Blitz Picks - Week 2
There’s always room for improvement. My mom and dad, teachers and coaches all passed on that bit of knowledge, and I find myself saying the same thing to my kids.
Week one is always hard, and it proved true in a 75 percent picking performance from yours truly.
There’s only one thing to do from here: improve. There are some very good games to go watch if you’re looking for something to do in the Big Country Friday night.
(You’ll notice “The spread” in the picks this week. Those come from Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.)
Week 1: 31-41: 75.6%
Cooper (0-1) at Abilene High (0-1)
Week one was far from great for either team, now they have to rebound and try to put it all together in the Crosstown Showdown. The Cougars bounced back from a week one loss in 2020 to top the Eagles 30-20, and the Warbirds would love to regain bragging rights in the 61st meeting of the two schools. Cooper has the overall advantage 35-24-1.
THE SPREAD: ABILENE HIGH BY 19
THE PICK: ABILENE HIGH
Lubbock Monterey (1-0) at Wylie (0-1)
The Bulldogs saw Burleson recover on onside kick to get the 2021 season going and it was all downhill from there in a 42-3 week one loss. Now Wylie looks to regroup as they host a Lubbock Monterey squad that knocked off 6A Odessa High 32-27 on Friday night. Wylie won the matchup last season in Lubbock 24-6.
THE SPREAD: WYLIE BY 6
THE PICK: MONTEREY
Brownwood (1-0) at Midland Greenwood (0-1)
The Lions kicked off the season by winning a 58-55 thriller over Lampasas, while Greenwood lost at Lubbock Estacado 16-7. Brownwood will have to shore up their defense, but the offense was very explosive in week one. They beat the Rangers 35-15 at home a year ago.
THE SPREAD: GREENWOOD BY 7
THE PICK: BROWNWOOD
Levelland (1-0) at Snyder (1-0)
Both teams are coming off nice wins in week one. The Lobos, led by Abilene High great Lyle Leong, beat Plainview 27-26 in week one. They beat the Tigers 26-10 a year ago and it was one of only two wins for them the entire season. Snyder avenged a 2020 loss to Slaton with a 29-8 win last week and would love to get, ahem, level, with Levelland as well.
THE SPREAD: SNYDER BY 10
THE PICK: SNYDER
Sweetwater (0-1) at #1 Jim Ned (1-0)
It’s our first battle of Big Country Blitz cover athletes as Sweetwater’s Leo Holsey leads the Mustangs into battle against Xavier Wishert and Jim Ned. The Mustangs dropped their season opener at Stephenville, while the Indians started strong with a 42-7 win at Ballinger. Sweetwater is the bigger school, but Jim Ned just has the better team at the moment.
THE SPREAD: JIM NED BY 21
THE PICK: JIM NED
BELLS (0-1) at Breckenridge (1-0)
The Buckaroos scrambled on Thursday and came up with a game against Bells to replace their previously scheduled matchup with Ballinger. The matchup will be a tough one for Breckenridge against a Panther squad that went two rounds deep in the playoffs a year ago and runs a Slot-T offense. The Bucks hope to keep momentum rolling after their week one win over Jacksboro.
THE PICK: BRECKENRIDGE
Clyde (0-1) at Idalou (1-0)
The season opening schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Bulldogs as they follow up a week one loss to state ranked Cisco with a trip to an Idalou squad that won ten games a year ago and shut out Denver City in their week one opener 25-0.
THE SPREAD: IDALOU BY 41
THE PICK: IDALOU
Florence (0-1) at Bangs (0-1)
The Dragons dropped their season opener at rival Early, now hope to get back on track in their home opener against Florence. The Buffaloes lost Friday to Johnson City 14-13. Bangs blasted the Buffs 55-0 in 2020.
THE SPREAD: BANGS BY 20
THE PICK: BANGS
Early (1-0) at Tolar (1-0)
It’s a battle of week one success stories as the Longhorns visit the Rattlers. Early bested Bangs 48-12 and now looks for back-to-back wins over Tolar. The task will not be easy, as the Rattlers turned heads across the state in their 48-0 week one win over a Post team that made it to the 2A Division I state title game a year ago. Tolar is an experienced squad that returns 17 starters, but Early is no slouch and on a mission to prove their trip to the playoffs in 2020 was just the tip of the iceberg.
