Blitz Picks - Week 10
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%
WEEK 9 PICKS: 32-38, 84.2%
SEASON: 304-365, 83.3 %
Just two weeks are left in the regular season (time flies when you’re having fun) and plenty of playoff spots are up for grabs.
There are some great games on the docket this week, especially in the six-man ranks—headlined by #3 May visiting #4 Jonesboro. That means there are some tough picks to make as well, and we’ll get to them all as you read the most comprehensive weekly area preview article in the area.
I just about matched my picks from week eight but fell off by a measly one prediction this past week, and the season percentage remains a solid 83.3%
I’m headed to Amarillo for the second time this season to see Abilene High at Amarillo High, and I’m sure many of you will be joining me to see both the Eagles and the Wylie Bulldogs battle Palo Duro in a Dick Bivins Stadium doubleheader.
Like what you’re reading?
Become the exclusive sponsor of The Weekly Rewind or Blitz Picks next week!
Contact: cody@bigcountryblitz.com
Photo: @AbileneClips
Abilene High (4-5, 3-2) at Amarillo High (3-5, 1-3)
Series: Abilene High leads 11-10
For the second straight week the Eagles will battle a desperate team. Last week they just about put Lubbock Coronado out of their misery and hope to do the same against the Golden Sandies this time around.
Amarillo High is just 1-3 in district play and battling with Caprock and Coronado for the final spot out of 2-5A D1 for the playoffs.
The Eagles started freshman Brayden Henry at quarterback last week and he provided a spark for an offense that has struggled most of the season. The AHS running game had its best effort of the season, rushing for 224 yards, in the 35-14 win.
They will face an Amarillo team that has lost two straight to Lubbock Cooper 38-21 and Coronado 28-17 after whipping Caprock 56-20. They also have a district loss to Tascosa, 45-10. The Sandies were thought to be a playoff lock after beating Caprock but have fallen on hard times to fall to a tie for fifth place in the district standings. They have not missed the playoffs since 2008.
This will be the first game between these two traditional state powers since a 14-7 Abilene High playoff victory in 2001. That is their only meeting since 1957.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
The Eagles are in. A win will get Abilene High the #3 seed out of the district in the playoffs and a loss will put them in the mix for the third or fourth seed.
Amarillo High has to beat the Eagles to have a decent shot at the playoffs. If they lose they have to beat Monterey next week and hope for Caprock to fall to Cooper and Coronado to lose out against Monterey and Tascosa to sneak in as the four seed. If they, Caprock and Coronado end up 2-4 they’d go to points to decide the final playoff spot.
STAT LEADERS
Abilene High
Dylan Slack: 115-193, 1084 yds, 11 TD, 10 int; 1 TD rushing
Brayden Henry: 1-7, 7 yds, 0 TD, 0 int; 161 yds, 2 TD rushing
Bam Rashaw: 600 yds, 6 TD rushing
Austin Wood: 28 rec, 212 yds, 1 TD
Tim Outlaw: 16 rec, 109 yds, 4 TD
Brelon Badon: 14 rec, 197 yds, 1 TD
Bryce Neves: 65 tkl, 7 tfl, 3 sacks
Kenneth Johnson: 49 tkl, 9 sacks
Noah Hatcher: 61 tkl, 3 pbu
Tristen Hall: 22 tkl, 3 sacks, 1 int
Jayson Henley: 24 tkl, 2 int, 9 pbu
Amarillo
Mason Graham: 119-202, 1648 yds, 18 TD, 9 int; 87 yds, 4 TD rushing
Pius Vokes: 406 yds, 3 TD rushing
Jameson Garcia: 33 rec, 499 yds, 7 TD
Jacob Greeson: 59 tkl, 4 tfl
DCTF Computer Rankings
Abilene High: #33 in 5A D1
Amarillo: #47 in 5A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: ABILENE HIGH BY 6
THE PICK: ABILENE HIGH
Lubbock High (2-6, 0-3) at Cooper (4-4, 2-1)
Series: Cooper leads 8-0
The Cougars have never lost to the Westerners and will likely stay unbeaten all-time as they welcome Lubbock High back to Abilene for a second straight week.
Last Friday Wylie took care of them 43-0 and this week could have similar results.
Cooper has won two in a row in district after opening with a 51-21 loss to Rider and now sits in a good spot as far as the playoffs go.
The Cougars running game has come around over the past two weeks, going for a season high 239 yards against Palo Duro and topping that with a 243 yard effort against Plainview. That can only help the passing game, which has been a strength all season, and the defense as well.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Cooper is in great shape will clinch a spot with a win over Lubbock High and could force a three-way tie for the district title if they beat Wylie in the season finale (assuming Wylie beats Palo Duro and Rider beats Plainview and Lubbock).
Lubbock High is out of the playoff picture.
STAT LEADERS
Lubbock
Ivan McGwier: 68-116, 843 yds, 4 TD, 6 int
Keith Ramirez: 411 yds, 8 TD rushing
Harley Rojas: 24 rec, 284 yds
Ezechiel Rodriquez: 60 tkl
Derek Torrez: 41 tkl, 3 int
Cooper
Chris Warren: 141-238, 1711 yds, 15 TD, 9 int; 78 yds, 2 TD rushing
Daniel Bray: 381 yds, 6 TD rushing
Cam Herron: 43 rec, 491 yds, 5 TD
D’Andre Ralston: 39 rec, 773 yds, 5 TD
Malik Jackson: 22 rec, 321 yds, 3 TD
DCTF Computer Rankings
Lubbock: #114 in 5A D2
Cooper: #19 in 5A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: COOPER BY 58
THE PICK: COOPER
Photo: Kerr Broadstreet/WylieSports.com
Wylie (5-3, 3-0) at Palo Duro (2-6, 1-2)
Series: First meeting
The Bulldogs hit the road to play a football game against an Amarillo ISD team for the first time in program history.
Palo Duro is the opponent, one that has suffered back-to-back losses to Cooper 50-14 and Rider 42-21 after a 70-0 win over Lubbock High to open district action.
Wylie still sits atop the District 2-5A D2 standings and would love to stay there with a win. Their offense remains one of the best in the Big Country at 40.3 points per game and the defense stepped up with one of its better performance of the year in last week’s 43-0 win over Lubbock. The Bulldogs only allowed 111 yards in the game.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Wylie is in the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. The Bulldogs will need to win out against the Dons and Cooper to win the district outright and claim the top seed for the playoffs.
Palo Duro is still in the fight for the fourth playoff spot from the district. Their week 11 visit to Plainview will most likely decide the final playoff spot.
STAT LEADERS
Wylie
K.J. Long: 127-167, 2181 yds, 21 TD, 4 int; 477 yds, 3 TD rushing
Landry Carlton: 772 yds, 6 TD rushing; 9 rec, 83 yds, 1 TD
Malachi Daniels: 210 yds, 3 TD rushing; 5 rec, 87 yds, 1 TD
Braden Regala: 53 rec, 887 yds, 7 TD; 109 yds, 3 TD rushing
Harrison Heighten: 26 rec, 555 yds, 7 TD
Palo Duro
N/A
DCTF Computer Rankings
Wylie: #24 in 5A D2
Palo Duro: #71 in 5A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: WYLIE BY 18
THE PICK: WYLIE
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
Brownwood (6-2, 2-0) at Andrews (5-3, 1-1)
Series: Series tied 2-2
Brownwood can clinch the outright district championship with a road win over the Mustangs Friday night in a matchup of what many expected to be the top two teams from 4-2A D1.
Andrews has had two weeks to prepare for this one, as they were off Friday after falling in overtime to Estacado 42-36 the week before.
The Lions had no issues with the Matadors in a 52-14 blowout in their last outing. They have not been tested so far in district play, winning their three games by a combined 153-37.
This will be the first meeting between the teams since a 59-38 Andrews win in the area round of the playoffs in 2016. All four of their previous meetings have been in the postseason.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Brownwood is in the playoffs and can clinch the outright district championship with a win.
Andrews is also in and can keep their district title hopes alive with a victory. The Mustangs have to beat the Lions by eight points or more to get the top seed for the playoffs if they, Brownwood and Estacado all end up with one district loss.
