Blitz Picks - Week 8
WEEK 1: 33-47, 70.2%
WEEK 2: 39-61, 63.9%
WEEK 3: 52-64, 81.3%
WEEK 4: 43-56, 76.8%
WEEK 5: 50-64, 78.2%
WEEK 6: 33-41, 80.5%
WEEK 7: 47-56, 83.9%
OVERALL: 297-391, 75.9%
Week 8 brings us some more very good matchups across the Big Country.
*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!
GAMES OF THE WEEK
VERIBEST (6-1, 1-0) AT WATER VALLEY (4-2, 0-0)
Water Valley leads series 15-1
Last meeting: Water Valley 67, Veribest 0 in 2021
The Wildcats are 4-2 in their return to six-man football this season with losses to Hermleigh and Buena Vista. The Falcons have soared to six wins in a row since a season opening loss to Zephyr. The Wildcats are the pick in a close one.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: WATER VALLEY BY 19
THE SPREAD 6MFB: WATER VALLEY BY 37
THE PICK: WATER VALLEY
LORAINE (3-4, 0-1) AT BLACKWELL (2-5, 1-0)
Loraine leads series 10-9
Last meeting: Loraine 71, Blackwell 52 in 2023
The Bulldogs fell by one at home to Bronte in a bit of an upset last week and will have to beat a Blackwell team that’s won two in a row to stay in the postseason race. With their backs against the wall, Loraine is the choice to win on the road.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: LORAIN BY 38
THE SPREAD 6MFB: LORAINE BY 6
THE PICK: LORAINE
ABILENE CHRISTIAN (4-2, 1-0) AT CROWLEY NAZARENE CHRISTIAN (4-3, 0-1)
First meeting in series
The Panthers have their season ending showdown with Fort Worth Covenant circled on the calendar, but they can’t look past a Lions team that only lost by four to Covenant last week. Abilene Christian is the pick in one that should go the distance.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: CROWLEY NAZARENE BY 2
THE SPREAD 6MFB: ACS BY 7
THE PICK: ABILENE CHRISTIAN
IRA (4-2, 1-0) AT #9 WESTBROOK (4-2, 1-0)
Series tied 10-10
Last meeting: Westbrook 58, Ira 8 in 2023
Westbrook has won 17 district games in a row and will be challenged by a high scoring Bulldog squad. But the Wildcats defense gives them the edge, and they are the pick to win it.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: WESTBROOK BY 30
THE SPREAD 6MFB: WESTBROOK BY 45
THE PICK: WESTBROOK
KNOX CITY (5-2, 1-0) AT NEWCASTLE (4-3, 1-0)
Knox City leads series 9-7
Last meeting: Knox City 52, Newcastle 6 in 2017
Our top six-man game in the Big Country this week is a showdown of preseason top ten teams Knox City and Newcastle. Both teams bounced back from losses two weeks ago with impressive victories in week six. This game should go down to the wire, and the Greyhounds are the pick to pull it out on the road.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: NEWCASTLE BY 5
THE SPREAD 6MFB: NEWCASTLE BY 2
THE PICK: KNOX CITY
#10 HAMILTON (6-0, 1-0) AT BALLINGER (4-2, 1-0)
Ballinger leads series 5-0
Last meeting: Ballinger 14, Hamilton 0 in 2013
The Bearcats rallied past Bangs last week, while Hamilton just did get past winless Coleman. Ballinger should keep this one close, but Hamilton is the pick to stay perfect on the season.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: HAMILTON BY 18
THE PICK: HAMILTON
BRADY (5-1, 1-0) AT EASTLAND (3-3, 0-1)
Brady leads series 4-1
Last meeting: Eastland 37, Brady 6 in 2013
The Mavs have lost their last two games by a combined two points, and will be fired up to try to get back in the win column. Brady snuck past Dublin last week, but I don’t think they’ll do it again. Eastland is the pick to win a tight one.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: EASTLAND BY 14
THE PICK: EASTLAND
ROSCOE (2-3, 1-0) AT HAMLIN (5-1, 1-0)
Hamlin leads series 22-17-1
Last meeting: Roscoe 70, Hamlin 6 in 2023
