The Perryton Rangers hold an early morning practice during fall workouts. [David Erickson/ Press Pass Sports]
Thursday’s games
Class 5A
Hereford (0-0) at Caprock (0-0), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
It’s The Battle of the Cattle opening 2021;
And this one should a whole lotta fun.
The Rock is better than most people think,
And Hereford under new coach Naron won’t stink. The Longhorns passing game is legit no doubt,
Caprock will win, but it won’t be a rout. …Caprock 28, Hereford 14
Class 2A
Crosbyton (0-0) at Shamrock (0-0), 7 p.m.
The Irish usher in a new era under first-year head coach Jeff Caffey. Caffey will make a great impression in his home debut. … Shamrock 27, Crosbyton 17
Class 1A
Valley (0-0) vs. Ira (0-0), 6 p.m., at Jayton
Coach John Stanaland heads home to compete in the Jayton Gridiron Classic. This time his Patriots will kick off the event against an Ira team that brings back every starter on both sides of the ball after a tough 8-3 finish. … Ira 68, Valley 54
San Jacinto (0-0) at McLean (0-0), 6 p.m.
The Tigers were playing for a state championship just two years ago, but have some building to do to get back to form. This game should be a good building block. … McLean 66, San Jacinto 32
Wildorado (0-0) at Darrouzett (0-0), 7 p.m.
The Mustangs are primed for another good run as they start the season off with a bang. … Wildorado 49, Darrouzett 14
Chillicothe (0-0) at Hedley (0-0), 7:30 p.m.
The Owls picked up the win in last seasons matchup on the road, and I think we are starting to see some consistency. … Hedley 51, Chillicothe 41
Paducah (0-0) at Miami (0-0), 7:30 p.m.
The Warriors will have trouble trying to control Paducah’s speed, but I think the dragons get slayed. … Miami 63, Paducah 57
Friday’s games
Class 5A
Midland Legacy (0-0) vs. Amarillo High (0-0), 7 p.m., Buffalo Stadium, West Texas A&M
Legacy? Yes, that’s the old Midland Lee,
That means Amarillo High won’t go on a scoring spree.
This is the Sandies longest road trip of the year,
Playing on a palace of a field at WT adds a new tier.
AHS has senior leadership galore in Erik and Brock,
But Legacy is legit and solid as a rock. … Midland Legacy 28, AHS 21
Canyon (0-0) vs. Randall (0-0), 7 p.m., Happy Bank Stadium
Lookie, lookie here at what we have on opening night,
A Canyon ISD rivalry with so much new insight.
A gorgeous renovated stadium that few are better,
A new head Coach Winfrey in Canyon, a real go-getter.
This one will come down to first-game mistakes,
The nod goes to Canyon, both will play all gas, no brakes. … Canyon 21, Randall 20
Abilene High (0-0) at Tascosa (0-0), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
The hype around the Tascosa Rebs is the real deal,
With Everhart, Carter, Ledoux and more, just unreal.
The Rebs dominating 6A comp is expecting a bunch,
So let’s slow the roll and not to be out to lunch.
With that said, Tascosa’s defense is a Red Swarm,
That Flexbone offense under B.T. ready to perform. … Tascosa 27, Abilene High 17
— Lance Lahnert
Class 4A
Palo Duro (0-0) at Seminole (0-0), 7 p.m.
This is a matchup between two new coaches, as PD alum Eric Mims takes the reins of the Dons against Seminole’s Greg Poynor, who heads south after a successful tenure at Pampa. Both teams will test the other, but Palo Duro will go home on the right foot. … Palo Duro 28, Seminole 21
Lubbock High (0-0) at Borger (0-0), 7 p.m.
After combining for only three wins between them last season, these two programs are eager to build some momentum from the start this season. The Bulldogs will have the home crowd behind them, so give them the slight edge. … Borger 23, Lubbock High 20
Dumas (0-0) vs. Wichita Falls Rider (0-0), 7 p.m., Greg Sherwood Memorial Stadium in Plainview
This is one of the more intriguing matchups of week one in an interclass clash between contenders Dumas in 4A and Rider in 5A. With eight starters returning offensively, Dumas can put up points, and that will help the Demons win a shootout. … Dumas 31, Rider 30
Pampa (0-0) at Elk City, Okla (0-0), 7 p.m.
Former Lubbock Estacado defensive coordinator Cody Robinson replaces Poynor at Pampa and inherits some solid talent on both sides of the football. It’s a long road trip, and out of state at that, but Robinson will bring his first win back home. … Pampa 26, Elk City 13
— Lee Passmore
Class 3A
Perryton (0-0) at Dalhart (0-0), 7 p.m.,
Expect a hard hitting battle between two physical football teams trying to get a positive leg up to start the year. … Perryton 23, Dalhart 16
Bushland (0-0) vs. Brock (0-0), 7 p.m., Fair Park Stadium, Childress
This game didn’t bode well a year ago for the Falcons or Josh Reynolds making his head coaching debut. Bushland is banking on making this matchup up with powerful Brock much more competitive. … Brock 28, Bushland 14
Littlefield (0-0) at Dimmitt (0-0), 7 p.m.
