Blitz Picks - Week 7
District play hits in full force this week as all the area 11-man teams join the playoff hunt. Some six-man district still have non-district games on the schedule but, for the most part, the games that will get you to the third season are here.
There weren’t as many games last week, so any miss was a big miss and the percentage dropped a bit from the Week 5 high point, but it was still my second best week of the season.
Season: 177-226, 78.3%
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%
On to Week 7!
Arlington Heights (1-4, 0-2) at Cooper (3-2, 1-1) - Thursday
The Cougars will play under the Thursday night lights this week as they return to action after a bye week. Arlington Heights is the opponent, one Cooper clobbered last season 48-0. The Yellowjackets, who are also coming off a bye, beat Fort Worth Wyatt in week one but it’s been downhill since then as they’ve lost four straight. Their last outing was a 52-7 loss to Justin Northwest. Cooper beat Granbury 56-34 their last time out to even their district record at 1-1.
THE SPREAD: COOPER BY 39
THE PICK: COOPER
#8 Wichita Falls Rider (5-0, 0-0) at Wylie (2-3, 0-0)
The Bulldogs have a big challenge to open district play as they welcome state ranked Wichita Falls Rider to Hugh Sandifer Stadium to begin district play. Wylie certainly feels better about itself after a 49-21 win over Brownwood in their final non-district game, while Rider picked up a 33-13 victory over Hobbs, New Mexico in their last game. Rider also has wins over Dumas 38-18, Frisco Independence 32-19, Midlothian 33-27 and Odessa 47-43 so far this season. Wylie played some tough competition in non-district play and the Bulldogs hope they can use that experience as they start their quest to return to the playoffs for a second straight season.
THE SPREAD: RIDER BY 12
THE PICK: RIDER
#9 Midlothian Heritage (4-1, 0-0) at Brownwood (2-3, 0-0)
The Lions played a very strong non-district schedule and now get set to face a gauntlet of a district slate. Ninth-ranked Midlothian Heritage is up first Friday night at Gordon Wood Stadium. The Jaguars beat Springtown in their last outing 49-13 and have also beaten Everman 50-23, Kennedale 22-7 and Decatur 48-14. Their only loss came to #4 Melissa (who just snapped defending 4A Division I state champion Argyle’s 20-game winning streak last week) 48-28. Brownwood has had a tough time stopping the run this season, giving up 267 yards per game on the ground, and will need to fix that quickly as they welcome in a Heritage squad that runs for 185.2 yards per game. The Jaguars are one of three teams in the top ten (Stephenville is #2 and La Vega is #6) from the district.
THE SPREAD: MIDLOTHIAN HERITAGE BY 29
THE PICK: MIDLOTHIAN HERITAGE
Snyder (5-1, 0-0) at Sweetwater (3-3, 0-0)
Old rivals meet for the 69th time (Sweetwater holds the all-time edge 39-28-1) to kickoff District 1-4A Division II play Friday night at the Mustang Bowl. Snyder has raised a few eyebrows across West Texas by winning five of its first six with the only loss coming to 3A Division I defending state champ Jim Ned by a touchdown. Sweetwater had a slow start but has won of three of four and has been nearly unstoppable offensively during that stretch, averaging 43.8 points and 503 yards per game. Snyder has the edge defensively, and they hope that can help them beat the Mustangs for the third time in four years.
THE SPREAD: SWEETWATER BY 7
THE PICK: SNYDER
Clyde (0-5, 0-0) at Breckenridge (1-4, 0-0)
The district slate begins with a huge game for both teams if they want to make the playoffs. Jim Ned, Early and Wall are big favorites to take three of the four playoff spots, meaning the winner of this one will have the edge over the loser and winless TLCA San Angelo. Clyde got the best of the Bucks a year ago 38-21 on their way to the playoffs. Breckenridge has been the more impressive of the two to this date in 2021 with an upset of Jacksboro and close losses to Cisco and Eastland. Clyde has also played a tough schedule that they hope has seasoned them for a postseason run.
THE SPREAD: BRECKENRIDGE BY 17
THE PICK: BRECKENRIDGE
Early (5-0, 0-0) at #1 Jim Ned (5-0, 0-0)
Two teams with unblemished records meet in Tuscola Friday night to begin district play. Jim Ned has taken care of all challengers to their throne thus far, and now get set for another test from Early. The Longhorns are off to their best start since going 6-0 to begin the 1976 season and an upset in this one would be their biggest win in a long time. Early, behind quarterback Jaxyn Price who has thrown for 1,108 yards, 17 touchdowns and just one interception, are averaging 413.8 yards per game and have scored over 40 points in four of their five games. Jim Ned got a test from Snyder their last time out, winning 22-15, but beat Ballinger, Sweetwater, Eastland and Cisco by at least 14 points.
