Blitz Picks - Week 9
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%
WEEK 6 PICKS: 28-30, 93.3%
WEEK 7 PICKS: 35-40, 87.5%
WEEK 8 PICKS: 33-38, 86.8%
SEASON: 272-327, 83.2 %
We are at week nine and finally all of our Big Country districts are competing towards the playoffs. The four team six-man districts were the final holdouts, now 13 and 14-1A Division II join the party.
There are some very challenging picks this week, with Jim Ned/Breckenridge, Winters/Colorado City, Seymour/Haskell and Hamlin/Cross Plains standing out as coin flips.
The picks remained pretty good, over 80% for the fourth week in a row and fifth time in six weeks.
There are some great games in the area this week, hopefully you get a chance to enjoy one at a Big Country stadium in week nine!
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Contact: cody@bigcountryblitz.com
Photo: @AbileneClips
Lubbock Coronado (2-5, 1-2) at Abilene High (3-5, 2-2)
Series: Abilene High leads 2-0
The Eagles find themselves in another important district game this week as they play host to Lubbock Coronado.
Coronado picked themselves up off the mat last week, beating Amarillo 28-17 to stay in the playoff hunt. The week before Lubbock Cooper needed a 50-yard field goal at the buzzer to beat them 15-14, so the Mustangs have stepped their game up after losing to Caprock 40-24 in their district opener.
For Abilene High the story remains the same: try to find some offense to pair with their outstanding defense.
A win in this one will put the Eagles in great playoff position, and they’d love to send the seniors off with a win in their final game at Shotwell Stadium.
The Mustangs and Eagles meet for the first time since they were in the same district in 2012 and 2013 and the Eagles earned 49-0 and 56-49 victories.
STAT LEADERS
Coronado
Jett Carroll: 147-233, 1545 yds, 13 TD, 7 int; 213 yds, 4 TD rushing
Demarion Finch: 331 yds, 2 TD rushing
Surreal Garrett: 37 rec, 449 yds, 5 TD
John Curry: 86 tkl, 7 tfl, 6 sacks, 3 ff, 2 fr
De’Aundre Lewis: 63 tkl, 8 tfl, 6 sacks
Abilene High
Dylan Slack: 112-185, 1044 yds, 11 TD, 10 int; 1 TD rushing
Bam Rashaw: 494 yds, 4 TD rushing
Austin Wood: 28 rec, 212 yds, 1 TD
Tim Outlaw: 16 rec, 109 yds, 4 TD
DeMarco Upshaw: 12 rec, 111 yds, 1 TD
Brelon Badon: 13 rec, 189 yds, 1 TD
Bryce Neves: 58 tkl, 6 tfl, 3 sacks
Kenneth Johnson: 39 tkl, 7 sacks
Noah Hatcher: 56 tkl
Tristen Hall: 20 tkl, 3 sacks
Jayson Henley: 23 tkl, 2 int, 7 pbu
THE DCTF SPREAD: ABILENE HIGH BY 11
THE PICK: ABILENE HIGH
Cooper (3-4, 1-1) at Plainview (3-4, 1-1)
Series: Cooper leads 4-1
The Cougars have a great shot at staying in the district title chase with a win at Plainview Friday.
Cooper put it on Palo Duro last week and now visit a Bulldog squad that has a bit of confidence themselves after a 62-19 rout of Lubbock High.
The Cougars finally got the ground game going against the Dons, racking up a season high 239 yards on the ground to go along with 160 yards and three touchdown passes from Chris Warren.
Plainview dropped a 38-14 decision at Wylie in its district opener.
The two teams are meeting for the first time since 2017 when the Coogs picked up a 63-14 win in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
STAT LEADERS
Cooper
Chris Warren: 130-215, 1459 yds, 14 TD, 7 int; 87 yds, 2 TD rushing
Daniel Bray: 286 yds, 3 TD rushing
Cam Herron: 40 rec, 415 yds, 4 TD
D’Andre Ralston: 36 rec, 697 yds, 5 TD
Malik Jackson: 22 rec, 321 yds, 3 TD
Plainview
Seth Mayberry: 113-169, 1451 yds, 12 TD 7 int; 54 yds, 1 TD rushing
Karomo Collins: 364 yds, 4 TD rushing; 45 rec, 666 yds, 5 TD
THE DCTF SPREAD: COOPER BY 25
THE PICK: COOPER
Photo: Kerr Broadstreet/WylieSports.com
Lubbock High (2-5, 0-2) at Wylie (4-3, 2-0)
Series: First meeting
The Bulldogs have a great shot at keeping their first place spot in the district standings as they welcome a struggling Lubbock High team to Abilene for the first meeting between the two schools in football.
The Westerners have lost their two district games by a combined 132-19, which could mean another huge day for the potent Wylie offense. Lubbock’s wins this season were a 41-8 victory in the season opener over El Paso Soccoro (who is 0-7) and a 21-14 win against 4A Levelland (who is 1-7).
Wylie is coming off its biggest 5A win in program history at state-ranked and district favorite Wichita Falls Rider last week and likely will keep rolling against the Westerners.
STAT LEADERS
Lubbock
Ivan McGwier: 58-100, 775 yds, 4 TD, 5 int
Kylor Petrowski: 25-54, 326 yds, 3 TD, 3 int; 192 yds, 1 td rushing
Keith Ramirez: 411 yds, 8 TD rushing
Harley Rojas: 21 rec, 274 yds
Ezechiel Rodriquez: 60 tkl
Derek Torrez: 41 tkl, 3 int
Wylie
K.J. Long: 116-167, 2016 YDS, 21 TD, 4 int; 477 yds, 3 TD rushing
Landry Carlton: 660 yds, 4 TD rushing; 9 rec, 83 yds, 1 TD
Malachi Daniels: 210 yds, 3 TD rushing; 5 rec, 87 yds, 1 TD
Braden Regala: 49 rec, 842 yds, 7 TD; 109 yds, 3 TD rushing
Harrison Heighten: 25 rec, 547 yds, 7 TD
THE DCTF SPREAD: WYLIE BY 60
THE PICK: WYLIE
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
Lubbock Estacado (4-3, 1-0) at Brownwood (6-2, 2-0)
Series: Series tied 3-3
The Lions will face one of their two toughest challenges in district play Friday when they host Estacado. The other likely tough game will be the season finale at Andrews, a team the Matadors knocked off last week 42-36 in overtime.
Brownwood has cruised so far in district, beating Big Spring and Lake View by an average of 39 points per game. A win in this one can
Estacado has won three of their last four and their only district game to date was the win against Andrews. Their other wins are over Greenwood 28-24, Levelland 39-13 and Sweetwater 24-7 and their losses were to powerful Dumas 34-7, 5A Palo Duro 31-20 and Canyon West Plains 35-14.