Former Bushland coach Jimmy Thomas is back, and ready to lead Littlefield into a new era. The same could be said for Bobcats first-year coach Johnny Nino, who comes back to his hometown after a lengthy stint as defensive coordinator in Clarendon. … Littlefield 33, Dimmitt 12
Friona (0-0) at Brownfield (0-0) 7 p.m.
The mighty Chieftains are back with something to prove and they have the skill players like Jacob Bautista to back it up. … Friona 35, Brownfield 20
Vega (0-0) at Highland Park (0-0), 7 p.m.
A lot of eyes will be on the Longhorns who are have key weapons at the skill positions, and size in the trenches. … Vega 29, Highland Park 8
Sundown (0-0) at Muleshoe (0-0), 7 p.m.
The Mules made strides under coach Jason Richards a year ago. This will be a tough matchup for Muleshoe, but expect improvement to grow throughout the year. … Sundown 21, Muleshoe 7
Lub. Roosevelt (0-0) at River Road (0-0), 7 p.m.
If the Wildcats get the run game going early the Eagles could be in for a rough one. … River Road 26, Roosevelt 18
Class 2A
Spearman (0-0) at Stratford (0-0), 7 p.m.
This is a game of the night contender without question. Two years ago the Elks laid a beating on the Lynx, only to see Spearman return the favor in last seasons opener. So what will this one hold? Expect a closer outcome. … Spearman 30, Stratford 21
Wheeler (0-0) at Booker (0-0), 7 p.m.
It should be a successful debut for new Mustang head coach Matt Hoover. … Wheeler 34, Booker 12
Boys Ranch (0-0) at Bovina (0-0), 7 p.m.
Is this the year that the Roughriders break a four year winning drought. Boys Ranch is due, but the Mustangs are a talented team. … Bovina 38, Boys Ranch 20
Seymour (0-0) at Clarendon (0-0), 7 p.m.
Look out for the Broncos and Division I prospect Jmaury Davis this season. Davis is one of the top two-way players in the area. … Clarendon 27, Seymour 12
Ralls (0-0) at Farwell (0-0), 7 p.m.
For years now the Steers have put together a very sound program. Watch for sophomore Corey Stancell to keep the winning ways going in 2021. … Farwell 21, Ralls 14
Texhoma, Okla. (0-0) at Gruver (0-0), 7 p.m.
The Greyhounds didn’t lose much off a very young team a year ago. Coach Lee Brandon’s team is now a year older, and a lot more dangerous. … Gruver 35, Texhoma 14
Electra (0-0) at Memphis (0-0), 7 p.m. The Cyclones open the year in grand fashion by taming the Tigers. … Memphis 34, Electra 16
Childress (0-0) at Panhandle (0-0), 7 p.m.
The Bobcats return a plethora of talent in QB Collin Bishop and WR Lamont Nickelberry. Panhandle has a standout of its own in Landyn Hack, but will that be enough. … Childress 38, Panhandle 21
Sunray (0-0) at Sanford-Fritch (0-0), 7 p.m.
Bobcats coach Wes Boatman did a tremendous job in year one. He can only hope year two is that much better. Look for Sunray to be 1-0 at the end of the night. … Sunray 31, S-Fritch 16
Canadian (0-0) at WT High (0-0), 7 p.m.
The defending Class 3A Division II state champs have a new look in 2020, but don’t expect different results. Since 2014 Canadian boasts incredible 100-8 overall record. … Canadian 42, WT High 14
Tulia (0-0) at Floydada (0-0), 7 p.m.
There is a buzz around the Hornets under second-year coach Steven Coursey. How will that hype translate when Tulia travels to beautiful Tyer Stadium. … Tulia 19, Floydada 13
Wellington (0-0) at Duncan, Okla. (0-0), 7 p.m.
Duncan is four times the size of Wellington as a school. However, this is a Skyrocket team with massive expectations. … Wellington 27, Duncan 26
Class 1A
Claude (0-0) at Nazareth (0-0), 7 p.m.
The Swifts are in the middle of an identity crisis, but this game should clear up some of the lingering questions from last season. …Nazareth 53, Claude 24
Happy (0-0) at Groom (0-0), 7:30 p.m.
One of the biggest games of the week. Two of the perennial names of Six-man in recent years go head-to-head. I like what Happy brings to the table in this one. … Happy 52, Groom 44
Silverton (0-0) at Anton (0-0), 7:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs will have another outstanding season, and it starts with a win against the Owls. … Anton 60, Silverton 28
White Deer (0-0) vs. Strawn (0-0), 8 p.m., at Jayton
The twilight game of the Gridiron Classic will be one of the best of the event. The Bucks are trying to return to their state prowess, but Strawn returns an elite Division II team. … Strawn 78, White Deer 65
Saturday’s game
Follett (0-0) vs. Aspermont (0-0), 6 p.m., at Jayton
Follett is one of the best in the state. The Panthers will go into Jayton on Saturday and take care of business. … Follett 72, Aspermont 36
— Tommy King
