Blitz Picks - Week 13
WEEK 1 PICKS: 34-41, 82.9%
WEEK 2 PICKS: 40-50, 80%
WEEK 3 PICKS: 39-51, 76.5%
WEEK 4 PICKS: 36-44, 81.8%
WEEK 5 PICKS: 42-48, 87.5%
WEEK 6 PICKS: 26-31, 83.8%
WEEK 7 PICKS: 40-43, 93%
WEEK 8 PICKS: 36-43, 83.7%
WEEK 9 PICKS: 36-45, 80%
WEEK 10 PICKS: 41-47, 87.2%
WEEK 11 PICKS: 34-39, 87.2%
WEEK 12 PICKS: 31-37, 83.8%
SEASON: 435-519, 83.8%
*Rankings are from Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Spreads for 11-man games are also from DCTF. 6-man spreads are from both DCTF and sixmanfootball.com.
**Reach out to me if you’d like to sponsor a week of content on bigcountryblitz.com and Big Country Blitz social media! Playoff weeks are still available. Email cody@bigcountryblitz.com
***All picks are straight-up, not against the spread.
ABILENE HIGH (9-2) VS. DENTON RYAN (9-2) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - CROWLEY ISD STADIUM
SERIES HISTORY: Abilene High leads 2-0
The Eagles get ready for a much tougher test this week as they head to the Metroplex to battle longtime power Denton Ryan.
The Raiders knocked off Lake Belton 38-13 to advance and have won five of their last six games. Their only loss in that stretch was 25-19 at Aledo, and the Raiders were the only team in District 3-5A D1 to stay within single-digits of the top-ranked Bearcats.
Denton Ryan’s other loss this season was a bit of a head-scratcher, as they fell 27-20 to The Colony, who did not even make the playoffs.
Abilene High is coming off a near-perfect outing against El Paso Hanks, where they set a new program record for points in a playoff game with 84.
This contest will be the Eagles most difficult since the Lubbock Cooper game, and one they are capable of winning if they play at their best.
Points Per Game
Ryan: 32
Abilene: 42.6
Points Allowed Per Game
Ryan: 11.8
Abilene: 17.5
Best Win
Ryan: 28-14 over Justin Northwest
Abilene: 38-35 over Lubbock Cooper
Up Next: winner of Tascosa (5-5) vs. Justin Northwest (9-2)
STAT LEADERS
Dylan Slack: 145-204, 1903 yds, 22 TD, 2 int; 63 yds, 4 TD rushing
Bam Rashaw: 190 yds, 2 TD rushing
Chad Lara: 350 yds, 10 TD
Brayden Henry: 854 yds, 12 TD rushing; 29-54, 297 yds, 2 TD, 1 int passing; 11 rec, 100 yds, 2 TD
Ryland Bradford: 44 rec, 828 yds, 10 TD; 89 yds, 2 TD rushing; 2 kickoff return for TD
Jackson Howle: 43 rec, 466 yds, 3 TD
Bryce Neves: 83 tkl, 6.5 tfl, 4 int, 5 ff, 3 fr, 1 sack
Beckham Paul: 37 tkl, 3 int, 1 ff
Braden Mussett: 17-35, 230 yds, 3 TD, 2 int; 354 yds rushing
Nemo Warmate: 481 yds, 4 TD rushing
Zo Hill: 26 rec, 368 yds, 4 TD
Elijah Wallace: 90 tkl, 11 tfl
Errol West: 67 tkl, 31 tfl, 12 sacks
DCTF Spread: Abilene High by 2
The Pick: Abilene High
WYLIE (8-3) VS. ARGYLE (8-2) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - STEPHENVILLE
SERIES HISTORY: Argyle leads 6-2
The Bulldogs get a shot at a little revenge against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season as they meet Argyle in Stephenville once more.
The Eagles outlasted Wylie 35-28 in 2022 but fell to South Oak Cliff in the semifinals the next week.
This year, Argyle enters on an eight-game winning streak, including a 45-14 win over Fort Worth Wyatt in the first round last week. The Eagles lost to Melissa and Lovejoy in the first two weeks of the season but have not dropped a game since.
Wylie rolled past El Paso Andress 55-7 last week and has won its last four games in a row.
The Bulldog defense has been very good as of late and will need to be again to slow down an Argyle squad that has scored at least 41 points in eight straight games.
Points Per Game
Argyle: 46.5
Wylie: 33
Points Allowed Per Game
Argyle: 18.7
Wylie: 24.3
Best Win
Argyle: 52-21 over Lake Dallas
Wylie: 35-34 over Lubbock Cooper
Up Next: winner of Colleyville Heritage (10-1) vs. Cooper (5-6)
STAT LEADERS
Bear Meng: 118-194, 1798 yds, 21 TD, 4 int; 347 yds, 5 TD rushing
Malachi Daniels: 840 yds, 6 TD rushing; 9 rec, 68 yds; 1-1, 2 yds, 1 TD passing
Braden Regala: 44 rec, 529 yds, 5 TD
Derrick Evans: 32 rec, 755 yds, 10 TD
Maguire Gasperson: 66-107, 990 yds, 13 TD, 2 int; 90 yds, 3 TD rushing
Jake Krekeler: 852 yds, 17 TD rushing
Will Krzysiak: 45 rec, 856 yds, 8 TD
Max Bland: 82 tkl, 6 tfl
DCTF Spread: Argyle by 22
The Pick: Argyle
COOPER (5-6) VS. COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE (10-1) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - MANSFIELD
SERIES HISTORY: Heritage leads 1-0
The Cougars head east instead of way to the west this week to battle Colleyville Heritage in the area round of the playoffs.
Cooper put together one of its best offensive performances of the season in last week’s 42-27 win at El Paso Chapin and will now face a Heritage squad that destroyed Denton last week 71-13.
