Blitz Picks - Week 14
The list of Big Country teams still playing is down to eight, and we will have seven left (at most) after this week as Hawley and Coleman meet in one of the many great games on the schedule. If you get to play the week of Thanksgiving you are truly the best of the best, and I can’t wait to see some of our area heavyweights go toe-to-toe with some other great teams in the region.
I had my best week of the season percentage-wise picking last week, as Santo ending a great season for Roscoe proved to be my only misfire.
Season: 364-458, 79.5%
Week 1: 31-41, 75.6%
Week 2: 29-41, 70.7%
Week 3: 30-37, 81.1%
Week 4: 31-41, 75.6%
Week 5: 33-38, 86.8%
Week 6: 23-28, 82.1%
Week 7: 25-31, 80.7%
Week 8: 28-41, 68.3%
Week 9: 31-40, 77.5%
Week 10: 33-37, 89.2%
Week 11: 32-39, 82.1%
Week 12: 24-29, 82.8%
Week 13: 14-15, 93.3%
4A DIVISION II REGION I SEMIFINALS
Snyder (9-3) vs Celina (10-1) - Friday, 1 p.m. - Mineral Wells
The Tigers have played their best defense of the season when it has mattered most, shutting out Seminole and only giving up three points to Graham to advance to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in ten years. They will have a huge test ahead of them against Celina, a traditional power that has scored 57, 66, 70, 41 and 70 points in its last five outings. Their only loss this season came to Argyle 23-0 back in week three.
THE NUMBERS
How they got here: Snyder beat Seminole 31-0 in bi-district, beat Graham 14-3 in area; Celina beat Mineral Wells 66-7 in bi-district, beat Perryton 57-7 in area
Playoff History: Second meeting. Celina won 37-7 in state semifinals in 2007.
Points per game: Snyder 33 — Celina 47.8
Points allowed per game: Snyder 16.8 — Celina 11.5
Streak: Snyder won three — Celina won eight
Key Players
Snyder
QB Hunter Stewart: 93-138, 1035 yds, 8 TD, 6 int; 597 yds, 9 TD rushing
RB Jorge Martinez: 1069 yds, 12 TD rushing
WR Tim Henderson: 34 rec, 479 yds, 4 TD
RB/LB Bryce Ford: 117 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 int; 342 yds, 12 TD rushing
WR Jorge Olivares: 25 rec, 297 yds, 3 TD; 71 tackles, 3 int
RB Dom Dominguez: 289 yds, 4 TD rushing
Celina
RB Gabe Gayton
RB Troy Peterson
QB Noah Bentley
WR Collin Urich
Winner plays Monahans/Aubrey winner
THE SPREAD: CELINA BY 36
THE PICK: CELINA
3A DIVISION I REGION I SEMIFINALS
Jim Ned (12-0) vs Brock (12-0) - Friday, 2 p.m. - Brownwood
This is a rematch everyone has been waiting for as the top-ranked, defending 3A Division I state champion Jim Ned Indians meet #2 Brock. A year ago the Indians upset #1 Brock in a 19-16 slugfest on their way to the title. Brock has been waiting for another shot at Jim Ned since then and they finally have it. The Eagles have not really been tested this season — their closest game was a 19 point district victory over Paradise in week six. Jim Ned has been cruising as well, with games against Cisco and Snyder, both teams that are still in the playoffs, as the only ones you could say were close calls. Injuries have been an issue for the Jim Ned defense, but “the next man up” has been filling in quite well at various positions. The teams have two common opponents in Wall and Peaster — the Indians beat Wall 37-20 in district play while Brock eliminated them from the playoffs 40-6 in the bi-district round and Jim Ned beat Peaster 49-12 in the playoffs while Brock knocked them off 80-7 in district.
THE NUMBERS
How they got here: Jim Ned beat Peaster 49-12 in bi-district, beat Muleshoe 49-20 in area; Brock beat Wall 40-6 in bi-district, beat Amarillo River Road 54-8 in area.
Playoff History: Third meeting. Brock won 70-7 in bi-district in 2015, Jim Ned won 19-16 in regional playoffs in 2020.