The Pied Pipers have won five in a row, but this game will be their biggest test since falling to Anson in week one. The Plowboys have two straight blowout wins after starting 0-3, and they are the pick to get past the Pipers on Friday.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: ROSCOE BY 9
THE PICK: ROSCOE
SWEETWATER (3-3, 1-0) AT COMANCHE (4-2, 1-0)
Sweetwater leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Sweeetwater 35, Comanche 7 in 2007
Sweetwater heads to Comanche for one of the best games in the Big Country this week. The Mustangs put 90 points on the board and basically got a second straight bye last week, while Comanche earned a hard-fought 13-10 win over Jim Ned. The Mustangs are the pick in a close one.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: PICK ‘EM
THE PICK: SWEETWATER
WYLIE (5-1, 3-0) AT WICHITA FALLS MEMORIAL (5-1, 2-0)
First meeting in series
Wylie heads north to battle Wichita Falls Memorial with a share of the District 2-5A Division I lead on the line. Memorial had last week off, while the Bulldogs blew out Palo Duro at home. Wylie has been on a roll so far in district, and the Bulldogs are the Blitz Pick to win close one.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: PICK ‘EM
THE PICK: STAMFORD
Photo: Skyler Blanton
THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
Abilene High (5-2, 3-0) at Lubbock (3-3, 0-2)
Abilene High leads series 11-4-3
Last meeting: Abilene 39, Lubbock 0 in 1957
The Spread: Abilene High by 43
The Pick: Abilene High
Photo: Skyler Blanton
Plainview (3-3, 1-1) at Cooper (1-6, 0-3)
Cooper leads series 6-1
Last meeting: Cooper 31, Plainview 14 in 2023
The Spread: Cooper by 7
The Pick: Cooper
Marble Falls (2-5, 0-1) at #4 Stephenville (5-1, 0-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Stephenville by 53
The Pick: Stephenville
Photo: SMcCowen Sports Photography
Fort Stockton (5-2, 0-1) at Snyder (1-6, 0-1)
Series tied 8-8
Last meeting: Snyder 14, Fort Stockton 12 in 2019
The Spread: Fort Stockton by 21
The Pick: Fort Stockton
Mineral Wells (5-1, 1-0) at #2 Brock (6-0, 1-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Brock by 35
The Pick: Brock
#7 Graham (5-1, 1-0) at Bridgeport (2-4, 0-1)
Graham leads series 35-6
Last meeting: Graham 30, Bridgeport 14 in 2021
The Spread: Graham by 50
The Pick: Graham
Photo: Texpix.com
Breckenridge (0-6, 0-1) at Jim Ned (3-3, 0-1)
Jim Ned leads series 7-5
Last meeting: Jim Ned 42, Breckenridge 14 in 2023
The Spread: Jim Ned by 40
The Pick: Jim Ned
TLCA San Angelo (0-6, 0-1) at Clyde (3-3, 1-0)
Clyde leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Clyde 61, TLCA San Angelo 22 in 2021
The Spread: Clyde by 56
The Pick: Clyde
Coahoma (4-2, 0-1) at Wall (6-1, 1-0)
Wall leads series 11-8-1
Last meeting: Wall 43, Coahoma 21 in 2009
The Spread: Wall by 37
The Pick: Wall
Clifton (4-2, 1-0) at Early (1-5, 0-1)
Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Early 14, Clifton 0 in 2005
The Spread: Clifton by 15
The Pick: Clifton
Dublin (0-6, 0-1) at Tolar (5-1, 1-0)
Dublin leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Dublin 35, Tolar 20 in 2019
The Spread: Tolar by 56
The Pick: Tolar
Colorado City (2-4, 0-1) at Forsan (0-6, 0-1)
Colorado City leads series 5-3
Last meeting: Forsan 27, Colorado City 7 in 2021
The Spread: Forsan by 19
The Pick: Forsan
Photo: Skyler Blanton
#1 Stamford (6-0, 1-0) at Anson (4-2, 0-1)
Stamford leads series 59-30-8
Last meeting: Stamford 41, Anson 7 in 2023
The Spread: Stamford by 40
The Pick: Stamford
Photo: Skyler Blanton
Cisco (4-2, 0-1) at TLCA Abilene (0-6, 0-1)
First meeting series
The Spread: Cisco by 74
The Pick: Cisco
Photo: Skyler Blanton
Olney (2-4, 0-1) at #5 Hawley (6-0, 1-0)