The Panthers have won nine games in a row and collected the District 4-5A Division II title along the way. Their only loss of the year was a 41-38 decision against Texarkana Texas High, who is also 10-1 on the year and still in the playoffs.
This will be just the second meeting between the two teams. The last was a 63-21 Heritage win in the first round of the playoffs in 2021.
Points Per Game
Cooper: 28.1
Heritage: 45
Points Allowed Per Game
Cooper: 27.6
Heritage: 12.7
Best Win
Cooper: 28-21 at Palo Duro
Heritage: 43-7 over Grapevine
Up Next: winner of Wylie (8-3) vs. Argyle (8-2)
STAT LEADERS
Luke Ullrich: 134-200, 2108 yds, 28 TD, 6 int; 670 yds, 12 TD rushing
Ryan Keleher: 522 yds, 4 TD rushing
Braden Blueitt: 46 rec, 722 yds, 16 TD
Austin Cummins: 96-186, 956 yds, 7 TD, 9 int; 251 yds, 2 TD rushing
Daniel Bray: 1294 yds, 21 TD rushing; 7 rec, 26 yds
Jaden Carrillo: 34 rec, 302 yds, 2 TD
Jaylen Parker: 31 rec, 267 yds, 1 TD
Zavian Alexander: 21 rec, 282 yds, 2 TD; 2 int
DCTF Spread: Colleyville Heritage by 19
The Pick: Colleyville Heritage
#6 BROWNWOOD (10-1) VS. CANYON RANDALL (7-4) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - MIDLAND GREENWOOD
SERIES HISTORY: Randall leads 1-0
Brownwood will get a tougher matchup this week after easing past San Elizario 56-0 in the bi-district round. Canyon Randall is the opponent, the second-place finisher out of District 3-4A Division I.
The Raiders blew past Burkburnett last week, 48-28, and have won four of their last five games.
Randall fell to Andrews 32-21 in week one, a team the Lions beat in their regular season finale 28-14.
The Raiders other losses on the season were to 5A Palo Duro, 3A state power Canadian, and rival Canyon in district play.
This is the first matchup between the two since 1997 when the Raiders beat the Lions 31-20 in the quarterfinals.
Points Per Game
Randall: 30.2
Brownwood: 40.9
Points Allowed Per Game
Randall: 28.5
Brownwood: 14.7
Best Win
Randall: 27-20 over Hereford
Brownwood: 35-21 at Wylie
Up Next: winner of El Paso Riverside (9-2) vs. Springtown (8-3)
STAT LEADERS
Tryston Sanchez: 123-226, 1507 yds, 14 TD, 9 int; 716 yds, 10 TD rushing
Dylan Ray: 1214 yds, 16 TD rushing
Collin Miller: 32 rec, 590 yds, 3 TD
Carson Barclay: 88 tkl, 9 tfl, 4 fr, 3 ff
Ike Hall: 87-159, 1544 yds, 16 TD, 5 int; 1363 yds, 19 TD rushing
Levi Pearson: 570 yds, 5 TD rushing
Jaylan Brown: 328 yds, 8 TD rushing
Carson Noe: 31 rec, 464 yds, 5 TD
Aaron Edmonds: 22 rec, 279 yds, 2 TD
Morsello Hooker: 13 rec, 359 yds, 8 TD; 32 tkl, 2 int
Sam Kallman: 115 tkl, 7 tfl, 6 sacks, 1 fr
Steve Ramirez: 102 tkl, 5 tfl, 2 sacks, 1 int
Noah Gonzalez: 94 tkl, 6 tfl, 2 sacks
DCTF Spread: Brownwood by 20
The Pick: Brownwood
SWEETWATER (7-4) VS. MONAHANS (11-0) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - SEMINOLE
SERIES HISTORY: Sweetwater leads 24-16
Two long-time West Texas rivals square off in the area round of the playoffs this week as Sweetwater takes on Monahans.
The Loboes are still unbeaten and ranked seventh in the state. They blew out Borger 64-14 to advance and have not scored under 40 points in a single game this season.
Sweetwater rallied past Godley in a 35-34 thriller last week and enters this matchup on a two-game winning streak.
The Mustang defense will be put to the test, and how they defend the elite ground attack of Monahans will go a long way in deciding this one.
The Loboes went four rounds deep in the playoffs a year ago before falling to Glen Rose 62-14 in the quarterfinals.
These two are in the same district a lot of the time and played every year between 2008 and 2021. The Mustangs have won the last two in the series.
Points Per Game
Sweetwater: 35
Monahans: 53.7
Points Allowed Per Game
Sweetwater: 38.9
Monahans: 13.1
Best Win
Sweetwater: 35-34 over Godley
Monahans: 49-27 over Andrews
Up Next: winner of Graham (10-1) vs. Canyon West Plains (10-1)
STAT LEADERS
Cayden Ortiz: 133-218, 2174 yds, 19 TD, 9 int; 86 yds rushing
Korda Moore: 1003 yds, 20 TD rushing
Jadyn Forbes: 52 rec, 941 yds, 8 TD
Kannon Wiese: 137 tkl, 14 tfl, 2 ff
DCTF Spread: Monahans by 33
The Pick: Monahans
CLYDE (10-1) VS. SHALLOWATER (6-5) - SATURDAY, 4 P.M. - SHOTWELL STADIUM
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting
The Bulldogs were the only District 3-3A Division I team to escape the first round and will meet up with traditional power Shallowater Saturday in Abilene.
Clyde got past Peaster 41-34 to move on, while the Mustangs shut out Slaton 52-0.
Shallowater started the season 0-3 but picked up steam as the season went on. They have won six of their last eight, with the losses coming to Dalhart and Bushland, who are still in the playoffs.
