge of the season as they host unbeaten and ninth ranked Gordon this week.
Santa Anna fell to #10 Medina 54-8 last week and to Blanket the week before 52-16 to fall to 3-2 on the year.
Gordon may be their toughest opponent yet, as the Longhorns have 45’d Throckmorton 49-0, Ranger 52-6, Strawn 52-6 and Waco Live Oak 69-24 so far in 2022.
The only other meeting between these two was a 70-35 Gordon victory in the state quarterfinals in 2012.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Gordon: #9 in 1A D1
Santa Anna: #52 in 1A D1
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Gordon: #5 in 1A D1
Santa Anna: #49 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: GORDON BY 48
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: GORDON BY 45
THE PICK: GORDON
Newcastle (3-1) at Aspermont (5-0)
Series: Aspermont leads 6-5
The Hornets look to keep the train rolling as they welcome 3-1 Newcastle to the hive this week.
Aspermont is off to its best start since starting 2015 6-0 before a loss to Newcastle. Another coincidence: When the Hornets won their first 11 games of the 2012 season the team that beat them in the playoffs and ended their unbeaten run was, you guessed it, Newcastle.
Strange coincidences aside, the Hornets have been rolling so far in 2022 and have a good shot at taking down the Bobcats, who beat Northside last week 67-22. They also have wins over Ranger 72-42 and Woodson 49-0 and a 27-26 loss to Azle Christian.
Aspermont has gotten better pretty much every week this season, including putting 84 points on Rule last week, 68 on Lueders-Avoca by halftime the week before and outlasting Southland 72-55. They do have the most impressive victory between the two teams this season in their 34-28 2022 opening victory at Blackwell.
This is the first meeting between the Bobcats and Hornets since 2018, when Aspermont claimed a 66-18 victory. Newcastle won the previous three contests.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Newcastle: #19 in 1A D2
Aspermont: #28 in 1A D2
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Newcastle: #21 in 1A D2
Aspermont: #25 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: NEWCASTLE BY 1
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: NEWCASTLE BY 27
THE PICK: ASPERMONT
Photo: SMcCowen Photography
Chillicothe (1-3) at Paint Creek (2-3)
Series: Chillicothe leads 3-1
Paint Creek played well but could not finish the job at Trent last week and now will get set to host 1-3 Chillicothe.
The Eagles are coming off a 45-0 loss to Guthrie, a 53-6 loss to Bryson and a 55-8 loss to Gold-Burg after beating Darrouzett 67-18 in week one.
Paint Creek returns home for the first time in three weeks looking for a little momentum before beginning district play October 14 at Woodson.
The Pirates beat Chillicothe 55-6 in their last meeting in 2017.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Chillicothe: #63 in 1A D2
Paint Creek: #60 in 1A D2
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Chillicothe: #71 in 1A D2
Paint Creek: #58 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: PAINT CREEK BY 20
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: PAINT CREEK BY 5
THE PICK: PAINT CREEK
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
Guthrie (2-3) at Rule (2-2) - Thursday
Series: Guthrie leads 11-5-1
The Bobcats dropped an 84-47 decision to unbeaten Aspermont last week and hope to snap a two-game skid as they host Guthrie Thursday night.
The Jaguars have had a bit of a roller-coaster ride the last couple of weeks, losing to #1 Benjamin 88-0 on in week four but bouncing back to shut out Chillicothe a week ago 45-0. They also have losses to Paducah 68-42 and Hart 68-18 and a 34-19 win over Lorenzo.
Rule started the year 2-0 with wins over Bronte and Patton Springs but fell to Hart 62-52 and Aspermont last week.
The last contest between the pair was a 68-0 Rule victory in 2019. Guthrie had taken the previous five meetings.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Guthrie: #49 in 1A D2
Rule: #37 in 1A D2
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Guthrie: #49 in 1A D2
Rule: #33 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: RULE BY 11
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: RULE BY 34
THE PICK: RULE
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
Panther Creek (1-3) at Blackwell (2-3)
Series: Panther Creek leads 13-4
Blackwell aims to get back to .500 on the season with a win over Panther Creek this week.
The Hornets cruised past Brookesmith 56-6 on Saturday to earn their second victory of the season.
Panther Creek topped Veribest 56-26 last week to pick up its first win of the season. The Panthers kicked off the year with full-game losses to Woodson 33-12, Mullin 26-22 and Priddy 52-38.
