WEEK 1: 33-47, 70.2%
WEEK 2: 39-61, 63.9%
WEEK 3: 52-64, 81.3%
WEEK 4: 43-56, 76.8%
OVERALL: 167-228, 73.3%

The time has come for games that really count, as district play begins for three of our area districts: 2-5A Division I, 2-5A Division II, and 6-2A Division II.

Many more teams still have time to tune things up before they jump into district action in a couple of weeks.

The picks were a little worse last week, but the overall percentage is up a tick.

*The spread is from PigskinPrep.com for 11-man games and Pigskin Prep and sixmanfootball.com for six-man games.

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!

TOP GAMES OF THE WEEK

#1 FORT WORTH COVENANT CLASSICAL (2-1) AT #1 GORDON (4-0)

First meeting in series

The top ranked team in the UIL takes on the top ranked team in the private school ranks.

Gordon has had no trouble with anyone so far this season, and likely won’t against the Cavaliers as well.

FWCC fell to Abbott last week 45-0, while Gordon blew out Crowley Nazarene 52-0

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: GORDON BY 35
THE SPREAD 6MFB: GORDON BY 45
THE PICK: GORDON

#3 MUENSTER (2-2) AT DE LEON (2-2)

Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Muenster 36, De Leon 13 in 2006

The third-ranked in 2A D2 Hornets head to De Leon to battle the Bearcats in game of 2-2 teams.

De Leon’s only losses have been to #1 Stamford and #4 Hawley, while Muenster fell to 3A D1 Pottsboro last week and to 3A D2 #9 Holliday in week two.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: MUENSTER BY 18
THE PICK: MUENSTER

#6 SIDNEY (3-1) AT #3 CHEROKEE (3-0)

Cherokee leads series 21-8-1
Last meeting: Cherokee 50, Sidney 0 in 2022

The Eagles have won three in a row to rise in the rankings after falling to May in week one, but this will be their toughest test since as they travel to #3 Cherokee.

The Indians were off last week and have 45’d Highland, Leakey and Round Rock Christian so far this season.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: CHEROKEE BY 26
THE SPREAD 6MFB: CHEROKEE BY 45
THE PICK: CHEROKEE

STRAWN (2-2) AT #7 ZEPHYR (4-0)

Strawn leads series 5-2
Last meeting: Strawn 52, Zephyr 0 in 2009

The Bulldogs had a tough test in a win at Veribest in week one and will have their hands full against Strawn this week.

The Greyhounds may be 2-2, but the losses were to state-ranked Knox City and Gordon.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: STRAWN BY 3
THE SPREAD 6MFB: STRAWN BY 18
THE PICK: ZEPHYR

#8 HOLLIDAY (3-1) AT JIM NED (2-2)

Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Jim Ned 40, Holliday 22 in 2023

Jim Ned faces its third straight ranked 3A D2 opponent and hopes to go 2-1.

The Indians fell to one to Wall, but rallied to beat Jacksboro by two a week ago.

Holliday beat Burkburnett 56-18 last week after falling to Benbrook in week three.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: JIM NED BY 1
THE PICK: JIM NED

#1 JAYTON (4-0) AT HERMLEIGH (3-0)

Jayton leads series 7-4
Last meeting: Hermleigh 66, Jayton 36 in 2017

One of the “oh’s” has got to go in this one as #1 Jayton visits 3-0 Hermleigh.

The Cardinals were off last week and have wins over Sands, Water Valley and Loraine so far this season.

The Jaybirds played their longest game of the year last week, but still 45’d 1A D1 Knox City 80-30 to get to 4-0.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: JAYTON BY 38
THE SPREAD 6MFB: JAYTON BY 45
THE PICK: JAYTON

ROBY (3-1) AT BAIRD (3-1)

Roby leads series 10-9-1
Last meeting: Baird 53, Roby 8 in 2019

The Lions are one of the bigger surprises in the Big Country this season and can take another step towards being considered a contender if they can win at Baird.

The Bears won their first three games of the year but fell at Veribest 75-30 last week.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: BAIRD BY 18
THE SPREAD 6MFB: ROBY BY 5
THE PICK: BAIRD

#4 HAWLEY (4-0) AT EASTLAND (3-1)

Eastland leads series 6-2
Last meeting: Hawley 33, Eastland 20 in 2023

Hawley faces yet another quality opponent this week, this time Eastland.