The Mustangs stick to the ground game for the most part behind star back Kouper Boyd. Slowing him down will be key for the Bulldogs, and vice versa for the Mustangs and Clyde do-it-all quarterback Blake Carr.
Points Per Game
Clyde: 42.3
Shallowater: 30.5
Points Allowed Per Game
Clyde: 23
Shallowater: 21.1
Best Win
Clyde: 29-14 over Jim Ned
Shallowater: 27-19 over Muleshoe
Up Next: winner of Brock (8-3) vs. Muleshoe (9-2)
STAT LEADERS
Blake Carr: 123-197, 2274 yds, 33 TD, 6 int; 1501 yds, 19 TD rushing
Josh Hutton: 582 yds, 6 TD rushing
Fabian Gomez: 550 yds, 8 TD rushing
Daijon Booker: 45 rec, 887 yds, 10 TD
Kendrick Johnson: 32 rec, 721 yds, 12 TD
Landon Yates: 20 rec, 289 yds, 8 TD
Clayton Vincent: 41-94, 578 yds, 5 TD, 7 int; 349 yds, 6 TD rushing
Kouper Boyd: 1690 yds, 19 TD rushing
Cade Burt: 20 rec, 304 yds, 3 TD
DCTF Spread: Clyde by 2
The Pick: Clyde
EARLY (6-5) VS. #2 CANADIAN (11-0) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - WOLFFORTH
SERIES HISTORY: Canadian leads 1-0
The Longhorns get a rematch with Canadian in the second round of the playoffs and hope things can go better than the 42-14 loss they were handed by the Wildcats a year ago.
Canadian enters as the number two-ranked team in the state, and a 55-35 win over Bushland has been their closest game of the season. They have scored no fewer than 45-points in a game this season and beat Littlefield 65-7 last week to advance.
Early took care of Odessa Compass Academy 54-13 to move on. The Longhorns have won five of their last six games, with the only loss coming to state-ranked Wall.
Points Per Game
Early: 30.3
Canadian: 62.4
Points Allowed Per Game
Early: 27.2
Canadian: 18.6
Best Win
Early: 35-21 over TLCA San Angelo
Canadian: 69-28 over 4A Canyon Randall
Up Next: winner of Idalou (7-4) vs. Alpine (6-5)
STAT LEADERS
Rohyn Price: 113-186, 1747 yds, 18 TD, 9 int; 303 yds, 5 TD rushing
Griffin Cheslock: 1214 yds, 16 TD rushing
Andrew Reedy: 47 rec, 709 yds, 7 TD
Ki Houston: 32 rec, 668 yds, 4 TD
Kaleb Ozuna: 103 tkl, 7 tfl, 3 fr
DCTF Spread: Canadian by 43
The Pick: Canadian
COMANCHE (7-4) VS. SCURRY-ROSSER (11-0) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - BURLESON
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting
The Indians outlasted Henrietta to advance last week and now draw the unbeaten Scurry-Rosser Wildcats in round two.
Scurry-Rosser beat Blue Ridge 28-19 in the bi-district round to stay perfect on the season. They won the District 7-3A Division II title, but all of the other three playoff teams in the district lost in the first round. Italy, Palmer and Mildred are the only three teams with winning records the Wildcats have defeated this season. They are very good at running the ball and have two players that have gone over 1000 yards rushing so far this season.
Comanche seems to be rounding back into form after a tough four-game losing streak in the middle of the season. The Indians have now won their last four games and can get to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2018 with a win.
Scurry-Rosser is in the postseason for just the 11th time in program history. They lost in the area round to Holliday in 2022.
Points Per Game
Comanche: 38.1
Scurry-Rosser: 41.9
Points Allowed Per Game
Comanche: 16.9
Scurry-Rosser: 11.4
Best Win
Comanche: 46-7 over Eastland
Scurry-Rosser: 47-7 over Palmer
Up Next: winner of Gunter (11-0) vs. City View (7-4)
STAT LEADERS
Layden Welch: 1312 yds, 19 TD, 1 int passing; 443 yds, 7 TD rushing
Cole Schwertner: 636 yds, 3 TD rushing; 2 rec, 28 yds
Sawyer Wilkerson: 746 yds, 8 TD rushing
Kyler Beaty: 29 rec, 470 yds, 9 TD
Kayden Bradshaw: 19-47, 362 yds, 5 TD, 2 int; 1037 yds, 14 TD rushing
Ralph Miller: 1187 yds, 15 TD rushing
Charlie Keever: 10 rec, 229 yds, 2 TD
Noah Norris: 94 tkl, 4 tfl
Deshawn Wren: 92 tkl, 27 tfl
DCTF Spread: Comanche by 1
The Pick: Comanche
#6 HAWLEY (9-2) VS. PANHANDLE (10-1) - FRIDAY, 8 P.M. - LOWREY FIELD, LUBBOCK
SERIES HISTORY: Hawley leads 1-0
We have yet another rematch on our hands this week as Hawley and Panhandle meet in the area round for the second year in a row.
Hawley put it on the Panthers last year, winning 72-26 on their way to winning the 2A Division I state title.
Both teams cruised to wins last week. Hawley beat Anthony 63-18, while Panhandle beat Tahoka 93-54.
The Panthers have lost just once this season, falling to state-ranked Stratford 34-24 to end up second in District 1-2A Division I. They have scored over 60 points in four straight games and passed that plateau in six of 11 games this season. Quarterback Broxton Robinson was outstanding last week, throwing for 294 yards and five touchdowns and running for 218 yards and four scores. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
The Hawley defense, which has been solid all season, will have to rise to the occasion once more. The offense should be able to put up some points, especially if 4-7 Tahoka was able to score 54 last week.