STAT LEADERS
Brownwood
Konlyn Anderson: 1127 yds, 19 TD rushing
Ike Hall: 87-157, 1343 yds, 8 TD, 4 int; 674 yds, 10 TD rushing
Thad Hinds: 32 rec, 574 yds, 5 TD
Chance Jones: 78 tkl
Quinten McCarty: 77 tkl, 11 tfl
Sam Kallman: 78 tkl
Andrews
Ashton Galvan: 60-104, 894 yds, 13 TD, 5 int; 496 yds, 9 TD rushing
Noah Tellez: 678 yds, 4 TD rushing; 14 rec, 95 yds, 2 TD
Adolfo Valles: 20 rec, 331 yds, 4 TD
Luis Cervantes: 65 tkl, 10 tfl, 2 sacks
DCTF Computer Rankings
Brownwood: #10 in 4A D1
Andrews: #35 in 4A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: BROWNWOOD BY 16
THE PICK: BROWNWOOD
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo & Design
Wichita Falls Hirschi (5-2, 1-1) at Sweetwater (1-6, 0-1)
Series: Hirschi leads series 4-0
Sweetwater looks to snap a five-game losing streak, but it won’t be easy against district favorite Hirschi.
The Huskies took down Snyder last week 56-14 to even their district mark at 1-1 after their double-forfeit game against Graham.
The Mustangs will need to pick up the pace on offense if they want to hang with the Huskies this week. Sweetwater has only scored 22 points over the past three weeks against Estacado, Greenwood and Graham. Hirschi averages 45.5 points per game and will be a tough matchup for the Mustang defense this week.
The Mustangs and Huskies last met in 2019, a 70-41 Hirschi victory.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
If Graham loses to Greenwood this week and ends up 1-3, Sweetwater, assuming they don’t pull off the upset against the Huskies, will have to beat Snyder in week 11 to force a three-way tie for the final two playoff spots. If Graham wins then the Sweetwater/Snyder game would be for a playoff berth, and Snyder could go as high as the #2 seed with a win since they knocked off the Steers earlier this season.
Hirschi is in with a win over Sweetwater and can win district with a victory over Greenwood in week 11.
STAT LEADERS
Hirschi
N/A
Sweetwater
Tate Thompson: 34-65, 376 yds, 1 TD, 8 int; 127 yds, 1 TD rushing
Chris Gomez: 38-53, 370 yds, 3 TD, 2 int; 1 TD rushing
Jamarian Amos: 315 yds, 1 TD rushing; 13 rec, 107 yds, 1 TD
Jadyn Forbes: 25 rec, 324 yds, 4 TD
Korda Moore: 77 tkl, 19 tfl
Roman Camacho: 76 tkl, 7 tfl
Noel Mekogue: 68 tkl, 9 tfl
DCTF Computer Rankings
Hirschi: #9 in 4A D2
Sweetwater: #66 in 4A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: HIRSCHI BY 36
THE PICK: HIRSCHI
Photo: Rachel Laughlin
Iowa Park (3-5, 1-2) at Clyde (4-4, 0-3)
Series: Series tied 1-1
While the Hawks have pulled themselves off the mat as far as the playoff chase goes over the past two weeks, the Bulldogs have fallen victim to the injury bug and have a lot of work to do to make the postseason.
Clyde, playing without star quarterback Blake Carr, has dropped a 28-21 decision to Jim Ned and a 21-14 game to previously winless Bowie to drop to 0-3 in district play.
Iowa Park lost their district opener 42-0 to Breckenridge but has battled into a second place tie with Vernon after beat the Lions 28-25 last week and Bowie 25-22 in overtime the week before.
The teams are meeting up for the first since since a 20-18 Bulldog victory in 1991.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Clyde would need wins over Iowa Park and Breckenridge in the last two weeks of the season to have a shot at the postseason.
Iowa Park earns a playoff spot with a win and could set up a district championship game with Jim Ned next week if the Indians defeat Vernon.
STAT LEADERS
Iowa Park
N/A
Clyde
Blake Carr: 98-151, 1460 yds, 15 TD, 8 int; 509 yds, 7 TD
Tucker Jones: 37-63, 489 yds, 5 TD, 5 int
Fabian Gomez: 375 yds, 2 TD rushing
Garis Gray: 21 rec, 518 yds, 3 TD
Daijon Booker: 25 rec, 353 yds, 6 TD
Connor Hawk: 30 rec, 377 yds, 3 TD
DCTF Computer Rankings
Iowa Park: #50 in 3A D1
Clyde: #68 in 3A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: IOWA PARK BY 6
THE PICK: IOWA PARK
Photo: Breckenridge Texan
Breckenridge (6-2, 1-2) at Bowie (1-7, 1-2)
Series: Breckenridge leads 12-7
The Buckaroos hope to get back on track as they visit Bowie this week in a battle of teams tied for fourth place in 3-3A D1.
Breckenridge has suffered back-to-back seven-point losses to Vernon and Jim Ned to fall out of district title contention and into “just make the playoffs” mode.
Bowie snapped a 15-game losing streak with its 21-14 win at Clyde last week to stay in the playoff chase.
The Bucks and Jackrabbits are playing for the first time since 2017. The Buckaroos have won the last four in the series.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
There are still a lot of variables in this district, but the Buckaroos can still get as high as the #2 seed from the district if they can win both of their remaining games, Iowa Park loses one of its last two and Vernon loses its last two games. In my opinion, the most likely scenario is Breckenridge, Iowa Park and Vernon all ending tied for second in the district and going to points to decide the seeds for the playoffs.
STAT LEADERS
Breckenridge
Chase Lehr: 79-118, 1146 yds, 14 TD, 8 int; 239 yds, 5 TD rushing
Jerry Lawson: 554 yds, 7 TD rushing
Anson Rodgers: 499 yds, 10 TD rushing; 19 rec, 244 yds, 5 TD; 36 tkl
Adrian Ruiz: 17 rec, 264 yds, 4 TD
Zeke Castillo: 75 tkl, 3 tfl
Caiden Marin: 70 tkl, 9 tfl
Bowie
N/A
DCTF Computer Rankings
Breckenridge: #31 in 3A D1
Bowie: #77 in 3A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: BRECKENRIDGE BY 23
THE PICK: BRECKENRIDGE
Photo: Jan Chitsey
Vernon (5-3, 2-1) at Jim Ned (5-3, 3-0)
Series: First meeting
Fresh off a great road win at Breckenridge the Indians return to Tuscola for another big matchup, this time their first ever meeting with Vernon.
The Lions could have made this a district championship game but fell against Iowa Park last week 28-25 to fall to 2-1 in district play.
Jim Ned has certainly turned their season around after an 0-3 start and looks once again like the favorite in the district after wins against Bowie, Clyde and the Buckaroos.
Their running game has been amazing during the winning streak as they are averaging 311rushing yards per game over the past five weeks.
Vernon has had a resurgence in the program this year in their move from 4A to 3A. They’ve already won more games this season (5) than they did over the past three combined (4).
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Jim Ned can clinch at least a share of a district title with a win. Even with a loss the Indians are in great shape to return to the playoffs.
Vernon is also a pretty good bet to reach the postseason at this point, but the seeding is still up for grabs. They could end up any spot from one to four at this point.
STAT LEADERS
Vernon
N/A
Jim Ned
Troy Doran: 33-67, 446 yds, 8 TD, 4 int; 625 yds, 9 TD rushing; 10 rec, 111 yds, 1 TD; 32 tkl, 3 int
Brayden Shipman: 658 yds, 5 TD rushing
Gray Beasley: 368 yds, 1 TD rushing; 2 int
Carter Wood: 8 rec, 107 yds, 3 TD
Trey Hicks: 65 tkl, 3 tfl
Davis Soben: 50 tkl
Tanner Hussman: 48 tkl, 6 tfl
Carter Lange: 24 tkl, 7 sacks
DCTF Computer Rankings
Vernon: #38 in 3A D1
Jim Ned: #35 in 3A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: JIM NED BY 4
THE PICK: JIM NED
Photo: Chad McDuffee
Ballinger (0-8, 0-3) at TLCA San Angelo (3-5, 1-2)
Series: Ballinger leads 4-0
The Bearcats showed some life last week against Brady and hope to build on it over the final two weeks of the season.
Ballinger scored 26 against the Bulldogs after being shut out the previous three weeks, and now have a little hope of getting things on track as they visit the Eagles this week.
TLCA San Angelo is currently in the fourth and final playoff spot out of District 2-3A D2, but the Bearcats still can make the postseason with wins over the next two weeks.
Ballinger has never lost to the Eagles, winning all four matchups in series history.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Ballinger is winless on the season but still has a shot at the four seed if they can beat TLCA San Angelo and Grape Creek over the next two weeks.
A TLCA win clinches a playoff spot for them.