The two programs will be meeting for the first time since 1985 when the Matadors knocked Brownwood out of the playoffs 29-7 in the second round of the playoffs. In fact, this is the first non-playoff game between the two teams.
STAT LEADERS
Estacado
N/A
Brownwood
Konlyn Anderson: 967 yds, 16 TD rushing
Ike Hall: 78-139, 1212 yds, 8 TD, 4 int; 527 yds, 8 TD rushing
Thad Hinds: 28 rec, 525 yds, 5 TD
Chance Jones: 72 tkl
Quinten McCarty: 68 tkl, 10 tfl
Sam Kallman: 70 tkl
THE DCTF SPREAD: BROWNWOOD BY 29
THE PICK: BROWNWOOD
Photo: Snyder ISD
Snyder (3-5, 1-1) at Wichita Falls Hirschi (4-2, 0-1)
Series: First meeting
The Tigers took advantages of Graham’s suspensions to knock off the Steers last week, now they hope to do the same at Wichita Falls Hirsci this week.
Hirschi will have numerous players out for at least the first half Friday after their brawl with the Steers last week. They are out this week because the Huskies had a bye after playing Graham.
Snyder will still be the underdog against the district favorites from Hirschi, but hope to challenge their depth and build a first half lead like they did against Graham.
Easton Stewart has taken over the quarterback position and played his best game of the season last week, throwing for 289 yards and five touchdowns. He and Dyllan Angelely, who caught four of those touchdown tosses, will be need to work that connection again for the Tigers to have a shot against the Huskies.
Hirschi started the season with four wins, including a 37-30 victory over Brock, before falling to Decatur 35-19 in the non-district finale and the forfeit against Graham.
STAT LEADERS
Snyder
Easton Stewart: 89-132, 1019 yds, 12 TD, 2 int; 85 yds, 1 TD rushing; 8 tkl, 2 int
Dom Dominguez: 300 yds, 1 TD rushing; 14 rec, 228 yds, 4 TD
Dyllan Angeley: 16 rec, 157 yds, 5 TD; 112 yds rushing; 49 tkl, 2 int
Hayden Foster: 17 rec, 150 yds, 1 TD
Chon Vasquez: 53 tkl, 3.5 tfl, 2 int; 11 rec, 182 yds, 2 TD
Hirschi
N/A
THE DCTF SPREAD: HIRSCHI BY 30
THE PICK: HIRSCHI
Photo: Cinco_Cinco_Productions
Sweetwater (1-6, 0-1) at Graham (4-4, 0-2)
Series: Sweetwater leads 12-8
Sweetwater looks to snap a four-game losing streak as they visit a Graham team coming off a loss at Snyder last week.
The Mustangs only need to avoid the basement in the four team District 3-4A Division II to make the playoffs, and this one may be their best chance at getting a district victory.
Sweetwater has struggled offensively this season and have been held to just seven points in three of their last four outings. They will need to find some points against a Steer squad that has given up 30 points per game over their last three contests.
The Mustangs and Steers will do battle for the first time since a 48-28 Graham win in the quarterfinals in 2017.
STAT LEADERS
Sweetwater
Chris Gomez: 38-53, 370 yds, 3 TD, 2 int; 1 TD rushing
Tate Thompson: 25-40, 276 yds, 1 TD, 5 int; 24 yds, 1 TD rushing
Jamarian Amos: 293 yds, 1 TD rushing; 13 rec, 107 yds, 1 TD
Jadyn Forbes: 21 rec, 273 yds, 4 TD
Korda Moore: 65 tkl, 17 tfl
Roman Camacho: 64 tkl
Noel Mekogue: 63 tkl, 7 tfl
Graham
Ty Thompson: 103-189, 1416 yds, 19 TD, 5 int; 248 yds, 6 TD rushing
Rylan Monsey: 969 yds, 5 TD rushing; 17 rec, 161 yds, 3 TD
Peyton Kinman: 24 rec, 569 yds, 12 TD
Zathin Reyes: 85 tkl
THE DCTF SPREAD: GRAHAM BY 17
THE PICK: GRAHAM
Bowie (0-7, 0-2) at Clyde (4-3, 0-2)
Series: Series tied 1-1
The Bulldogs and Jackrabbits meet in a game that is critical in the playoff chase for both teams.
Clyde has opened district play with a pair of close losses to Vernon and Jim Ned, while Bowie was blown out by Jim Ned and lost on a field goal in overtime against Iowa Park last week.
The Bulldogs had to play without quarterback Blake Carr against the Indians a week ago as sophomore Tucker Jones made his starting debut. The QB that takes the field Friday will have a good shot a putting up big numbers against a Bowie squad that is giving up over 42 points per game.
This is the first game between the teams since a 44-40 Bowie bi-district playoff victory in 2015. Clyde got a 12-0 bi-district win over the Jackrabbits in 2008.
STAT LEADERS
Bowie
N/A
Clyde
Blake Carr: 98-151, 1460 yds, 15 TD, 8 int; 509 yds, 7 TD
Tucker Jones: 22-40, 348 yds, 4 TD, 2 int
Fabian Gomez: 261 yds, 1 TD rushing
Garis Gray: 21 rec, 518 yds, 3 TD
Daijon Booker: 21 rec, 309 yds, 6 TD
Connor Hawk: 26 rec, 348 yds, 3 TD
THE DCTF SPREAD: CLYDE BY 22
THE PICK: CLYDE
Photo: Jan Chitsey
Photo: Breckenridge Texan
Jim Ned (4-3, 2-0) at Breckenridge (6-1, 1-1)
Series: Series tied 5-5
The Indians travel to Breckenridge in one of the better games in the Big Country this week.
While both teams will likely end up in the playoffs, the winner here stays in the mix with Vernon for the district title.
The Buckaroos are coming off their first loss of the season, 28-21 at Vernon, while the Indians got past Clyde last week by that same score.
The two teams have met as district foes in each of the past four seasons with the Indians winning every time. The last Buckaroo victory was a 68-19 decision in 2013.
STAT LEADERS
Jim Ned
Troy Doran: 30-56, 414 yds, 8 TD, 4 int; 443 yds, 8 TD rushing; 10 rec, 111 yds, 1 TD; 32 tkl, 3 int
Brayden Shipman: 539 yds, 3 TD rushing
Gray Beasley: 368 yds, 1 TD rushing; 2 int
Carter Wood: 8 rec, 107 yds, 3 TD
Trey Hicks: 58 tkl, 3 tfl
Davis Soben: 44 tkl
Tanner Hussman: 43 tkl, 5 tfl
Carter Lange: 21 tkl, 6 sacks
Breckenridge
Chase Lehr: 64-99, 1039 yds, 13 TD, 7 int; 225 yds, 4 TD rushing
Jerry Lawson: 554 yds, 7 TD rushing
Anson Rodgers: 403 yds, 10 TD rushing; 15 rec, 219 yds, 5 TD; 36 tkl
Adrian Ruiz: 12 rec, 227 yds, 3 TD
Zeke Castillo: 79 tkl, 3 tfl
Caiden Marin: 70 tkl, 9 tfl
THE DCTF SPREAD: BRECKENRIDGE BY 18
THE PICK: BRECKENRIDGE
Photo: Chad McDuffee
Brady (3-4, 1-1) at Ballinger (0-7, 0-2)
Series: Ballinger leads 58-33-1
Ballinger hopes to get things going as they host Brady this week.