Points Per Game
Hawley: 36.3
Panhandle: 57.2
Points Allowed Per Game
Hawley: 15.5
Panhandle: 24.5
Best Win
Hawley: 34-30 over Stamford
Panhandle: 62-40 over Farwell
Up Next: winner of Sonora (10-1) vs. Farwell (8-3)
STAT LEADERS
Keagan Ables: 165-262, 2694 yds, 38 TD, 2 int; 193 yds, 3 TD rushing; 19 tkl, 2 int
Landon Sykora: 657yds, 7 TD rushing; 82 tkl, 7 tfl, 2 int, 4 fr
Diontay Ramon: 62 rec, 1115 yds, 16 TD; 68 tkl, 8 tfl, 4 int
Chandlin Myers: 45 rec, 683 yds, 10 TD; 32 tkl, 1 tfl
Hunter Hudson: 76 tkl, 13 tfl
DCTF Spread: Panhandle by 5
The Pick: Hawley
STAMFORD (9-1) VS. #4 STRATFORD (11-0) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - LUBBOCK COOPER
SERIES HISTORY: Stamford leads 1-0
The Bulldogs draw a very tough opponent in round two as they meet up with unbeaten and fourth-ranked Stratford in Lubbock on Friday night.
Stamford got past Forsan 42-6 to advance last week, while the Elks had no problem getting past Sundown 61-6.
Stratford only has one game decided by single-digits this season, a 23-20 victory over 9-2 Sunray in week two. Their closest district game was a ten-point win over 10-1 Panhandle.
Stamford goes toe-to-toe numbers-wise with the Elks, scoring just about the same amount of points per game and giving up just a tad fewer.
The only other meeting between these two was a 27-7 Stamford victory on their way to the state championship in 2012.
Points Per Game
Stamford: 44.5
Stratford: 46.7
Points Allowed Per Game
Stamford: 10.1
Stratford: 10.5
Best Win
Stamford: 28-13 over Cisco
Stratford: 34-24 over Panhandle
Up Next: winner of New Deal (8-3) vs. Cisco (5-6)
STAT LEADERS
Christian Duran: 91-133, 1569 yds, 14 TD, 8 int; 502 yds, 10 TD rushing
Kaston Vega: 611 yds, 10 TD rushing; 123 tkl, 12 tfl
Cle Whitfield: 505 yds, 5 TD rushing
Quenten Pryor: 23 rec, 400 yds, 4 TD
Drew Faulks: 27 rec, 454 yds, 4 TD
Ja’Kain Whitaker: 92 tkl, 6 fl
Bryce Braden: 88-142, 1535 yds, 20 TD, 4 int; 836 yds, 15 TD rushing; 133 tkl, 16 tfl, 10 sacks
Josue Licon: 759 yds, 11 TD rushing
Julio Valdez: 31 rec, 754 yds, 8 TD; 100 tkl, 9 tfl
DCTF Spread: Stratford by 6
The Pick: Stamford
CISCO (5-6) VS. NEW DEAL (8-3) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - SWEETWATER
SERIES HISTORY: Cisco leads 2-0
Can the Loboes knock New Deal out of the playoffs for a third straight season? They certainly hope so as they meet the Lions in Sweetwater Friday night.
Cisco beat New Deal 33-14 in the third round last year and 34-14 in the third round in 2021.
New Deal shut out Stinnett West Texas 58-0 in the bi-district round and will go into this matchup on a seven-game winning streak. The Lions lost to Farwell in week one, Idalou in week two, and Lubbock Trinity Christian in week four, but were untouched in District 2 play.
The Loboes have been battled tested all season, which could give them an edge against the Lions once again.
Points Per Game
Cisco: 23.5
New Deal: 34.1
Points Allowed Per Game
Cisco: 25
New Deal: 20.1
Best Win
Cisco: 21-14 over Ozona
New Deal: 56-21 over Olton
Up Next: winner of Stamford (9-1) vs. Stratford (11-0)
STAT LEADERS
Kannon Orsagh: 81-131, 982 yds, 13 TD, 9 int; 589 yds, 1 TD rushing
Gus Hart: 644 yds, 16 TD rushing
Dillon Silva: 26 rec, 256 yds, 2 TD; 479 yds, 1 TD rushing
Julius Proffitt: 19 rec, 173 yds, 4 TD; 64 yds, 1 TD rushing
Dallas Sumner: 148-247, 2102 yds, 21 TD, 4 int; 236 yds, 3 TD rushing
Slade Martin: 1082 yds, 20 TD rushing; 126 tkl
Aiden Ysaguirre: 44 rec, 764 yds, 11 TD; 35 tkl, 3 int
Dalton Martin: 143 tkl
DCTF Spread: New Deal by 3
The Pick: Cisco
COLEMAN (9-2) VS. MARLIN (9-2) - THURSDAY, 7 P.M. - STEPHENVILLE
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting
The Bluecats draw a very tough opponent in the area round for the second year in a row, and this time they hope to advance.
A year ago, Crawford ended Coleman’s season 34-13. Now the Bluecats get another Central Texas program in Marlin.
The Bulldogs have won their last nine games, including a 36-7 victory over Kerens in the bi-district round. They forfeited their season opener to Itasca and fell to Mart in week two, but have been very good since.
This looks like a very close matchup on paper and one of the tougher games featuring Big Country teams to pick this week.
