Blitz Picks - Week 2
We enter week two and have another great set of games on the slate, including the Crosstown Showdown between Cooper and Abilene High.
The picks can only get better (hopefully) after a rough week one.
*The spread is from PigskinPrep.com for 11-man games and Pigskin Prep and sixmanfootball.com for six-man games.
**Thank you to Abilene Pediatric Dental Associates, one of our magazine cover sponsors.
Reach out (email cody@bigcountryblitz.com) if you’d like to sponsor a week of content on bigcountryblitz.com and Big Country Blitz social media!
WEEK 1: 33-47, 70.2%
TOP TEN GAMES OF THE WEEK
MUNDAY (1-0) AT WINTERS (1-0)
Series tied 1-1
What a difference a year can make.
Two teams that struggled to a combined 1-19 a year ago meet with winning records this season in week two.
In 2023 Munday lost all ten games in its first season under Brandon Langston, while Winters went just 1-9.
Now the two meet in one of just five area 11-man games between 1-0 teams. The others are Eastland at Clyde, Hamilton at Early, Anson at Archer City, Stamford at De Leon, and Sterling City at Miles.
Munday rolled past TLCA Abilene 57-6, while Winters slipped past Frost 28-27 in the Ice Bowl in Hamilton.
This ballgame will be the first between the teams since a 26-13 Winters area round playoff win in 2014.
THE SPREAD: MUNDAY BY 4
THE PICK: WINTERS
#4 KLONDIKE (0-1) AT #1 JAYTON (1-0)
Jayton leads series 9-0
The Jaybirds made a statement in a season opening 66-16 win over 1A Division I Westbrook, now they host one of their better 1A DII counterparts in Klondike.
The Cougars fell 42-30 in a tough battle with Knox City in Jayton last week, so both teams likely had eyes on the field to scout their opponent for this contest.
Jayton beat Klondike 55-34 last season and has won all nine meetings with them dating back to 1957.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: JAYTON BY 22
THE SPREAD 6MFB: JAYTON BY 41
THE PICK: JAYTON
#10 FOLLETT (0-1) AT #5 BENJAMIN (0-0)
Benjamin leads series 1-0
The two-time defending 1A Division II state champs kick off the season a week later than most with a tough matchup against Follett.
Follett fell to Whiteface, a top ten team in 1A Division I, 60-12 in week one and would love to avenge an 80-33 season opening loss to Benjamin in 2023.
All eyes will be on the Mustangs to see how they perform with the services of Grayson Rigdon, but having the Hayes brothers is a great place to start.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: BENJAMIN BY 20
THE SPREAD 6MFB: BENJAMIN BY 13
THE PICK: BENJAMIN
#7 BROWNWOOD (0-0) AT #9 WALL (1-0)
First meeting series
The Lions and Hawks meet up for the first time in a battle of state-ranked squads.
Brownwood, from 4A Division I, did not get to play last week after weather messed up their opener against Wylie.
3A Division II Wall beat 2A Division I #10 Mason 28-6 in its opener and first game under new head coach Craig Slaughter.
The Lions do not have a game under their belts quite yet, but their depth and size should be enough to help them overcome a good team on the road. However, 3A teams won 24 of 44 matchups against 4A teams across the state of Texas last week.
THE SPREAD: BROWNWOOD BY 8
THE PICK: BROWNWOOD
#8 KNOX CITY (1-0) AT STRAWN (1-0) - SATURDAY, 2 P.M.
Knox City leads series 4-1
Knox City took down Klondike 42-30 at the Jayton Gridiron Classic and now will face another 1A Division II powerhouse in Strawn.
Strawn made the long trip to Montana last week and beat Custon-Hysham-Melstone 72-22, and now will have to put it behind them to focus on better competition back in Texas.
KC’s win in week one turned some heads, now they hope to keep momentum rolling in week two.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: KNOX CITY BY 12
THE SPREAD 6MFB: KNOX CITY BY 39
THE PICK: KNOX CITY
#2 ALBANY (0-1) VS #7 HAWLEY (1-0) - AT HARDIN-SIMMONS
Albany leads series 21-4-1
These two Big Country powers meet up for the third straight season, and for the second year in a row, rain in the area has pushed the game to Shelton Stadium on the campus of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.
The Bearcats used a big second half to get past Roscoe last week 49-21, while the Lions were overwhelmed at Stamford in a 50-6 loss that snapped their 27-game winning streak.
Hawley, like Stamford, is also among the best 2A Division I teams in the state and should have the edge, but never count out Coach Faith when it comes to rallying the troops after a loss.
