Vega’s Ryan Grawunder fields a punt during a non-district game against Clarendon last week at Longhorns Stadium. [Trevor Fleeman/ Press Pass Sports]
THURSDAY’S GAMES
CLASS 5A
Caprock (1-4, 1-0) at Lubbock Monterey (3-3, 1-1), 7 p.m., Lowrey Field at PlainsCapital Park, Lubbock
The Horns had last week off to rest and regroup,
Meanwhile, Monterey lost at AHS, a big oop.
It’s no coaching cliche in this one,
Lose more than one turnover, you’re done.
If this were at Dick Bivins I’d go with the Rock,
It’s Monterey at home, however, not a Lance Lock. … Lubbock Monterey 24, Caprock 17
CLASS 1A
Valley (3-3, 0-0) at McLean (4-2, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Patriots have dropped three straight and the Tigers are no joke, this one will be close. …Valley 47, McLean 38
Lefors (1-3, 0-0) at Follett (6-0, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Follett stays undefeated in the District 1-1A Division II opener. … Follett 52, Lefors 14
FRIDAY’S GAMES
CLASS 5A
Amarillo High (5-1, 2-0) vs. Tascosa (5-1, 2-0), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
The Rivalry reaches game No. 65 Friday night,
That Dick Bivins crowd should be quite a sight.
The last five of these have ended within a touchdown,
I have no doubt, winner later wears the district crown.
Can’t wait to see the first Gray-Carter collision,
Tascosa’s triple option the difference, in my vision. … Tascosa 42, Amarillo High 31
Lubbock High (1-5, 0-2) vs. Lubbock Coronado (2-3, 1-0, 7 p.m., Lowrey Field at PlainsCapital Park, Lubbock
Coronado is loving life in 2-5A, that’s for sure,
Lubbock High needs to find a defensive cure. … Coronado 50, Lubbock High 14
Randall (3-2, 0-0) vs. Wichita Falls High (1-4, 0-0), 7 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Wichita Falls
In non-district Randall has been through a lot,
These Raiders have learned well, the lessons taught.
With Burd doing his scampering thing at QB,
Old High’s defense may look like a standing tree.
Even on the road in this opener in 3-5A,
Randall will roll, hey, hey, hey. … Randall 34, Old High 17
Plainview (1-4, 0-0) at Lubbock Cooper (4-1, 0-0), 7 p.m., Pirate Stadium, Lubbock
Sometimes records don’t to tell a fair story,
This time it does, Cooper and it could get gory. … Cooper 42, Plainview 14.
Wichita Falls Rider (5-0, 0-0) at Abilene Wylie (2-3, 0-0), 7 p.m., Sandifer Stadium, Abilene
Unbeaten Rider no doubt could claim a district crown,
Wylie is legit, but this night will end with a frown. … Rider 38, Wylie 28
Last week: 3-0 (1.000)
— Lance Lahnert
Last week: 3-0 (1.000)
Season: 16-4 (.800)
Class 4A
Levelland (1-5, 0-0) at Borger (2-4, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Neither of these teams played even half a game last week for different reasons prior to their district opener. Levelland opted not to return to the field against Canyon following a two-hour weather delay and lost in a forfeit while Borger never even played at home against Ulysses, Kan., who didn’t make the trip south. Being at home will help the Bulldogs get off on the right foot for their first win since the season opener. … Borger 20, Levelland 19
Lubbock Estacado (3-3, 0-0) at Seminole (2-0-0), 7 p.m.
Estacado doesn’t have an overwhelming record going into district play on the road against Seminole, which is still trying to find an identity under former Pampa coach Greg Poynor. But the Matadors have plenty of athletes and are the district favorite on paper, something which they’ll prove on the field starting this evening. … Estacado 38, Seminole 23
Andrews (2-4) at Canyon (5-1), 7 p.m.
Canyon has the incentive of wanting to play well in the final game before starting district play and maintaining the roll under first-year coach Todd Winfrey after losing the season opener. Andrews makes another trip north after blowing a 20-point first quarter lead and losing at Hereford last week. Those elements add up to the Eagles soaring to their sixth consecutive win. … Canyon 42, Andrews 24.
Roswell, N.M. (2-4) at Dumas (2-2), 7 p.m.
Dumas has had two weeks to get ready for this one after drawing an open week following a loss to Randall. That plays into the hands of the Demons and coach Aaron Dunnam against Roswell, as a long road trip and a different set of rules in another state won’t be the biggest obstacles to overcome this week. … Dumas 45, Roswell 14
Hereford (4-2) at San Angelo Lake View (2-4), 7 p.m.
