Blitz Picks - Week 6
Welcome to “open” week across the Lone Star State.
Many teams are off this week and getting ready to begin district play next week, but many more will be in action, either in district play or non-district tune-ups.
Abilene, Cooper and Abilene Christian School continue district play this week and all hope to build off big victories the week before.
The Picks were on point this past week, hitting the highest percentage so far.
Season: 154-198, 77.8%
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%
On to the picks for Week 6, featuring only six 11-man games but plenty of great six-man action!
#20 Midland Legacy (3-1, 0-0) at Abilene High (3-2, 1-0)
The Eagles shocked Permian last week to win their district opener, now they get set to face the preseason district champion: Midland (Lee) Legacy.
The Rebels were off last week and will be no slouch. They have wins over Amarillo, Tascosa and Arlington Bowie so far this year and dropped a week three game at #16 Arlington Martin 43-37. Tascosa is the only team both squads have played. Legacy beat them in a 51-48 shootout while the Eagles dropped a 40-21 decision in the season opener.
The Rebels beat the Eagles 51-19 in 2020 and 35-21 in non-district action in 2019. Abilene High’s last victory was a 31-24 decision in 2018.
THE SPREAD: MIDLAND LEGACY BY 12
THE PICK: MIDLAND LEGACY
Snyder (4-1) at Muleshoe (2-3)
The Tigers gave Jim Ned all they could handle last week and now head northwest to battle Muleshoe in their non-district finale. Tiger head coach Wes Wood is a Muleshoe grad and should have a good chance to lead his current team to victory over his old one before Snyder gets things going in district play against rival Sweetwater on October 8.
THE SPREAD: SNYDER BY 23
THE PICK: SNYDER
Eastland (1-3) at Sweetwater (2-3)
The Mustangs look to even their record as they welcome Class 3A Division I Eastland to the Mustang Bowl. Eastland was off last week but picked up their first victory, 28-19 over Breckenridge, the week before. Sweetwater doubled-up Clyde 42-21 and can make it three wins in their last four games if they can get past the Mavericks.
THE SPREAD: SWEETWATER BY 8
THE PICK: SWEETWATER
#2 Windthorst (5-0) at Hamlin (0-5)
The brutal non-district schedule Russell Lucas left for new Piper head coach Chris Evans wraps up this week as Hamlin welcomes defending 2A Division II state champion Windthorst to town. The Pipers handed the Trojans their only loss of 2020, 14-0, but are a completely different team this time around. Unfortunately for Hamlin, Windthorst is still a state power this year and has blowout wins over De Leon 49-0, Clyde 52-7, Seymour 60-20 and Wichita Falls City View 34-0 so far to go along with a 22-15 season opening victory at Henrietta.
THE SPREAD: WINDTHORST BY 49
THE PICK: WINDTHORST
Roscoe (4-1) VS Sudan (0-5) AT pOST
The Plowboys look for their fifth win in a row as they meet struggling Sudan in Post Friday night. Roscoe seems to be getting better as the season goes on and picked up their most decisive win of the year last week, 44-12 over New Home. Sudan lost to Crosbyton, a district opponent for Roscoe, last week 26-20 in their closest game to date. They also have dropped games to Olton 38-26, Sundown 40-0, Farwell 62-0 and Stamford 46-20.
THE SPREAD: ROSCOE BY 37
THE PICK: ROSCOE
Olney (2-2) at #4 Albany (4-0)
The Lions picked up their fourth straight blowout victory to start the season last week over Anson, and their average margin of victory is 46.3 points per game. Olney is the next challenger. The Cubs were a playoff team a year ago and have wins over Chico and Westlake Academy this season to go against losses to Petrolia and Goldthwaite.
THE SPREAD: ALBANY BY 45
THE PICK: ALBANY
Knox City (1-4) at Aspermont (2-3)
The Hornets look to extend their winning streak to three as they welcome the Greyhounds to town this week. Aspermont has wins over 1A D1 Lueders-Avoca and TLCA Abilene the past two weeks, but the competition will be stiffer against Knox City this time around. The Hounds picked up their first win last week over Bryson 58-12, but their four losses have all come to teams that are currently in the 1A rankings (D2 #8 Jayton, D2 #1 Motley County, D1 #1 May and D1 #10 Ira).