The teams are facing off for the first time since 2012 when the Hornets won 58-54. Blackwell also earned a forfeit win in 2013.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Panther Creek: #56 in 1A D2
Blackwell: #27 in 1A D2
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Panther Creek: #55 in 1A D2
Blackwell: #30 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: BLACKWELL BY 29
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BLACKWELL BY 45
THE PICK: BLACKWELL
Photo: David Gonzales
#1 Benjamin (4-0) at #5 Loraine (5-0)
Series: First meeting
It’s the game of the week in the state in six-man football as the Bulldogs host top-ranked Benjamin.
Loraine brought the pain to Sands last week 60-15 to get to 5-0, while the Mustangs took down Roby 56-6 to improve to 4-0.
The Bulldogs earned a couple of somewhat close wins over Ira and Klondike earlier this season, but Benjamin has yet to run a snap in the second half after beating Moran 78-6, Wildorado 74-0 and Guthrie 88-0 to go along with the Roby win.
Loraine has a chance to shock the state this week, but it won’t be easy against the likes of Grayson Rigdon and the Mustangs. Rigdon was the 1A Player of the Year last season at Strawn and transferred to Benjamin this offseason when his dad Jaime took the head coaching job there. Jaime has since moved to defensive coordinator and Nathan Hayes, who led Crowell to state titles in 2013 and 2014, was hired as the head man. Hayes coached very successful Water Valley teams the past few seasons and was hired to take over at Robert Lee when the Wildcats went to 11-man football. He left Robert Lee in August to take over at Benjamin.
STAT LEADERS
Benjamin
N/A
Loraine
AJ Williams: 10-14 162 yds, 3 TD; 665 yds, 18 TD rushing
Davion Walthall: 517 yds, 7 TD rushing; 52 tkl, 7 sacks, 2 ff, 2 fr
Malaki Williams: 4 rec, 75 yds, 2 TD; 23 tkl, 4 int
Josiah Lujan: 49 tkl, 5 tfl, 2 sacks, 3 fr
Wrangler Little: 50 tkl, 8 tfl, 1 fr, 1 ff
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Benjamin: #1 in 1A D2
Loraine: #2 in 1A D2
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Benjamin: #1 in 1A D2
Loraine: #3 in 1A D2
SPREADS
THE SPREAD DCTF: BENJAMIN BY 3
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BENJAMIN BY 4
THE PICK: BENJAMIN
Trent (4-1) at Olfen (0-3)
Series: Trent leads 2-0
Trent aims for a fifth win in six games to start the season and they should be able to get it at winless Olfen.
The Mustangs have been outscored 139-13 in their three games this season, losses to Dawson, Lueders-Avoca and Zephyr.
The Gorillas remain one of the top scoring offenses in the Big Country, scoring at 58.6 points per game clip.
The Gorillas and Mustangs were in the same district the last two seasons. Trent claimed a forfeit victory in 2020 and won on the field 52-7 last year.
STAT LEADERS
Trent
Hayden Payne: 45-77, 616 yds, 12 TD, 1 INT; 197 yds, 1 TD rushing
Breyden Lewis: 525 yds, 8 TD rushing; 13 rec, 200 yds, 3 TD; 41 tkl
Lance Swinney: 11 rec, 198 yds, 5 TD; 43 tkl, 9 tfl
Brian Crouch: 42 tkl, 2 INT
Brayden Cathey: 8 rec, 81 yds; 48 yds, 1 TD rushing; 21 tkl, 2 INT
Olfen
N/A
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Trent: #58 in 1A D2
Olfen: #3 in “unknown”
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Trent: #52 in 1A D1
Olfen: #130 in Private Six-Man
SPREADS
DCTF: TRENT BY 22
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: TRENT BY 45
THE PICK: TRENT
Rochelle (4-1) at Moran (0-5)
Series: Moran leads 1-0
The Bulldogs face another tough test as they welcome 4-1 Rochelle to town Friday night.
Moran has four mercy rule losses in five games. Their only contest to go the distance was a 58-44 loss to Mullin.
Moran has not shied away from tough games in 2022 as opponents are a combined 21-7 so far this season.
Rochelle and Moran are meeting for just the second time. The Bulldogs won a 41-7 decision back in 1992. Moran beat the Rochelle JV 50-0 a year ago.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Rochelle: #14 in 1A D2
Moran: #64 in 1A D2
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Rochelle: #13 in 1A D2
Moran: #65 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: ROCHELLE BY 53
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: ROCHELLE BY 45
THE PICK: ROCHELLE
Rising Star (4-1) at Woodson (1-4)
Series: Woodson leads 7-2
The Wildcats hope to continue their impressive start to the 2022 season as they visit Woodson this week.
The Cowboys have had a rough go of the season so far, opening things with a 33-12 win over Panther Creek but falling to Newcastle, Rotan, Ranger and Bryson the past four weeks by a combined 179-8.