The Bearcats have been shut out in their last three outings and in four of their seven games so far this season.
Brady is coming off a 41-27 home loss to Early and currently sits third in the District 2-3A Division I standings courtesy of their 49-6 victory over TLCA San Angelo in the district opener.
The Bearcats and Bulldogs have a long-standing rivalry that dates back to a 32-7 Brady win in 1926. The Bulldogs won last season, but Ballinger has taken three of the last four matchups.
STAT LEADERS
Brady
Hayden Baronet: 72-128, 1214 yds, 8 TD, 5 int; 491 yds, 14 TD rushing
JD Ibarra: 541 yds, 6 TD rushing
Keegan Farris: 35 rec, 571 yds, 5 TD
Ballinger
N/A
THE DCTF SPREAD: BRADY BY 16
THE PICK: BRADY
Photo: Mike Jones
Grape Creek (0-7, 0-2) at Early (4-3, 2-0)
Series: Early leads 6-0
Early should have a good shot at keeping pace with Wall atop the district standings as they host winless Grape Creek this week.
The Eagles, a playoff team and district co-champion a year ago, have fallen on hard times in 2022. They have been outscored 260-32 on the year and have been shut out by a combined 96-0 by Wall and TLCA San Angelo in their first two district outings.
Early can’t get caught looking ahead to their showdown at Wall next week that will likely decide the district title, but they have been on a roll of late — winning three of their last four with the only loss coming by a point to 4A Burnet.
The Longhorns have never lost to the Eagles and that includes a 49-0 win last season and a 36-0 win in 2020.
STAT LEADERS
Grape Creek
N/A
Early
Jaxyn Price: 134-242, 1753 yds, 19 TD, 5 int; 87 yds, 2 TD rushing
Griffin Cheslock: 638 yds, 6 TD rushing
Kaleb Ozuna: 313 yds, 4 TD rushing; 75 tkl, 5 tfl
Jeremy Brown: 44 rec, 686 yds, 9 TD; 26 tkl, 2 int
John-Stewart Gordon: 22 rec, 285 yds, 1 TD
Caleb McCullough: 68 tkl, 18 tfl, 8 sacks; 10 rec, 189 yds, 3 TD
Colton Allen: 25 tkl, 4 int
THE DCTF SPREAD: EARLY BY 55
THE PICK: EARLY
Jacksboro (4-3, 1-1) at Merkel (3-4, 2-0)
Series: Jacksoboro leads 2-0
The resurgent Badgers will face their toughest district test to date this week as they host Jacksboro.
The Tigers are coming off a 53-33 loss to Comanche last week, but beat Eastland 53-6 in their district opener. Merkel got past the Mavericks 34-28 a week ago to stay tied with Comanche atop the 5-3A Division II standings.
Merkel has scored 85 points over the past two weeks after scoring just 61 points in non-district play. They will need to keep up the pace and their improved rushing attack, plus play one of their better defensive games of the year to take down the Tigers.
The Tigers squeaked past the Badgers 20-14 last season and beat them 30-13 in 2020 in the only previous meetings between the two schools on the gridiron.
STAT LEADERS
Jacksboro
Lando Belcher: 115-190, 1586 yds, 19 TD, 6 int; 420 yds, 5 TD rushing
Luke Sams: 414 yds, 5 TD rushing
Cannon Valenzuela: 34 rec, 517 yds, 7 TD; 51 tkl, 2 int
Kaleem Howard: 32 rec, 489 yds, 8 TD
Jackson McComis: 75 tkl, 5 tfl
Merkel
Joey Zink: 45-73, 699 yds, 8 TD, 2 int; 472 yds, 2 TD rushing
Elijah Olivarez: 143 yds, 3 TD rushing; 12 rec, 197, yds, 3 TD; 87 tkl, 16 tfl
Connor Willyerd: 331 yds, 3 TD rushing
Maddox O’Malley: 14 rec, 291 yds, 3 TD
Jose Flores: 53 tkl, 1 tfl
Jack Travis: 46 tkl, 5 tfl, 3 sacks
THE DCTF SPREAD: JACKSBORO BY 22
THE PICK: JACKSBORO
Photo: Breckenridge Texan
Eastland (0-7, 0-2) at Millsap (5-2, 1-1)
Series: Eastland leads 8-0
Eastland has another tough district game line up as they head to Millsap to battle the Bulldogs Friday.
The Mavericks came close to knocking off Merkel last week, now they will face a Millsap team that drubbed Dublin 38-12 in their last outing and dropped their district opener to Comanche 45-28.
It is must-win time for Eastland if they want to make the playoffs. The Bulldogs are in the postseason mix and would stay in the district title conversation with a win over the young Mavericks.
The Mavericks have never lost to Millsap dating back to their first contest, a 30-0 playoff victory in 1987.
STAT LEADERS
Eastland
Isaiah Hays: 100-173, 1214 yds, 12 TD, 8 int
Cason Browning: 264 yds rushing; 26 tkl
Jay Oznick: 28 rec, 511 yds, 8 TD; 26 tkl
Brayden Foust: 56 tkl, 4.5 tfl
Preston Rose: 50 tkl; 2 int
Millsap
CR Tippie: 55-98, 681 yds, 8 TD, 7 int
Ryder Douglas-Oliver: 1065 yds, 11 TD rushing
Carter Nairn: 21 rec, 278 yds, 3 TD
Morgan Birdwell: 41 tkl, 4 tfl
THE DCTF SPREAD: MILLSAP BY 22
THE PICK: MILLSAP
Photo: Anson Tiger Sports Pics
Stamford (6-1, 2-1) at Anson (2-6, 2-2)
Series: Stamford leads 57-30-8
Old rivals meet yet again in a key game in the District 4-2A Division I playoff chase.
Anson can stay in the playoff discussion with an upset win, while Stamford can solidify its postseason standing with a victory.
The Bulldogs are coming off their first loss of the season, 47-14 to Cisco, while Anson dropped a 31-14 decision at Olney after beating Colorado City and Winters to begin district play.