THE SPREAD DCTF: KNOX CITY BY 25
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: KNOX CITY BY 45
THE PICK: KNOX CITY
Bronte (1-4) at Hermleigh (5-0)
The Cardinals look to wrap up a perfect non-district run when they host Bronte this week. Hermleigh has pitched three consecutive shutouts by a combined 169-0 over Lueders-Avoca, Robert Lee and Wilson. Bronte has dropped three straight — falling to Roby 46-0, Grady 62-12 and Irion County 53-6.
THE SPREAD DCTF: HERMLEIGH BY 57
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: HERMLEIGH BY 45
THE PICK: HERMLEIGH
Loraine (3-2) at #10 Ira (3-1)
Ira is back in the top ten and will finally get to play at home this week as they welcome in Loraine. There will be a lot of offensive firepower in this battle of Bulldogs: Ira averages 56.5 points per game while Loraine puts up 54.8 points per contest. Loraine beat Lueders-Avoca last week to get back in the win column after losses to Westbrook and Highland. Ira beat Highland last week 86-46 to run its winning streak to three after a season opening loss to Turkey Valley.
THE SPREAD DCTF: IRA BY 20
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: IRA BY 45
THE PICK: IRA
Roby (3-1)at #8 Jayton (5-0)
The Lions play a second straight game against a great 1A Division II squad as they head to Jayton to face the unbeaten Jaybirds. Roby fell at home, and out of the state rankings, to Benjamin 62-50 last week, while Jayton racked up a 74-34 win over Petersburg. Jayton also has wins over Knox City, Aspermont, Wilson and Valley this season.
THE SPREAD DCTF: JAYTON BY 20
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: JAYTON BY 28
THE PICK: JAYTON
Rotan (5-0) vs Lometa (4-0) - at Ranger
The Yellowhammers replaced Ranger on the schedule this week but will still play at Ranger against Lometa Friday night. Rotan has yet to be tested this season, picking up mercy rule wins the past four weeks, but that should change this week against unbeaten Lometa. The Hornets beat Rochelle last week 69-20 and knocked off Lingleville, Ranger and Cranfills Gap earlier in the season.
THE SPREAD DCTF: N/A
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: LOMETA BY 45
THE PICK: ROTAN
Highland (3-2) at #4 Water Valley (5-0)
The Hornets play yet another tough non-district game this week as they visit unbeaten and fourth-ranked Water Valley. The Wildcats rolled past Borden County last week 62-22 and Westbrook the week before 55-34. They also have beaten Robert Lee, Blackwell and Garden City this season. The Hornets dropped an 86-46 decision to Ira last week and lost to Water Valley last season 70-32.
THE SPREAD DCTF: WATER VALLEY BY 48
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: WATER VALLEY BY 45
THE PICK: WATER VALLEY
Westbrook (2-3) at #8 Garden City (3-2)
Westbrook is out of the state rankings this week after their 68-52 loss at Strawn, but they are back it again Friday against another top-tier opponent. Garden City checks in at #8 in the state this week after their 83-38 win over Van Horn. The Bearkats have also beaten O’Donnell and Eden this season and lost to state ranked Sterling City and Water Valley. Both teams have suffered losses to Water Valley, the Wildcats 55-34 and the Bearkats 54-8. Westbrook won this matchup a year ago at home, 69-24.
THE SPREAD DCTF: PICK ‘EM
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: WESTBROOK BY 8
THE PICK: WESTBROOK
Baird (3-0) at Lueders-Avoca (0-3)
The Raiders run against 1A Division I teams continues this week as they host unbeaten Baird. Lueders-Avoca has losses to Hermleigh, Aspermont and Loraine (the lone D2 opponent) and will be tested once again this week. Baird was off last week. Their most recent win was a 53-0 decision at Chillicothe.