Rising Star is averaging 53.4 points per game this season and will have a legit shot at matching that by halftime
Woodson has won the last five meetings with Rising Star, including a 61-13 win in the last matchup in 2017. The Wildcats last win was a 72-56 decision in 2004.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Rising Star: #22 in 1A D2
Woodson: #51 in 1A D2
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Rising Star: #8 in 1A D2
Woodson: #63 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: RISING STAR BY 59
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: RISING STAR BY 45
THE PICK: RISING STAR
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
Blanket (4-1) at Evant (0-4)
Series: Evant leads 16-15-1
Blanket boasts one of the best defenses in the Big Country and its may have the opportunity to flex its muscle against a winless Evant team that has only scored 61 points this season.
The Tigers followed up a loss at Rising Star in week one with easy wins over Bryson, Eden, Santa Anna and Moran over the past four weeks and will now get set to face Evant, their second 1A D1 opponent in the past three weeks.
Evant dropped a 66-19 decision to Rochelle last week and also has lost to Stephenville Faith 64-24, Gorman 61-12 and Cherokee 60-6 this season.
The Tigers have won seven of the last nine games against the Elks, including a 42-30 win in 2021.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Blanket: #26 in 1A D2
Evant: #58 in 1A D1
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Blanket: #19 in 1A D2
Evant: #65 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: BLANKET BY 27
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BLANKET BY 45
THE PICK: BLANKET
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
Zephyr (4-1) at Brookesmith (0-5)
Series: Zephyr leads 8-5
The Bulldogs hope to extend their winning streak to five as they visit winless Brookesmith this week.
Zephyr blanked Olfen 58-0 last week, while Brookesmith lost 56-6 at Blackwell.
The Bulldogs have been impressive this season, but the teams they have beaten are only a combined 2-15 on the season.
This will be the first meeting between the two Brown County schools since 2009. Zephyr has won five in a row in the series and the last Mustang victory came in 2000.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Zephyr: #39 in 1A D2
Brookesmith: #68 in 1A D2
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Zephyr: #23 in 1A D2
Brookesmith: #72 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: ZEPHYR BY 54
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: ZEPHYR BY 45
THE PICK: ZEPHYR
Photo: @Sykotyk
Abilene Christian (3-1, 1-0) at Midland Trinity (2-2, 1-0)
Series: Abilene Christian leads 5-2
The Panthers head west to continue district action against Midland Trinity this week.
Both teams were victorious in week one of district play, Abilene Christian shut out Keller Harvest Christian 50-0 while Trinity won a 28-10 defensive battle over Denton Calvary.
Trinity knocked off the Panthers in the regular season finale 43-35 last season. ACS beat the Chargers 47-26 in 2020.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Abilene Christian: #8 in 1A TAPPS D2
Midland Trinity: #17 in 1A TAPPS D2
DCTF Computer Rankings:
Abilene Christian: #13 in Private Six-Man
Midland Trinity: #63 in Private Six-Man
SPREADS
DCTF: ABILENE CHRISTIAN BY 35
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: ABILENE CHRISTIAN BY 45
THE PICK: ABILENE CHRISTIAN
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Photo: Jeremy Enlow
ACU (3-1, 0-0) at Utah Tech (1-3, 0-1) - Saturday, 8 p.m.
Series: Utah Tech leads 1-0
The Wildcats head west for their WAC opener at Utah Tech (formerly Dixie State) Saturday.
ACU has won all three home games so far, including last weeks 34-7 win over Western New Mexico, but is only playing its second road game — the first was a 34-17 loss at Missouri.
Utah Tech opened WAC play with a 34-17 loss to Southern Utah a week ago.
STAT LEADERS
ACU
Maverick McIvor: 61-108, 682 yds, 5 TD, 4 INT
Ethan Long: 22-34, 251 yds, 2 TD
Jermiah Dobbins: 257 yds rushing
Rovaughn Banks: 228 yds, 2 TD rushing
Kobe Clark: 18 rec, 216 yds, 2 TD
Kendall Catalon: 15 rec, 199 yds, 1 TD
Tyrin Bradley: 21 tkl, 3 tfl
Reese Young: 19 tkl, 2 sacks
Utah Tech
Kobe Tracy: 86-167, 1,229 yds, 9 TD, 3 INT
Quali Conley: 309 yds, 4 TD rushing
Joey Hobert: 33 rec, 572 yds, 5 TD
Tyrell Grayson: 34 tkl, 1 INT
THE PICK: ACU
Photo: Scott Burkhalter
#10 Hardin-Simmons (2-1, 0-1) at McMurry (0-4, 0-2) - Saturday, 4 p.m.