The Tigers really need this one to hold onto their playoff hopes as they wrap up the regular season at Cisco. Stamford hosts Hawley next week but wraps up against winless Colorado City.
Anson has won the last three in their long series with Stamford that dates back to 1923.
STAT LEADERS
Stamford
Christian Duran: 59-95, 1003 yds, 9 TD, 3 int; 363 yds, 7 TD rushing
Hayden Henager: 611 yds, 4 TD rushing; 19 rec, 339 yds, 3 TD
Kaston Vega: 447 yds, 5 TD rushing; 69 tkl, 7 tfl
Quinton Pryor: 15 rec, 243 yds, 2 TD
Cruz Cantu: 45 tkl, 6 tfl
Anson
Tyler Wilburn: 49-97, 486 yds, 3 TD, 4 int; 243 yds rushing
Tegen Saiz: 639 yds, 8 TD rushing
Stryker Dillard: 23 rec, 253 yds, 1 TD
THE DCTF SPREAD: STAMFORD BY 28
THE PICK: STAMFORD
Photo: Cinco_Cinco_Productions
Olney (5-2, 1-2) at #2 Hawley (7-0, 3-0)
Series: Hawley leads 2-0
The Bearcats will get their biggest test in district to date as they welcome Olney to town. Hawley has blasted Anson 55-0, Colorado City 61-7 and Winters 60-6 to start district and now will face three playoff contenders over the final three weeks in Olney, Stamford and Cisco.
The Cubs are on the outside looking in at the playoffs at the moment, but will have a good shot at a postseason berth as they face Colorado City and Winters in their last two games.
Hawley leads the Big Country in both points per game and points allowed per game, with many of their points recently coming before pulling the starters at the half.
The teams have not met since a pair of Bearcat victories when they were in the same district in 2014 and 2015.
STAT LEADERS
Olney
Gatlin Guy: 9-26, 146 yds, 0 TD, 3 int; 745 yds, 10 TD rushing
Jovani Rockmore: 840 yds, 9 TD rushing
Luis Castillo: 3 rec, 100 yds; 46 tkl, 7 tfl, 4 sacks
AB Marquez: 53 tkl, 4 tfl
Hawley
Rodey Hooper: 73-108, 1262 yds, 12 TD, 1 int; 61 yds, 1 TD rushing
Austin Cumpton: 995 yds, 21 TD rushing; 52 tkl, 12 tfl
Will Scott: 21 rec, 328 yds, 2 TD; 59 tkl, 9 tfl
Kason O’Shields: 20 rec, 332 yds, 5 TD; 38 tkl, 1 int
Chandlin Myer: 18 rec, 295 yds, 3 TD
Diontay Ramon: 16 rec, 324 yds, 4 TD; 29 tkl, 13 tfl, 5.5 sacks
Hez Parker: 57 tkl, 13 tfl, 2 int
THE DCTF SPREAD: HAWLEY BY 28
THE PICK: HAWLEY
Photo: Gary Stennett
Photo: Cassie Gang
Winters (1-7, 0-4) at Colorado City (0-7, 0-3)
Series: Colorado City leads 13-11-1
Either the Wolves or Blizzards will earn their first district victory Friday night, and it could be the first win of the Monty Leaf era if Colorado City can come out on top.
Both have had rough seasons and rough starts to district play. The Wolves have lost their three district games by a combined 137-13 while Winters has dropped their first four 203-24.
This, surprisingly, is the first game between the Blizzards and Wolves since 1979. Colorado City has won the last five in the series and the last Winters win came in 1974.
STAT LEADERS
Winters
Chris Martinez: 64-129, 735 yds, 7 TD, 11 int
Alejandro Garcia: 479 yds, 4 TD rushing
Aidan Bryant: 18 rec, 196 yds, 2 TD
Colorado City
Jordan Garza: 27-69, 289 yds, 2 TD, 2 int; 244 yds, 3 TD rushing
Mayson Monroe: 10-24, 212 yds, 0 TD, 2 int; 7 rec, 71 yds, 1 TD
Aedan Briseno: 600 yds, 2 TD rushing
Jordan Raschke: 13 rec, 212 yds; 31 tkl, 4 tfl
Nicholas Santana: 55 tkl
THE DCTF SPREAD: WINTERS BY 1
THE PICK: COLORADO CITY
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
#7 Tolar (7-0, 3-0) at Bangs (5-2, 3-0)
Series: Tolar leads 2-0
The Dragons put their five-game winning streak on the line against unbeaten and seventh ranked Tolar Friday night.
Bangs has wins over De Leon, Goldthwaite and San Saba to start district 3-0, but will be tested with games against the #7 Rattlers and #10 Coleman over the final three weeks of the season.
This game will feature a matchup of two great running backs as Tolar’s Peyton Brown and Bangs’ Guy Powell have combined for over 2,600 yards and 28 touchdowns rushing on the season.
Tolar took down Coleman 16-6 two weeks ago and beat De Leon 50-7 last week.
Win or lose the Dragons are in good shape as far as the playoffs go, but an upset Friday would firmly put them in the district championship mix in 5-2A Division I.
The Rattlers and Dragons have not met since a 63-6 Tolar district victory in 2017. They also won a 60-18 ballgame in 2016.
STAT LEADERS
Tolar
Jackson Lecluyse: 36-71, 548 yds, 7 TD, 2 int; 146 yds, 2 TD rushing
Peyton Brown: 1352 yds, 21 TD rushing
Wyatt Jones: 19 rec, 340 yds, 5 TD
Brock Owens: 67 tkl
Bangs
Kenny Cole: 40-93, 644 yds, 3 TD, 4 int
Guy Powell: 1360 yds, 7 TD; 2 rec, 47 yds, 1 TD
Hunter Newton: 9 rec, 164 yds, 2 TD
Nate Stoffer: 7 rec, 121 yds, 1 TD; 65 tkl, 3 int
Keygan Pitts: 64 tkl, 3 tfl
THE DCTF SPREAD: TOLAR BY 28
THE PICK: TOLAR
Photo: Julia Vega/Albany Lions Photos
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo & Design
#8 Albany (5-2, 2-0) at Roscoe (5-2, 2-0)
Series: Albany leads 25-10
The District 6-2A Division II title is likely on the line Friday night when the Plowboys take a shot at #8 Albany.
The Lions have had little trouble getting past Miles and Cross Plains to kickoff district play, and the same could be said for Roscoe in blowout wins over Cross Plains and TLCA Abilene.
Albany is the clear favorite and seems to be getting healthier after a rash of early season injures.
Roscoe had a tough two week stretch to wrap up non-district action against New Home and Sundown but looks to be back on track after two weeks of district.
The Lions have beaten the Plowboys nine straight times dating back to 2009. The last Roscoe win was 35-27 in 2007.