THE SPREAD: HAWLEY BY 15
THE PICK: HAWLEY
#5 STAMFORD (1-0) AT DE LEON (1-0)
Series tied 2-2
The Bulldogs had the most impressive win the Big Country last week and look to keep things headed in the right direction as they travel to De Leon.
The Bearcats put a state of Texas 11-man high 79 points on the scoreboard last week against Dublin, now they will see what they can do against what could be the best defense in the area.
Stamford has the edge on defense, and the offense is great as well.
These two last met in 2019 when Stamford won 38-37. The year before was a memorable shootout, with the Bulldogs winning 90-62!
THE SPREAD: STAMFORD BY 33
THE PICK: STAMFORD
#3 JONESBORO (1-0) AT #5 WESTBROOK (0-1)
Westbrook leads series 2-0
The Wildcats suffered a 66-16 season opening loss to Jayton last week and will look to bounce back against a very good Jonesboro squad.
This is the exact position Westbrook was in last year, however. They fell to Knox City in Jayton in week one and rallied to take down the Eagles in week two.
The Eagles, who beat Abilene Christian 60-13 last week, will do their best to make sure history doesn’t repeat, but look for big improvement from Westbrook from week one to week two.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: JONESBORO BY 9
THE SPREAD 6MFB: JONESBORO BY 6
THE PICK: WESTBROOK
#3 OGLESBY (0-1) AT #7 MAY (1-0)
Oglesby leads series 2-1
The Tigers took care of Sidney 51-0 in week one to kickoff the James Ball era with a victory, now they get to face one of the best 1A Division II teams in the state, Oglesby.
Oglesby battled well in a 68-40 loss to Abbott, the #2 team in 1A Division I, last week, and knocked off May a year ago 54-8.
Both sets of Tigers have some great weapons, and this should be a fun one to watch that goes the distance.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: MAY BY 13
THE SPREAD 6MFB: OGLESBY BY 21
THE PICK: MAY
COOPER (0-1) VS #8 ABILENE HIGH (1-0)
Cooper leads 36-26-1
The Crosstown Showdown is back for the 64th edition as the Eagles look to get to 2-0 and the Cougars try to avoid starting 0-2.
Cooper played at Shotwell last week, coming up short against Azle 41-34. The Eagles cruised past San Angelo Central 60-36, proving to be just about unstoppable on offense throughout the contest.
Both teams have some work to do on defense, meaning we could get a high scoring showdown this week. The highest scoring matchups between the two were back to back Abilene High victories in 2015 (56-37) and 2016 (55-38).
THE SPREAD: ABILENE HIGH BY 34
THE PICK: ABILENE HIGH
THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
Monterey (0-1) at Wylie (0-0)
Series tied 4-4
Last meeting: Monterey 34, Wylie 21 in 2023
The Spread: Wylie by 14
The Pick: Wylie
Snyder (0-1) at Lake View (0-1)
Snyder leads series 33-18-1
Last meeting: Snyder 42, Lake View 7 in 2021
The Spread: Lake View by 5
The Pick: Snyder
#9 Graham (1-0) at Springtown (0-1)
Springtown leads series 7-6-1
Last meeting: Graham 36, Springtown 15 in 2023
The Spread: Graham by 15
The Pick: Graham
Childress (0-1) at Breckenridge (0-1)
Breckenridge leads series 6-2
Last meeting: Childress 24, Breckenridge 21 in 2023
The Spread: Childress by 19
The Pick: Childress
Eastland (1-0) at Clyde (1-0)
Eastland leads series 27-23
Last meeting: Clyde 34, Eastland 21 in 2023
The Spread: Clyde by 8
The Pick: Clyde
Llano (1-0) at Comanche (0-1)
Llano lead series 8-1
Last meeting: Llano 36, Comanche 32 in 2011
The Spread: Llano by 7
The Pick: Comanche
Trinity Christian (0-0) at Jim Ned (0-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Jim Ned by 8
The Pick: Jim Ned
Sweetwater (0-1) at Greenwood (1-0)
Sweetwater leads series 13-6
Last meeting: Sweetwater 45, Greenwood 41 in 2023
The Spread: Sweetwater by 3
The Pick: Sweetwater
Cisco (0-1) at TLCA San Angelo (0-1)
Cisco leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Cisco 75, TLCA San Angelo 0 in 2019
The Spread: Cisco by 33
The Pick: Cisco
Merkel (0-1) at Bangs (0-1)
Bangs leads series 8-6
Last meeting: Merkel 54, Bangs 37 in 2023
The Spread: Merkel by 1
The Pick: Merkel
#10 Mason (0-1) at Brady (1-0)
Brady leads series 35-25-1
Last meeting: Mason 41, Brady 7 in 2023
The Spread: Mason by 19
The Pick: Mason
Clifton (1-0) at Coleman (0-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Coleman by 9
The Pick: Coleman
Dublin (0-1) at Millsap (0-1)
Dublin leads series 15-7
