Blitz Picks October 9
The first six weeks of the season have been great, but there’s nothing quite like district play. Until we get to the playoffs. But, until then, most of the teams in the area, save a few six-man squads in four-team districts, begin, or have begun, the games that really count.
On the picking front, I stepped it up a bit and nailed a few “upsets,” including Jim Ned over Hallettsville and Wylie over Monterey.
But another week means another chance to whiff… so here goes nothing!
Week 6: 20 for 25 (80.0%)
Week 5: 21 for 28 (75.0 %)
Week 4: 22 for 26 (84.6%)
Week 3: 22 for 29 (75.9%)
Week 2: 22 for 30 (73.3%)
Week 1: 25 for 30 (83.3%)
Season: 132 for 168 (78.6%)
Wylie (2-0) at Cooper (1-1) - CANCELLED
The Bulldogs had to cancel the 2020 edition of the Southtown Showdown due to postive COVID tests. They also had to cancel what would have been their home opener against Amarillo Palo Duro October 16.
Brownwood (0-1, 2-4) at Midlothian Heritage (1-0, 4-2) - POSTPONED
Cancelled due to positive COVID tests for Brownwood. The Waco La Vega game the following week is cancelled as well, and the Lions, along with the rest of the district, will have to do some major reshuffling for the Brownwood to get their games in.
Midland Greenwood (3-2, 1-0) at Sweetwater (4-1, 1-0)
The hottest team in the district will host the preseason district favorite when the Mustangs and Rangers meet at the Mustang Bowl Friday night. Sweetwater has rolled to four straight victories, while Greenwood beat Pecos 39-10 in their district opener. All-state running back Trey Cross ran for a school-record 366 yards and five touchdowns last week and will be a the key person to stop for an improved Mustang defense. Sweetwater will counter with the dynamic duo of Leo Holsey and Darian Carr.
The pick: Sweetwater
Snyder (0-1, 2-3) at Monahans (0-0, 2-4)
The Tigers came up short against rival Sweetwater Friday night, now they turn their attention to Monahans in the Loboes district opener. Monahans had a two-game winning streak snapped with a 28-21 loss to Seminole last week. Four teams out of the five in District 1-4A Division II will reach the playoffs, and this one could be big in deciding which team will be left at home.
The pick: Snyder
Stamford (3-2) at Anson (3-1)
District play begins in 3-2A Division I with a battle of Jones County rivals as Stamford visits Anson. Stamford comes into the game with a bit of momentum after knocking off state ranked Archer City in a shootout their last time on the field, while Anson has had two weeks to get over their 48-6 loss at Hamlin.
The pick: Anson
Hawley (3-2) at Haskell (1-3)
In other 3-2A Division I action Hawley heads to Haskell to battle the Indians. Haskell has had the last two weeks off, while Hawley’s last time out was a 39-15 loss at Bangs two weeks ago. The Bearcats were the preseason favorites, and hope to get their district title defense off on the right foot.
The pick: Hawley
Colorado City (0-5) at Forsan (2-2)
While the Wolves have struggled to start the 2020 season, Forsan has won their last two outings (Stanton and McCamey) after dropping their first two games of the year (Coahoma and Post).
The pick: Forsan
#7 2A D2 Albany (4-10, 1-0) at Hico (1-5, 0-1)
The Lions got off to a great start to district play and should not have a hard time staying perfect in 8-2A Division II action with a road trip to face Hico. The Tigers dropped a 33-12 decision to Cross Plains their last time out.
The pick: Albany
Santo (5-2, 1-0) at Cross Plains (5-1, 1-0)
This is a key game the Buffaloes had circled on their calendar when the schedule came out. The winner gets a shot at district favorite Albany, improved seeding come playoff time and a chance to avoid a match-up with Windstorm or Muenster in the bi-district round.