Points Per Game
Coleman: 32.8
Marlin: 36.8
Points Allowed Per Game
Coleman: 18.3
Marlin: 14.5
Best Win
Coleman: 26-20 over Llano
Marlin: 28-12 over Riesel
Up Next: winner of Valley Mills (7-4) vs. Tioga (8-3)
STAT LEADERS
Brayden Torres: 94-146, 1514 yds, 17 TD, 11 int; 430 yds, 9 TD rushing
Brent Bouldin 766 yds, 7 TD rushing
Jadin Jackson 665 yds, 11 TD rushing; 16 rec, 266 yds, 2 TD; 7-13, 216 yds, 2 TD passing
Roderick Suiters: 78-135, 1350 yds, 14 TD, 2 int; 429 yds, 8 TD rushing
Mario Hopwood: 1006 yds, 15 TD rushing
Jordan Womack: 30 rec, 343 yds, 5 TD
DCTF Spread: Marlin by 2
The Pick: Marlin
DE LEON (7-4) VS. ITALY (6-5) - THURSDAY, 7 P.M. - GRANBURY
SERIES HISTORY: Tied 2-2
The Bearcats were one of just nine four-seeds to upset a one-seed in the first round of the playoffs; now they get a crack at Italy.
The Gladiators pulled off a bit of an upset in round one, taking down two-seed Crawford 27-18 to advance and move their season record above .500.
De Leon exploded for a season-high 70 points last week to take down Nocona, the most points they’ve put on the board in a game since 2018.
Both teams lean heavily on experienced quarterbacks, Heston Jobe for the Bearcats and Gared Wood for Italy.
This is the first time these teams have met since a 62-14 De Leon victory in the bi-district playoffs in 2017.
Points Per Game
De Leon: 32.4
Italy: 30.9
Points Allowed Per Game
De Leon: 25.4
Italy: 19.9
Best Win
De Leon: 70-41 over Nocona
Italy: 27-18 over Crawford
Up Next: winner of Italy (5-5) vs. Crawford (6-4)
STAT LEADERS
Heston Jobe: 1504 yds, 9 TD, 5 int passing; 748 yds, 10 TD rushing
Jake Cooper: 886 yds, 12 TD rushing; 31 rec, 250 yds, 1 TD
Max Jones: 30 rec, 502 yds, 4 TD
Gared Wood: 84-166, 1358 yds, 19 TD, 9 int; 1008 yds, 15 TD
Eric Solis: 736 yds, 8 TD rushing
Dredrick Owens: 42 rec, 772 yds, 11 TD
DCTF Spread: Italy by 6
The Pick: Italy
#1 ALBANY (11-0) VS. CELESTE (8-3) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - SPRINGTOWN
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting
Albany and Celeste meet for the first time on the football field in the area playoffs on Friday night.
The Lions look to extend their winning streak to 23 as they take on a Blue Devil squad that pulled off a first-round upset of Seymour.
Celeste finished third in District 8 behind Collinsville and Muenster, who were the only teams they lost to in district action. Their other loss was to Wolfe City, who is still in the 2A D1 playoffs, in week three.
A win gets Albany to at least the third round of the playoffs for the fourth year in a row and the 11th time in 12 seasons.
Points Per Game
Albany: 46.1
Celeste: 33.5
Points Allowed Per Game
Albany: 6.9
Celeste: 16.9
Best Win
Albany: 27-14 over Hawley
Celeste: 41-12 over Seymour
Up Next: winner of Wink (10-1) vs. Muenster (7-4)
STAT LEADERS
Chip Chambers: 100-175, 1673 yds, 23 TD, 11 int; 74 yds, 2 TD rushing
Adam Hil: 1636 yds, 25 TD rushing; 7 rec, 121 yds, 4 TD
Cason Fairchild: 40 rec, 790 yds, 9 TD
Jaxson Hoel: 95 tkl, 7 tfl, 2 sacks, 2 fr
Brock Stewart: 34-64, 405 yds, 3 TD, 2 int; 715 yds, 11 TD rushing
Anthony Powell: 1645 yds, 25 TD rushing
Ben Mackey: 14 rec, 200 yds, 2 TD
Jason Minter: 82 tkl, 8 tfl, 3 fr
DCTF Spread: Albany by 31
The Pick: Albany
ROSCOE (9-2) VS. WINDTHORST (9-2) - THURSDAY, 7 P.M. - MCMURRY
SERIES HISTORY: Windthorst leads 1-0
The Plowboys are in the area playoffs for the second time in three years and will take on traditional state power Windthorst Thursday night.
Roscoe rolled past McCamey last week 60-26, while Windthorst had no issue with Lindsay in a 55-21 win.
The Trojans have won six in a row since a 35-13 loss to Bremond in the middle of the season. Their other loss was to Muenster, 16-6.
The Plowboys fell to the Trojans 55-20 in the regional round in 2003, the only meeting on the football field between the two teams.
Points Per Game
Roscoe: 38.3
Windthorst: 36.5
Points Allowed Per Game
Roscoe: 17.8
Windthorst: 17.9
Best Win
Roscoe: 32-16 over Clarendon
Windthorst: 37-34 over Henrietta
Up Next: winner of Collinsville (10-1) vs. Miles (8-3)
STAT LEADERS
Jace Arnwine: 120-193, 1784yds, 22 TD, 4 int; 39 yds, 1 TD rushing
Ivan McCann: 1414 yds, 13 TD rushing
Seth Wilcox: 45 rec, 822 yds, 13 TD; 412 yds, 5 TD rushing
Parker Gleaton: 33 rec, 555 yds, 7 TD; 59 yds, 2 TD rushing
Brock Belcher: 173-281, 2298 yds, 32 TD, 6 int; 1030 yds, 11 TD rushing
Cash Amstrong: 387 yds, 4 TD rushing
Koby Teakell: 50 rec, 922 yds, 11 TD
Karson Vieth: 102 yds, 14 tfl
DCTF Spread: Windthorst by 3
The Pick: Roscoe
MILES (8-3) VS. COLLINSVILLE (10-1) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - BRECKENRIDGE
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting
The Bulldogs took care of Sterling City in emphatic fashion in round one; now the challenge is a tougher one as they meet fourth-ranked Collinsville.