Series: HSU leads 31-4
The Cowboys and War Hawks renew their crosstown rivalry for the 36th time this weekend as HSU heads south to McMurry.
Hardin-Simmons hopes to bounce back from a 50-20 loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor while McMurry hopes to put a full four quarters together as they look for win number one of the season. The War Hawks came close last week but fell 38-33 at Southwestern.
HSU has won seven straight in the series and will be heavily favored to make it eight straight, but McMurry did make things very interesting last season in a 24-21 loss at Shelton Stadium. That three-point margin is by far the closest game in the series since the War Hawks won 24-14 in 2011.
STAT LEADERS
Hardin-Simmons
Gaylon Glynn: 38-67, 601 yds, 8 TD, 2 INT; 26 yds, 1 TD rushing
Noah Garcia: 169 yds, 3 TD
Gatlin Martin: 10 rec, 102 yds, 2 TD
Kevi Evans: 12 rec, 233 yds, 3 TD
Matt Mitchell: 25 tkl, 3.5 tfl
Jamel LaFond: 20 tkl, 1 ff, 3 pbu
McMurry
Andrew McBride: 54-121, 755 yds, 4 TD, 4 INT
Rajan Cunningham: 166 yds, 1 TD rushing
Kristopher Martin: 15 rec, 247 yds, 1 TD
Zachary Wood: 6 rec, 132 yds
Devin Nixon: 38 tkl, 1 ff
James White: 23 tkl
THE PICK: HARDIN-SIMMONS
Photo: HPU Sports Information
Howard Payne (3-1, 2-0) at Sul Ross State (2-2, 2-0) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Series: HPU leads 47-22-1
It’s a surprise matchup of ASC unbeatens in Alpine as Sul Ross hosts Howard Payne.
The fact that HPU is 2-0 is not surprising, but the Lobos being perfect through two conference games is.
Sul Ross opened the year with a 55-7 loss at Trinity and a 35-14 loss at Texas A&M-Kingsville, but bounced back to beat Austin College 55-14 and Texas Lutheran 28-14 to join Howard Payne and Mary Hardin-Baylor atop the ASC standings after two weeks.
The Yellow Jackets got past East Texas Baptist last week 33-21 to get to 2-0 in conference.
Both teams are in the top four in the conference in scoring offense, total offense and passing offense, so the Jackson Field scoreboard operator may be busy Saturday.
Howard Payne checks in at 12th in the nation in scoring (49.5 points per game) and fourth in total offense (585.8 yards per game).
STAT LEADERS
Howard Payne
Landon McKinney: 76-121, 1356 yds, 10 TD, 3 INT; 12 yds, 2 TD rushing
Tauren Bradley: 233 yds, 2 TD rushing
Javian Myles: 227 yds, 5 TD rushing
Otis Lanier: 21 rec, 316 yds, 3 TD
Jordan Carroll: 13 rec, 382 yds, 4 TD
Kyle Bell: 27 tkl, 4 pbu
Jarrett Brown: 24 tkl
Sul Ross State
T.J. DeShields: 92-148, 1168 yds, 12 TD, 0 INT; 6 yds, 2 TD rushing
Travell Lumpkin: 174 yds rushing
Vicente Luevano: 19 rec, 372 yds, 8 TD
Ronin Williams: 43 tkl, 6 tfl, 2 ff
THE PICK: HOWARD PAYNE
Photo: Wrangler Express
Cisco College (2-2, 0-2) at Kilgore (2-2, 1-2) - Saturday, 3 p.m.
The Wranglers hope for their first conference victory on the road at Kilgore Saturday afternoon.
The Rangers had hopes of a national title this season but have fallen 31-24 to NMMI and 28-21 to Navarro the past two weeks to drop to 1-2 in SWJCFC play.
Cisco is coming off a 51-13 home loss to Trinity Valley in which they were outgained 494-120.
New head coach John O’Mera’s triple-option offense hasn’t taken off yet, and that could make winning against a solid defense like Kilgore’s an even taller task on Saturday.
STAT LEADERS
Cisco
Christian Kaopua: 8-26, 212 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT; 140 yds rushing
Jadarrius Thomas: 165 yds, 2 TD rushing
Brenden Shipp: 4 rec, 52 yds, 1 TD
Bobby Crosby: 53 tkl, 10 pbu
Kilgore
La’Ravien Elia: 34-65, 614 yds, 2 TD, 4 INT; 72 yds, 2 TD rushing
Donerio Davenport: 403 yds, 6 TD rushing
Willie McCoy: 12 rec, 260 yds
Vincent Page: 32 tkl, 2 fr, 1 int