DCTF Computer Rankings
Ballinger: #82 in 3A D2
TLCA San Angelo: #88 in 3A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: BALLINGER BY 5
THE PICK: BALLINGER
Photo: Mike Jones
Early (5-3, 3-0) at #10 Wall (7-1, 3-0)
Series: Wall leads 9-4
The district championship is on the line Friday night in Wall when the Hawks host Early.
The Longhorns have three relatively easy district victories under their belts, including two shut outs, while Wall has shut out Ballinger, TLCA San Angelo and Grape Creek by a combined 159-0.
Wall has only allowed 53 points all season, but will be tested against this Early team that has the best passing attack they’ve seen this year.
The Longhorns can score with the best of them, but their defense has been much improved over the past five weeks as well.
A Longhorn win would give them their first district title since 2007.
Early beat Wall 24-14 last season to snap an eight-game losing streak in the series.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Early is in the playoffs for the third season in a row and can clinch the top seed with a win. They could end up at one, two or three with a loss and a Brady win over Wall next week. The Longhorns would be #2 with a loss and a Wall win over Brady.
STAT LEADERS
Early
Jaxyn Price: 149-264, 2011 yds, 22 TD, 5 int; 87 yds, 2 TD rushing
Griffin Cheslock: 711 yds, 7 TD rushing
Kaleb Ozuna: 406 yds, 5 TD rushing; 85 tkl, 7 tfl
Jeremy Brown: 47 rec, 784 yds, 11 TD; 29 tkl, 2 int; kickoff return for TD
John-Stewart Gordon: 26 rec, 327 yds, 1 TD
Caleb McCullough: 72 tkl, 18 tfl, 8 sacks; 11 rec, 254 yds, 4 TD
Colton Allen: 28 tkl, 5 int
Wall
Gunnar Dillard: 11-44, 250 yds, 1 TD, 7 int; 316 yds, 5 TD rushing
Nathan Pepper: 711 yds, 10 TD rushing
Garrett Guy: 503 yds, 2 TD rushing
Luke Kemp: 5 rec, 167 yds, 1 TD
Brylan White: 45 tkl, 14 tfl, 6 sacks
DCTF Computer Rankings
Early: #25 in 3A D2
Wall: #10 in 3A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: WALL BY 14
THE PICK: WALL
Comanche (7-1, 3-0) at Merkel (3-5, 2-1)
Series: Comanche leads 7-3
The Badgers follow up a tough loss to Jacksboro with an even tougher test against Comanche.
The Indians are leading the district and are coming of a 77-7 win over Dublin last week. They beat Jacksboro 53-33, and the Tigers just beat the Badgers 50-7.
The Indians have a number of quality wins this season, including 31-28 over Albany, 49-40 over Early, 42-18 over Bangs and 49-7 over Brady. They have certainly turned things around since going 1-9 a year ago.
The Badgers will have to try to stop star Comanche sophomore running back Sawyer Wilkerson, who rushed for a season high 310 yards and four touchdowns last week against Dublin. He has topped 100 yards in every game this season.
Merkel beat the Indians to wrap up the 2021 season 34-20. The Indians had won the previous five games in the series.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Merkel has clinched a berth and is tied for second in the district with Jacksboro and Millsap. They’ll need to win at least one of their last two games to avoid the #4 seed.
Comanche can clinch at least a share of the district title with a win Friday and can win it outright with a win over Merkel and over Eastland in the season finale.
STAT LEADERS
Comanche
Layden Welch: 54-95, 1061 yds, 11 TD, 5 int; 248 yds, 5 TD rushing
Sawyer Wilkerson: 1636 yds, 21 TD rushing; 6 rec, 151 yds, 1 TD
Miguel Martinez: 29 rec, 568 yds, 5 TD; 28 tkl, 6 int
Israel Medrano: 73 tkl, 6 tfl
Merkel
Joey Zink: 54-88, 855 yds, 8 TD, 2 int; 478 yds, 2 TD rushing
Elijah Olivarez: 143 yds, 3 TD rushing; 14 rec, 215 yds, 3 TD; 107 tkl, 18 tfl
Connor Willyerd: 356 yds, 3 TD rushing
Maddox O’Malley: 14 rec, 291 yds, 3 TD
Jose Flores: 56 tkl, 1 tfl
Jack Travis: 49 tkl, 5 tfl, 3 sacks
DCTF Computer Rankings
Comanche: #8 in 3A D2
Merkel: #70 in 3A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: COMANCHE BY 35
THE PICK: COMANCHE
Photo: Breckenridge Texan
Dublin (2-6, 0-3) at Eastland (0-8, 0-3)
Series: Eastland leads 37-18-2
Two struggling teams meet in Eastland this Friday and Mavericks may have their best and last shot at picking up a win this year.
They haven’t gone winless for a whole season since going 0-9 in 2000.
The Mavericks have been very competitive the last two weeks, falling to Merkel by six and Millsap by 13. Dublin, on the other hand, is coming off a 70-point loss to Comanche and a 38-12 loss to Millsap. They fell at Merkel 51-25.
Eastland is playing many underclassmen who have grown over the season and hope to go out with a win in their 2021 home finale.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Eastland is out of the playoff race and will miss the postseason for the first time since 2008.
Dublin is out of contention as well.
STAT LEADERS
Dublin
Chris Teten: 60-119, 838 yds, 6 TD, 5 int; 338 yds, 7 TD rushing
Kaden Gaitan: 37-68, 509 yds, 5 TD, 3 int; 143 yds, 3 TD rushing
Cameron Patton: 378 yds, 3 TD rushing; 12 rec, 110 yds, 1 TD; 46 tkl
Dalan Rasberry: 28 rec, 483 yds, 4 TD
Eastland
Isaiah Hays: 117-203, 1453 yds, 14 TD, 10 int
Cason Browning: 282 yds, 1 TD rushing; 26 tkl
Jay Oznick: 32 rec, 589 yds, 8 TD; 239 yds, 2 TD rushing
Brayden Foust: 59 tkl, 4.5 tfl
DCTF Computer Rankings
Dublin: #86 in 3A D2
Eastland: #71 in 3A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: EASTLAND BY 13
THE PICK: EASTLAND
Photo: Stamford Booster Club
#2 Hawley (8-0, 4-0) at Stamford (6-1, 2-1)
Series: Stamford leads 22-10
The Bulldogs could not get over the hump at home against Cisco, their only loss of the season, and now get a crack at second-ranked Hawley.
The Bearcats come in with a perfect record and have outscored their district opponents 210-20, while Stamford is coming off a 44-6 win at Anson. They have not been quite as dominant defensively but still boast the third best scoring defense in the Big Country, allowing 13.4 points per game. Hawley tops the list giving up just 6.6.
Hawley beat Olney 34-7 last week and the Cubs gave them their closest game since a 26-14 win over Albany in week four.
The Bulldogs fell behind early in their loss to Cisco and will have to stay in this one in the first quarter to not be forced into the passing game as much and let their great running game go to work. Stamford has picked up over 200 yards rushing in five games this year and has topped 300 twice.
The Bearcats are about as balanced as you can get, running for 171 yards per game and passing for 194.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Hawley is in the playoffs can claim an outright district title with wins over Stamford and Cisco in its last two games.
Stamford is in and still in the mix for at least a share of a district title if they can beat Hawley. The Bulldogs will be no lower than the three-seed from the district.
STAT LEADERS
Hawley
Rodey Hooper: 85-124, 1484 yds, 16 TD, 1 int; 61 yds, 1 TD rushing
Austin Cumpton: 1062 yds, 22 TD rushing; 52 tkl, 12 tfl
Will Scott: 24 rec, 418 yds, 4 TD; 68 tkl, 10 tfl, 3 int
Kason O’Shields: 24 rec, 416 yds, 6 TD; 58 tkl, 1 int
Chandlin Myers: 19 rec, 320 yds, 4 TD; 33 tkl, 1 int
Diontay Ramon: 20 rec, 347 yds, 4 TD; 32 tkl, 14 tfl, 5.5 sacks
Hez Parker: 77 tkl, 13 tfl, 2 int
Stamford
Christian Duran: 68-109, 1144 yds, 13 TD, 3 int; 417 yds, 7 TD rushing
Hayden Henager: 687 yds, 4 TD rushing; 21 rec, 373 yds, 4 TD
Kaston Vega: 493 yds, 5 TD rushing; 80 tkl, 9 tfl
Quinton Pryor: 18 rec, 297 yds, 3 TD
Cruz Cantu: 57 tkl, 9 tfl
DCTF Computer Rankings
Hawley: #5 in 2A D1
Stamford: #17 in 2A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: HAWLEY BY 15
THE PICK: HAWLEY
Photo: Anson Tiger Sports Pics
Photo: Gary Stinnett
Anson (2-7, 2-3) at #8 Cisco (7-1, 4-0)
Series: Cisco leads 17-12-1
The Tigers wrap up the regular season with a road trip to Cisco.