THE SPREAD: TOLAR BY 19
THE PICK: EARLY
Eastland (0-1) at #7 Holliday (1-0)
The Mavericks battled hard in a 28-21 season opening loss at Wall, now they try to regroup against another tremendous foe. Eastland visits #7 Holliday, who knocked off Class 4A Iowa Park last week, Friday in a matchup of two teams that are no stranger to each other. Holliday topped the Mavs in the regular season in 2020, but saw Eastland return the favor in third round of the playoffs.
THE SPREAD: HOLLIDAY BY 21
THE PICK: HOLLIDAY
Merkel (1-0) at Stanton (1-0)
Merkel made it back-to-back seasons with wins in week one when they topped Reagan County 25-14, now they look forward to their first road game at Stanton. The Badgers squeaked past the Buffaloes 24-22 at home in 2020.
THE SPREAD: STANTON BY 2
THE PICK: MERKEL
Coleman (1-0) at Anson (1-0)
This one shapes up as one of the best games in the Big Country between two teams coming off double-digit week one wins. The Bluecats put 24 points on Miles in the first quarter before lightning delayed and eventually ended the game. Anson eased past Winters 24-6, and the Tigers beat Coleman last season on the road 38-14.
THE SPREAD: ANSON BY 9
THE PICK: ANSON
Colorado City (0-0) at Crane (1-0)
The Wolves get to the play for the first time this season after having to miss week one due to COVID. Crane knocked off 4A Pecos 28-21 in week one and beat Colorado City 37-0 in 2020.
THE SPREAD: CRANE BY 51
THE PICK: CRANE
Archer City (0-0) at Haskell (1-0)
Haskell picked up one of the areas more eyebrow-raising wins in week one when they started the Mitch McLemore era with a 22-6 victory over Quanah. Week two sees a tough challenge against an Archer City squad that was the preseason pick to win District 6-2A Division II. The Wildcats had their bye in week one and beat Haskell a year ago 60-7.
THE SPREAD: ARCHER CITY BY 17
THE PICK: HASKELL
#8 Hawley (1-0) at Hamlin (0-1)
Another week, another difficult Jones County matchup for the Pied Piers. Hamlin dropped their opener, and the Chris Evans era opener, at Stamford 38-6 and now must try to bounce back against an even tougher opponent. Hawley knocked off Roscoe 34-14 in week one. Hamlin took the matchup between the two schools 35-6 in 2020.
THE SPREAD: HAWLEY BY 19
THE PICK: HAWLEY
Roscoe (0-1) at Stamford (1-0)
The Bulldogs look to stay perfect under new head coach Britt Hart as they host another 2A Division II team Friday night. Stamford beat Hamlin 38-6 and will set their sights on a Roscoe team that fell 34-14 to Hawley in week one. The 2020 matchup saw a 27-0 Stamford shut out win on the road.
THE SPREAD: STAMFORD BY 27
THE PICK: STAMFORD
Wall (1-0) at #5 CiscO (1-0)
The Loboes kicked off 2021 with a big win at Clyde, now they return home to face perennial power Wall out of the same district. Wall got the best of the Cisco 35-14 in this matchup last season and got past Eastland 28-21 last Friday night.
THE SPREAD: CISCO BY 14
THE PICK: CISCO
#5 Albany (0-0) at Dublin (1-0)
Albany gets to start their season in an all-Lion matchup with an improving Dublin squad. Dublin dispatched De Leon 43-14 in week one, while Albany saw their contest with Colorado City get canceled. Albany blew out Dublin 64-27 in their 2020 meeting.
THE SPREAD: ALBANY BY 35
THE PICK: ALBANY
Cross Plains (1-0) at Goldthwaite (0-1)
Cross Plains is on the road for the second time in 2021 as they visit Goldthwaite. The Buffaloes eased past Menard 33-14 in week one, while the Eagles dropped their season opener at fourth-ranked Crawford 35-6. The 2020 meeting between the two went to Cross Plains 28-14 on the Buffs home field.