THE SPREAD: JIM NED BY 22
THE PICK: JIM NED
Brady (2-2, 0-0) at Ballinger (3-1, 1-0)
The Bearcats enter District 2-3A Division II play as the favorite to bring home a second straight district title. They open the run against Brady, one of the teams that has hopes of taking them down. Brady has dropped games against Dublin 38-12 and Ozona 28-14 their last two times out and beat TLCA San Angelo and Comanche (who combined to go 0-10 in non-district play) to open the season. Ballinger dropped their opener to Jim Ned but rallied with wins over Colorado City 27-0, Clyde 21-13 and Llano 35-34 in overtime.
THE SPREAD: BALLINGER BY 23
THE PICK: BALLINGER
Grape Creek (1-4, 0-0) at Bangs (0-5, 0-0)
Bangs had a very rough go of it in non-district play, going 0-4 by a combined 209-47. Grape Creek did not do much better, however, dropping four of five games, including 49-0 losses to Coleman and Early in their last two outings. The Eagles only win was a 50-22 decision over winless TLCA San Angelo.
THE SPREAD: GRAPE CREEK BY 1
THE PICK: BANGS
Millsap (2-3, 0-0) at Eastland (1-4, 0-0)
The Mavericks dropped four of five games in non-district play but are trending up as they get set to defend their District 5-3A Division II title. Eastland is certainly on track offensively, they scored 54 last week at Sweetwater, but the defense will have to improve (they gave up 70 to the Mustangs). Millsap has wins over Bruceville-Eddy 41-6 and De Leon 45-20 and losses to Henrietta 41-40, Paradise 31-12 and Santo 36-33 in non-district play. The Bulldogs enter on a two-game losing streak.
THE SPREAD: EASTLAND BY 16
THE PICK: EASTLAND
Merkel (3-2, 0-0) at Jacksboro (2-2, 0-0)
The Badgers quest to return to the playoffs begins in Jacksboro against the Tigers. Jacksboro is coming off a 44-12 loss to Wellington their last time out and fell to Breckenridge 49-28 in their season opener. In between, the Tigers beat Boyd 28-14 and Wichita Falls City View 40-16. Merkel has equaled its win total from 2020 already and seems like a team on a mission under first-year head coach Will Kates. The Badgers beat Coahoma 37-20 in their last game. Their losses are to Hawley and Early, who are a combined 10-0 so far this season.
THE SPREAD: JACKSBORO BY 12
THE PICK: JACKSBORO
Anson (2-3, 0-0) at Stamford (2-3, 0-0)
District 3-2A Division play begins for both squads as they renew their rivalry in Stamford Friday night. Anson is hoping to bounce back after a rough last outing in a 48-2 loss at Albany, while Stamford is also coming in off a loss, 43-20 at Archer City. It will be the Bulldogs first home game in over a month. The Tigers won this matchup last season in Anson 41-34.
Shameless plug: I’ll be calling this game for Big Country 97.1 KVRP. First time I’ve been on-air for KVRP doing a football game in, oh, 16 years?
THE SPREAD: ANSON BY 4
THE PICK: ANSON
#10 Forsan (5-0, 0-0) at Colorado City (0-4, 0-0)
The Wolves have shown improvement so far in 2021, but are still looking to snap a 24-game losing streak as they enter district play against state-ranked Forsan. Colorado City fell to unbeaten Coleman 63-13 in their last outing, while Forsan rolled over Reagan County 43-0. The Buffaloes have double-digit wins over all five teams they’ve played this season. The closest was a 48-37 win over McCamey.
THE SPREAD: FORSAN BY 36
THE PICK: FORSAN
Haskell (2-3, 0-0) at #6 Hawley (5-0, 0-0)
The defending district champions begin their title defense at home against Haskell Friday night. Hawley shut out three of their five non-district opponents and have only allowed 21 points all season, the second fewest behind Coleman’s 19 (in four games) in the state in 2A Division I. The Bearcats offense is no slouch either, averaging 48 points per game. Haskell snapped a three-game losing streak their last time out with a 25-0 win over Hamlin. Hawley won this matchup in 2020, 48-22.
THE SPREAD: HAWLEY BY 45
THE PICK: HAWLEY
#5 Cisco (4-1, 1-0) at Winters (1-3, 0-0)
Cisco heads to Winters to begin their quest for an 11th straight district championship. The Loboes only non-district loss came at #1 Jim Ned, and they took care of four other 3A teams to pick up their four wins, including beating Comanche 41-14 in their last game. Winters knocked off Hico 48-7 for its first win two weeks ago, but lost the first three games of the year to Anson, Crane and Hawley.
