Blitz Picks: August 27/28
We weren’t sure it would happen (and we sure hope it will be completed), but Texas high school football season is here!
We fire up the Thursday night lights for a handful of games around the Big Country, and the schedule, minus 6A and 5A, is jam packed on Friday.
Time to take a crack at picking games involving Big Country teams. Feel free to make fun of me when I get most of them wrong!
Brownwood (11-2 in 2019) at #3 4A D1 Lampasas (13-2)
The young Lions could have their hands full at third ranked Lampasas in the season opener.
The pick: Lampasas
Slaton (6-6) at Snyder (3-8)
Snyder looks to start year two of the Wes Wood era with a win.
The pick: Snyder
Stephenville (6-5) at Sweetwater (4-7)
A tough one to pick in the Mustang Bowl. The Mustang defense will have to step up to join an offense that is expected to be amazing this season.
The pick: Stephenville
Ballinger (8-3) at Jim Ned (7-4)
Another great week one match-up. Jim Ned has the home field advantage and is in the bigger classification, but Ballinger is one of the most experienced returning teams in the area.
The pick: Ballinger
Breckenridge (1-9) at Jacksboro (8-4)
The Buckaroos welcome former Buckaroo Casey Pearce to the program with a trip to Jacksboro.
The pick: Jacksboro
#5 3A D1 Wall (12-1) at #9 3A D2 Eastland (9-2)
What a way to start the season! State ranked teams meet in Eastland, where Behren Morton looks to lead the Mavericks to a bit of an upset win in his senior season opener.
The pick: Wall
Merkel (2-8) at Reagan County (0-11)
The Badgers begin year one under Britt Hart with a road trip to Big Lake.
The pick: Merkel
Early (3-7) at Bangs (6-5)
Bangs is poised for a big season, while the Longhorns hope to get the Daniel Price era off to a great start.
The pick: Bangs
Anson (7-4) at Winters (5-6)
A good battle of 2A-Division I teams that made the playoffs a year ago in this one. Anson looks to replace Drew Hagler, while Winters turns to three-year starter Alex Salas under center.
The pick: Anson
Colorado City (0-10) at #8 2A D2 Albany (8-4)
The Lions begin year 34 under Denney Faith against a still young, but now seasoned, Colorado City squad.
The pick: Albany
Haskell (3-8) at Quanah (5-7)
A tough one to pick in a season opening battle of Indians.
The pick: Haskell
Roscoe (1-8) at #7 2A D1 Hawley (13-1)
Roscoe plays up and road trips to state ranked Hawley.
The pick: Hawley
Stamford (6-5) at #2 2A D2 Hamlin (12-3)
Hamlin begins the quest to get to back Jerry World against Jones County rival Stamford.
The pick: Hamlin
Clyde (7-4) at #4 2A D1 Cisco (11-2)
Cisco looks to begin their first year under Kevin Stennett with a bang against a bigger Clyde team
The pick: Cisco
Coleman (4-6) at Miles (7-4)
The Bluecats hit the road to face Miles in a battle of playoff teams from a year ago.
The pick: Miles
Menard (3-8) at Cross Plains (7-4)
The Buffaloes look to get what they hope is a big year started in style.
The pick: Cross Plains
Munday (2-6) at Ranger (1-9)
The Bulldogs welcome Munday to kick off 2020 after both teams struggled in 2019.
The pick: Munday
Valley (5-5) at Aspermont (6-4)
The Hornets open with Valley as they hope to return to the playoffs after missing out in 2019.
The pick: Aspermont
Wellman-Union (3-7) at Hermleigh (3-7)
Heath Gibson begins his second go-round as head coach at Hermleigh against Wellman-Union.
The pick: Hermleigh
#10 1A D1 Ira (11-1) at #5 1A D2 Jayton (12-1)
One of the best six-man games in the state in a battle of state ranked teams. A young Bulldog squad will have to grow up quick against a preseason 1A Division II state title contender.
The pick: Jayton
Sands (0-10) at Roby (1-7)
The Lions kick off their first UIL sanctioned six-man season against a Sands squad coming off a winless 2019 campaign.
The pick: Roby
Bronte (1-9) at Rotan (2-8)
The Yellowhammers hope to kick off the Dale Means era with a win against Bronte
The pick: Rotan
Highland (6-4) at Grady (3-7)
Ben Smith takes the Hornets to Grady to kick off his first season as head coach.
The pick: Highland
Crowell (6-5) at Baird (8-2)
Derek Schlieve and the Bears begin their first season of UIL six-man football with a tough opener against Crowell.
The pick: Crowell
#7 1A D1 May (10-2) at Bryson (5-5)
State ranked May kicks off what they think could be a special season at Bryson.
The pick: May
Santa Anna (1-9) at Trent (0-9)
Thursday night action in Trent as the Gorillas welcome the young Mountaineers in the first game as head coach for Chris Ellison.
The pick: Santa Anna
Midland TLCA (1st season) at Loraine (6-5)
The Bulldogs begin what they believe will be a playoff season at home against a brand new Midland TLCA program.
The pick: Loraine
TLCA Abilene (1st season) at Lueders-Avoca (4-7)
The Eagles kick off their first season of varsity football with a tough trip to face Dai’Quan Brown and the Raiders.
The pick: Lueders-Avoca
Rule (4-6) at Wilson (2-7)
Kade Kittley has the Bobcats back on track and they open 2020 at Wilson.
The pick: Rule
Benjamin (2-6) at Moran (5-5)
The Bulldogs begin what could be a season that ends with a trip to the playoffs at home against Benjamin.
The pick: Moran
Gustine (5-5) at Rising Star (2-6)
Clint Miller takes over at Rising Star and his Wildcats open 2020 against Gustine.
The pick: Gustine