Miles is in the area round for the first time since 2014 and just the second time in program history. They have never made it to round three.
The Pirates shut out Archer City 62-0 last week to extend their winning streak to seven. Their only loss of the season was 42-35 to Cooper, a 10-1 2A D1 team that is still in the playoffs. No Collinsville win was by single-digits this season, and the closest contest was a 23-point win over Celeste.
Miles will have to put it’s high-powered offense on full display to have a chance to upset the Pirates in this one, as the Collinsville offense has even more impressive numbers than Miles.
The Pirates have two 1000-yard receivers and their quarterback has thrown for over 4000 yards.
Points Per Game
Miles: 46.8
Collinsville: 50.4
Points Allowed Per Game
Miles: 25.3
Collinsville: 14.4
Best Win
Miles: 70-68 over Ozona
Collinsville: 51-27 over Muenster
Up Next: winner of Roscoe (9-2) vs. Windthorst (9-2)
STAT LEADERS
Hayven Book: 152-251, 2429 yds, 37 TD, 9 int; 785 yds, 11 TD rushing
Tevin Meade: 884 yds, 15 TD rushing; 11 rec, 255 yds, 5 TD
Cooper Ellison: 60 rec, 998 yds, 16 TD
Lane Godfrey: 92 tkl, 2 tfl
Logan Jenkins: 302-409, 4023 yds, 54 TD, 4 int; 359 yds, 5 TD rushing
Parker Wells: 316 yds, 8 TD rushing
Rylan Newman: 73 rec, 1013 yds, 12 TD
Colin Barnes: 70 rec, 1104 yds, 16 TD
Garrett Trevino: 121 tkl, 14 tfl
DCTF Spread: Collinsville by 18
The Pick: Collinsville
#2 KNOX CITY (11-0) VS. HAPPY (10-1) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - PETERSBURG
SERIES HISTORY: Happy leads 3-1
Knox City meets Happy in the playoffs for the third time in four years, looking to finally break through against the Cowboys.
Happy dominated the game 50-0 last season, but this Greyhounds squad, made up of many of the same players, just seems different.
Knox City has cruised through the season so far with a perfect 11-0 record, while the Cowboys have just one loss: 50-24 to 1A D2 Klondike in the season opener. They squeaked past Follett last week 36-30 to advance.
Points Per Game
Knox City: 57.4
Happy: 47.1
Points Allowed Per Game
Knox City: 14.5
Happy: 22.7
Best Win
Knox City: 34-24 over Knox City
Happy: 48-42 over Springlake-Earth
Up Next: winner of Miami (11-0) vs. Springlake-Earth (8-3)
STAT LEADERS
Bryson Callaway: 51-80, 1012 yds, 21 TD, 0 int; 245 yds, 3 TD rushing; 57 tkl, 4 int
Cameron Hernandez: 982 yds, 22 TD rushing; 4 rec, 55 yds, 1 TD; 31 tkl
Tristin Baxter: 658 yds, 17 TD rushing; 7 rec, 81 yds, 3 TD; 64 tkl
Devin Guillory: 22 rec, 609 yds, 15 TD; 45 tkl, 5 int
Sixmanfootball.com Computer Rankings:
Knox City: #2 in 1A D1
Happy: #10 in 2A D1
DCTF Spread: Knox City by 14
Sixmanfootball Spread: Knox City by 45
The Pick: Knox City
#4 WESTBROOK (10-1) VS. BUENA VISTA (8-3) - FRIDAY, 6:30 P.M. - RANKIN
SERIES HISTORY: Buena Vista leads 2-1
The Wildcats and Longhorns do battle in the bi-district playoffs for the second year in a row on Thursday.
Westbrook beat Buena Vista 48-0 in 2022 on their way to a second straight state championship.
Buena Vista is back in the playoffs and still alive thanks to a 68-50 win over O’Donnell last week. The Longhorns have won six in a row after starting the season 2-3 with losses to Rankin, Hermleigh and Balmorhea.
The Wildcats looked unstoppable again last week in their 72-22 win over Rankin to run their winning streak to ten after a season opening loss to Knox City.
Points Per Game
Westbrook: 54.3
Buena Vista: 48.3
Points Allowed Per Game
Westbrook: 11.3
Buena Vista: 28
Best Win
Westbrook: 60-14 over Jonesboro
Buena Vista: 46-42 over Irion County
Up Next: winner of Whiteface (11-0) vs. Borden County (10-1)
STAT LEADERS
Parker Matlock: 18-33, 254 yds, 6 TD, 1 int; 2 rec, 36 yds; 83 tkl, 13 tfl, 5 fr
Keegan Gilbreath: 959 yds, 28 TD rushing; 9-14, 232 yds, 5 TD passing; 6 rec, 75 yds, 1 TD; 80 tkl, 8 tfl, 5 int
Grayson Jeffrey: 883 yds, 17 TD rushing; 6 rec, 141 yds, 1 TD; 59 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 int, 8 pbu
Aiden Sullivan: 10 rec, 209 yds, 4 TD; 62 tkl, 16 tfl, 8 sacks, 7 fr, 9 ff
Ethan King: 71 tkl, 5 tfl, 8 sacks
Damien Stewart: 71 tkl, 11 tfl
Sixmanfootball.com Computer Rankings:
Westbrook: #1 in 1A D1
Buena Vista: #13 in 1A D1
DCTF Spread: Westbrook by 28
Sixmanfootball Spread: Westbrook by 45
The Pick: Westbrook
MAY (8-3) VS. LEVERETT’S CHAPEL (8-2) - SATURDAY, 6 P.M. - SPRINGTOWN
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting
The Tigers turned on the offensive firepower in last week’s 92-70 win over Irion County and hope to keep rolling Saturday against Leverett’s Chapel.