Last meeting: Millsap 49, Dublin 14 in 2023
The Spread: Millsap by 21
The Pick: Millsap
Hamilton (1-0) at Early (1-0)
Hamilton leads series 14-7
Last meeting: Hamilton 40, Early 0 in 2023
The Spread: Early by 2
The Pick: Early
Tolar (0-1) at Teague (1-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Teague by 2
The Pick: Teague
Christoval (0-1) at Ballinger (1-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Christoval by 1
The Pick: Ballinger
McCamey (0-1) at Colorado City (0-1)
McCamey leads series 3-2
Last meeting: McCamey 20, Colorado City 14 in 1950
The Spread: McCamey by 5
The Pick: Colorado City
Anson (1-0) at Archer City (1-0)
Series tied 2-2
Last meeting: Archer City 21, Anson 13 in 2023
The Spread: Archer City by 5
The Pick: Anson
Cross Plains (1-0) at TLCA Abilene (0-1)
Cross Plains leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Cross Plains 49, TLCA Abilene 13 in 2023
The Spread: Cross Plains by 30
The Pick: Cross Plains
Quanah (0-1) at Haskell (0-1)
Haskell leads series 16-12-2
Last meeting: Haskell 22, Quanah 6 in 2021
The Spread: Haskell by 21
The Pick: Haskell
Hamlin (0-1) at Seymour (1-0)
Seymour leads series 13-10
Last meeting: Seymour 28, Hamlin 27 in 2015
The Spread: Seymour by 27
The Pick: Seymour
Sterling City (1-0) at Miles (1-0)
Sterling City leads series 22-11-1
Last meeting: Sterling City 36, Miles 32 in 2023
The Spread: Miles by 31
The Pick: Miles
Roscoe (0-1) at Coahoma (1-0)
Roscoe leads series 8-7-2
Last meeting: Roscoe 37, Coahoma 0 in 2007
The Spread: Roscoe by 3
The Pick: Roscoe
Hermleigh (1-0) at Water Valley (1-0)
Hermleigh leads series 7-2
Last meeting: Hermleigh 47, Water Valley 24 in 1979
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Water Valley by 19
The Spread 6MFB: Hermleigh by 8
The Pick: Water Valley
Highland (0-1) vs Nueces Canyon (0-1) - Saturday at Veribest
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Highland by 28
The Spread 6MFB: Highland by 45
The Pick: Highland
Spur (1-0) at Ira (1-0)
Ira leads series 8-0
Last meeting: Ira 54, Spur 24 in 2019
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Ira by 12
The Spread 6MFB: Ira by 45
The Pick: Ira
Motley County (1-0) at Roby (1-0)
Motley County leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Motley County 36, Roby 22 in 1993
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Motley County by 32
The Spread 6MFB: Motley County by 45
The Pick: Motley County
Founder’s Fine Arts Academy (0-0) at Baird (1-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Baird by 32
The Spread 6MFB: Baird by 45
The Pick: Baird
Valley (0-1) at #1 Gordon (1-0)
Gordon leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Gordon 60, Valley 38 in 2008
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Gordon by 451
The Spread 6MFB: Gordon by 45
The Pick: Gordon
Gorman (0-1) at Stephenville Faith (0-0)
Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Stephenville Faith 56, Gorman 16 in 2016
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Stephenville Faith by 33
The Spread 6MFB: Stephenville Faith by 20
The Pick: Stephenville Faith
Rising Star (0-1) at Lingleville (0-0)
Lingleville leads series 5-0
Last meeting: Lingleville 55, Rising Star 35 in 2017
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Rising Star by 15
The Spread 6MFB: Lingleville by 13
The Pick: Lingleville
Ranger (0-1) at Woodson (1-0)
Ranger leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Ranger 59, Woodson 41 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Woodson by 37
The Spread 6MFB: Ranger by 45
The Pick: Woodson
Blum (1-0) at Lometa (1-0)
Lometa leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Lometa 72, Blum 65 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Blum by 3
The Spread 6MFB: Blum by 23
The Pick: Blum
Santa Anna (1-0) at Veribest (0-1)
Santa Anna leads series 8-2
Last meeting: Veribest 50, Santa Anna 0 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Veribest by 9
The Spread 6MFB: Veribest by 32
The Pick: Veribest
Blackwell (0-1) at Zephyr (1-0)
Zephyr leads series 3-0
Last meeting: Zephyr 46, Blackwell 0 in 2007
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Zephyr by 22
The Spread 6MFB: Zephyr by 45
The Pick: Zephyr
Bronte (0-1) at Rule (1-0)
Rule leads series 3-2-1
Last meeting: Bronte 52, Rule 0 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Pick ‘em
The Spread 6MFB: Bronte by 44
The Pick: Rule
