Thursday’s games
Class 5A
District 3-5A Division II
Lubbock High (2-3, 0-0) at Palo Duro (1-4, 0-0), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
This is the start of the “new” season for Palo Duro with district opening up. Non-district didn’t go the way the Dons wanted it to at all. However, PD’s last two losses are by a total of nine points. Lubbock High is thinking the same. New season. New chance. But not this time. … Palo Duro 38, Lubbock High 21
Class 2A
District 1-2A Division II
Vega (2-4, 0-0) at Boys Ranch (4-2, 0-0), 7 p.m.
It’s been quite some time since this Oldham County championship that goes back decades was a district clash. It’s been quite some time since the Roughriders won this rivalry game. Boys Ranch is better, but can they stay with the Longhorns. … Vega 34, Boys Ranch 22
Class 1A
District 1-1A Division II
Darrouzett (1-4, 0-0) at Groom (1-5, 0-0), 7 p.m.
It’s been a tough season for the Tigers where three of their five losses are by a combined 17 points. Look for Groom to gobble up the Longhorns. … Groom 58 Darrouzett 12
Friday’s games
Class 5A
District 2-5A Division I
Lubbock Cooper (4-1, 1-0) at Amarillo High (3-3, 1-1), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
Cooper needed a slight miracle to slip past Coronado last week 15-14. I thought Cooper was going to win much easier. Amarillo High flushed down the toilet the rough loss to Tascosa and saw QB Mason Graham shine bright. Man, AHS is a tough one figure out these days. My hunch the Sandies stay on a roll. … AHS 27, Cooper 21
Tascosa (5-1, 2-0) at Lubbock Monterey (0-5, 0-1), 7:00 p.m., Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park
Monterey had an open date last week to get ready for the juggernaut that is Tascosa. The Rebs D is was too much for Monterey. … Tascosa 38, Lubbock Monterey 7
Caprock (4-2, 1-1) at Abilene High (2-4, 1-1), 7:00 p.m., Shotwell Stadium
Caprock took one on the chin last week in the second half against Amarillo High. Abilene High took one on the chin last week against Tascosa. Won’t be easy, but I say the Rock still has magic. … Caprock 34, Abilene 33
– Lance Lahnert
– Last week: 2-1 (.666)
– Season: 13-5 (.722)
Class 4A
District 3-4A Division I
Dumas (4-2, 0-0) at Randall (4-2, 0-0), 7 p.m.
This could be the most interesting of the district openers this week as two former district rivals are reunited after Randall dropped to Class 4A. They’re carrying momentum in opposite directions, as Dumas came back from a loss to rout El Paso Austin and Randall saw a four-game winning streak end by getting blown out at Canadian. The Demons are hard to beat anywhere, especially in a district game at home and that shouldn’t change against the Raiders, who will face challenges offensively. … Dumas 35, Randall 21
Pampa (4-2,0-0) at Hereford (0-6, 0-0), 7 p.m.
It might be easy to assume a blowout by Pampa against defensively challenged Hereford, especially with the production of Pampa freshman running back Max Neff, who has over 1,200-yard rushing. Hereford has been improving defensively and the Whitefaces have been productive offensively, especially throwing the ball. But the Harvesters are more productive and are better defensively, which will keep the Herd winless after the district opener. … Pampa 40, Hereford 27
District 2-4A Division II
West Plains (3-3, 0-0) at Seminole (5-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
West Plains doesn’t seem like a new school, having won three straight games and carries some momentum into district play. But the Wolves seem due to come back down to earth against a Seminole team coached by former Pampa coach Greg Poynor, as the Indians are the district favorite averaging over 50 points a game. West Plains running back Jordi Hernandez will likely need to have a big game to keep the defense off the field. It won’t be quite enough. … Seminole 43, West Plains 28
Perryton (1-5) at Levelland (1-5), 7 p.m.
These teams are counting on the clean slate aspect of this one as both have struggled heading into district play. Perryton has lost five straight while playing a tough schedule, so the Rangers are probably better than their record indicates. It’s only one game, but the loser of this could face a seriously uphill claim in getting a playoff spot. Perryton has shown more offense more consistently, so the Rangers get the nod, even on the road. … Perryton 26, Levelland 13
– Lee Passmore
– Last week: 5-0 (1.000)
– Season: 28-7 (.800)
Class 3A
District 2-3A Division I
Muleshoe (5-1, 0-0) at Bushland (6-0, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Mules are much improved and will be a contender in 2-3A Division I for second place. Bushland just has everything clicking at the moment. … Bushland 42, Muleshoe 17
River Road (2-4, 0-0) at Dalhart (3-2, 0-0), 7 p.m.