The Lions are also coming off a shootout win; they beat Leakey 81-70 to advance. Their only losses of the season are to Union Hill and East Texas Homeschool, who are both still in their respective playoffs.
May has gotten better and healthier as the season has gone on and should have a good shot to advance to the third round for the third time in four years. Their defense will have to step up against a Lions squad that is averaging over 62 points per game.
Points Per Game
May: 42.5
Leverett’s Chapel: 62.3
Points Allowed Per Game
May: 35.8
Leverett’s Chapel: 39.8
Best Win
May: 92-70 over Irion County
Leverett’s Chapel: 78-74 over Oakwood
Up Next: winner of Chester (5-5) vs. Jonesboro (10-1)
STAT LEADERS
Braden Steele: 1560 yds, 26 TD rushing; 72-120, 1265 yds, 21 TD passing
Mikey Scheriger: 303 yds, 6 TD rushing; 12 rec, 121 yds, 2 TD
Ben Harrell: 295 yds, 8 TD rushing; 19 rec, 436 yds, 8 TD
Caysen Dail: 14-23, 186 yds passing
Sixmanfootball.com Computer Rankings:
May: #17 in 1A D1
Leverett’s Chapel: #35 in 1A D1
DCTF Spread: May by 12
Sixmanfootball Spread: May by 34
The Pick: May
#1 BENJAMIN (11-0) VS. NEWCASTLE (10-1) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - HAMLIN
SERIES HISTORY: Newcastle leads 6-4
The Mustangs will face Newcastle in the playoffs for the second straight season as they aim to extend their winning streak to 26-games.
Benjamin earned its 11th straight mercy-rule win of the season, taking down Motley County 52-6 to advance.
Newcastle had no issues with Woodson, shutting out the Cowboys 55-0 to move on for the second straight year. Their only loss this season was to 1A D1 playoff team Jonesboro, 50-38, in week four.
Points Per Game
Benjamin: 64.1
Newcastle: 59.8
Points Allowed Per Game
Benjamin: 11.5
Newcastle: 21.1
Best Win
Benjamin: 80-33 over Follett
Newcastle: 74-24 over Strawn
Up Next: winner of Jayton (11-0 vs. Strawn (8-3)
STAT LEADERS
Grayson Rigdon: 1443 yds, 29 TD rushing; 37-45, 715 yds, 9 TD passing; 22 rec, 634 yds, 18 TD; 72 tkl, 3 ff, 7 int, 6 defensive TD; 4 kickoff returns for TD, 1 punt return for TD
Keegan Hayes: 375 yds, 6 TD rushing; 14 rec, 325 yds, 5 TD; 30-47, 758 yds, 21 TD, 1 int passing; 90 tkl, 2 ff, 2 int, 2 defensive TD
Weston Weatherford: 14 rec, 255 yds, 3 TD; 66 tkl, 1 int, 1 ff, 1 fr
Tallon Hayes: 91 tkl, 4 ff, 4 fr, 1 int
Sixmanfootball.com Computer Rankings:
Benjamin: #1 in 1A D2
Newcastle: #11 in 1A D2
DCTF Spread: Benjamin by 11
Sixmanfootball Spread: Benjamin by 45
The Pick: Benjamin
#3 JAYTON (11-0) VS. STRAWN (8-3) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - TRENT
SERIES HISTORY: Strawn leads 4-1
The Jaybirds look to keep their perfect season going and set up a potential battle of unbeatens with Benjamin last week as they meet Strawn in Trent Friday night.
Jayton crushed Crowell 61-16 last week to get to 11-0, while the Greyhounds beat Throckmorton 67-36 to advance to round two.
Crowell is the common opponent between the two. Jayton beat them handily last week while Strawn lost 100-55 in week one to the Wildcats.
Strawn has won three in a row and seven of eight, with the only loss coming to Newcastle in district play.
These two teams have not met since the second round of the 2013 playoffs when Strawn knocked out Jayton 52-6. The Greyhounds have won the last four meetings, all in the playoffs, in the series.
Points Per Game
Jayton: 58.6
Strawn: 55.7
Points Allowed Per Game
Jayton: 11.3
Strawn: 36.2
Best Win
Jayton: 55-34 over Klondike
Strawn: 67-36 over Throckmorton
Up Next: winner of Benjamin (11-0) vs. Newcastle (10-1)
Sixmanfootball.com Computer Rankings:
Jayton: #2 in 1A D2
Strawn: #12 in 1A D2
DCTF Spread: Jayton by 24
Sixmanfootball Spread: Jayton by 45
The Pick: Jayton
LORAINE (4-7) VS. CHEROKEE (9-1) - FRIDAY, 6:30 P.M. - WINTERS
SERIES HISTORY: Loraine leads 2-0
The resurgent and healthy Bulldogs will meet state-ranked Cherokee in playoffs for the second straight season.
Last year the Bulldogs won a defensive battle 24-6 on their way to the state championship game.
Cherokee topped Zephyr 63-20 last week to advance, while Loraine shut down Paint Rock 46-0. Loraine has now won four in a row after dropping its first seven games of the season.
The Indians have been impressive all season, with their only loss being a 40-32 defeat to Richland Springs in district play. They have rebounded with four wins in a row to get to this point.