THE SPREAD DCTF: BAIRD BY 43
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BAIRD BY 45
THE PICK: BAIRD
Newcastle (3-1) at #1 May (5-0)
May wraps up non-district play against Newcastle this week. The Tigers have been dominant so far this season, including putting 77 points on Blum in the first half of a victory last week. Newcastle won at Ranger last week 68-20 and has wins over Meadow and Crowell by a combined three points. Their loss was to Gordon, 54-50. May beat the Bobcats on the road in 2020 57-0.
THE SPREAD DCTF: MAY BY 66
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: MAY BY 45
THE PICK: MAY
Panther Creek (2-2) at Santa Anna (5-0)
The Mountaineers hope to wrap up a perfect run through their non-district schedule as they host Panther Creek. Santa Anna picked up a 65-20 win at Medina last week to run their winning streak to five, and are heavily favored to make it six straight against the Panthers. Panther Creek is coming off a 76-40 loss to Veribest. They have wins over winless TLCA Abilene and winless Olfen.
THE SPREAD DCTF: SANTA ANNA BY 55
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: SANTA ANNA BY 45
THE PICK: SANTA ANNA
Zephyr (0-5) at Cherokee (2-2)
The Bulldogs have dropped five straight to start the season and do not have an easy task ahead of them at Cherokee this week. The Indians have put together back-to-back wins over Gustine 66-18 and Cranfills Gap 60-35 after opening the year with losses to Medina 72-40 and Burnet Smoking for Jesus Ministry Christian School (yes, that is the name) 89-54. Zephyr fell to Paint Rock last week 35-14.
THE SPREAD DCTF: CHEROKEE BY 43
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: CHEROKEE BY 45
THE PICK: CHEROKEE
Blackwell (1-4) at Irion County (4-1)
The Hornets step up in classification to battle 1A Division I Irion County on the road this week. Blackwell got into the win column with a 48-0 Homecoming shutout of Brookesmith, and Irion County will be their fourth game this season against a 1A D1 opponent. The Irion County Hornets opened the season with an 84-73 loss to Buena Vista, but have 45’d Robert Lee, Fort Davis, Grandfalls-Royalty and Bronte over the past four weeks.
THE SPREAD DCTF: IRION COUNTY BY 25
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: IRION COUNTY BY 35
THE PICK: IRION COUNTY
Trent (1-4) at Paint Creek (4-0)
Paint Creek looks to stay perfect heading into district play as they host Trent. The Pirates four wins this season have come against one JV squad and Harrold and Lohn teams that have combined to go 0-6, so the Gorillas will likely be their biggest test to date. Trent dropped a 60-31 decision to TLCA Midland last week. Both teams have faced Lohn: Trent won 64-58 in overtime and Paint Creek won 50-13.
THE SPREAD DCTF: PAINT CREEK BY 33
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: PAINT CREEK BY 16
THE PICK: PAINT CREEK
TLCA Abilene (0-5) vs Newman International Academy-Mansfield (0-2) - Saturday, 1 p.m. at Gordon
The Eagles have their best shot at a win to date as they meet Newman International Academy-Mansfield in Gordon Saturday afternoon. TLCA Abilene has been 45’d by Aspermont and TLCA Midland their last two times out, but went a full four quarters against Brookesmith and Panther Creek the two weeks before that. Their opponent this week has only played twice this season, falling to Haslet Legacy Classical Christian Academy 52-0 and CHANT Homeschool 63-6.
THE SPREAD DCTF: N/A
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: TLCA ABILENE BY 19
THE PICK: TLCA ABILENE
Rule (3-0) at #10 Throckmorton (5-0)
The Bobcats return to action after missing the last two weeks due to COVID issues, and it will be a good test for them at #10 Throckmorton. The Greyhounds have beaten Bluff Dale, Bryson, Union Hill, Blackwell and Perrin-Whitt to reach the state rankings. Rule has been impressive in victories over Wilson, Vernon Northside and Patton Springs.