THE SPREAD: CROSS PLAINS BY 3
THE PICK: CROSS PLAINS
Aspermont (0-1) at #9 Jayton (1-0)
The Hornets face another state ranked squad this week as they head back to Jayton. Aspermont fell to now sixth-ranked Follett 46-0 at the Jayton Gridiron Classic, now they get to face the ninth-ranked Jaybirds. The Hornets dropped their 2020 meeting with Jayton 54-6.
THE SPREAD: JAYTON BY 54
THE PICK: JAYTON
HERMLEIGH (1-0) vs Avalon (0-1) in iredell
This is game that was arranged this week after Baird had to call off school due to COVID. The Cardinals and Avalon, in-between Italy and Ennis, will meet in Iredell. Hermleigh started the year with a 51-6 win over Lubbock All Saints, while Avalon dropped a 52-6 decision to #9 Abbott.
THE PICK: HERMLEIGH
Ira (0-1) at buena vista (1-0)
The Bulldogs fell out of the state rankings with their 33-32 week one loss to Valley, now they get ready to face Buena Vista in a game that was arranged this week. The Longhorns opened the year with an 84-73 shootout win over Irion County.
THE SPREAD: N/A
THE PICK: IRA
Highland (1-0) at Roby (1-0)
This looks like one of the harder to pick six-man matchups in the area this week as the Hornets and Lions put their perfect records on the line. Highland got past Grady 34-25 while Roby rolled Sands 70-21 last Friday night. The Hornets beat Roby 56-6 in this matchup in 2020.
THE SPREAD: ROBY BY 16
THE PICK: HIGHLAND
Woodson (1-0) at Rotan (1-0)
The Yellowhammers hammered Bronte 40-6 in week one and get set to welcome 1-0 Woodson. The Cowboys topped TLCA Abilene 56-6 at home, but will have their hands full on the road this week.
THE SPREAD: ROTAN BY 8
THE PICK: ROTAN
#4 Borden County (0-1) at #5 Westbrook (0-1)
These two state ranked teams had to lick their wounds after losses in week one. Westbrook fell at top-ranked Motley County (1A Division II) 46-30, while the Coyotes took it on the chin against #2 May 51-6 in Jayton. The Wildcats won this one on the road last season 44-30.
THE SPREAD: WESTBROOK BY 14
THE PICK: WESTBROOK
#2 May (1-0) at #1 Sterling City (1-0)
You can’t ask for more of a non-district matchup than this: a state championship rematch and a battle of the top ranked teams in the state. That’s what you get when May heads west to face Sterling City Friday night. The Tigers dominated state ranked Borden County in week one, while the Eagles got past Garden City 56-42. The Tigers likely have a bit of revenge on their minds after falling twice to Sterling City in 2020.
THE SPREAD: MAY BY 10
THE PICK: MAY
Veribest (1-0) at Zephyr (0-1)
The Bulldogs battled hard in a 21-18 week one loss to Sidney, now they face Veribest in their home opener. The Falcons topped Brookesmith 41-12 to enter the win column in week one. Veribest won this matchup in 2020 42-32.
THE SPREAD: VERIBEST BY 3
THE PICK: VERIBEST
Rising Star (1-0) at Santa Anna (1-0)
The Wildcats are punching up a division as they travel to Santa Anna Friday night. Both teams started strong with week one victories: The Mountaineers 56-0 over Trent and the Wildcats 57-50 over Gustine. Santa Anna took the 2020 matchup between the two 68-22.
THE SPREAD: SANTA ANNA BY 3
THE PICK: SANTA ANNA
Blackwell (0-1) at Water Valley (1-0)
The Hornets hit the road to battle another tough 1A Division I squad after a close week one loss to Eden. Water Valley shut out Robert Lee 60-0 to kick off the season.
THE SPREAD: WATER VALLEY BY 32
THE PICK: WATER VALLEY
Loraine (1-0) at Grady (0-1)
The Bulldogs scored more points than any six-man team in the state last week and will have to keep the offense rolling against a 1A Division I Grady squad that limited Highland to 34 points in a 34-25 loss. Loraine topped the Wildcats 38-28 in week two in 2020.