Hereford carries the momentum of two straight late wins over Plainview and Andrews into the final game before district play. Quarterback Gerardo Garcia has played as well as anybody in the area in those games and made a huge leap from the beginning of the season. Former Bovina coach Hector Guevara brings Lake View north, but it will be a rough return. … Hereford 35, Lake View 13
Big Spring (5-1) at Pampa (5-1), 7 p.m.
With five straight wins under first-year coach Cody Robinson, Pampa is on a roll heading into Homecoming, although on paper the Harvesters could have picked a weaker opponent that Big Spring. But it’s a long road trip for the Steers, and they’ll have a hard enough time dealing with Pampa running back Cornelius Landers to prevent a happy Homecoming. … Pampa 41, Big Spring 21
— Lee Passmore
Last week: 3-1 (.750)
Season: 21-7 (.750)
Class 3A
Littlefield (3-3, 0-0) at River Road (4-2, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Former Bushland and now Littlefield head coach Jimmy Thomas makes his return to Amarillo for the first time this season. Can his new look Wildcats handle River Road’s run attack. … Littlefield 27, River Road 18
Bushland (3-2, 0-0) at Muleshoe (2-4, 0-0), 7 p.m.
If Muleshoe can push the pace it will give themself a chance. But if the Falcons control the tempo they’ll show why they are the District 2-3A Division I frontrunner. … Bushland 38, Muleshoe 22
Highland Park (0-6, 0-2) at Canadian (4-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.
The Wildcats escaped Spearman last week extending its district winning streak to 44 straight games. Don’t expect as much dramatics this week. … Canadian 48, Highland Park 12
Dimmitt (2-4, 0-2) at Childress (6-0, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The Bobcats stay unbeaten keeping the gas pedal full throttle. … Childress 48, Dimmitt 14
Friona (5-0, 1-0) at Tulia (5-1, 2-0), 7 p.m.
This is a huge matchup with playoff implications on the line. Can the Chieftains slow down Tulia QB Travon McCaslin? Can the Hornets stop Friona’s monster run game? It should be a fun one. … Friona 42, Tulia 21
Class 2A
Farwell (4-1, 0-0) at Boys Ranch (1-4, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Roughriders are feeling great after their first win over four years. However, the Steers are no joke behind running back Corey Stancell. … Farwell 35, Boys Ranch 16
Sanford-Fritch (1-4, 0-0) at West Texas High (0-5, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The winner keeps their playoff hopes alive in a rivalry between two towns separated by 20 miles. … Sanford-Fritch 28, WT High 12
Panhandle (0-5, 0-0) at Olton (4-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
It’s been tough sledding for the Panthers after a winless non-district campaign. But district brings a new opportunity. Panhandle is still a legit contender. … Panhandle 31, Olton 20
Bovina (1-5, 0-0) at Sudan (0-6, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Bovina will be more than happy to see the Hornets after playing a brutal non-district schedule. … Bovina 30, Sudan 20
Sunray (3-3, 0-0) at Booker (1-4, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Bobcats open District 3-2A Division II play with a W. … Sunray 35, Booker 19
Gruver (5-0, 0-0) at Vega (5-1, 0-0) 7 p.m.
What a way to kickoff District 3-2A Division II play. The Greyhounds put their unbeaten record on the line against a very sound Vega team. Gruver has the athletes, but do they have what it takes up front to hang with the Longhorns. … Vega 28, Gruver 21
Memphis (1-5, 0-0) at Clarendon (5-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Broncos bounce back from their first loss last week. … Clarendon 53, Memphis 13
Shamrock (5-1, 0-0) at Wellington (3-2, 0-0), 7 p.m.
There’s no doubt the Irish are much improved, but the Skyrockets are getting healthy, and have Marc Ramirez. He’s the difference. … Wellington 40, Shamrock 16
— Kale Steed
Last week: 13-2 (.866)
Season: 77-21 (.785)
Class 1A
White Deer (1-5, 0-0) at Claude (2-4, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Bucks have had the toughest regular season schedule by a mile. They start off district on the right foot. … White Deer 76, Claude 40
Petersburg (0-6, 0-0) at Nazareth (4-2, 0-0), 7 p.m. Naz seems to be on the right track with back-to-back wins heading into the district opener. They keep it rolling by starting out district with a win. … Nazareth 44, Petersburg 21.
SATURDAY’S GAME
Wildorado (5-1) vs. Chillicothe (1-4), 1 p.m. at Claude
Cheers to the weekend and to the Mustangs getting another W before they begin district play. … Wildorado 54, Chillicothe 28
— Tommy King
Last Week: 9-0 (1.000)
Season: 46-11 (.807)