Hawley leads series 4-0
Last meeting: Hawley 51, Olney 7 in 2023
The Spread: Hawley by 66
The Pick: Hawley
Hico (4-2, 0-1) at Bangs (2-4, 0-1)
Bangs leads series 3-1
Last meeting: Bangs 36, Hico 29 in 2003
The Spread: Hico by 5
The Pick: Hico
De Leon (3-3, 1-0) at Coleman (0-6, 0-1)
Coleman leads series 11-5
Last meeting: Coleman 35, De Leon 7 in 2023
The Spread: De Leon by 11
The Pick: De Leon
Archer City (4-2, 1-1) at Haskell (3-4, 1-2)
Archer City leads series 11-7
Last meeting: Haskell 34, Archer City 33 in 023
The Spread: Archer City by 15
The Pick: Archer City
Munday (4-3, 1-2) at Electra (6-0, 2-0)
Munday leads series 17-9
Last meeting: Electra 54, Munday 14 in 2023
The Spread: Electra by 26
The Pick: Electra
Photo: Skyler Blanton
#4 Albany (4-2, 1-0) at Winters (2-4, 0-1)
Albany leads series 17-15
Last meeting: Albany 50, Winters 8 in 2017
The Spread: Albany by 48
The Pick: Albany
Miles (4-2, 0-1) at Cross Plains (3-3, 0-1)
Miles leads series 11-10
Last meeting: Miles 49, Cross Plains 19 in 2023
The Spread: Miles by 22
The Pick: Miles
San Saba (4-2, 1-0) at Thorndale (4-2, 0-1)
Thorndale leads series 2-1
Last meeting: San Saba 14, Thorndale 7 in 2015
The Spread: Thorndale by 2
The Pick: San Saba
Goldthwaite (4-2, 3-0) at Bremond (4-2, 2-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Bremond by 6
The Pick: Bremond
Perrin-Whitt (5-2, 0-1) at Bryson (4-2, 0-0)
Bryson leads series 14-10
Last meeting: Bryson 44, Perrin-Whitt 24 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Bryson by 3
The Spread 6MFB: Perrin-Whitt by 21
The Pick: Perrin-Whitt
Paint Rock (0-6, 0-1) at Robert Lee (5-2, 1-0)
Robert Lee leads series 11-3
Last meeting: Rober Lee 108, Paint Rock 74 in 2019
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Robert Lee by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Robert Lee by 45
The Pick: Robert Lee
Photo: Bobbie Brown/Texas 1A Fan
Hermleigh (5-1, 1-0) at Rotan (3-3, 0-1)
Hermleigh leads series 8-3
Last meeting: Hermleigh 56, Rotan 0 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Hermleigh by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Hermleigh by 45
The Pick: Hermleigh
Photo: SMcCowen Sports Photography
Highland (2-4, 0-1) at Roby (3-3, 0-1)
Highland leads series 3-1
Last meeting: Highland 54, Roby 8 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Highland by 1
The Spread 6MFB: Roby by 30
The Pick: Roby
Photo: Sasha Duck/Texas 1A Fan
Baird (5-2, 1-0) at Lingleville (1-4, 0-1)
Baird leads series 4-0
Last meeting: Baird 52, Lingleville 4 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Baird by 34
The Spread 6MFB: Baird by 45
The Pick: Baird
#1 Gordon (7-0, 1-0) at Ranger (2-4, 0-0)
Gordon leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Gordon 52, Ranger 6 in 2022
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Gordon by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Gordon by 45
The Pick: Gordon
Medina (2-5, 0-1) vs Menard (5-1-1, 1-0)
Menard leads series 3-1
Last meeting: Menard 58, Medina 0 in 2013
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Menard by 22
The Spread 6MFB: Menard by 45
The Pick: Menard
Olfen (0-4, 0-1) at Trent (3-3, 0-0)
Trent leads series 4-0
Last meeting: Trent 49, Olfen 0 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Trent by 26
The Spread 6MFB: Trent by 45
The Pick: Trent
Aspermont (4-3, 1-0) at Lueders-Avoca (0-6, 0-0)
Aspermont leads series 14-1
Last meeting: Aspermont 62, Lueders-Avoca 0 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Aspermont by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Aspermont by 45
The Pick: Aspermont
#1 Jayton (7-0, 1-0) at Rule (3-4, 0-1)
Rule leads series 24-19-1