THE SPREAD: LORAINE BY 24
THE PICK: LORAINE
Brookesmith (0-1) at TLCA Abilene (0-1)
Two teams looking for win number one meet in Abilene Thursday night. Brookesmith is looking for their first win of the season and for new head coach Todd Lawdermilk, while the Eagles hope for the first victory in program history. The Mustangs dropped their week one contest to Veribest, while the Eagles lost at Woodson.
THE SPREAD: N/A
THE PICK: BROOKESMITH
Lohn (0-1) at Trent (0-1)
The Eagles and Gorillas had first games to forget and hope to turn the page as they get set for their matchup at Trent. The Gorillas got shut out by Santa Anna 56-0, while Lohn dropped a 52-7 decision at Paint Rock. While the Gorillas got a couple of forfeit wins a year ago, they have an on-field losing streak that dates back to 2016. Lohn has not picked up a victory since 2017.
THE SPREAD: TRENT BY 6
THE PICK: TRENT
Vernon Northside (0-1) at Rule (1-0)
The Bobcats blew out Wilson 53-8 in week one and return to action against a Northside team they lost to 64-40 in 2020. The Indians fell 50-32 to Patton Springs Friday night.
THE SPREAD: RULE BY 35
THE PICK: RULE
Evant (1-0) at Moran (0-1)
Moran welcomes the 1A Division I Elks for their 2021 home opener. The Bulldogs opened the year with a 58-6 loss at Benjamin, while Evant picked up a 69-48 victory over Cranfills Gap.
THE SPREAD: EVANT BY 29
THE PICK: EVANT
Paint Creek (1-0) at Rochelle JV
The Pirates found glory in their return to football last week, shutting out Harrold 52-0. They hit the road this week to face the Rochelle JV.
THE SPREAD: N/A
THE PICK: PAINT CREEK
Blanket (1-0) at Gustine (0-1)
The Tigers earned a victory for new head coach Casey Mund when they took down Bryson 38-6. They’ll visit fellow Division II squad Gustine this week. The Tigers came up a touchdown short against Rising Star in week one, 57-50. Blanket beat the Tigers 53-8 last season.
THE SPREAD: BLANKET BY 32
THE PICK: BLANKET
Ranger (0-1) at Waco Eagle Christian (0-1)
The Bulldogs dropped their first six-man football game, but showed a lot of fight in a 52-32 loss at Oglesby. Ranger heads back out on the road this week to face a Waco Eagle Christian squad that lost to Buckholts 48-38 Friday night.
THE SPREAD: RANGER BY 13
THE PICK: RANGER
ACU AT SMU - Saturday, 6 p.m. - espn +
Big Country college teams return to action this weekend and ACU opens with a big-time road trip to Dallas to face SMU. This will be just the second ever meeting between the two schools, and the first since a 52-7 SMU win all the way back in 1925.
This is year five, and an important one, for Adam Dorrel at ACU as the Wildcats begin play in the WAC.
THE PICK: SMU
WAYLAND BAPTIST AT #7 HARDIN-SIMMONS - Saturday, 6 p.m. - hsuathletics.COM
The Cowboys kick off 2021 at home against Wayland Baptist in the first meeting between the teams since 2015. Hardin-Simmons has won all four previous meetings. The Cowboys have high expectations, as always, and should be able to get off to a great start against the Pioneers.
THE PICK: HARDIN-SIMMONS
TEXAS LUTHERAN AT HOWARD PAYNE - saturday, 1 p.m. - HPUSPORTS.com
The Yellowjackets begin their first real season under head coach Jason Bachtel with a tough matchup against Texas Lutheran in Brownwood. Howard Payne has lost nine straight in the series and trails all-time 14-10. TLC snuck past the Jackets 39-38 this spring.
THE PICK: TEXAS LUTHERAN
McMurry at Trinity - cancelled
navarro at cisco - Saturday, 7 p.m.
The defending conference champion Wranglers open the season with a non-conference game against conference foe Navarro. Did I use the word conference enough in the previous sentence? Cisco beat Navarro 41-24 in the spring and would love to kick off the 2021 season with a big win at home.
THE PICK: CISCO
