Dusk settles over E.L. Sam Bass Stadium last Friday night during Stratford’s District 3-2A Division II clash with Gruver. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
Thursday’s games
Class 5A
Lubbock High (1-7, 0-4) at Amarillo High (7-2, 4-1), 7 p.m.
This is the 101st meeting between these two,
AHS won the last 42 in a row, Lubbock is overdue.
But the Sandies were pretty average last week,
No upset here, calm down Sandie fans, don’t freak.
Lubbock has been outscored 217-13 in district play,
AHS’ offense led by Gray, Garcia, Wade produce a big day. … Amarillo High 55, Lubbock High 7
Plainview (1-7, 0-3) at Wichita Falls High (2-6, 1-1), 7 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Wichita Falls
Old High still has playoff those dreams,
No Upset City here on the road, I screams! … Old High 34, Plainview 24
Class 1A
Miami (4-4, 2-0) at Follett (8-0, 2-0), 7pm.
This one is for all the marbles. The Panther are the reigning district champs, and have a great opportunity to repeat. Miami is the underdog with some bite, but Follett gets the crown. … Follett 65, Miami 34
Friday’s games
Class 5A
Palo Duro (5-3, 1-2) vs. Caprock (2-5, 1-3), 7 p.m.
Lookie here, a possible playoff berth to the winner,
Rock, Dons fans come early, concession food for dinner.
Last week against AHS, PD played its guts out,
Meanwhile, Caprock didn’t against Coronado, no doubt.
I think the best defense of the field belongs to the Rock,
That will be the difference, but again, no Lance Lock. … Caprock 17, Palo Duro 14
Lubbock Monterey (3-5, 1-3) vs. Lubbock Coronado (4-4, 3-1), 7 p.m., Lowrey Field at PlainsCapital Park, Lubbock
Monterey tied in third with PD and the Rock,
Coronado doesn’t care, and survives, no shock. … Coronado 42, Monterey 35
Wichita Falls Rider (7-1, 2-1) at Randall (5-3, 2-1). 7 p.m.
Oh my, my what happened to those Raiders last week?
Wylie won, Randall’s smooth sailing sprung a leak.
Rider is better than Wylie, not doubt,
Coach Selman and his Raiders have no time to pout.
Rider is coming off its lone loss 20-12 to Cooper,
Going to be a good one, not a pooper. … Rider 28, Randall 24
Lubbock Cooper (7-1, 3-0) at Abilene Wylie (3-5, 1-2), 7 p.m. Sandifer Field, Abilene
Wylie opened eyes upsetting Randall last week at home,
However, Cooper has the athletes to roam. … Cooper 42, Wylie 20
— Lance Lahnert
Last week: 4-2 (.666)
Season: 30-8 (.789)
Class 4A
Canyon (7-1, 1-0) at Dumas (5-2, 1-0), 7 p.m.
This is pretty much the de facto district championship game as the winner will definitely have the upper hand in grasping for the district title and No. 1 playoff seed. It figures to be a classic matchup in terms of a Canyon attack which torched Pampa for 75 points in the district opener versus a Dumas defense which shut out Hereford. Don’t look for either of those numbers to be duplicated, but the Eagles have just enough weapons to win on the road. … Canyon 42, Dumas 39
Pampa (6-2, 0-1) at Hereford (5-3, 0-1), 7 p.m.
While Canyon and Dumas are fighting for first place, this is more of a game for position in the playoff brackets. Both teams need to reclaim some momentum after seeing recent streaks rudely brought back to earth in their respective district openers. Despite last week’s defensive debacle, Pampa obviously has plenty of offensive firepower after hanging 60 on Canyon. The Harvesters will have more than enough against Hereford. … Pampa 45, Hereford 26
Perryton (2-6, 1-1) at Seminole (3-5, 1-1), 7 p.m.
At least one of these teams should have a playoff spot by the end of the evening, and more than likely, both will. Perryton played a respectable game against district leader and likely district champion Lubbock Estacado last week, as the Rangers were tied at halftime before Estacado dominated the second half. That should give them some much-needed momentum to carry them home with a close win. … Perryton 27, Seminole 26
Levelland (1-7, 0-2) at Lubbock Estacado (6-3, 3-0), 7 p.m.
This one couldn’t be any more clear-cut in terms of favorite and underdog. Estacado clinched a playoff spot with the win over Perryton and Levelland is still seeking its first district win. Add the facts that it’s Senior Night at home for the Matadors and that they’ll clinch an outright district title and No. 1 playoff seed with a win, and it’s going to be a long night for Levelland. … Estacado 55, Levelland 13
— Lee Passmore
Last week: 4-0 (1.000)
Season: 34-7 (.829)
Class 3A
Littlefield (3-5, 0-2) at Bushland (6-2, 3-0), 7 p.m.
Former Falcons coach Jimmy Thomas makes his return to Bushland in dyer need of a win. Will it be a happy homecoming for Thomas? Or will the Falcons soar to an outright district championship. … Bushland 42, Littlefield 14
Dalhart (2-6, 1-1) at Muleshoe (3-5, 1-1), 7 p.m.