Points per game: Jim Ned 43.3 — Brock 50. 8
Points allowed per game: Jim Ned 12.3 — Brock 10.5
Streak: Jim Ned won 26 — Brock won 12
Key Players
Jim Ned
QB Tate Yardley: 87-156, 1628 yds, 20 TD, 4 int; 141 yds, 6 TD rushing
RB Xavier Wishert: 2340 yds, 29 TD rushing; 4 rec, 93 yds, 2 TD; 67 tackles,
WR Braden Lewis: 28 rec, 542 yds, 7 TD; 23 tackles, 1 int
Tanner Hussman: 90 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries
Blaine Palmer: 20 rec, 506 yds, 6 TD; 19 tackles, 1 int
Noah Powell: 64 tackles
Brayden Shipman: 437 yards, 5 TD rushing; 63 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 int, 2 fumble recoveries
Brock
QB Tyler Moody: 136-209, 2105 yds, 32 TD, 3 int; 500 yds, 10 TD rushing
RB Kutter Wilson: 1972 yds, 25 TD rushing; 6 rec, 114 yds, 1 TD
WR Elijah Potts: 45 rec, 695 yds, 13 TD
TE Nathan Jay Jones: 37 rec, 561 yds, 11 TD
Dillon Mueller: 87 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Josh Gleaton: 81 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Reid Watkins: 45 tackles, 4 int
Winner plays Shallowater/Whitesboro winner
THE SPREAD: BROCK BY 11
THE PICK: JIM NED
Photo: Prelude Productions
2A DIVISION I REGION I SEMIFINALS
Hawley (12-0) vs Coleman (11-0) - Friday, 6 p.m. - Abilene Wylie
This is another highly anticipated playoff matchup as teams with two of the best defenses in the Big Country do battle Friday night in Abilene. Hawley and Coleman have not been tested much this season and have cruised into the third round with easy victories in bi-district and area. They are still 1-2 in the state in 2A Division I in points allowed — Coleman has only given up 51 while Hawley has allowed just 73. They have a common opponent in Anson: Hawley shut them out 35-0 in district play while Coleman beat them twice, 33-6 in the regular season and 62-12 in the playoffs. Both teams run the ball very well but you’d have to give an edge to Hawley in the passing game, and only because we really haven’t had to see how well Coleman QB Jadin Jackson passes because his team runs the ball so well and has not been put in a passing situation. He may have to do some damage with his arm as well as his legs for the Bluecats in this one.
THE NUMBERS
How they got here: Hawley beat San Saba 56-9 in bi-district, beat Sundown 40-22 in area; Coleman beat Anson 61-12 in bi-district, beat Post 43-0 in area.
Playoff History: First postseason meeting
Points per game: Hawley 44.6 — Coleman 44.1
Points allowed per game: Hawley 6.1 — Coleman 4.6
Streak: Hawley won 12 — Coleman won 11
Key Players
Hawley
QB Rodey Hooper: 127-213, 1973 yds, 25 TD, 9 int; 67 yds, 4 TD rushing
RB Austin Cumpton: 871 yds, 15 TD rushing; 2 rec, 44 yds, TD
RB Lawson Bailey: 672 yds, 9 TD rushing; 1 rec, 34 yds
WR Kason O’Shields: 39 rec, 636 yds, 8 TD; 43 tackles, 7 int
WR Aeneas Segura: 32 rec, 483 yds, 7 TD; 37 tackles, 2 int
Kyle Nichols: 89 tackles, 11 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries
Hez Parker: 89 tackles, 1 int, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
Will Scott: 89 tackles, 7 int, 3 forced fumbles
Corley Williams: 70 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 1 int, 1 fumble recovery
Coleman
QB Jadin Jackson: 32-85, 841 yds, 9 TD, 5 int; 842 yards, 16 TD rushing
RB Ryland Gentry: 818 yds, 13 TD rushing; 4 rec, 130 yds, TD
RB Devinar Roberson: 339 yds, 3 TD rushing; 4 rec, 138 yds, 2 TD
RB Cort McFadden: 350 yds, 5 TD rushing; 1 rec, 50 yds, TD
WR Braxton Smith: 17 rec, 377 yds, 5 TD
Winner plays Cisco/New Deal winner
THE SPREAD: COLEMAN BY 5
THE PICK: HAWLEY
Photo: Gary Ford
Cisco (10-2) vs New Deal (11-1) Friday, 2 p.m. - Colorado City
The Cisco rushing game has been unstoppable since a district loss to Coleman, and the Loboes aim to keep rolling as they get set to face New Deal Friday afternoon. Cisco ran for 664 yards in their area round win over Panhandle and now get set for a Lion team that got past state-ranked Forsan last week, holding a Buffalo squad known for running the ball to just 105 yards on the ground. New Deal is no stranger to the ground game either, running for 342 yards and only attempting six passes in the win over Forsan. They average 299.1 yards per game rushing for the season. The Lions only loss this season was a 28-14 defeat at Idalou in week five. Cisco’s only two losses were to Jim Ned and Coleman, who are both still in the playoffs.