It may be a district opener but it’s also a game that could decide a playoff spot when it’s all said and done. Take the Golden Wolves at home. … Dalhart 30, River Road 16
District 3-3A Division II
Canadian (3-2, 0-0) at Childress (2-3, 0-0), 7 p.m.
What a way to kick off district. The Bobcats knocked off the Wildcats last season for the first time in 14 years. While it’s been a struggle early Childress has found its footing the past few weeks. Canadian’s offense is scary right now scoring 112 points over the past two games. … Canadian 38, Childress 22
Friona (2-3, 0-0) at Tulia (2-3, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Hornets will use their speed to try and spread out the Chieftains while Friona will mash with a powerful run attack. The winner takes a fast track to a playoff spot. … Friona 27, Tulia 23
Spearman (1-4, 0-0) at Dimmitt (0-5, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Both teams aren’t where they want to be entering district after struggling through the non-district. It’s a new season for both and a clean slate for one to rebound. … Spearman 33, Dimmitt 19
Class 2A
District 1-2A Division I
Highland Park (1-4, 0-0) at Panhandle (4-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Hornets battle each and every week but seeing an athlete like Landyn Hack is something Highland Park hasn’t seen much of. … Panhandle 45, Highland 23
Farwell (5-0, 0-0) at Stratford (5-0, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Two of the five unbeatens from the Texas Panhandle clash at E.L. Sam Bass Stadium on Friday night. Both are physical football teams that rely on strong run games and a stout defense. The Elks seem to be doing that better than anyone else right now and take a first step toward a district championship. … Stratford 35, Farwell 16
WT High (3-2, 0-0) at Sanford-Fritch (0-5, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The winner of these two towns and rivals separated by only 25 miles stay in the playoff hunt. … WT High 19, Fritch 12
District 1-2A Division II
Booker (4-1, 0-0) at Gruver (5-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Kiowas are off to their best start since 2014 and have earned some quality wins. The Greyhounds were a preseason favorite for the district title and have had to earn every victory during their non-district schedule. Booker hangs in, but Gruver is too tough in the end. … Gruver 27, Booker 19
District 2-2A Division II
Shamrock (4-1, 0-0) at Wellington (4-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Irish travel down Highway 83 with something to prove. Coach Jeff Caffey’s team wants to show they are for real and can challenge for a district title. Wellington seems to always be the measuring stick and will be again thanks to its stingy defense. … Wellington 30, Shamrock 14
Clarendon (3-2, 0-0) at Wheeler (1-4, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Broncos pick up where they left off winning three straight to close out non-district. … Clarendon 45, Wheeler 14
Quanah (1-4, 0-0) at Memphis (3-2, 0-0), 7 p.m.
If Memphis wants to fight for a playoff spot in this very competitive district, they have to win this one. … Memphis 27, Quanah 22
District 3-2A Division II
Ralls (4-1, 0-0) at Bovina (1-4, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Last season the Mustangs picked it up during league play to win the district title. It’s not out of the question Bovina can do it again this year. Take Bovina despite the records. … Bovina 24, Ralls 21
– Kale Steed
– Last Week: 7-2 (.777)
– Season 63-21 (.750)
Class 1A
District 1-1A Division II
Silverton (4-2, 0-0) at Lefors (0-4, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The pressure is now on the Owls as they are seen as the favorites in this district. Expect Sawyer Francis to run wild. … Silverton 54 Lefors 8
Non-district games
Follett (4-1) at Claude (3-3), 7 p.m.
Winning at Paducah is never easy, and Follett survived a wild one last week. The Panthers are playing well which means trouble for the Mustangs. … Follett 64 Claude 18
Happy (4-1) at McLean (6-0), 7 p.m.
Based on schedules alone this looks like a big-time matchup. However, the Cowboys are just at a different level at this point in the season. … Happy 62 McLean 24
Valley (2-4) at White Deer (5-1), 7:30 p.m.
With district play a couple of weeks away the Patriots are starting to get healthy which makes them a dangerous team. The Bucks are playing well but Valley is not a normal 2-4 team. … Valley 58 White Deer 27
Nazareth (5-1) at Miami (5-1), 7:30 p.m.
What an intriguing game. Nazareth is the favorite, but they come into this one banged up. The Warriors feel confident at home, but I think the Swifts take this one late. … Nazareth 72 Miami 58
– Craig Sperry
– Last Week 7-1 (.875)
– Season: 47-12 (.797)