THE SPREAD DCTF: THROCKMORTON BY 27
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: THROCKMORTON BY 45
THE PICK: THROCKMORTON
Evant (4-1) at Blanket (4-1)
Blanket plays up a class as they get set to host Evant Friday night. The Tigers are coming off a back-to-back shut out wins, but will be playing much tougher competition this week against the Elks. Evant’s only loss this season is to top-ranked May, and they beat Penelope last week 62-16.
THE SPREAD DCTF: EVANT BY 16
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: EVANT BY 45
THE PICK: EVANT
Brookesmith (1-4) at Bluff Dale (3-1)
The Mustangs hit the road again this week to take on a Bluff Dale squad that is off to a good start to the season. Brookesmith fell at Blackwell last week to see their losing streak hit three. Bluff Dale shut out Iredell 50-0 their last time out and also have beaten Fruitvale and Sidney.
THE SPREAD DCTF: BLUFF DALE BY 19
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BLUFF DALE BY 41
THE PICK: BLUFF DALE
Rising Star (3-2) at Ranger (1-4) - Thursday
This matchup was put together this week, as Ranger dropped Rotan and will host with Rising Star instead. The Bulldogs will be at home for the fourth straight week and are still looking for home victory number one on the season after losses to Lometa, Gold-Burg, and Newcastle. Rising Star eased past Lohn 54-7 last week to get its record above .500.
THE SPREAD DCTF: N/A
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: PICK ‘EM
THE PICK: RISING STAR
Lubbock Kingdom Prep (2-2, 1-0) at Abilene Christian (2-2, 1-0) - saturday
Two of the favorites in the preseason district race meet at Shotwell Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Panthers won at Amarillo San Jacinto 62-14 last week while Kingdom Prep took care of Lubbock Christ the King 47-0. These two teams played twice in 2020 with ACS winning in the regular season and Kingdom Prep getting revenge in the playoffs.
THE SPREAD DCTF: N/A
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: KINGDOM PREP BY 11
THE PICK: KINGDOM PREP
CENTRAL ARKANSAS (1-3, 0-1) AT ACU (3-1, 0-0) - SATURDAY, 6 P.M.
The Wildcats enter conference play on a three-game winning streak. ACU blew out Lamar 56-0 on the road and hopes the momentum carries over against a Central Arkansas team that is off to a worse start than usual at 1-3. The Bears fell to defending national champion Sam Houston State 45-35 in their conference opener last week.
THE PICK: ACU
mcmurry (1-2, 1-2) at #7 hardin-simmons (3-1, 2-1) - SATURDAY, 1 p.m.
Crosstown rivals meet on the north side this season as Hardin-Simmons hosts McMurry. The War Hawks are coming off their first victory of the season, while the Cowboys dropped a 34-28 decision at top-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor to drop to 3-1. This is the 36th meeting between the two teams. HSU has a 31-4 overall advantage and beat the War Hawks 49-7 in the spring.
THE PICK: HARDIN-SIMMONS
SUL ROSS STATE (1-2, 1-2) AT HOWARD PAYNE (4-0, 3-0) - SATURDAY, 3:30 p.m.
The Yellow Jackets are off to their best start since 2002 and look to keep rolling against Sul Ross State. Howard Payne plays at home for the first time since the season opener and beat East Texas Baptist on the road last week 49-38. The Yellow Jackets are second the UMHB in the ASC in points per game with 47.3 and tops in the conference by a wide margin IN total offense, putting up 623.5 yards per game. The Lobos earned their first win of the season last week, taking down Texas Lutheran 12-10 in Alpine.
THE PICK: HOWARD PAYNE
cisco (1-2, 0-1) at #4 trinity valley (4-0, 2-0) - Saturday, 3 p.m.
It’s another tough conference game for Cisco this week as the Wranglers visit fourth-ranked Trinity Valley. The Wranglers were off last week and dropped a one-point decision to Blinn the week before in their SWJCFC opener. Trinity Valley knocked off Tyler last week 31-23.
THE PICK: TRINITY VALLEY