The pick: Cross Plains
Meridian (2-3, 0-1) at Ranger (0-5, 0-1)
The Bulldogs will have their best shot at getting into the win column this week or in the season finale against Hico. Other than the first two games of the season, Ranger has not been able to keep games close, losing by 60 to Santo last week and 51 to Olney the week before.
The pick: Meridian
Ballinger (5-1, 1-0) vs Sunray (4-2, 1-0) in Lubbock
The Bearcats picked up a forfeit district opening win against Brady due to positive COVID cases and found a replacement game against Sunray Friday night in Lubbock. The Bobcats, from up in the Panhandle, are 4-2 with wins over Sanford-Fritch (42-14), Hooker, OK (41-6), Dimmitt (22-0) and Shamrock (44-0) and losses to Stinnett West Texas (42-27) and Wheeler (19-9) so far this season. Their scheduled district opener against Booker is also already in the books as a forfeit win.
The pick: Ballinger
Bangs (4-0) at Grape Creek (1-4)
The Dragons return to action after a two week hiatus as they visit Grape Creek. Bangs has been dominant in four victories this season, while the Eagles only win is against TLCA San Angelo. They have losses to Stanton, Christoval, Coleman and Early.
The pick: Bangs
Breckenridge (0-4) at Clyde (1-4)
Both teams are hoping the bye week did them some good as they get set for their District 3-3A Division I opener. The Buckaroos scored their first points of the season in a loss to Holliday their last time out, 35-12, after getting shut out in their first three games. Clyde has losses in their last two games, 21-14 at Ballinger and 54-10 at Sweetwater. The Bulldogs won this match-up in dominating fashion a year ago 55-26.
The pick: Clyde
#10 3A D1 Jim Ned (3-1) at Early (3-2)
The Indians roll into district play coming off back-to-back wins over state ranked teams in Cisco and Hallettsville. Now Jim Ned finds themselves in the 3A Division I poll at number 10. They visit 3-2 Early, who has already matched its win total from 2019.
The pick: Jim Ned
Winters (1-4) at Cisco (2-3)
Cisco will play a class 2A team for the first time season as they open district play against Winters. The Loboes played five 3A teams in non-district play, beating Clyde and Breckenridge and falling to Wall, Jim Ned and Comanche. Winters is just 1-4 but has also played a very tough non-district slate. Their four losses came to Anson, Eldorado, Bangs and Hawley, who are a combined 11-7.
The pick: Cisco
De Leon (1-4) at Coleman (4-1)
The Bluecats bring a three game winning streak into their first district ballgame of the season at home against De Leon. The Bearcats picked up their first of 2020 two weeks ago over Seymour after season opening losses to Dublin, Windthorst, Millsap and Cross Plains.
The pick: Coleman
Eastland (2-3) at Millsap (4-1)
The red-hot Maverick offense hopes to keep rolling as they visit Millsap in one of the harder games to pick on the schedule this week. Eastland, finally at full strength, has averaged 84.5 points per game the last two weeks. Millsap has played pretty well on the defensive front this season, as the 22 points they gave up in their only loss this season, 22-21 to Paradise, is their highest total allowed. The Bulldogs have shut out wins over Henrietta and Santo.
The pick: Eastland
Jacksboro (3-2) at Merkel (2-2)
The Bagders get back to action after two weeks off in a tough district opener against Jacksboro. The Tigers dropped an 8-6 decision to Wellington, the #3 ranked team in 2A Division I, their last time on the field. Merkel has followed wins against Reagan County and Stanton with losses to Hawley and Early.
The pick: Jacksboro
#2 2A D2 Hamlin (5-0) at Ralls (4-2)
It’s a battle of quality mascots Friday night as the powerful Pied Pipers visit the Jack Rabbits. Hamlin got past #4 Windthorst 14-0 last week in their toughest test to date, while Ralls enters district play on a four-game winning streak with victories over Seagraves, Quanah, Plains and New Home. The Jack Rabbits dropped games to Farwell (7-0) and Clarendon (18-12) the first two weeks of the season.