THE SPREAD: CISCO BY 34
THE PICK: CISCO
Coleman (4-0, 0-0) at De Leon (0-5, 0-0)
The Bluecats were dominant in non-district play and hope to keep rolling in district action, starting Friday night at De Leon. Coleman has only allowed 19 points this season, the fewest in the state in Class 2A and the third fewest in the entire state in any class behind six by Lubbock Roosevelt and 19 by Coldspring-Oakhurst. They visit a De Leon squad that has struggled in 2021 and is coming off a 55-7 loss at Seymour.
THE SPREAD: COLEMAN BY 43
THE PICK: COLEMAN
Ralls (4-2, 0-0) at Hamlin (0-6, 0-0)
The beat up Pied Pipers head to district play without a win after facing six teams in non-district play that are a combined 25-9. That brutal stretch should help them as they look to defend their district title, beginning with Ralls The Jackrabbits lost their first two games to Farwell and Clarendon but have won their last four, 14-13 at Seagraves, 48-8 over Quanah, 55-0 over Plains and 46-6 at New Home last week. The Pipers beats Ralls 42-22 last season.
THE SPREAD: RALLS BY 29
THE PICK: RALLS
#4 Albany (5-0, 0-0) at Meridian (1-5, 0-0)
The fourth-ranked Lions look for their 13th district title in the past 14 years as they open district play at Meridian. Albany gave up 21 points to Dublin, but has only given up eight (two on a safety) over their last four outings. Meridian entered the win column with a 47-19 win over Waco Texas Wind but lost their first five games by an average of 34.2 points per game.
THE SPREAD: ALBANY BY 70
THE PICK: ALBANY
Hico (3-3, 0-0) at Cross Plains (4-1, 0-0)
The Buffaloes won four of five non-district games to head into District 8-2A Division II play with a head of steam. Cross Plains found a way to win close contests their last two times out 21-13 at De Leon and 37-32 at home over Miles, now get set to face an improving Hico squad that blasted Frost 57-8 last week. Hico also has wins over Waco Texas Wind 41-6 and Junction 24-7 and losses to Moody 42-36, Hamilton 30-0 and Winters 48-7.
THE SPREAD: CROSS PLAINS BY 4
THE PICK: CROSS PLAINS
Hermleigh (6-0, 0-0) at Aspermont (2-4, 0-0)
District play begins in 7-1A Division I this week as Hermleigh takes its unbeaten record to Aspermont. The Cardinals have won via shutout the last four weeks and the 32 points they’ve allowed this season are third fewest in the state in six-man football behind 26 by Abbott in six games and 20 by Mullin in four games. The Hornets are coming off a 56-6 home loss to Knox City last week that snapped a two-game winning streak.
THE SPREAD DCTF: HERMLEIGH BY 34
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: HERMLEIGH BY 45
THE PICK: HERMLEIGH
#10 Ira (4-1, 0-0) at Roby (3-2, 0-0)
Defending district champion Ira heads to Roby to start its title defense. The Bulldogs knocked off Loraine last week 71-26 to run their winning streak to four after a one-point season opening loss to Turkey Valley. Roby has lost two in a row to Benjamin and Jayton after winning their first three games under new head coach Matt Tarbutton.
THE SPREAD DCTF: IRA BY 19
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: IRA BY 40
THE PICK: IRA
Highland (3-3, 0-0) at Westbrook (2-4, 0-0)
The Hornets have been the third-best team in districts where only two make the playoffs the past three years. To get back to the playoffs, they’ll have to start district play with a bang and beat Westbrook Friday night. The Wildcats have lost three in a row to state ranked teams, while the Hornets have lost two straight to ranked squads. Westbrook took care of the Hornets last season 48-16.
THE SPREAD DCTF: WESTBROOK BY 35
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: WESTBROOK BY 45
THE PICK: WESTBROOK
Santa Anna (6-0, 0-0) at Baird (4-0, 0-0)
This may be the toughest game to pick this week, as both teams enter unbeaten. Baird has wins over one Division I school and three Division II schools, the best one coming on the road at a ranked Gordon squad. Santa Anna hasn’t played a very strong non-district slate either, as 1-3 Medina is their only Division I win. However, you can only play the games on the schedule and both teams have done so very well so far. Look for the home field advantage to give the Bears a slight edge in what could end up being a key game to decide a playoff spot.
THE SPREAD DCTF: BAIRD BY 5
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BAIRD BY 15
THE PICK: BAIRD
GORMAN (4-1, 0-0) at #1 May (6-0, 0-0)
The top-ranked Tigers begin their district title defense at home against 4-1 Gorman. Sterling City was able to hang with May in a 104-80 decision, but nobody else has touched the Tigers. Their 415 points so far this season is best in 1A Division I and second best overall behind the 436 scored by Strawn. Gorman’s only loss this season was to Strawn 60-15, and they’re coming off a 44-42 win over Perrin-Whitt last week.