The Mavericks shut out Breckenridge 14-0 last week, but will have a much bigger challenge against a Hawley offense that is putting up over 42 points per game. Eastland’s defense gives up just 14 per game, so something will have to give in this matchup.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: HAWLEY BY 14
THE PICK: HAWLEY

ANSON (4-0) AT #5 ALBANY (2-2)

Albany leads series 47-26-3
Last meeting: Albany 48, Anson 2 over 2021

The Tigers have their biggest test of the season thus far as they head to Albany.

The Lions have bounced back from losses to Stamford and Hawley with easy victories over Seymour and Merkel over the last two weeks.

Anson boasts the top scoring offense in the Big Country (46 ppg) through four weeks, and they’ll need to put it into high gear again to pull off the upset at Albany.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: ALBANY BY 21
THE PICK: ANSON

#9 BUENA VISTA (4-0) AT #4 WESTBROOK (2-1)

Series tied 2-2
Last meeting: Westbrook 68, Buena Vista 24 in 2023

These two state-ranked squads have met in the playoffs the last two seasons and now will face off in the regular season for the first time since 2009.

Westbrook was off last week and has impressive wins over Jonesboro and Rankin this season.

The Longhorns slipped past Water Valley last week 54-52 to stay perfect.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: PICK ‘EM
THE SPREAD 6MFB: WESTBROOK BY 19
THE PICK: WESTBROOK

#9 WALL (3-1) AT SWEETWATER (2-2)

Wall leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Wall 42, Sweetwater 28 in 2013

After taking down 4A Estacado on the road last week, the Mustangs will host 3A D2 #9 Wall Friday in another non-district challenge.

Sweetwater looks to wrap up non-district with a big win over the Hawks, whose only loss this year was a 17-7 decision against Brownwood.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: WALL BY 2
THE PICK: SWEETWATER

THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE

Caprock (1-3) at Abilene High (2-2)
Abilene High leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Abilene High 55, Caprock 0 in 2023
The Spread: Abilene High by 40
The Pick: Abilene High

Cooper (1-3) at Wichita Falls Memorial (3-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Memorial by 8
The Pick: Memorial

Wichita Falls Legacy (0-4) at Wylie (2-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Wylie by 35
The Pick: Wylie

Brownwood (1-2) at China Spring (1-3)
Series tied 3-3
Last meeting: China Spring 57, Brownwood 21 in 2021
The Spread: China Spring by 11
The Pick: China Spring

#1 Stephenville (4-0) at Waco La Vega (2-2)
La Vega leads series 8-6
Last meeting: Stephenville 23, La Vega 14 in 2023
The Spread: Stephenville by 4
The Pick: Stephenville

Big Spring (1-3) at Snyder (1-3)
Big Spring leads series 33-29-1
Last meeting: Snyder 56, Big Spring 13 in 2023
The Spread: Snyder by 1
The Pick: Snyder

Eastlake (CA) (1-4) at #2 Brock (4-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread: N/A
The Pick: Brock

#9 Graham (3-1) at Lake Worth (0-4)
Graham leads series 3-0
Last meeting: Graham 44, Lake Worth 7 in 2012
The Spread: Graham by 34
The Pick: Graham

Mineral Wells (4-0) at Godley (2-2)
Mineral Wells leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Godley 61, Mineral Wells 20 in 2020
The Spread: Godley by 15
The Pick: Mineral Wells

Tolar (3-1) at Breckenridge (0-4)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Tolar by 26
The Pick: Tolar

Clyde (2-2) at Muleshoe (3-1)
Muleshoe leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Muleshoe 42, Clyde 7 in 2008 quarterfinals
The Spread: Muleshoe by 17
The Pick: Muleshoe

Early (1-3) at Comanche (2-2)
Comanche leads series 16-4
Last meeting: Comanche 57, Early 0 in 2023
The Spread: Comanche by 35
The Pick: Comanche

Merkel (0-4) at Cisco (3-1)
Cisco leads series 9-3
Last meeting: Cisco 53, Merkel 8 in 2019
The Spread: Cisco by 39
The Pick: Cisco

Ingram Moore (0-4) at Brady (3-1)
Brady leads series 8-1
Last meeting: Brady 49, Ingram Moore 6 in 2021
The Spread: Brady by 13
The Pick: Brady

Dublin (0-4) at Lindsay (3-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Lindsay by 43
The Pick: Lindsay

Colorado City (1-3) at Bangs (2-2)
Colorado City leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Colorado City 35, Bangs 29 in 2010
The Spread: Bangs by 9
The Pick: Colorado City