STAT LEADERS
Albany
Cole Chapman: 27-44, 274 yds, 2 TD; 112 yds rushing
London Fuentes: 25-40, 420 yds, 6 TD, 3 int; 199 yds, 2 TD rushing; 11 rec, 129 yds, 1 TD; 25 tkl, 2 int
Adam Hill: 938 yds, 12 TD rushing; 8 rec, 188 yds, 3 TD; 58 tkl, 11 tfl, 4.5 sacks
Coy Lefevre: 495 yds, 8 TD rushing; 7 rec, 129 yds, 2 TD; 26 tkl
Cason Fairchild: 17 rec, 205 yds, 1 TD; 33 tkl, 2 int
Coy Cauble: 66 tkl
Tye Edgar: 42 tkl, 5 sacks
Roscoe
Jax Watts: 85-139, 1228 yds, 13 TD, 6 int; 161 yds, 2 TD rushing
Gaven Martinez: 214 yds rushing
Seth Wilcox: 34 rec, 682 yds, 8 TD
Parker Gleaton: 16 rec, 215 yds, 4 TD
THE DCTF SPREAD: ALBANY BY 30
THE PICK: ALBANY
Photo: Gary Ford
Photo: Cross Plains School Yearbook
Hamlin (5-2, 1-1) at Cross Plains (5-2, 0-2)
Series: Hamlin leads 6-0
With Albany, Roscoe and Miles looking like the top three teams from the district, this one Friday night will likely decide who earns the fourth and final spot in the playoffs.
Hamlin saw a five-game winning streak end with a 28-0 loss to Miles, while the Buffs were shut out by Albany last week 56-0.
Cross Plains won all five non-district games but has yet to earn a district win yet, mainly because they have played against Roscoe and Albany.
Hamlin took care of TLCA Abilene to pick up its district win.
This one may be on the lower scoring end of things as both offenses have yet to put up huge numbers this year. Cross Plains has been better offensively, but Hamlin is a bit better on defense, giving up 14 points per game — third best among 11-man teams in the Big Country.
The Pied Pipers are a perfect 6-0 all-time against the Buffaloes, including 41-0 and 47-0 district victories in 2018 and 2019.
STAT LEADERS
Hamlin
Swenson Benavides: 35-66, 618 yds, 5 TD, 2 int; 502 yds, 5 TD rushing
Colten Spalding: 418 yds, 6 TD rushing
Zayiman Montoya: 10 rec, 175 yds, 3 TD
Isaic Stephens: 9 rec, 152 yds, 1 TD
Cross Plains
Kade Purvis: 73-119, 823 yds, 9 TD, 5 int
Noah Moses: 734 yds, 4 TD
Ryan Reed: 23 rec, 371 yds, 6 TD
Dusty Wyatt: 26 rec, 243 yds, 1 TD
THE DCTF SPREAD: CROSS PLAINS BY 6
THE PICK: CROSS PLAINS
TLCA Abilene (0-7, 0-2) at Miles (5-2, 1-1)
Series: First meeting
The Eagles head to Miles for their third district game to face a Bulldog team that boasts the best scoring offense (41.9 points per game) in District 6-2A Division II.
TLCA Abilene comes in off a 64-12 loss to Roscoe, while Miles took down Hamlin 28-0 a week ago.
STAT LEADERS
TLCA Abilene
Johnathon Rico: 55-148, 537 yds, 6 TD, 5 int; 199 yds, 4 TD rushing
Manuel Rios: 21 rec, 273 yds, 2 TD
Jay Kirk: 18 rec, 227 yds, 4 TD
Anthony Cordero: 20 tkl
Miles
Hayven Book: 81-134, 1314 yds, 22 TD, 2 int; 180 yds, 4 TD rushing
Devin Medina: 255 yds, 6 TD rushing
Carson Ellison: 25 rec, 355 yds, 8 TD; 22 tkl, 4 int
Jaxon Petillo: 52 tkl, 3 tfl
THE DCTF SPREAD: MILES BY 61
THE PICK: MILES
Seymour (5-2, 2-1) at Haskell (4-4, 2-2)
Series: Haskell leads 34-25-2
The Indians face yet another challenge in district action this week as they welcome Seymour to town.
The Panthers are coming off a 42-0 win over Electra, while Haskell fell to Archer City 27-20 to drop to 2-2 in district play.
Seymour’s only district loss so far was also to Archer City, as the Wildcats won 33-16 on their home field.
These two along with Archer City and Windthorst look to be playoff locks, but winner here has the inside track at the three seed. Seymour, who hosts Windthorst next week, can still get in the mix for a district title with a win and some help.
This will be the first matchup between the two teams since 2015. The Indians have won the last two in the series.
STAT LEADERS
Seymour
Keegan Gilbreath: 53-87, 877 yds, 13 TD, 4 int; 460 yds, 7 TD rushing; 30 tkl, 2 int
Brayden Loyd: 78-131, 789 yds, 10 TD, 4 int; 104 yds rushing
David Charo: 34 rec, 538 yds, 5 TD
Tabor Wyatt: 19 rec, 298 yds, 7 TD
Levi Henderson: 71 tkl, 8 tfl
Haskell
Marquise Johnson: 42-81, 403 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT; 592 yds, 5 TD rushing
Trevor Henry: 601 yds, 7 TD rushing
Grady Vasquez: 29-54, 440 yds, 5 TD, 6 int
Cory Mathis: 16 rec, 236 yds, 2 TD
Nemo Silvas: 12 rec, 179 yds, 4 TD
THE DCTF SPREAD: PICK ‘EM
THE PICK: HASKELL
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
Photo: Bobbie Brown/Texas 1A Fan
#2 Westbrook (6-1, 2-0) at Hermleigh (6-1, 2-0)
Series: Westbrook leads 10-8
We have our first clash of potential district champs in 8-1A D1 when the Wildcats visit Hermleigh this week.
These two teams and Ira enter week three of district play at 2-0, and the winner of this one will have the upper hand going forward.
Westbrook is hoping to get Cedric Ware back from injury this week. He missed the last two games but the Wildcats won anyway, 50-0 over Highland and 86-36 over Roby. A healthy Ware will certainly tip the scales in Westbrook’s direction.
Hermleigh continues to have one of the best offenses in the area and they’ll need to put plenty of points on the board to contend in this one.
Hermleigh has won four of the last five in the series, including a 59-36 victory in the last meeting in 2015.