THE SPREAD DCTF: MAY BY 51
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: MAY BY 45
THE PICK: MAY
Ranger (1-4) at Zephyr (0-6)
Zephyr has one more non-district ballgame on the schedule as they host six-man newcomer Ranger in a battle of Bulldogs this week. Zephyr fell at Cherokee last week 54-6, while Ranger did not play. Ranger is on a three-game losing streak after knocking off Waco Eagle Christian in week two.
THE SPREAD DCTF: RANGER BY 11
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: RANGER BY 31
THE PICK: RANGER
Trent (2-4, 0-0) at Loraine (3-3, 0-0)
Fresh off knocking Paint Creek from the ranks of the unbeaten, Trent opens district play at preseason favorite Loraine. The Bulldogs have lost three times, but all three were to Division I opponents (Westbrook, Highland and Ira). Trent is getting better, but Loraine should be able to get off to a good start in district play.
THE SPREAD DCTF: LORAINE BY 35
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: LORAINE BY 45
THE PICK: LORAINE
ROTAN JV AT Blackwell (1-5)
The Hornets were scheduled to face Olfen for the district opener but the Mustangs can’t play this week. Blackwell will host the Rotan JV instead to try to stay sharp before hosting TLCA Abilene in the first district game for both teams on October 15.
THE SPREAD DCTF: N/A
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BLACKWELL BY 45
THE PICK: BLACKWELL
Rule (3-1) vs Loop (6-0) at Hermleigh - Thursday
The Bobcats wrap up non-district play with a neutral site game against unbeaten Loop in Hermleigh Thursday night. Rule is coming off a 74-26 loss to now #8 Throckmorton last week that knocked them from the ranks of the unbeaten. Loop is perfect on the season, but their six opponents are just a combined 7-22 in 2021, including a 70-41 win last week over 0-4 Lorenzo.
THE SPREAD DCTF: RULE BY 7
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: LOOP BY 10
THE PICK: RULE
Lueders-Avoca (0-4, 0-0) at #8 Throckmorton (6-0, 0-0) - THURSDAY
The Raiders played second fiddle to Throckmorton in the district standings last season and would love to knock off the unbeaten Greyhounds to kick off 9-1A Division II play Thursday night. Lueders-Avoca lost to Division I teams in three of their four non-district games, so they have been tested. Throckmorton handed Rule its first loss last week and also has wins over Bluff Dale 46-0, Bryson 46-0, Union Hill 58-12, Blackwell 40-32 and Perrin-Whitt 78-41 this season.
THE SPREAD DCTF: THROCKMORTON BY 64
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: THROCKMORTON BY 45
THE PICK: THROCKMORTON
Moran (0-4, 0-0) at Paint Creek (4-1, 0-0)
The Pirates lost for the first time last week to Trent and hope to bounce back in their district opener against winless Moran. The Bulldogs were off last week and have been shut out in their previous two games to Rotan 50-0 and Lingleville 48-0. Three of Moran’s losses came to Division I schools and the fourth was to unbeaten Benjamin, who is number ten this week in 1A Division II.
THE SPREAD DCTF: PAINT CREEK BY 8
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: MORAN BY 8
THE PICK: PAINT CREEK
Rising Star (3-2, 0-0) at Blanket (5-1, 0-0)
Blanket is on a roll entering district play, fresh off a 42-30 victory over 1A Division I Evant. The Tigers look like the team to beat in 15-1A Division II, but Rising Star will be up for the challenge after going 3-2 in non-district play. The Wildcats were off last week and beat Lohn 54-7 in their last outing.
THE SPREAD DCTF: BLANKET BY 26
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: BLANKET BY 45
THE PICK: BLANKET
SILVERTON (2-4) AT ABILENE CHRISTIAN (2-3)
The Panthers jump back out of district play and pick up a game against Silverton this week. Abilene Christian played well but came up short against Lubbock Kingdom Prep last week to fall to 2-3. Silverton has lost their last two games, 81-31 to Miami and 50-0 at #5 Follett last week.
THE SPREAD DCTF: ABILENE CHRISTIAN BY 34
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: N/A
THE PICK: ABILENE CHRISTIAN
ACU (3-2, 0-1) AT EASTERN KENTUCKY (3-2, 1-0) - SATURDAY, 5 P.M.
The Wildcats head to Kentucky to face conference, at least for a season, foe Eastern Kentucky. The Colonels have beaten Austin Peay and Tarleton in back-to-back weeks after a season opening 30-3 loss to Louisville. ACU saw a three-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of Central Arkansas at home last week.
THE PICK: EASTERN KENTUCKY
KILGORE (3-2, 2-2) AT CISCO (1-3, 0-2) - SATURDAY, 3 P.M.
The Wranglers look to pick up their first conference victory as they host Kilgore Saturday afternoon. Cisco has two SWJCFC losses by a combined four points, so they know they’re right there, even against some of the best teams in the nation like #5 Trinity Valley last week.
THE PICK: CISCO