#1 Stamford (4-0) at Henrietta (2-2)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Stamford by 35
The Pick: Stamford

Winters (1-3) at TLCA Abilene (0-4)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Winters by 23
The Pick: Winters

Stanton (2-2) at Ballinger (3-1)
Ballinger leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Ballinger 41, Stanton 7 in 2015
The Spread: Stanton by 9
The Pick: Stanton

Coleman (0-4) vs. #7 Collinsville (4-0) – at Graham
First meeting in series
The Spread: Collinsville by 26
The Pick: Collinsville

Hamilton (4-0) at San Saba (3-1)
Hamilton leads series 23-21-1
Last meeting: Hamilton 32, San Saba 28 in 2023
The Spread: Hamilton by 15
The Pick: Hamilton

Haskell (2-2) at Petrolia (3-1)
Haskell leads series 5-1
Last meeting: Haskell 27, Petrolia 7 in 2023
The Spread: Haskell by 3
The Pick: Haskell

Archer City (3-1) at Munday (3-1)
Munday leads series 23-20-1
Last meeting: Archer City 55, Munday 8 in 2023
The Spread: Archer City by 13
The Pick: Archer City

Sterling City (2-2) at Cross Plains (2-2)
Cross Plains leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Cross Plains 26, Sterling City 6 in 2001
The Spread: Cross Plains by 7
The Pick: Cross Plains

Quanah (0-4) at Hamlin (3-1)
Hamlin leads series 10-3
Last meeting: Hamlin 13, Quanah 8 in 2023
The Spread: Hamlin by 38
The Pick: Hamlin

#8 Miles (4-0) at Ozona (3-1)
Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Miles 70, Ozona 68 in 2023
The Spread: Miles by 12
The Pick: Miles

New Home (2-2) at Roscoe (0-3)
New Home leads series 3-1
Last meeting: New Home 22, Roscoe 15 in 2023
The Spread: New Home by 13
The Pick: New Home

Crowell (0-4) at Knox City (3-1)
Crowell leads series 30-29-2
Last meeting: Knox City 51, Crowell 6 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Knox City by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Knox City by 45
The Pick: Knox City

Wichita Falls Christian (4-0) at Newcastle (3-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Newcastle by 11
The Spread 6MFB: Newcastle by 25
The Pick: Newcastle

Blackwell (0-4) at Highland (1-3)
Highland leads series 42-24-2
Last meeting: Highland 66, Blackwell 16 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Highland by 7
The Spread 6MFB: Highland by 24
The Pick: Highland

Rotan (2-1) at Moran (1-3)
Rotan leads series 3-0
Last meeting: Rotan 50, Moran 0 in 2021
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Rotan by 15
The Spread 6MFB: Rotan by 45
The Pick: Rotan

Rising Star (2-2) at Gorman (1-3)
Gorman leads series 41-24-1
Last meeting: Rising Star 33, Gorman 20 in 2003
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Gorman by 4
The Spread 6MFB: Gorman by 16
The Pick: Rising Star

Ranger (1-3) at Mullin (2-2)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Mullin by 10
The Spread 6MFB: Ranger by 42
The Pick: Ranger

#5 May (4-0) at #4 Iredell (3-1)
May leads series 1-0
Last meeting: May 59, Iredell 28 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: May by 30
The Spread 6MFB: May by 45
The Pick: May

Santa Anna (2-2) at Priddy (0-3)
Santa Anna leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Santa Anna 50, Priddy 26
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Santa Anna by 22
The Spread 6MFB: Santa Anna by 45
The Pick: Santa Anna

Eden (2-2) at Bronte (1-3)
Bronte leads series 21-20-1
Last meeting: Eden 42, Bronte 32 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Eden by 13
The Spread 6MFB: Eden by 23
The Pick: Eden

Loraine (1-3) at Aspermont (2-2)
Aspermont leads series 9-1-1
Last meeting: Aspermont 51, Loraine 6 in 2009
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Aspermont by 19
The Spread 6MFB: Loraine by 26
The Pick: Aspermont

Trent (1-3) at Lueders-Avoca (0-4)
Trent leads series 10-3
Last meeting: Trent 51, Lueders-Avoca 6 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: N/A
The Spread 6MFB: Trent by 45
The Pick: Trent

Paint Creek (3-1) at Panther Creek (0-2)
Panther Creek leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Paint Creek 55, Panther Creek 6
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Paint Creek by 38
The Spread 6MFB: Paint Creek by 18
The Pick: Paint Creek