STAT LEADERS
Westbrook
Parker Matlock: 41-61, 483 yds, 7 TD, 3 int; 43 yds, 1 TD rushing; 57 tkl, 6.5 tfl, 3 int
Cedric Ware: 903 yds, 22 td rushing; 12 rec, 177 yds, 3 TD; 38 tkl
Grayson Jeffrey: 650 yds, 13 TD rushing; 27 tkl, 5 int
Brannon Larson: 321 yds, 6 TD rushing; 13 tkl
Colton Walters: 8 rec, 103 yds
Pahton Dominguez: 61 tkl, 13 tfl, 3 sacks, 3 ff, 1 fr
Hermleigh
N/A
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Westbrook: #64 in 1A D1
Hermleigh: #24 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: WESTBROOK BY 29
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: WESTBROOK BY 45
THE PICK: WESTBROOK
Photo: Mark Martinez/Double Mountain Chronicle
Photo: SMcCowen Photography
Rotan (2-4, 0-2) at Highland (1-6, 0-2)
Series: Series tied 1-1
Rotan and Highland are likely going to come up short in the push for the playoffs, but the winner here still has an outside shot after starting district play at 0-2.
Rotan lost 70-24 to Ira and 61-16 to Hermleigh, while Highland dropped a 50-0 decision to Westbrook but hung with Ira last week 54-44.
The Hornets and Yellowhammers are playing for the first time since they were in the same district in 2012 and 2013. Highland won 59-12 in 2013 and Rotan earned the victory 52-6 in 2012.
STAT LEADERS
Rotan
N/A
Highland
Bubba Byrne: 30-70, 441 yds, 4 TD, 3 int; 53 yds, 1 TD rushing; 41 tkl, 1 int
Cooper Bowen: 709 yds, 12 TD rushing; 7 rec, 96 yds, 1 TD; 50 tkl
Tylan Balthrop: 13 rec, 220 yds, 1 TD; 328 yds, 9 TD rushing; 32 tkl
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Rotan: #57 in 1A D1
Highland: #32 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: HIGHLAND BY 18
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: HIGHLAND BY 45
THE PICK: HIGHLAND
Ira (6-1, 2-0) at Roby (0-7, 0-2)
Series: Ira leads 2-0
The Lions look to play spoiler while the Bulldogs try to keep pace with the Hermleigh/Westbrook winner for the district lead.
Roby made it to the fourth quarter in last weeks loss to Westbrook and went the distance against Hermleigh two weeks ago.
Ira picked up a mercy rule win over Rotan and beat Highland 54-44 a week ago to get to 2-0 in district play.
These two are facing off for the third year in a row as members of the same district. Ira won a year ago 54-8 and 24-14 in 2020.
STAT LEADERS
Ira
Bryton Partain: 19-38, 445 yds, 8 TD, 4 int; 763 yds, 15 TD rushing; 45 tkl, 1 int
Demitri Juarez: 185 yds, 7 TD rushing; 40 tkl, 1 int
Jaren Pena: 393 yds, 12 TD rushing; 42 tkl, 1 int
Zane Allen: 13 rec, 324 yds, 9 TD; 40 tkl, 1 int
Roby
N/A
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Ira: #16 in 1A D1
Roby: #61 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: IRA BY 37
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: IRA BY 45
THE PICK: IRA
Photo: Megan Lusty Photography
Photo: Kelsey Pierce
Gorman (5-2, 1-1) at Baird (4-3, 1-1) - Friday, 5:30 p.m.
Series: Baird leads 31-6-3
While Gordon looks to be the class of District 9-1A Division I, it’s a four-way dogfight for the second playoff spot out of the district.
Two of the teams in the mix meet Friday as Gorman travels to Baird in a battle of 1-1 teams.
Baird dropped it’s district opener to Perrin-Whitt 34-8 but rallied to top Lingleville 58-8 a week ago, while Gorman fell to Gordon 60-14 before shutting out Perrin-Whitt a week ago 38-0.
Comparative scoring against the Pirates gives Gorman the edge in this one, but Baird will be at home with their backs against the wall.
The Bears have dominated the series overall, but the Panthers picked up a 73-30 win in their district meeting a year ago. Baird has won 17 of the last 20 overall.
STAT LEADERS
Gorman
Joseph Rainey: 28-59, 486 yds, 7 TD, 1 INT; 790 yds, 8 TD rushing; 5 rec, 173 yds, 2 TD; 40 tkl, 2 INT
Maddox Roberts: 298 yds, 6 TD rushing; 2 rec, 30 yds, 1 TD
Nick Guthery: 231 yds rushing; 4 rec, 107 yds, 1 TD; 49 tkl, 3 tfl; 2 int
Erik Ramirez: 1 rec, 188 yds, 1 TD; 50 tkl, 6 tfl, 1 fr, 1 ff
Baird
Skyler Denning: 603 yds, 7 TD rushing; 5 rec, 112 yds, 3 TD; 36 tkl, 2 int
Jake Collins: 13 rec, 264 yds, 8 TD; 24 tkl, 2 int
Camdyn Schlieve: 26-45, 342 yds, 9 TD
Devin Lucas: 60 tkl, 4 tfl
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Gorman: #36 in 1A D1
Baird: #49 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: BAIRD BY 3
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: GORMAN BY 24
THE PICK: GORMAN
Photo: Todd White
Photo: May Tiger Teams
Santa Anna (3-4, 0-1) at #3 May (7-0, 2-0)
Series: May leads 18-10
The Mountaineers have a tough hill to climb if they want to contend for a playoff spot as they visit third-ranked May.
The Tigers are off to a hot start in 14-1A Division I with 45’s against Evant and Lometa, while Santa Anna just started district action a week ago with a 62-12 loss to Jonesboro.
Santa Anna has lost four in a row after a 3-0 start while May continues to play like one of the best teams in the state.
The Tigers have won eight straight in the series over the Mountaineers, including a 58-0 victory a year ago. The last Santa Anna win was in 2012.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Santa Anna: #55 in 1A D1
May: #1 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: MAY BY 60
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: MAY BY 45
THE PICK: MAY
Photo: Michael Leal/Texas 1A Fan
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
Rule (5-2, 2-0) at Paint Creek (2-5, 0-1)
Series: Rule leads 18-3-1
Rule can stay atop the district standings with a win over struggling Paint Creek this week.
The Pirates have played well in more than half of their games this season, but last week could not put a point on the board in a 50-0 loss to Woodson in their district opener.
Rule got a forfeit win over Lueders-Avoca last week and beat Woodson by that same 50-0 score two weeks ago.
The Bobcats and Pirates will do battle for the first time since a 53-6 Rule victory in 2016.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Rule: #38 in 1A D2
Paint Creek: #66 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: RULE BY 35
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: RULE BY 45
THE PICK: RULE
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
Blackwell (4-3, 0-0) at #6 Loraine (6-1, 0-0)
Series: Blackwell leads 9-8
The district championship could be on the line in game one as Blackwell travels to face #6 Loraine this week.
The Bulldogs only hiccup was a 61-30 loss to #1 Benjamin, but Loraine is, and likely will be, the only team in the regular season to go the distance against the Mustangs.