This is a very pivotal game for both teams when it comes to playoff seeding. The Golden Wolves have played better of late, but the Mules can flat out score. … Muleshoe 35, Dalhart 24
Spearman (5-3, 2-2) at Friona (6-2, 2-2), 7 p.m.
This contest is more than likely for outright third place in a very competitive District 3-3A Division II. Spearman suffered bad news earlier in the week learning do-it-all standout Brayden Klafka will miss this game with an injury. Without Klafka, can the Lynx keep pace with the speedy Chieftains. … Friona 36, Spearman 23
Canadian (7-1, 4-0) at Tulia (5-3, 2-2), 7 p.m.
Tulia does brings concern to Canadian with a vibrant passing game going against a youthful secondary. It will be up to the Hornets defense to slow down an equally scary Wildcat offense. … Canadian 42, Tulia 21
Highland Park (0-8, 0-4) at Dimmitt (2-7, 0-5), 7 p.m.
One thing is for certain. Whoever wins gets their first district victory of the year. Let’s go with the Bobcats in their season finale. … Dimmitt 28, Highland Park 7
Farwell (7-1, 3-0) at Panhandle (3-5, 3-0), 7 p.m.
A resurgent Panhandle squad plays host to physical Farwell with the district title hanging in the balance. Will Panther QB Landyn Hack outshine Steers running back Corey Stancell, or vice versa. This will be a good one. … Farwell 32, Panhandle 26
Sanford-Fritch (3-5, 2-1) at Boys Ranch (1-7, 0-3), 7 p.m.
There’s a lot at stake in this matchup. The Eagles are in the playoffs with a win. Boys Ranch can keep its postseason hopes alive if they can pull off a victory. … Fritch 32, Boys Ranch 22
WT High (0-8, 0-3) at Olton (5-3, 1-2), 7 p.m.
Expect the Mustangs to roll. … Olton 47, WT High 12
New Home (5-3, 2-0) at Bovina (4-5, 3-0), 7 p.m.
The winner of this key District 2-2A Division II clash is the outright champion. … Bovina 22, New Home 20
Smyer (0-8, 0-2) at Sudan (1-7, 1-1), 7 p.m.
The Hornets are in the playoffs if they knock off the winless Bobcats. … Sudan 20, Smyer 12
Stratford (7-1, 2-0) at Vega (6-2, 1-1) 7 p.m.
Nobody is playing better football than Stratford at the moment. Vega is a good football team, but the Elks are on a different level. … Stratford 42, Vega 13
Sunray (4-4, 1-1) at Gruver (7-1, 2-1), 7 p.m.
The Greyhounds bounce back from their first loss of the year last week. … Gruver 45, Sunray 16
Wheeler (4-4, 1-1) at Clarendon (7-1, 2-0), 7 p.m.
Clarendon proved they were a legit contender after downing Wellington last week. Now it’s all about riding the momentum. … Clarendon 37, Wheeler 15
Shamrock (6-2, 1-1) at Memphis (1-8, 0-3), 7 p.m.
The Irish pick up where they left off before the bye week. … Shamrock 48, Memphis 8
— Kale Steed
Last week: 10-4 (.714)
Season: 110-28 (.797)
Class 1A
White Deer (2-6, 1-1) at Valley (6-3, 2-0), 7 p.m.
Valley left a lot of people in awe after its win over Happy last week. Now Valley has to stay focused against the Bucks to secure the outright district title. … Valley 56, White Deer 30
Happy (5-3, 1-1) at McLean (5-3, 1-1), 7 p.m.
The Cowboys are on the hot seat after last week’s loss to the Patriots. The Cowboys have to now win out to grab a playoff berth.The Tigers have been a thorn in the side of this district before, however, the Cowboys will prevail. … Happy 63, McLean 28
Springlake-Earth (6-1, 2-0) at Nazareth (6-2, 2-0), 7 p.m.
This is another district championship matchup with a clear favorite. The Wolverines have been on everyone radar in this district as well as Region I for some time now. But Swifts have a reputation for winning games they aren’t supposed to this season. This one may be closer than some realize. … Earth 72, Nazareth 56
Hedley (7-1, 0-1) at Lefors (2-5, 0-2), 7 p.m.
Hedley wants a playoff berth more than most at this point. The best season in program history won’t mean as much without it. The hunger gets them the win in this one. … Hedley 48, Lefors 18
Groom (5-3, 1-0) at Silverton (2-5, 0-1), 7:30 p.m.
Groom is quietly sitting atop of the district, and they may prefer it that way. This win, however, will make some noise for the Tigers. … Groom 68, Silverton 24
Hart (1-8, 0-1) at Wildorado (7-1, 1-0), 7:30 p.m.
After a thrilling win last week in overtime, the Mustangs will be ready to put this one away quickly. … Wildorado 60, Hart 23
— Tommy King
Last Week: 7-1 (.875)
Season: 61-13 (.824)