Paint Rock (0-1) at Loraine (0-1)
Loraine leads series 10-3
Last meeting: Loraine 46, Paint Rock 0 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Loraine by 29
The Spread 6MFB: Loraine by 45
The Pick: Loraine
Wilson (0-1) at Trent (0-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Wilson by 7
The Spread 6MFB: Wilson by 42
The Pick: Trent
Aspermont (1-0) at Southland (1-0)
Series tied 2-2
Last meeting: Southland 44, Aspermont 16 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Aspermont by 12
The Spread 6MFB: Aspermont by 10
The Pick: Aspermont
Lueders-Avoca (0-1) at Lohn (1-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Lohn by 29
The Spread 6MFB: Lohn by 14
The Pick: Lohn
Moran (1-0) at Paint Creek (0-1)
Paint Creek leads series 17-13
Last meeting: Moran 70, Paint Creek 12 in 2021
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Moran by 15
The Spread 6MFB: Moran by 39
The Pick: Moran
Harrold (0-1) at Throckmorton (0-1)
Throckmorton leads series 5-0
Last meeting: Throckmorton 65, Harrold 20 in 2015
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Throckmorton by 4
The Spread 6MFB: Throckmorton by 45
The Pick: Throckmorton
Blanket (0-0-1) at Cranfills Gap (0-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Blanket by 11
The Spread 6MFB: Blanket by 27
The Pick: Blanket
Sidney (0-1) at Eden (1-0) - Thursday
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Sidney by 14
The Spread 6MFB: Sidney by 30
The Pick: Sidney
Brookesmith (1-0) at Bluff Dale (1-0)
Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Bluff Dale 66, Brookesmith 0 in 2021
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Bluff Dale by 36
The Spread 6MFB: Bluff Dale by 45
The Pick: Bluff Dale
Mullin (0-1) at Panther Creek (0-0)
Panther Creek leads series 11-9
Last meeting: Panther Creek 59, Mullin 12 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Panther Creek by 8
The Spread 6MFB: Panther Creek by 45
The Pick: Panther Creek
Abilene Christian (0-1) at Midland Trinity (1-0)
ACS leads series 7-2
Last meeting: ACS 62, Midland Trinity 14 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: ACS by 18
The Spread 6MFB: ACS by 45
The Pick: Abilene Christian
Photo: Josh Beam
COLLEGE
WEST GEORGIA (1-0) AT ACU (0-1) - SATURDAY, 7 P.M.
First meeting in series
The Wildcats just about pulled off a win at Texas Tech last week, so they should be fired up and ready to roll for the conference opener against West Georgia.
West Georgia, new to the FCS ranks from Division II, is coming off a 38-29 home win over Samford.
The ACU offense put together a masterpiece in Lubbock, racking up 615 yards — 506 of them from the right arm of quarterback Maverick McIvor.
The Pick: ACU
#16 HARDIN-SIMMONS AT HOWARD PAYNE - SATURDAY, 6 P.M.
Hardin-Simmons leads series 46-24-4
Last meeting: HSU 40, HPU 33 in 2023
The Cowboys and Yellow Jackets kick off the season in style, with a conference game at night at Gordon Wood Stadium.
Hardin-Simmons won the American Southwest Conference crown last season and is the pick to win it again this year.
Howard Payne has dropped 16 in a row in the series dating back to 2007 and would love to start year two under Kevin Bachtel with an upset win over their rivals.
The Pick: Hardin-Simmons
Photo: HPU Sports Information
MCMURRY AT SOUTHWESTERN - SATURDAY, 7 P.M.
Southwestern leads series 12-9-4
Last meeting: Southwestern 38, McMurry 33 in 2022
The War Hawks head to Georgetown to get a highly anticipated season going against Southwestern.
McMurry begins play in the SCAC this season, and their conference opener will be at home next week against Lyon.
First things first, the War Hawks look to extend their winning streak to five games as they face the Pirates, who went 3-7 in 2023.
The Pick: McMurry
COFFEYVILLE, KS (1-0) AT CISCO COLLEGE (0-0) - SATURDAY, 3 P.M.
The Wranglers kick off the Charlie Rizzio era with a out of state home game against Coffeyville Community College from Kansas.
The Red Ravens won their opener last week 35-0 over the Kansas Wesleyan JV in a game shortened due to weather. They too have a new head coach this season in Nick Dobler.
Coffeyville was picked to finish tied for fifth out of seven teams in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.
Cisco was picked to finish last this season in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference in both the coaches poll and the media poll.
The Pick: Cisco College