Blackwell started slowly at 1-3 but has three wins in a row to get to 4-3. However, those wins came over Brookesmith, Panther Creek and Paint Rock teams that are only a combined 4-15 on the season.
The Bulldogs snapped a four-game losing streak in the series with their 61-36 district title clinching victory a year ago.
STAT LEADERS
Blackwell
N/A
Loraine
AJ Williams: 12-21, 173 yds, 3 TD, 1 int; 789 yds, 19 TD rushing; 43 tkl, 1 int
Davion Walthall: 614 yds, 8 TD rushing; 60 tkl, 8 sacks, 2 ff, 2 fr
Malaki Williams: 5 rec, 77 yds, 2 TD; 28 tkl, 4 int, 1 fr
Damion Delgado: 6 rec, 98 yds, 1 TD; 15 tkl
Josiah Lujan: 52 tkl, 5 tfl, 2 sacks, 3 fr
Wrangler Little: 56 tkl, 8 tfl, 1 fr, 1 ff
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Blackwell: #27 in 1A D2
Loraine: #4 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: LORAINE BY 33
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: LORAINE BY 45
THE PICK: LORAINE
Trent (5-2, 0-0) at Bronte (3-4, 0-0)
Series: Bronte leads 12-7
The Gorillas will try to put a lopsided loss to #9 Rising Star in their last outing behind them as they begin district play at Bronte.
Trent is looking reach the playoffs for the first time since 2012 and they’ll need a win over the Longhorns to better their chances. They already have more wins in a season than any year since 2014 (5-5) and they’d love to add a sixth.
Bronte is coming off a 66-20 defeat at the hands of #4 Oglesby last week. They are back in 1A D2 after going just 3-16 over the past two years as a 1A D1 school.
This game will be the first between the schools since all the way back in 1969 — a 53-8 Longhorn victory. The teams met every year between 1951 and 1969 but surprisingly have not met since.
STAT LEADERS
Trent
Hayden Payne: 51-95, 681 yds, 14 TD, 1 int; 312 yds, 3 TD rushing; 20 tkl, 2 int
Breyden Lewis: 610 yds, 10 TD rushing; 16 rec, 249 yds, 4 TD; 51 tkl, 6 tfl
Lance Swinney: 11 rec, 198 yds, 5 TD; 43 tkl, 9 tfl
Brian Crouch: 42 tkl, 2 INT; 47 tkl, 2 int
Braxton Cathey: 6 rec, 107 yds, 4 TD
Bronte
N/A
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Trent: #63 in 1A D2
Bronte: #35 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: BRONTE BY 12
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BRONTE BY 45
THE PICK: BRONTE
Panther Creek (1-5, 0-0) at Moran (0-7, 0-0)
Series: Panther Creek leads 2-1
The Bulldogs hope to put a rough non-district run behind them as they open district play against 1-5 Panther Creek.
Rising Star looks like the class of the district, but that second playoff spot is a tossup between these two teams and Paint Rock.
Moran has only finished one game, a 58-44 loss to Mullin in week four. Panther Creek has gone the distance four times, including a 56-26 win over Veribest. Their last game was a 46-0 loss to Azle Christian.
The squads will meet up for the first time since 2017. They met in the playoffs in back-to-back seasons in 2016 and 2017 with each team winning once.
STAT LEADERS
Moran
Ellis Hise: 26-84, 232 yds, 2 TD, 4 int; 24 tkl
Connor Hail: 401 yds, 5 TD rushing; 26 tkl, 1 int
Caleb York: 12 rec, 87 yds; 20 tkl
Tyler Waddell: 4 rec, 74 yds, 2 TD
Panther Creek
N/A
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Panther Creek: #51 in 1A D2
Moran: #61 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: PANTHER CREEK BY 6
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: PANTHER CREEK BY 45
THE PICK: PANTHER CREEK
Paint Rock (2-5, 0-0) at #9 Rising Star (6-1, 0-0)
Series: Rising Star leads 3-1
Rising Star hopes to keep rolling as it opens district play against Paint Rock.
The Wildcats have soared into the state rankings thanks to a five-game winning streak that includes four 45’s, including a 76-0 shut out at Trent in their last outing.
Paint Rock also beat Trent this year, 66-16, and topped Lohn 64-14 in the season opener. They have been beaten by Veribest 56-6, Blackwell 48-0 and Midland Holy Cross 74-64 in their last three contests.
This will be the first ballgame between the Indians and Wildcats since 2013, a 53-6 Rising Star victory.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Paint Rock: #57 in 1A D2
Rising Star: #22 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: RISING STAR BY 60
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: RISING STAR BY 45
THE PICK: RISING STAR
Blanket (6-1, 1-0) at Mullin (3-5, 0-2)
Series: Mullin leads 10-9
The Tigers enter week two of district play on a six-game winning streak that has a great shot at reaching seven Friday night at Mullin.
Blanket beat Gustine 66-16 a week ago, while Mullin was a 58-0 loser at Zephyr.
Mullin has lost four in a row after a 3-1 start to the season.
Blanket looks to be in a three-way race for the two playoff spots in the district with Zephyr and Sidney, who play Saturday at Sidney.
Blanket has won six of the last seven in the series, including the last meeting a 49-0 decision in 2019.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Blanket: #28 in 1A D2
Mullin: #52 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: BLANKET BY 22
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BLANKET BY 47
THE PICK: BLANKET
Zephyr (7-1, 2-0) at Sidney (3-3, 1-0) - Saturday
Series: Zephyr leads 16-8
The Bulldogs get their first real test since week one when they take on a Sidney team that is probably better than its record indicates.
The Eagles losses have been to #10 Bluff Dale, Aquilla and #2 Cherokee who are a combined 17-4 on the season.
Zephyr has won seven straight but Waco Eagle Christian (5-2) is their only win against a team with a winning record.
Sidney has won the last three meetings, including a 21-18 nail biter in the season opener a year ago, but the Bulldogs won 16 of the 17 meetings before that.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Zephyr: #34 in 1A D2
Sidney: #24 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: ZEPHYR BY 13
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: SIDNEY BY 45
THE PICK: SIDNEY
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
Brookesmith (1-6, 1-0) at #5 Richland Springs (5-1, 1-1)
Series: Richland Springs leads 28-2
The Mustangs have about a big a jump in level of competition as you get as they go from playing winless Lohn last week to facing fifth-ranked Richland Springs this week.
Brookesmith has some momentum after their 46-0 win over Lohn and is ahead of the Coyotes in the current standings.