Anson hopes it is not the end of the season completely, but they will need to beat the Loboes or lose and get some help to keep their season alive in the playoffs.
Cisco was off last week and last took the field for a 47-14 win at Stamford that kept them tied with Hawley for the district lead.
The Loboes have been dominant in district, winning their first four games by an average of 40 points per contest. They are in the top five in the Big Country in both scoring (tied for #2 with Wylie at 40.3 ppg) and scoring defense (#5 at 14.8 ppg allowed).
Anson topped Colorado City and Winters in district action but hasn’t been able to beat one of the “Big Four” of Cisco, Hawley, Olney and Stamford.
The Loboes have won the last 12 games in the series, including their last matchup in 2019. Anson hasn’t defeated Cisco since a 9-7 win in 1989.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Anson is in the four spot at the moment, but will have to beat Cisco to clinch playoff berth. If they lose and Olney beats Colorado City and Winters over the final two weeks, which they will be heavily favored to do, then the Cubs will leap the Tigers for the last spot from 4-2A D1.
Cisco is in the playoffs and hopes to beat Anson to set up a shot at a district championship the following week at Hawley if the Bearcats beat Stamford. If Hawley were to fall, Cisco would still have to beat them to win the outright title and not share it with the Bearcats and Stamford.
STAT LEADERS
Anson
Tyler Wilburn: 68-137, 736 yds, 5 TD, 4 int; 285 yds, 1 TD rushing
Tegen Saiz: 710 yds, 8 TD rushing
Stryker Dillard: 29 rec, 335 yds, 2 TD
Cisco
Hunter Long: 45-73, 855 yds, 11 TD, 2 int; 1177 yds, 20 TD rushing
Trent Huston: 517 yds, 6 TD rushing; 4 rec, 65 yds, 1 TD
Cade Gayle: 16 rec, 420 yds, 6 TD; 1 punt return TD
DCTF Computer Rankings
Anson: #72 in 2A D1
Cisco: #7 in 2A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: CISCO BY 49
THE PICK: CISCO
Photo: Cassie Gang
Colorado City (1-7, 1-3) at Olney (5-3, 1-3)
Series: First meeting
The Wolves broke into the win column last week and will hit the road north for their first ever matchup with Olney.
Colorado City whipped Winters 38-8 for their first victory under head coach Monty Leaf, but Friday’s ballgame will be a bit tougher.
The Cubs, featuring a great running attack that is averaging 351.6 yards per game, are battling for their playoff lives and need to win out to get in.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Colorado City is eliminated from playoff contention.
Olney needs to beat the Wolves and Winters over the final two weeks to clinch the number four spot out of District 4-2A D1.
STAT LEADERS
Colorado City
Jordan Garza: 27-69, 289 yds, 2 TD, 2 int; 244 yds, 3 TD rushing; 37 tkl
Mayson Monroe: 18-34, 393 yds, 2 TD, 2 int; 43 yds, 2 TD rushing; 7 rec, 71 yds, 1 TD
Aedan Briseno: 761 yds, 3 TD rushing; 11 tkl
Jordan Raschke: 16 rec, 319 yds, 1 TD; 31 tkl, 4 tfl, 2 int
Nicholas Santana: 63 tkl, 1 tfl
Olney
Gatlin Guy: 10-28, 151 yds, 0 TD, 4 int; 873 yds, 11 TD rushing; 38 tkl, 1 int
Jovani Rockmore: 984 yds, 9 TD rushing
Luis Castillo: 4 rec, 105 yds; 49 tkl, 7 tfl, 4 sacks
AB Marquez: 62 tkl, 4 tfl
DCTF Computer Rankings
Colorado City: #81 in 2A D1
Olney: #27 in 2A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: OLNEY BY 36
THE PICK: COLORADO CITY
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
Bangs (5-3, 3-1) at Hamilton (4-4, 2-2)
Series: Series tied 7-7
Bangs looks to get past its 59-0 loss to seventh-ranked Tolar last week as they head to Hamilton for a key game for playoff positioning in 5-2A D1.
The Dragons finish no worse than third in 5-2A D1 if they beat Hamilton, while the Bulldogs would love to grab a victory to have a shot at the #3 seed.
Hamilton beat De Leon last week 35-20 but lost to Tolar and Coleman the two weeks before 56-7 and 42-7.
The Bulldogs won the last meeting between the teams a year ago at home 62-21.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Bangs is still in good shape for a playoff bid and can clinch a berth with a win. The Bulldogs are currently the number four seed, while the Dragons are tied with Coleman for second behind Tolar. San Saba is still in the hunt as well but has to face Tolar in week 11.
STAT LEADERS
Bangs
Kenny Cole: 53-121, 734 yds, 3 TD, 5 int; 281 yds, 4 TD rushing
Guy Powell: 1468 yds, 14 TD; 4 rec, 44 yds, 1 TD; 74 tkl
Guy Funk: 12 rec, 200 yds, 3 TD
Nate Stoffer: 9 rec, 134 yds, 1 TD; 73 tkl, 3 int
Keygan Pitts: 71 tkl, 3 tfl
Hamilton
N/A
DCTF Computer Rankings
Bangs: #37 in 2A D1
Hamilton: #44 in 2A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: BANGS BY 1
THE PICK: BANGS
Photo: Colemantoday.com
De Leon (4-5, 1-4) at #10 Coleman (6-2, 3-1)
Series: Coleman leads 9-5
The Bluecats return after their bye week to host De Leon in their final home game of the season.
Coleman blew out Hamilton 42-7 in its last outing and will be heavy favorites against the Bearcats as well.
De Leon fell to Hamilton 35-20 last week to drop from playoff contention and has lost three straight to San Saba, Tolar and the Bulldogs.
The Bluecats have won the last two meetings with De Leon in district play in 2020 and 2021. The last Bearcat victory was in their last previous meeting in 1991.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Coleman is tied with Bangs for second place in 5-2A D1 and would end up as the number two seed with a pair of wins and if Tolar wins out.
STAT LEADERS
De Leon
Kallen McIlvain: 1231 yds, 12 TD rushing
Heston Jobe: 59-91, 854 yds, 4 TD, 1 int; 662 yds, 12 TD rushing
Kayden Salinas: 26 rec, 395 yds, 1 TD
Coleman
Jadin Jackson: 55-99, 792 yds, 11 TD, 4 int; 478 yds, 7 TD rushing
Ryland Gentry: 721 yds, 13 TD rushing; 4 rec, 49 yds
Brent Bouldin: 208 yds, 3 TD rushing; 1 rec, 18 yds
Braxton Smith: 27 rec, 532 yds, 6 TD
DCTF Computer Rankings
De Leon: #61 in 2A D1
Coleman: #9 in 2A D1
THE DCTF SPREAD: COLEMAN BY 45
THE PICK: COLEMAN
Photo: Julia Vega/Albany Lions Photos
Photo: Gary Ford
#7 Albany (6-2, 3-0) at Hamlin (5-3, 1-2)
Series: Albany leads 28-18-1
The Lions are in command of the District 6-2A D2 race and can clinch yet another district title with a win at Hamlin this week.
Albany shut out Roscoe 55-0 a week ago to take over the top spot as the only unbeaten team through three district games.
The Lions have beaten Miles, Cross Plains and the Plowboys by a combined 160-18, and they may be getting even better with the return of starting quarterback Cole Chapman to the lineup last week.
Hamlin is coming off a 54-19 loss at Cross Plains that dropped them to fifth place in the district. The Pipers have lost two straight after taking down TLCA Abilene to kickoff district play.
Albany snapped a two-game series losing streak to Hamlin with a 50-0 victory last year.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Albany is in and can clinch a district championship for the 14th time in the past 15 years with a win.
Hamlin will have to beat Albany and Roscoe to pull off a playoff berth.