Points Per Game
Loraine: 46.1
Cherokee: 61.6
Points Allowed Per Game
Loraine: 48.6
Cherokee: 20
Best Win
Loraine: 55-8 over Bronte
Cherokee: 84-72 over Rochelle
Up Next: winner of Bronte (4-7) vs. Richland Springs (11-0)
STAT LEADERS
AJ Williams: 841 yds, 14 TD rushing; 1 rec, 15 yds, 1 TD; 22-47, 404 yds, 4 TD, 2 int; 41 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 fr
Jadrian Limones: 34-61, 586 yds, 12 TD, 4 int; 295 yds, 4 TD rushing; 10 rec, 174 yds, 3 TD
Xander Ybarra: 261 yds, 10 TD rushing; 12 rec, 109 yds, 1 TD; 3-6, 79 yds, 1 TD passing; 72 tkl
Matthew Bolen: 334 yds, 4 TD rushing; 11 rec, 179 yds, 2 TD; 14-24, 178 yds, 5 TD passing
Johnathan Lujan: 15 rec, 339 yds, 7 TD
Luke Kerr: 69 tkl, 2 tfl
Brett Bolen: 44 tkl, 2 fr
Sixmanfootball.com Computer Rankings:
Loraine: #23 in 1A D2
Cherokee: #9 in 1A D2
DCTF Spread: Cherokee by 21
Sixmanfootball Spread: Cherokee by 45
The Pick: Cherokee
ABILENE CHRISTIAN (9-2) VS. PLANO CORAM DEO (8-2) - FRIDAY, 7 P.M. - DUBLIN
SERIES HISTORY: Abilene Christian leads 1-0
Abilene Christian pulled out a thrilling win over Dallas Lakehill last week and advances to face Plano Coram Deo in the second round.
Coram Deo knocked off Keller Harvest 54-8. They’ve won at least one playoff game in five straight seasons.
The Panthers also rolled past Harvest this season, beating them 47-0 in district play.
The Lions lost 30-28 to Lakehill in district play and also fell in week one to still unbeaten Bryan St. Joseph, 60-14. They have won six in a row since the loss to Lakehill.
The only other meeting between the two teams was a 64-8 Panther victory in 2019.
Points Per Game
ACS: 50.2
Coram Deo: 48
Points Allowed Per Game
ACS: 29.2
Coram Deo: 17.2
Best Win
ACS: 68-44 over Hermleigh
Coram Deo: 59-34 over Lucas Christian
Up Next: winner of Fort Worth Covenant (10-1) vs. Lucas Christian (9-2)
STAT LEADERS
Brooks Armstrong: 1419 yds, 25 TD rushing; 12 rec, 133 yds, 3 TD; 9-15, 113 yds, 3 TD passing; 36 tkl, 4 int
Carson Schwiethale: 48-87, 765 yds, 13 TD, 2 int; -24 yds, 1 TD rushing
Davis Patteson: 397 yds, 7 TD rushing; 38 tkl, 2 sacks, 1 int
Bryce McGlothlin: 34 tkl, 7.5 sacks
Isaac Presley: 51 tkl, 3 sacks, 2 int, 6 fr; 14 rec, 237 yds, 4 TD
Nate Garza: 23 tkl, 5.5 sacks, 5 fr; 16 rec, 375 yds, 5 TD
Pierson Walters: 308 yds, 5 TD rushing
Sixmanfootball.com Computer Rankings:
Abilene Christian: #3 in TAPPS DII
Coram Deo: #6 in TAPPS DII
DCTF Spread: Abilene Christian by
Sixmanfootball Spread: Coram Deo by 2
The Pick: Abilene Christian
ACU (5-5) AT TEXAS A&M (6-4) - SATURDAY, 11 A.M.
SERIES HISTORY: First Meeting
The Wildcats wrap up the 2023 season with a tough game at Texas A&M. The Aggies just made a coaching change after beating Mississippi State 51-10 last week, letting Jimbo Fisher go after nearly six seasons as head coach.
ACU fell in a 31-30 heartbreaker to Tarleton State last week to drop to 5-5 overall in their second season under Keith Patterson.
STAT LEADERS
Maverick McIvor: 145-260, 1823 yds, 17 TD, 5 int
Jay'Veon Sunday: 590 yds, 3 TD rushing
Blayne Taylor: 34 rec, 543 yds, 7 TD
Darius Moore: 75 tkl, 6 tf
Jaylen Henderson: 11-19, 150 yds, 2 TD; 67 yds, 2 TD rushing
Amari Daniels: 484 yds, 5 TD rushing
Ainias Smith: 43 rec, 716 yds, 2 TD
Edgerinn Cooper: 70 tkl, 16 tfl, 7 sacks, 2 ff
The Pick: Texas A&M
HARDIN-SIMMONS (9-1 AT TRINITY (9-1) - SATURDAY, 12 P.M.
SERIES HISTORY: HSU leads series 23-7-4
The Cowboys and Tigers tangle in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs for the second year in a row on Saturday.
Trinity beat HSU 14-7 last year, stopping the Cowboys inside the ten-yard line on a potential game-tying drive as time expired.
The Cowboys beat East Texas Baptist last week to wrap up their first outright conference title since 2004 and will visit a Trinity squad that has won nine in a row since a season-opening overtime loss to St. John's (MN).
The Cowboys have won five of their last six meetings with the Tigers.
The winner advances to face the winner of North Central (10-0) and Belhaven (9-1).
STAT LEADERS
Gaylon Glynn: 119-176, 1691 yds, 11 TD, 3 int
Noah Garcia: 760 yds, 10 TD rushing
Colton Marshall: 662 yds, 15 TD rushing
Tailon Garrett: 56 rec, 754 yds, 4 TD
Cade Michna: 54 tkl, 8.5 tfl, 5.5 sacks, 1 int
Tucker Horn: 194-269, 2600 yds, 28 TD, 0 int
Legend Grigsby: 386 yds, 8 TD rushing
Ryan Merrifield: 51 rec, 901 yds, 12 TD
Caleb Harmel: 57 tkl, 11.5 tfl, 2 sacks, 3 int
The Pick: Hardin-Simmons