Rule (2-2) at Guthrie (0-3)
Guthrie leads series 12-6-1
Last meeting: Guthrie 62, Rule 0 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Rule by 12
The Spread 6MFB: Rule by 25
The Pick: Rule

Throckmorton (0-3) at Blanket (3-0-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Blanket by 32
The Spread 6MFB: Blanket by 45
The Pick: Blanket

Woodson (3-1) at Bryson (2-2)
Woodson leads series 28-15-1
Last meeting: Bryson 54, Woodson 14 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Bryson by 17
The Spread 6MFB: Bryson by 45
The Pick: Bryson

Brookesmith (2-1) at Gustine (3-0)
Gustine leads series 21-12
Last meeting: Brookesmith 38, Gustine 18 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Gustine by 6
The Spread 6MFB: Gustine by 2
The Pick: Gustine

Three Way (4-0) at Lohn (3-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Three Way by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Three Way by 4
The Pick: Three Way

Giddings Lone Star Southeast (1-1) at #2 Richland Springs (4-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Richland Springs by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Richland Springs by 45
The Pick: Richland Springs

Water Valley (2-2) at Rochelle (2-2)
Water Valley leads series 12-3
Last meeting: Water Valley 54, Rochell 8 in 2011
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Water Valley by 1
The Spread 6MFB: Water Valley by 34
The Pick: Water Valley

Abilene Christian (2-2) at Denton Calvary (1-2)
Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Abilene Christian 51, Denton Calvary 6 in 2005 quarterfinals
The Spread Pigskin Prep: ACS by 22
The Spread 6MFB: ACS by 45
The Pick: ACS

COLLEGE

#20 ACU (2-2, 1-0) AT UTAH TECH (0-4, 0-0) - SATURDAY, 8 P.M.

ACU leads series 2-0
Last meeting: ACU 24, Utah Tech 7 in 2023

The Wildcats head out of town for their first UAC road game this week at winless Utah Tech.

ACU only fell one spot in the rankings after losing 27-24 to #4 Idaho and will need to bounce back to stay atop the conference standings.

THE PICK: ACU

NORTH AMERICAN (0-3) AT #7 HARDIN-SIMMONS (2-0, 1-0) - SATURDAY, 1 P.M.

First meeting in series

The Cowboys are back in action after a bye week and should not have much of a challenge as they host North American University Saturday.

The Stallions have lost to Stephen F. Austin 77-0, Wayland Baptist 41-6 and Texas Wesleyan 80-0 so far this season.

HSU is up to number seven in the D3football.com national rankings. Their most recent game was a 73-21 win at Curry College in Massachusetts.

HOWARD PAYNE (1-2, 0-1) AT WITTENBERG (0-1) - SATURDAY, 12 P.M.

First meeting in series

The Yellow Jackets are on the road again, this time making the trip to Springfield, Ohio (Yes, that Springfield, Ohio) to face Wittenberg University.

The Tigers have played just once so far this season, falling at Baldwin Wallce 24-14 in week one.

HPU earned victory number one of the season last week at Lyon, dominating the Fighting Scots 41-14.

THE PICK: WITTENBERG

MCMURRY (2-1, 2-0) AT AUSTIN COLLEGE (0-3, 0-1) - SATURDAY, 1 P.M.

Austin College leads series 37-33-2
Last meeting: McMurry 51, Austin College 13 in 2023

The War Hawks took care of business at home against Texas Lutheran last week to take over first place in the SCAC, now they head to Sherman to face Austin College.

The Kangaroos have struggled out of the gates, falling to Kalamazoo 26-20, Rhodes 49-13, and Centenary 36-17.

THE PICK: McMURRY

Photo: Cordae Adams/Cisco Wrangler Express

CISCO COLLEGE (1-1, 1-0) AT #5 KILGORE (3-0, 2-0) - SATURDAY, 3 P.M.

The Wranglers knocked off #10 Trinity Valley at home last week, now they face an even bigger challenge at #5 Kilgore.

The Rangers are off to a 3-0 start, but their SWJCFC games have been close. They got past Navarro 23-13 last week and NMMI 40-30 the week before that.

THE PICK: KILGORE

Blitz Picks - Week 5

WEEK 1: 33-47, 70.2%
WEEK 2: 39-61, 63.9%
WEEK 3: 52-64, 81.3%
WEEK 4: 43-56, 76.8%
OVERALL: 167-228, 73.3%