THE NUMBERS
How they got here: Cisco beat Haskell 55-28 in bi-district, beat Panhandle 69-21 in area; New Deal beat Olton 63-21 in bi-district, beat Forsan 28-24 in area.
Playoff History: First postseason meeting
Points per game: Cisco 42.1 — New Deal 41.9
Points allowed per game: Cisco 16.9 — New Deal 10.8
Streak: Cisco won four — New Deal won seven
Key Players
Cisco
QB Hunter Long: 53-107, 865 yds, 11 TD, 5 int; 1925 yds, 27 TD rushing
RB Trent Huston: 1250 yds, 16 TD rushing
WR Tre Brackeen: 13 rec, 275 yds, 2 TD; 157 yds, 1 TD rushing; 6 int, 2 fumble recoveries
TE/LB Dawson Hearne: 10 rec, 135 yds, 6 TD; 2 int
New Deal
QB Harley Patterson: 83-126, 1289 yds, 19 TD, 3 int; 498 yds, 10 TD rushing
RB Leric Eaton: 1863 yds, 26 TD rushing; 8 rec, 160 yds, 3 TD; 136 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 3 int
RB Kendrick Nelson: 581 yds, 6 TD rushing
Jovin Villegas: 113 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
Ethan Brown: 36 tackles, 4 int
Winner plays Hawley/Coleman winner
THE SPREAD: CISCO BY 2
THE PICK: CISCO
Photo: Gary Stennett
2A DIVISION II REGION II SEMIFINALS
Albany (11-0) vs Muenster (12-0) - Friday, 2 p.m. - Springtown
The Lions get set for their toughest challenge to date as they meet #2 Muenster Friday afternoon. Albany has not trailed all season and their second victory over Olney in 2021 last week, 32-10, was the closest game they’ve played all year. The Hornets beat Lubbock Trinity Christian by 11 in week four and got past defending state champ and district rival Windthorst 16-8 five weeks ago, but they have been dominant in their other ten games. Cross Plains is the only common opponent for the two teams — Albany beat them 61-3 in district action while Muenster knocked them out of the bi-district playoffs 55-7.
THE NUMBERS
How they got here: Albany beat Era 68-0 in bi-district, beat Olney 32-10 in area; Muenster beat Cross Plains 55-7 in bi-district, beat Seymour 63-24 in area
Playoff History: Sixth meeting — Albany won 32-6 in bi-district in 2003, Albany won 41-0 in regionals in 2009, Albany won 31-14 in regionals in 2012, Albany won 20-13 in quarterfinals in 2013, Muenster won 28-12 in quarterfinals in 2017
Points per game: Albany 53.6 — Muenster 49.6
Points allowed per game: Albany 5 — Muenster 10.7
Streak: Albany won 11 — Muenster won 12
Key Players
Albany
QB Cole Chapman: 99-143, 1784 yds, 26 TD, 3 int; 614 yds, 6 TD
RB Jaheim Newton: 1406 yds, 20 TD rushing; 4 rec, 31 yds
Robert Bailey: 478 yds, 6 TD rushing; 40 tackles, 3 int
Coy Lefevre: 436 yds, 7 TD rushing; 4 rec, 66 yds, TD; 42 tackles, 1 int
WR Cooper Fairchild: 40 rec, 608 yds, 7 TD
WR London Fuentes: 23 rec, 442 yds, 7 TD
WR Adam Hill: 19 rec, 415 yds, 8 TD; 68 tackles, 3 int
Taren Farmer: 111 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 1 int
Brooks Neece: 113 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
Muenster
QB Devon Bindel: 51-83, 909 yds, 5 TD, 1 int; 3 fumble recoveries
RB Colton Deckard: 1956 yds, 26 TD rushing; 7 rec, 42 yds
RB Devon Dickerson: 273 yds, 8 TD rushing
WR Grant Hess: 49 rec, 1029 yds, 12 TD; 4 int
Winner plays Santo/Windthorst winner
THE SPREAD: ALBANY BY 1
THE PICK: ALBANY
Photo: Gary Ford
1A DIVISION I REGION II CHAMPIONSHIP
Westbrook (8-4) vs Sterling City (10-2) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Colorado City
The Wildcats and Eagles get set for their fourth meeting in the past two seasons and Westbrook would love to settle the score. Sterling City beat the Wildcats twice a year ago on their way to a state title and Westbrook earned a bit of revenge with a 60-50 win earlier this season to claim the district championship. Both teams have played brutal schedules and faced many of the same teams this season. Westbrook suffered non-district losses to Motley County, Water Valley, Strawn and Garden City — all but Garden City are still in the playoffs — while Sterling City lost to May and Westbrook. Westbrook has reeled off four straight mercy rule victories, including an impressive win over Rankin last week.