Last meeting: Jayton 53, Rule 0 in 2019
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Jayton by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Jayton by 45
The Pick: Jayton
Photo: Michael Leal/Texas 1A Fan
Forestburg (1-6) at Throckmorton (0-6)
Throckmorton leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Throckmorton 54, Forestburg 7 in 2020
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Forestburg by 5
The Spread 6MFB: Forestburg by 7
The Pick: Forestburg
Kopperl (4-1, 0-0) at Three Way (7-0, 1-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Three Way by 4
The Spread 6MFB: Three Way by 29
The Pick: Three Way
Rising Star (3-4, 0-1) at #10 Blanket (6-0-1, 1-0)
Rising Star leads series 24-23-1
Last meeting: Rising Star 52, Blanket 6 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Blanket by 35
The Spread 6MFB: Blanket by 31
The Pick: Blanket
Gustine (5-1, 0-1) at Sidney (3-2, 0-0)
Gustine leads series 38-29
Last meeting: Sidney 60, Gustine 6 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Sidney by 28
The Spread 6MFB: Sidney by 45
The Pick: Sidney
Brookesmith (3-3, 0-1) at Panther Creek (0-5, 0-1)
Panther Creek leads series 19-3-1
Last meeting: Panther Creek 44, Brookesmith 39 in 2021
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Brookesmith by 33
The Spread 6MFB: Brookesmith by 45
The Pick: Brookesmith
Lohn (5-2,1-0) at Rochelle (2-3, 0-0)
Rochelle leads series 30-10-1
Last meeting: Rochelle 66, Lohn 6 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Rochelle by 22
The Spread 6MFB: Rochell by 45
The Pick: Rochelle
Cherokee (5-1) at Corpus Christi Arlington Heights (4-2)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Cherokee by 43
The Spread 6MFB: Cherokee by 45
The Pick: Cherokee
COLLEGE
EASTERN KENTUCKY (3-3, 1-1) AT #17 ACU (4-3, 3-1) - SATURDAY, 3 P.M.
EKU leads series 1-0
Last meeting: EKU 30, ACU 15 in 2021
ACU dropped its first conference game last week on the road at North Alabama, and now is back in Abilene for Homecoming against Eastern Kentucky.
The Colonels are on the second of two long road trips. They fell to Southern Utah 42-21 last week.
THE PICK: ACU
#5 HARDIN-SIMMONS (5-0 AT MCMURRY (4-1) - SATURDAY, 6 P.M
HSU leads series 33-4
Last meeting: HSU 19, McMurry 16 in 2023
The War Hawks will face their toughest opponent to date this season as crosstown rival Hardin-Simmons makes the short trip to the southside of Abilene.
McMurry has won four in a row since a season opening loss to Southwestern, while the Cowboys are off to a 5-0 start and up to #5 in the national rankings after winning at Mary Hardin-Baylor last week.
This is a non-conference game, as HSU is still in the ASC and McMurry is now in the SCAC.
THE PICK: HARDIN-SIMMONS
Photo: McMurry Sports Information
Photo: HPU Sports Informaton
MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR (3-2, 1-1) AT HOWARD PAYNE (2-4, 0-2) - SATURDAY, 2:30 P.M
UMHB leads series 23-2
Last meeting: UMHB 35, HPU 10 in 2023
Howard Payne came up short on the road at East Texas Baptist last week and will now have to take on a Mary Hardin-Baylor team that has to be stinging after falling to HSU 44-21.
The Yellow Jackets will be aiming for their first win over the Crusaders since 2005 and have lost 17 straight in the series.
THE PICK: UMHB
Photo: Cisco Wrangler Express
CISCO COLLEGE (3-3, 3-1) AT #15 TYLER (4-2, 4-0) -- SATURDAY, 5 P.M.
The Wranglers dropped their first SWJCFC game last week, falling at home to NMMI 20-5. With the loss, Cisco fell out of the JUCO top 15. Now they head to Tyler, who is in the rankings this week at #15 and leading the conference by a game.
Tyler slipped past Blinn last week 13-10 in overtime.
THE PICK: TYLER