STAT LEADERS
Albany
Cole Chapman: 32-55, 379 yds, 5 TD; 112 yds rushing
London Fuentes: 25-40, 420 yds, 6 TD, 3 int; 199 yds, 2 TD rushing; 13 rec, 226 yds, 3 TD; 25 tkl, 2 int
Adam Hill: 965 yds, 13 TD rushing; 9 rec, 192 yds, 4 TD; 67 tkl, 14 tfl, 4.5 sacks
Coy Lefevre: 589 yds, 10 TD rushing; 7 rec, 129 yds, 2 TD; 26 tkl
Cason Fairchild: 19 rec, 209 yds, 1 TD; 33 tkl, 2 int
Coy Cauble: 76 tkl, 1 sack
Tye Edgar: 48 tkl, 5 sacks
Hamlin
Swenson Benavides: 42-83, 686 yds, 5 TD, 2 int; 551 yds, 5 TD rushing
Colten Spalding: 474 yds, 6 TD rushing
Zayiman Montoya: 11 rec, 183 yds, 3 TD
Isaiac Stephens: 9 rec, 152 yds, 1 TD
DCTF Computer Rankings
Albany: #2 in 2A D2
Hamlin: #56 in 2A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: ALBANY BY 45
THE PICK: ALBANY
Photo: TLCA Abilene Booster Club
Photo: Cross Plains School Yearbook
TLCA Abilene (0-8, 0-3) at Cross Plains (6-2, 1-2)
Series: First meeting
The Eagles will be road warriors for the seventh time in nine games this season as they visit Cross Plains this week.
The Buffaloes got past Hamlin last week and sit in the #4 spot out of 6-2A D2 and a win against the Eagles would do them wonders for playoff positioning with a tough season finale at Miles looming.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Cross Plains can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Hamlin loss to Albany. They would likely end up as the #4 seed but could still climb as high as #2 with a lot of help.
TLCA Abilene has been eliminated from playoff contention.
STAT LEADERS
TLCA Abilene
N/A
Cross Plains
Kade Purvis: 81-129, 998 yds, 11 TD, 6 int
Noah Moses: 795 yds, 5 TD
Ryan Reed: 27 rec, 493 yds, 8 TD
Dusty Wyatt: 26 rec, 243 yds, 1 TD
DCTF Computer Rankings
TLCA Abilene: #100 in 2A D2
Cross Plains: #38 in 2A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: CROSS PLAINS BY 58
THE PICK: CROSS PLAINS
Photo: Henry Camargo
Roscoe (5-3, 2-1) at Miles (6-2, 2-1)
Series: Roscoe leads 12-4
The Plowboys and Bulldogs meet with the #2 seed from 6-2A D2 most likely on the line Friday night.
Roscoe was without starting quarterback Jax Watts in a 55-0 loss to state-ranked Albany last week and hopes to get him back on the field for this key ballgame at Miles.
The Bulldogs romped past TLCA Abilene 81-0 a week ago and have beaten the Eagles and Hamlin by a combined 109-0 over the past two weeks after a 49-18 district opening loss to Albany.
The Plowboys beat Miles 43-24 last season to snap a two-game losing streak in the series. These two are meeting for the fifth consecutive season, but for the first time as a district game since 2015.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Roscoe can clinch a spot with a win against Miles or a victory over Hamlin in the season finale. If they win out they will be the two seed in the playoffs.
Miles can clinch the #2 seed with a win.
STAT LEADERS
Roscoe
Jax Watts: 85-139, 1228 yds, 13 TD, 6 int; 161 yds, 2 TD rushing
Gaven Martinez: 317 yds, 1 TD rushing
Seth Wilcox: 34 rec, 682 yds, 8 TD
Parker Gleaton: 20 rec, 255 yds, 4 TD
Miles
Hayven Book: 103-165, 1599 yds, 26 TD, 4 int; 298 yds, 6 TD rushing
Devin Medina: 319 yds, 6 TD rushing
Carson Ellison: 34 rec, 482 yds, 9 TD; 22 tkl, 3 int
Jaxon Petillo: 54 tkl, 4 tfl
DCTF Computer Rankings
Roscoe: #40 in 2A D2
Miles: #29 in 2A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: MILES BY 11
THE PICK: ROSCOE
Photo: Archer County News
Haskell (4-5, 2-3) at Electra (0-8, 0-4)
Series: Electra leads 16-6
The Indians suffered a 16-0 shutout loss to Seymour last week and now are in a must-win situation at Electra.
The Tigers are still winless on the season but would love to keep Haskell out of the playoffs and notch their first victory of 2022.
Their closest district game was a 20-18 loss to Munday and they were also shut out by Seymour, 42-0, in their last contest.
Electra has won the last eight games in the series and the last Indian win came in 1997.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Haskell is currently outside the playoff picture sitting in fifth place, but with a win over 0-8 Electra they’ll get to 3-3 and likely end up ahead of Petrolia. The Pirates are 2-2 now but finish the season at Archer City (3-1) and Seymour (3-1).
STAT LEADERS
Haskell
Marquise Johnson: 42-81, 403 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT; 618 yds, 5 TD rushing
Trevor Henry: 619 yds, 7 TD rushing
Grady Vasquez: 32-67, 451 YDS, 5 TD, 7 int; 55 yds rushing
Cory Mathis: 17 rec, 246 yds, 2 TD
Nemo Silvas: 13 rec, 179 yds, 4 TD
Electra
N/A
DCTF Computer Rankings
Haskell: #34 in 2A D2
Electra: #94 in 2A D2
THE DCTF SPREAD: HASKELL BY 33
THE PICK: HASKELL
Photo: Bobbie Brown/Texas 1A Fan
Photo: SMcCowen Photography
#2 Westbrook (7-1, 3-0) at Ira (7-1, 3-0)
Series: Ira leads 10-8
The game of the week in District 8-1A D1 is this one, #2 Westbrook making the short trip to Ira to battle the Bulldogs.
The Wildcats, still without injured star Cedric Ware, housed Hermleigh 62-14 while Ira shut out Roby 48-0.
Now first place in the district is on the line when they do battle Friday.
Westbrook has knocked Ira out of the playoffs in the bi-district round in each of the last two seasons, 45-0 in 2020 and 64-16 in 2021 on their way to winning it all.
Their last matchup as members of the same district was a 46-0 Bulldog victory in 2015. Ira has won 10 of the last 13 overall in the series.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Westbrook will claim the district crown with wins over Ira this week and Rotan in week 11. They will get at least a share with a win over Ira.
Ira can win the district title outright with wins over Westbrook and Hermleigh over the next two weeks. They will likely be in even with a loss to Westbrook and a win over Hermleigh.
STAT LEADERS
Westbrook
Parker Matlock: 43-66, 487 yds, 8 TD, 3 int; 43 yds, 1 TD rushing; 61 tkl, 8 tfl, 3 int
Cedric Ware: 903 yds, 22 td rushing; 12 rec, 177 yds, 3 TD; 38 tkl
Grayson Jeffrey: 777 yds, 17 TD rushing; 4 rec, 29 yds, 1 TD; 29 tkl, 5 int
Brannon Larson: 346 yds, 6 TD rushing; 13 tkl
Colton Walters: 8 rec, 103 yds
Hadley White: 7 rec, 73 yds, 2 TD; 29 tkl, 6.5 tfl
Bo Payne: 10 rec, 74 yds, 2 TD; 2 tkl
Pahton Dominguez: 64 tkl, 15.5 tfl, 4 sacks, 3 ff, 1 fr; 203 yds, 4 TD rushing
Ira
Bryton Partain: 20-39, 477 yds, 9 TD, 4 int; 918 yds, 19 TD rushing; 46 tkl, 1 int
Demitri Juarez: 186 yds, 7 TD rushing; 45 tkl, 1 int
Kaden Foree: 10 rec, 235 yds, 5 TD
Jaren Pena: 437 yds, 13 TD rushing; 42 tkl, 1 int
Zane Allen: 13 rec, 324 yds, 9 TD; 47 tkl, 2 int
DCTF Computer Rankings
Westbrook: #2 in 1A D1
Ira: #17 in 1A D1
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Westbrook: #4 in 1A D1
Ira: #18 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: WESTBROOK BY 17
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: WESTBROOK BY 45
THE PICK: WESTBROOK
Photo: Bobbie Brown/Texas 1A Fan
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
Hermleigh (6-2, 2-1) at Highland (2-6, 1-2)
Series: Highland leads 30-12
Hermleigh fell at home to Westbrook last week and now is in a must-win situation at Highland Friday.
The Hornets came from 24-points down in the second quarter to beat Rotan by 26, 88-62 and pick up their first district victory.
This is the 43rd meeting in the series but the first since 2017 when the Cardinals topped the Hornets 48-42.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Hermleigh still has a shot at the postseason. The Cardinals will need to beat Highland and to set up a likely showdown for the second playoff spot from 8-1A D1 against Ira in the season finale if Westbrook beats Ira. If Ira knocks off Westbrook and Hermleigh beats Ira we’d have a three-way tie on our hands for the district title and go to points to determine playoff teams.