THE NUMBERS
How they got here: Westbrook beat Ira 64-14 in bi-district, beat Rankin 86-38 in area; Sterling City beat Hermleigh 56-42 in bi-district, beat Van Horn 46-0 in area.
Points per game: Westbrook 53.7 — Sterling City 58.5
Points allowed per game: Westbrook 27.8 — Sterling City 25.7
Streak: Westbrook won six — Sterling City won three
Key Players
Westbrook
Jimmy Roberts
Jeremiah Ramirez
Cedric Ware: 212 yds, 9 TD rushing, 7 tackles vs Rankin
Sterling City
Kas Johnson: 102 yds, 2 TD rushing vs Van Horn
Johnny Monreal: 91 yds, 2 TD rushing vs Van Horn
Carter Glass
Tristan Himes
Jace Clark
Damian Calderon
Winner plays Happy/Valley winner
THE SPREAD DCTF: WESTBROOK BY 4
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL: STERLING CITY BY 3
THE PICK: WESTBROOK
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
1A DIVISION I REGION IV CHAMPIONSHIP
May (12-0) vs Water Valley (12-0) - Saturday, 6 p.m. - Robert Lee
The Tigers took down previously unbeaten Jonesboro last week and now get set for another opponent with a perfect record in Water Valley. The Wildcats have beaten some good teams this season (Westbrook 55-34, Borden County 62-22 and Irion County 78-32) to rise from a fringe top ten team when the season started to a top five ranked team at the moment. They have 45’d seven straight opponents. May saw a nine-game “45” streak come to an end, barely, in its 84-55 win over Jonesboro a week ago. The Tigers have also beaten Borden County and Irion County this season and have been locked in the #1 spot in the rankings since early in the year.
THE NUMBERS
How they got here: May beat Irion County 68-20 in bi-district, beat Jonesboro 84-55 in area; Water Valley beat beat Gorman 58-0 in bi-district, beat Lometa 58-8 in area.
Points per game: May 67.9 — Water Valley 60.8
Points allowed per game: May 20.1 — Water Valley 10.7
Streak: May won 12 — Water Valley won 12
Key Players
May
Kaden Halk: 726 yds, 17 TD rushing; 15 rec, 327 yds, 7 TD
Avery Williford: 638 yds, 17 TD rushing; 12 rec, 348 yds, 8 TD
Blake Harrell 42-69, 1078 yds, 21 TD passing; 468 yards, 9 TD rushing
Damian Salinas: 187 yds, 6 TD rushing; 9 rec, 196 yds, 6 TD
Water Valley
Canon Wiese: 130 yds, 2 TD rushing; 3-3, 57 yds, 2 TD passing vs Lometa
Kyle Banister: 3 tackles, 1 TFL vs Lometa
Tallon Hayes: 52 yds, 1 TD rushing; 1 fumble return for TD vs Lometa
Gabriel Smith: 2 rec, 39 yds, 2 TD vs Lometa
Anthony Quintana: 57 yds rushing vs Lometa
Nathan Treadway: 4.5 tackles vs Lometa
Winner plays Abbott/Coolidge Winner
THE SPREAD DCTF: MAY BY 7
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL: MAY BY 12
THE PICK: MAY
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