Richland Springs bounced back from its first district loss since 2001 against Cherokee two weeks ago to beat Rochelle 44-40 last week.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Brookesmith: #64 in 1A D2
Richland Springs: #9 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: RICHLAND SPRINGS BY 69
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: RICHLAND SPRINGS BY 45
THE PICK: RICHLAND SPRINGS
North Texas Spartans (0-7) at Ranger (2-5) - Thursday
Series: First meeting
The Bulldogs resume action and will take on first year program North Texas (NTX) Spartans at home Thursday night.
The Spartans, an independent team like Ranger, have not won a game this year but they have gone the distance four times. They lost at UIL Forestburg 45-31 in their season and opener and are coming off a 50-0 loss to Fannindel in their last game.
Ranger dropped a 79-39 decision to Strawn in its last on-field action.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
NTX: #9 in Independent
Ranger: #3 in Independent
SPREADS
DCTF: RANGER BY 24
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: RANGER BY 45
THE PICK: RANGER
Fort Worth Covenant Classical (6-1, 4-0) at Abilene Christian (6-1, 4-0) - Saturday
Series: FWCC leads 1-0
This is the one the Panthers have been waiting for as they get set to host defending state champ Fort Worth Covenant Classical Saturday afternoon at Trent.
Abilene Christian’s only loss on the season was a 52-38 defeat at 6-1 Hermleigh, which is the fewest points the powerful Cardinal offense has scored in a game this season.
The Cavalier’s lone defeat was a 62-8 loss to Abbott, the number one ranked 1A Division I team in Texas, in week two.
The common opponents to date are Keller Harvest Christian (ACS won 50-0, FWCC won 64-0), Midland Trinity (ACS won 69-22, FWCC won 58-8), Irving The Highlands (ACS won 54-8, FWCC won 69-20) and Amarillo San Jacinto (ACS won 66-21, FWCC won 63-16).
All that to say both teams have been dominant in district play and this one will surely decide the district title and top seed in the playoffs out of TAPPS Division II District 1.
The Cavaliers beat the Panthers 50-0 in the first round of the playoffs last season on their way to winning it all.
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Fort Worth Covenant Classical: #2 in 1A TAPPS D2
Abilene Christian: #5 in 1A TAPPS D2
SPREADS
DCTF:FWCC BY 4
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: FWCC BY 39
THE PICK: FORT WORTH COVENANT CLASSICAL
Photo: Triniti McGee
#10 Hardin-Simmons (5-1, 3-1) at Southwestern (2-4, 1-3) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Series: Hardin-Simmons leads 11-2-2
Hardin-Simmons will play out of Abilene for the first time since September 17 when they visit Southwestern.
The Cowboys have won three in a row in dominant fashion since their loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor and hold strong at number ten in the national rankings.
The Pirates are coming off a 48-17 loss at Howard Payne and have dropped two straight since a 38-33 win over McMurry.
The key matchup in this one will be the HSU offense, ranked number two in the ASC scoring 47 points per game, against the Southwestern defense that is last in the league giving up 42.2 points per contest.
The Cowboys have won all six meetings with the Pirates since restarting the football program. The last Southwestern win in the series dates back to a 7-0 decision in 1934.
STAT LEADERS
Hardin-Simmons
Gaylon Glynn: 88-139, 1268 yds, 14 TD, 3 int; 119 yds, 3 TD rushing
Colton Marshall: 329 yds, 9 TD rushing
Kevi Evans: 27 rec, 518 yds, 6 TD
Gatlin Martin: 23 rec, 280 yds, 4 TD
Terrell Franklin: 43 tkl, 7 tfl, 2 int
Matt Mitchell: 37 tkl, 5.5 tfl
Brock Bujnoch: 31 tkl, 3 int
Southwestern
Landy Gilpin: 81-167, 1125 yds, 8 TD, 8 int; 168 yds, 2 TD rushing
Sam LeBlue: 196 yds rushing
JoJo Wilson: 41 rec, 412 yds, 2 TD
Ethan Powell: 23 rec, 494 yds, 4 TD
Aleksander Gomez: 58 tkl, 1 sack, 1 int
Patrick Nicolas: 32 tkl, 3 int
THE PICK: HARDIN-SIMMONS
Texas Lutheran (2-4, 1-3) at McMurry (1-4, 0-6) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Series: Texas Lutheran leads 20-13
McMurry looks to put a winning streak together as they host Texas Lutheran this weekend.
The War Hawks got past Austin College 24-21 for their first win last week, while TLU dropped a 45-16 decision against Mary Hardin-Baylor to snap a two-game winning streak. They beat Austin College 37-15 the week before.
McMurry is second to last in the ASC in scoring offense (16.7 points per game) but may have a shot at lighting up the scoreboard more often against a Bulldog squad that is seventh in the league in points allowed per game (36).
The Bulldogs have won their last five meetings with McMurry, including a 28-21 win last season. The War Hawks last win was in 2011.
STAT LEADERS
Texas Lutheran
Seth Cosme: 136-187, 1461 yds, 11 TD, 2 int
Jacob Forton: 320 yds, 8 TD rushing
Trent Stefka: 25 rec, 314 yds, 1 TD
Canon Kromis: 28 tkl, 1 sack, 4 tfl
McMurry
Dexter Wyble: 42-65, 475 yds, 1 TD, 3 int; 62 yds, 1 TD rushing
Andrew McBride: 54-120, 755 yds, 4 TD, 4 int
Rajan Cunningham: 260 yds, 1 TD rushing
Drew Hagler: 185 yds, 2 TD rushing
Kristopher Martin: 21 rec, 325 yds, 1 TD
Devin Nixon: 49 tkl, 4 tfl, 2 ff
James White: 41 tkl
THE PICK: McMURRY
Cisco College (3-4, 1-4) at Tyler (4-2, 3-1)
The Wranglers, coming off a tough 44-7 loss to defending national champion NMMI, will have their hands full again as they visit Tyler. The Apaches currently sit third in the SWJCFC standings behind Trinity Valley (4-0) and NMMI (4-1).
Tyler won at Blinn a week ago 42-24 and beat NMMI 20-12 the week before. Their only loss is a 28-27 defeat against Trinity Valley.
Cisco has struggled to get the offense going in conference play, as they are ranked dead last in the league. They’ll need to get things rolling against a Tyler squad that only gives up 17.5 points per contest, third best in the conference.
STAT LEADERS
Cisco
Christian Kaopua: 8-26, 212 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT; 140 yds rushing
Jadarrius Thomas: 309 yds, 3 TD rushing
Brenden Shipp: 5 rec, 56 yds, 1 TD; 157 yds, 1 TD rushing
Bobby Crosby: 87 tkl, 13 pbu
Tyler
Austin Skoglund: 43-57, 429 yds, 4 TD, 2 int; 147 yds, 1 TD rushing
Kywon Morgan: 157 yds rushing
Owen Olsen: 5 rec, 64 yds, 1 TD