If Highland sweeps its last two games against Hermleigh and Roby and Ira loses its last two games (to Westbrook and Hermleigh) the Hornets, Bulldogs and Cardinals would all be 3-2 in district and the second playoff spot would come down to points.
STAT LEADERS
Hermleigh
N/A
Highland
Bubba Byrne: 32-73, 485 yds, 6 TD, 3 int; 53 yds, 1 TD rushing; 53 tkl, 1 int
Cooper Bowen: 922 yds, 15 TD rushing; 12 rec, 181 yds, 4 TD; 64 tkl
Tylan Balthrop: 13 rec, 220 yds, 1 TD; 462 yds, 12 TD rushing; 38 tkl
DCTF Computer Rankings
Hermleigh: #30 in 1A D1
Highland: #36 in 1A D1
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Hermleigh: #27 in 1A D1
Highland: #34 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: HERMLEIGH BY 3
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: HERMLEIGH BY 24
THE PICK: HERMLEIGH
Photo: SMcCowen Photography
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
Roby (0-8, 0-3) at Rotan (2-5, 0-3)
Series: Rotan leads 40-22-4
A playoff berth may not be on the line for this Fisher County throwdown, but bragging rights surely will.
The Lions and Yellowhammers meet for the 68th time and both teams are in search of district victory number one.
Rotan put together a great first half against Highland last week before falling 88-62, while an injury depleted Roby squad was no match for Ira in a 48-0 defeat.
The Hammers earned bragging rights last season with a 61-38 victory over the Lions week 11.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
DCTF Computer Rankings
Roby: #57 in 1A D1
Rotan: #52 in 1A D1
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Roby: #67 in 1A D1
Rotan: #57 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: ROTAN BY 7
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: ROTAN BY 45
THE PICK: ROTAN
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
Baird (4-4, 1-2) at #9 Gordon (8-0, 3-0) - Thursday
Series: Series tied 1-1
Baird is in a tough spot as far as getting into the playoffs goes and this week won’t be any easier as they visit unbeaten and ninth-ranked Gordon.
The Longhorns have 45’d all three of their district opponents so far, including beating a Gorman team that beat Baird last week 54-8 by a 60-14 margin. In fact, Gordon has not had to play a full game yet this season.
The Bears have been solid this year on defense and currently have the seventh best scoring defense in the Big Country giving up 27 points per game. They will be tested in a big way Thursday.
This will be the third year in a row these two teams have clashed. The Bears won last season 37-32.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Baird will have to win out against Gordon and Bryson and have some help to force a tiebreaker situation for the second playoff spot out of 9-1A D1.
Gordon can clinch at least a share of the district championship and the #1 seed for the playoffs with a win over Baird
STAT LEADERS
Baird
Skyler Denning: 690 yds, 8 TD rushing; 5 rec, 112 yds, 3 TD; 39 tkl, 2 int
Jake Collins: 13 rec, 264 yds, 8 TD; 30 tkl, 2 int, 3 fr
Camdyn Schlieve: 26-46, 342 yds, 9 TD; 6 rec, 45 yds; 13 tkl
Jake Gerngross: 284 yds, 4 TD rushing; 6 rec, 60 yds, 2 TD; 63 tkl, 2 sacks, 1 int, 2 ff, 1 fr
Devin Lucas: 17-26, 207 yds, 4 TD; 3 rec, 35 yds, 1 TD; 8 yds, 2 TD rushing; 67 tkl, 4 tfl
James May: 51 tkl, 5 tfl, 2 sacks
Gordon
N/A
DCTF Computer Rankings
Baird: #50 in 1A D1
Gordon: #8 in 1A D1
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Baird: #50 in 1A D1
Gordon: #10 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: GORDON BY 54
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: GORDON BY 45
THE PICK: GORDON
Photo: Megan Lusty Photography
Gorman (6-2, 2-1) at Bryson (4-4, 2-1)
Series: Bryson leads 5-3
The Panthers have another must-win game on their hands this week as they visit Bryson in a battle of teams with 2-1 district records.
Gorman took care of Baird last week and will face a Cowboy squad that started 0-3 but has won four of their last five games, including a 72-48 victory at Perrin-Whitt last week to stay in the playoff chase.
Bryson and Gorman have not played since 2017. That season Bryson beat the Panthers twice, once in the regular season and again in the first round of the playoffs.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Both teams are still in the mix for the number two spot behind powerful Gordon. The winner of this matchup takes huge steps towards making the postseason.
STAT LEADERS
Gorman
Joseph Rainey: 29-60, 521 yds, 8 TD, 1 INT; 913 yds, 10 TD rushing; 5 rec, 173 yds, 2 TD; 40 tkl, 2 INT
Maddox Roberts: 306 yds, 6 TD rushing; 2 rec, 30 yds, 1 TD
Nick Guthery: 272 yds rushing, 2 TD; 4 rec, 107 yds, 1 TD; 10-16, 281 yds, 4 TD, 1 int; 70 tkl, 5 tfl; 2 int
Erik Ramirez: 12 rec, 222 yds, 2 TD; 53 tkl, 7 tfl, 2 fr, 2 ff
Bryson
Evan Ford: 57-122, 942 yds, 18 TD, 6 int
Layton Perez: 224 yds, 3 TD rushing
Landon Foster: 16 rec, 243 yds, 3 TD
DCTF Computer Rankings
Gorman: #23 in 1A D1
Bryson: #44 in 1A D1
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Gorman: #35 in 1A D1
Bryson: #45 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: GORMAN BY 16
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: GORMAN BY 31
THE PICK: GORMAN
Photo: May Tiger Teams
#3 May (8-0, 3-0) at #4 Jonesboro (7-1, 2-0)
Series: May leads 8-7
The #3 Tigers visit #4 Jonesboro this week in one of, if not the, biggest six-man game in the state.
May has not tasted defeat this season and their closest contest was a 63-34 win over #7 Garden City in week four.
Jonesboro’s only loss was a 30-14 defeat at the hands of #2 Westbrook in week two.
The teams have a pair of common non-district opponents, Austin St. Stephen’s (May won 77-46, Jonesboro won 52-37) and Burnet Smoking for Jesus Ministry (May won 58-12, Jonesboro won 58-44) to go along with the district games they’ve both played against Lometa (May won 54-8, Jonesboro won 57-8) and Santa Anna (May won 60-14, Jonesboro won 62-16).
These two are pretty familiar with each other as May knocked the Eagles out of the playoffs in the second round 84-55 last year and and 62-16 in 2020. The last Jonesboro win in the series came in the state quarterfinals in 2017.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Both teams are in the playoffs already and the winner earns the district title and the #1 seed that comes with it.
STAT LEADERS
May
N/A
Jonesboro
Caleb Christel: 12-26, 347 yds, 8 TD, 1 int; 857 yds, 14 TD rushing
Nathan Forrest: 12-26, 232 yds, 5 TD, 0 int
Layden Nichols: 441 yds, 9 TD rushing; 5 rec, 138 yds, 2 TD
Demarcus Acoff: 13 rec, 401 yds, 10 TD
Jaden Dome: 60 tkl, 2 tfl
DCTF Computer Rankings
May: #3 in 1A D1
Jonesboro: #7 in 1A D1
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
May: #2 in 1A D1
Jonesboro: #7 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: MAY BY 2
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: MAY BY 25
THE PICK: MAY
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
Evant (0-7, 0-2) at Santa Anna (3-5, 0-2)
Series: Santa Anna leads 12-4
The Mountaineers will miss the playoffs this season but they still have a chance to finish .500 with wins over Evant this week and Lometa next week, still a solid accomplishment in year one under head coach Jose Luna.
Santa Anna dropped a 60-14 game to powerful May last week, while Evant lost at home to Lometa 60-12.
The only game this season the Elks have not been 45’d was a season opening 64-24 loss to Stephenville Faith.
Evant won the last meeting of the schools 53-0 in 2017. Santa Anna had won the previous seven in the series.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Both teams are eliminated from contention.
DCTF Computer Rankings
Evant: #67 in 1A D1
Santa Anna: #48 in 1A D1
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Evant: #65 in 1A D1
Santa Anna: #58 in 1A D1
SPREADS
DCTF: SANTA ANNA 25
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: SANTA ANNA BY 37
THE PICK: SANTA ANNA
Guthrie (3-6, 1-2) at Aspermont (7-1, 1-1)
Series: Guthrie leads 5-4
The Hornets resume play after the bye with a game they need to win at home against Guthrie in the Jaguars regular season finale.