The pick: Hamlin
Aspermont (3-3) at Hermleigh (6-0)
The district schedule is set to start for many area six-man teams as well, including the intriguing district 7-1A Division. The five teams rolled through non-district play with a combined 22-7 record, so far as Rotan still has a non-district game this week, and now the two best will emerge and reach the postseason. Hermleigh has been a bit of surprise, already getting to six wins after netting just three victories a year ago. Aspermont went 3-3 against a tough schedule that includes games against unbeaten Valley, 4-1 Gordon and 5-1 Jayton.
The pick: Hermleigh
Roby (4-2) at Ira (4-2)
The defending district champs from Ira have won four of five games after a season opening loss to state ranked Jayton. They welcome a Roby Lion squad to town that has four wins under their belts so far in 2020 after going 1-12 over the two previous seasons. Roby lost to Jayton 48-0 last week, while Ira won a battle of Bulldogs over Loraine 72-26.
The pick: Ira
Rotan (5-0) at Sanderson (1-4)
The unbeaten Yellowhammers do not enter district play quite yet, as they have to gas up the bus for a long road trip out west to Sanderson. The Eagles enter on a four-game skid that includes losses to Leakey (52-6), Van Horn (40-20), Fort Davis (62-16) and Buena Vista (60-14).
The pick: Rotan
#6 1A D1 May (5-1) at Gorman (3-3)
The Tigers enter as the district favorites and the target of a state ranking on their backs. Gorman has won two in a row over Gustine and Perrin-White after dropping three of their first four games. May has 45’d Nueces Canyon, Blum and Newcastle in their last three outings.
The pick: May
Baird (2-3) at Santa Anna (5-1)
The Mountaineers host the Bears in an interesting opener for District 13-1A Division I. Both teams hope to be that second playoff team behind May, and this game could go a long way in deciding that second spot. Baird has won two straight after losing their first three games, while Santa Anna has five dominating wins so far this season over Trent, Moran, Rising Star, Olfen and Panther Creek. However, this will be the Mountaineers first game all season against a 1A Division I team. Baird has played the tougher schedule thus far. Their three losses come to teams that are 11-3 in 2020.
The pick: Baird
#1 1A D1 Westbrook 6-0 at Highland (4-2)
A rough schedule gets rougher for Highland as they host top-ranked Westbrook in their District 8-1A Division I opener. The Hornets have lost to Ira and Water Valley the last two weeks after winning their first four games. Westbrook had no problem against perennial power Garden City last week, beating the Bearkats 69-24. They also have victories over state ranked Motley County, Borden County and Strawn in 2020.
The pick: Westbrook
Loraine (3-3) at Trent (0-6)
Loraine has dropped three of four against a tough schedule, but hopes to rebound as district play begins at Trent. The Gorillas have shown improvement despite losses over the last three weeks, but will need to play their best ball of the season to beat the Bulldogs.
The pick: Loraine
Throckmorton (4-1) at Lueders-Avoca (0-6)
The Raiders start district play against the 9-1A Division II favorite Greyhounds Friday night. Throckmorton’s four wins are the only victories teams in the district have in non-district play. Lueders-Avoca has played a pretty tough non-district schedule, as five of their six opponents come from 1A Division I.
The pick: Throckmorton
Moran (0-6) at Rule (4-2)
No district play yet for these teams, as Moran visits Rule in non-district action. The Bulldogs have had a rough go of 2020, while Rule continues to turn things around under Kade Kittley. The Bobcats have wins over Woodson (52-6) and Lorenzo (54-27) in their last two outings.
The pick: Rule
Rising Star (3-3) at Blanket (4-2)
District 15-1A Division II play kicks off as well this week with a good match-up between the Wildcats and Tigers. Rising Star is coming off a 110 point outing in a win over Waco Eagle Christian last week, while Blanket fell against unbeaten Evant 52-28.
The pick: Blanket