The last time out Aspermont pounded Patton Springs 72-24, while Guthrie is coming off a 62-50 win over the Rangers last week.
2017 was the last time these two teams met, a 71-26 Hornet win. They have not played as members of the same district since 2012 and 2013.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
The Hornets are currently tied with Motley County for the second and final spot from 5-1A D2 behind Jayton. Aspermont will need to beat Guthrie and then win at Motley County to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Guthrie’s only playoff hope is to win against Aspermont to get to 2-2, then have Aspermont beat Motley County next week after beating Patton Springs this week. That would put Aspermont, Guthrie and Motley County in a three-way tied at 2-2 and go to points to break the tie. In other words, Guthrie has to win big over Aspermont and hope some miracles happen.
DCTF Computer Rankings
Guthrie: #48 in 1A D2
Aspermont: #24 in 1A D2
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Guthrie: #47 in 1A D2
Aspermont: #21 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: ASPERMONT 35
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: ASPERMONT BY 45
THE PICK: ASPERMONT
Photo: Michael Leal/Texas 1A Fan
Throckmorton (5-3, 2-0) at Paint Creek (2-6, 0-2)
Series: Throckmorton leads 5-0
The Pirates play their final home game of the season Friday night against Throckmorton, who is still fighting for the playoffs and a district championship.
Paint Creek fell to Rule a week ago 57-12, while the Greyhounds blanked Woodson 50-0.
Throckmorton has beaten the Pirates in all five meetings between the two, the last a 62-14 decision in 2017.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Paint Creek has been eliminated from postseason contention.
Throckmorton is in the playoffs and can force a district championship game next week at Rule with a win over the Pirates.
DCTF Computer Rankings
Throckmorton: #23 in 1A D2
Paint Creek: #69 in 1A D2
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Throckmorton: #20 in 1A D2
Paint Creek: #66 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: THROCKMORTON BY 49
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: THROCKMORTON BY 45
THE PICK: THROCKMORTON
Lueders-Avoca (2-6, 0-2) at Woodson (2-6, 1-2) - Thursday
Series: Woodson leads 19-7
The Raiders return to action after a three week hiatus as they visit Woodson on Thursday.
Lueders-Avoca forfeited district games to Throckmorton and Rule and then had their bye, so now they finally have enough players healthy to return to the field.
Woodson fell 50-0 to Throckmorton last week.
The Raiders have won four straight in the series, including a 46-0 district victory last season.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Both teams are out of the playoff chase.
DCTF Computer Rankings
Lueders-Avoca: #56 in 1A D2
Woodson: #58 in 1A D2
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Lueders-Avoca: #67 in 1A D2
Woodson: #54 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: PICK ‘EM
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: WOODSON BY 45
THE PICK: WOODSON
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
Bronte (4-4, 1-0) at Blackwell (4-4, 0-1)
Series: Tied 3-3-2
I am a big football history nerd and I have to lead with this fact: Bronte and Blackwell are just 15 miles apart but will be playing each other Friday for the first time since 1933! They played twice that season and Bronte won both 37-0 and 68-0. Here’s sixman historian Leman Saunders with more:
While the Longhorns are coming off a 64-7 win over Trent in their district opener the Hornets, despite losing 28-8, have to feel pretty good about their efforts against state-ranked Loraine.
Now the two (finally) meet with the playoffs on the line.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
If Bronte wins they clinch a playoff spot and will face Loraine for the district title next week (if Loraine beats Trent).
Blackwell will have to beat Bronte and then beat Trent next week to earn a trip to the postseason.
There are more scenarios if Trent picks up a win, but these seem to be the most likely.
DCTF Computer Rankings
Bronte: #35 in 1A D2
Blackwell: #25 in 1A D2
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Bronte: #28 in 1A D2
Blackwell: #25 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: BLACKWELL BY 18
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BLACKWELL BY 9
THE PICK: BLACKWELL
Photo: David Gonzales
Trent (5-3, 0-1) at #7 Loraine (7-1, 1-0)
Series: Loraine leads 26-20
Loraine looks for its 12th win in a row over Trent in the 47th meeting between the two schools.
The Bulldogs are coming off a hard-fought win over Blackwell while the Gorillas have suffered two lopsided losses in a row to Rising Star and Bronte.
The Gorillas will have to rekindle the offensive firepower they had earlier this season, but it will be tough against a very good Loraine defense.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Trent will need to beat Loraine and Blackwell to have a shot at the playoffs.
Loraine can clinch a playoff bid and a share of the district title with a win.
STAT LEADERS
Trent
Hayden Payne: 58-110, 752 yds, 14 TD, 4 int; 258 yds, 3 TD rushing; 22 tkl, 2 int
Breyden Lewis: 613 yds, 10 TD rushing; 21 rec, 271 yds, 4 TD; 55 tkl, 6 tfl
Lance Swinney: 11 rec, 198 yds, 5 TD; 45 tkl, 9 tfl
Brian Crouch: 42 tkl, 2 INT; 50 tkl, 2 int
Braxton Cathey: 10 rec, 175 yds, 4 TD
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
DCTF Computer Rankings
Trent: #52 in 1A D2
Loraine: #6 in 1A D2
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Trent: #64 in 1A D2
Loraine: #4 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: LORAINE BY 64
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: LORAINE BY 45
THE PICK: LORAINE
#9 Rising Star (7-1, 1-0) at Panther Creek (2-5, 1-0)
Series: Rising Star leads 7-5
The Wildcats can clinch a share of a district title with a victory on the road at Panther Creek this week.
Both teams were victorious in shut out wins in week one of district play, Rising Star 50-0 over Paint Rock and Panther Creek 41-0 at Moran.
Rising Star is on a roll with six straight wins, five by mercy rule, while the Panthers only wins on the season are against Moran and Veribest who are a combined 2-15 this year.
These two are in the same district for the third straight season and Rising Star has won the previous two.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Rising Star earns at least a share of the district title with a win and clinches a playoff berth.
Panther Creek can do the same with a victory.
The loser will need to win in week 11 to make the postseason.
DCTF Computer Rankings
Panther Creek: #50 in 1A D2
Rising Star: #8 in 1A D2
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Panther Creek: #50 in 1A D2
Rising Star: #29 in 1A D2
(There seems to be quite the difference of opinion between the DCTF and sixmanfootball.com rankings for Rising Star. The biggest one of the teams on this article by far.)
SPREADS
DCTF: RISING STAR BY 51
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: RISING STAR BY 45
THE PICK: RISING STAR
Paint Rock (2-6, 0-1) at Moran (0-8, 0-1) - Thursday
Series: Paint Rock leads 4-0
The Bulldogs host the Indians Thursday night in a game that is crucial for both if they want to stay in the playoff race.
Both were shut out a week ago, Moran by Panther Creek 41-0 and Paint Rock by #9 Rising Star 50-0.
Moran has been shut out in three of their last four games and the Indians have been shut out in two of their last three.
This is the first meeting between the teams since 2011.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
The loser of this game is out of the playoffs, the winner will still have a shot.
STAT LEADERS
Moran
Ellis Hise: 32-105, 309 yds, 3 TD, 5 int; 32 tkl, 1 int
Connor Hail: 535 yds, 5 TD rushing; 35 tkl, 1 int, 2 ff
Caleb York: 14 rec, 104 yds; 28 tkl
Tyler Waddell: 5 rec, 118 yds, 3 TD
Paint Rock
N/A
DCTF Computer Rankings
Paint Rock: #51 in 1A D2
Moran: #70 in 1A D2
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Paint Rock: #58 in 1A D2
Moran: #60 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: PAINT ROCK BY 13
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: PAINT ROCK BY 24
THE PICK: PAINT ROCK
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
Sidney (3-4, 1-1) at Blanket (7-1, 2-0)
Series: Blanket leads 26-9-1
The Tigers go for their eighth straight win after a season opening loss as they host Sidney this week.
Blanket beat up on Mullin 60-4 last week to get to 2-0 in district, while Sidney lost at home to Zephyr 68-20 to put their playoff hopes in peril.
The Tigers are looking for their 16th straight win in the series. The last Eagle victory was 24-20 in 1999.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Blanket can earn a playoff bid with a win. That would set up a district title showdown with Zephyr in the season finale.
Sidney has to beat Blanket and Gustine over the final two weeks to keep their playoff chances alive.
DCTF Computer Rankings
Sidney: #37 in 1A D2
Blanket: #21 in 1A D2
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Sidney: #32 in 1A D2
Blanket: #30 in 1A D2
SPREADS
DCTF: BLANKET BY 27
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BLANKET BY 6
THE PICK: BLANKET
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
Forfeit: #2 Cherokee (8-0, 3-0) at Brookesmith (1-8, 1-2)
Series: Cherokee leads 23-5
Brookesmith has forfeited for a second straight week. Cherokee gets the win to improve to 8-0, 2-0 while Brookesmith is 1-8, 1-2 and, if they have enough healthy players, will wrap up the season next week at Rochelle.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Brookesmith has been eliminated from contention.
Cherokee now has at least a share of the district title and has clinched the #1 seed for the playoffs.
Ranger (2-6) at Priddy (6-1) - Thursday
Series: First meeting
Ranger looks to snap a three game losing streak as they visit Priddy on Thursday.
The Pirates are fielding a football team for the first time since 1960 and having a good time doing it by winning six of their seven games so far. Two have come against JV squads and the other four wins are against teams that are a combined 7-21, but Priddy is glad to have football back nonetheless.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 52-6 home loss to North Texas Spartans, while the Pirates knocked off Olfen 48-0 their last time out.
DCTF Computer Rankings
Ranger: #110 in Six-man Private Schools
Priddy: #76 in Six-man Private Schools
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Ranger: #8 in Independent
Priddy: #4 in Independent
SPREADS
DCTF: N/A
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: PRIDDY BY 22
THE PICK: PRIDDY
Photo: @Sykotic
Abilene Christian (6-2, 4-1) at Denton Calvary (2-3, 2-1) - Saturday
Series: Abilene Christian leads 3-1
The Panthers hope to put their loss to Fort Worth Covenant behind them and close the regular season with a victory over Denton Calvery.
ACS lost 52-6 to the Cavaliers Saturday to miss out on a district championship.
Denton Calvary has not played since a 32-8 win over Irving The Highlands on October 7.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
The Panthers are in. ACS would clinch the two seed with a win and be the three seed if they lose.
Denton Calvary still has to play FWCC in week 11.
DCTF Computer Rankings
Abilene Christian: #18 in Six-man Private Schools
Denton Calvary: #92 in Six-man Private Schools
Sixmanfootball.com Rankings
Abilene Christian: #4 in 1A TAPPS D2
Denton Calvary: #21 in 1A TAPPS D2
SPREADS
DCTF: ABILENE CHRISTIAN BY 41
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: ABILENE CHRISTIAN BY 45
THE PICK: ABILENE CHRISTIAN
COLLEGE
Photo: ACU Sports Information
ACU (5-2, 2-0) at North Dakota (4-3, 3-2) - Saturday, 3 p.m.
Series: First meeting
The Wildcats will go out of conference and out of state, way out of state, this week to battle North Dakota.
ACU is coming off a bye week but knocked off Southern Utah at home 21-18 the week before that.
North Dakota is coming off a 49-35 loss to #1 South Dakota State, but has a pair impressive victories on their resume. The Fighting Hawks beat #24 Northern Iowa 29-27 in week two and beat #7 Missouri State 48-31 on Oct. 1.
STAT LEADERS
ACU
Maverick McIvor: 109-192, 1270 yds, 8 TD, 5 int; 40 yds, 1 TD rushing
Jermiah Dobbins: 639 yds, 7 TD rushing
Kobe Clark: 37 rec, 385 yds, 4 TD
Reese Young: 34 tkl, 2 sacks
North Dakota
Tommy Schuster: 154-224, 1716 yds, 9 TD, 4 int; 144 yds, 2 TD rushing
Tyler Hoosman: 517 yds, 8 TD rushing
Bo Belquist: 40 rec, 478 yds, 3 TD
Kadon Kauppinen: 43 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 ff
THE PICK: NORTH DAKOTA
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
Photo: Scott Burkhalter
Howard Payne (6-1, 5-0) at #9 Hardin-Simmons (6-1, 4-1) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Series: Hardin-Simmons leads 44-24-4
Howard Payne begins a two-game stretch that could define its season, starting Saturday at #9 Hardin-Simmons and continuing the following week at home against Mary Hardin-Baylor.
The Yellow Jackets are a game ahead of the Cowboys at the moment but not getting national recognition beyond a couple of votes in the Top 25. That could change if they can beat their rivals Saturday for the first time since 2007.
Hardin-Simmons is on a four-game winning streak since falling to UMHB, dominating opponents by an average of over 41 points per game. That includes a 68-0 victory over Southwestern a week ago.
The Cowboys likely have an advantage on offense against the HPU defense, but it will be fun to see the HSU defense, 2nd in the ASC at 19.8 points allowed per game, going up against the ASC leading Yellow Jacket offense that scores over 47 points per contest.
HPU was off last week but beat the Pirates 48-17 in last outing.
STAT LEADERS
Howard Payne
Landon McKinney: 125-221, 2161 yds, 21 TD, 8 int; 97 yds, 2 TD rushing
Billy Reagins: 398 yds, 6 TD rushing
Tauren Bradley: 387 yds, 3 TD rushing
Otis Lanier: 39 rec, 707 yds, 10 TD
Kyle Bell: 59 tkl, 2.5 tfl, 1 ff, 1 fr
Hardin-Simmons
Gaylon Glynn: 100-156, 1481 yds, 17 TD, 3 int; 118 yds, 2 TD
Colton Marshall: 373 yds, 11 TD rushing
Kevi Evans: 30 rec, 643 yds, 8 TD
Gatlin Martin: 27 rec, 307 yds, 4 TD
Terrell Franklin: 51 tkl, 7 tfl, 3 int
Matt Mitchell: 44 tkl, 3 sacks, 8 tfl, 1 int, 1 fr, 1 ff
Brock Bujnoch: 38 tkl, 4 tfl, 3 int
THE PICK: HARDIN-SIMMONS
McMurry (1-7, 1-5) at Sul Ross State (2-5, 2-3) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Series: McMurry leads 47-42-2
The War Hawks head out west to Alpine to battle Sul Ross State this week.
McMurry has put together some very good defensive efforts lately, and they’ll need it against the ASC’s #4 scoring offense and total offense on Saturday.
Sul Ross has not been so great on defense, which could give the struggling McMurry offense an opportunity to going.
Last week the War Hawks fell at home to Texas Lutheran 17-10 while the Lobos lost at Mary Hardin-Baylor 45-14.
STAT LEADERS
McMurry
Dexter Wyble: 53-90, 645 yds, 1 TD, 6 int
Andrew McBride: 58-125, 822 yds, 5 TD, 4 int
Rajan Cunningham: 313 yds, 1 TD
Drew Hagler: 194 yds, 2 TD rushing
Kristopher Martin: 22 rec, 332 yds, 1 TD
Devin Nixon: 58 tkl, 5.5 tfl, 2 ff
Sul Ross
Trent Graves: 69-121, 855 yds, 3 TD, 3 int
Travell Lumpkin: 279 yds, 3 TD rushing
Austin Ogunmakin: 32 rec, 591 yds, 4 TD
Vicenta Luevano: 28 rec, 515 yds, 9 TD
Ronin Williams: 82 tkl, 10.5 tfl, 2 ff
THE PICK: SUL ROSS
Photo: Cisco Wrangler Express
Navarro (4-3, 3-2) at Cisco College (3-5, 1-5) - Saturday, 3 p.m.
The Wranglers welcome Navarro to town this week, and that means the return of head coach Ryan Taylor.
Taylor left Cisco in January to take over as the head coach of the Bulldogs. He went 11-5 in two seasons at Cisco and helped the Wranglers win their first SWJCFC title with an undefeated run through the spring 2021 season.
Cisco would love to send their old coach back home with a loss, but they’ll have to snap a two-game losing streak to do it. The Wranglers played one of their better games of the season last week but came up short 21-17 at Tyler.
Navarro is coming off a 29-23 loss to conference leading Trinity Valley last week but had won their previous four games.
STAT LEADERS
Navarro
Dane Jentsch: 90-130, 1395 yds, 10 TD, 6 int; 180 yds, 1 TD rushing
T.J. Snowden: 545 yds, 2 TD rushing
Brandon Hawkins: 27 rec, 526 yds, 4 TD
C.J. Johnson: 45 tkl, 3.5 tfl, 2 ff, 1 int
Cisco
Christian Kaopua: 8-26, 212 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT; 140 yds rushing
Jadarrius Thomas: 409 yds, 3 TD rushing
Brenden Shipp: 7 rec, 74 yds, 2 TD; 215 yds, 1 TD rushing
Bobby Crosby: 87 tkl, 13 pbu
