Thursday’s games

Class 4A

Lubbock Estacado (2-2) at West Plains (1-3), 7 p.m.
This game is more intriguing than it is meaningful, but it’s still worth watching. West Plains is riding high after scoring the first win in program history by beating Palo Duro last week. Considering that Palo Duro beat Estacado two weeks ago, that could give the Wolves the edge on paper. However, Estacado’s experience and athletic ability will result in the slightest of edges. … Estacado 23, West Plains 21

Class 3A

Gruver (2-2) at Spearman (1-3), 7 p.m.
It’s the first regular season meeting between the two Hansford County rivals since 1995. These two towns are separated by a mere 12 miles on Highway 15. No doubt the winner has county bragging rights. … Spearman 27, Gruver 13

Class 1A

Paducah (4-0) at Hedley (2-2), 7:30 p.m.
Hedley enters this contest hot on a two-game winning streak but look for the Dragons to burn the Owls feathers. … Paducah 68 Hedley 22

Silverton (3-1) at Jayton (2-2), 7:30 p.m.
The Owls opened eyes across the state after beating Whitharral. Now they get another stiff test a talented Jaybirds’ team. … Jayton 46 Silverton 39

Friday’s games

Class 5A

District 2-5A Division I

Caprock (3-1, 0-0) at Lubbock Coronado (1-3, 0-0), 7:00 p.m., Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park
The Rock is playing some great defense and is a rough pass interference call away from being undefeated. Coronado has played a tough non-district schedule with all four games being decided by six points or less. I love what the Rock is cookin’ under Dan Sherwood… Caprock 27, Coronado 24  

Lubbock Monterey (0-4, 0-0) at Abilene High (1-3, 0-0), 7 p.m. Shotwell Stadium
These two teams roll into district play a combined 1-7. Hmmm? Go with the home team. … Abilene High 21, Monterey 14

Tascosa, (3-1, 0-0) vs. Amarillo High (2-2, 0-0), 7 p.m. at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium, Canyon
For the first time in 66 meetings this game will be played outside of Dick Bivins Stadium (safety and parking issues from the Tri-State Fair). Should be an electric atmosphere in the best stadium in all of college Division II. Tascosa’s lone loss is by one point to Mojo. AHS has rebounded with a pair of wins after opening 0-2. Look, nobody schemes the Tascosa offense better year-in-year-out than AHS coach Chad Dunnam (a former Tascosa assistant). And, for sure, this one lately has come down to the wire. I see Tascosa’s defense the difference. … Tascosa 27, AHS 14

– Lance Lahnert 
– Last week: 1-1 (.500)
– Season: 8-4 (.700)

Class 4A

Palo Duro (1-3) at Randall (3-1), 7 p.m.
These former district rivals meet in Palo Duro’s final nondistrict tune-up in a matchup of teams at different ends of the momentum spectrum. The Dons gave up 21 points indirectly off turnovers in losing to West Plains, while Randall has gotten things going offensively in winning three straight. Expect a close one for a second straight night at Happy State Bank Stadium, but with the home team winning. … Randall 31, Palo Duro 28

Canyon (4-0) at Midland Greenwood (2-2), 7 p.m.
Canyon had some good, uh, fortune in beating Caprock last week, rallying from an 18-point fourth quarter deficit to stay unbeaten. The Eagles have shown character in going unbeaten and face another intriguing challenge with a long road trip. That might be enough to buy Greenwood a few points, but it won’t be enough to send the Eagles to their first defeat. … Canyon 24, Greenwood 14

Bushland (4-0) at Dumas (3-1), 7 p.m.
On paper, this might be the area’s game of the week in terms of competitiveness. Both teams have been at least as good as advertised so far and look to take a head of steam as favorites in their respective districts. Class 3A Bushland is trying to punch up a class for a second straight week after beating Borger. But Dumas has more depth, although this should still be a nail-biter. … Dumas 24, Bushland 23

Hereford (0-4) at Plainview (1-3), 7 p.m.
These teams both desperately need to get some momentum going before starting play in their respective districts. Hereford needs it the most, especially on defense, as the Whitefaces have given up over 50 points in each of their first four games, with the 56 they gave up to Tascosa last year being a season high. Plainview won’t present as major a challenge, will still have enough. … Plainview 41, Hereford 33

Pampa (2-2) at Perryton (1-3), 7 p.m.
Two more teams who have been struggling the last two weeks and could use a victory. That should make for a competitive contest between these teams who are coming off rough offensive performances last week. They’ve faced comparably strong competition thus far, but the Harvesters have had a bit more success, making them the slightest of favorites, even on the road. … Pampa 23, Perryton 21

– Lee Passmore
– Last week: 4-2 (.666)
– Season: 19-5 (.791)

Class 3A

Borger (2-2) at Dalhart (1-2), 7 p.m.
This will be another emotional home game for a Golden Wolves team still recovering from the loss of Yahir Cancino. This contest also features two talented head coaches’ kids as quarterbacks. Dalhart’s Kyler Read vs. Borger’s Tray Toliver. … Borger 30, Dalhart 26 

Abernathy (3-1) at Muleshoe (3-1), 7 p.m.
What a non-district showdown on the South Plains. The Antelopes and Mules have been rolling winners of three straight. The Muleshoe offense is going to give Abernathy fits in the end. … Muleshoe 36, Abernathy 27

Sanford-Fritch (0-4) at River Road (1-3), 7 p.m.
Both teams are in need of a win. The Eagles have yet to grab one and the Wildcats have dropped three straight. Both squads love to run the football so it will come down to who plays better in the trenches. It’s also a Homecoming of sorts for Sanford-Fritch head coach Phillip Wiggins who spent five seasons as the River Road head coach. … River Road 28, Fritch 14 

Childress (1-3) at Bowie (0-4), 7 p.m.
The unique non-district for Childress takes the Bobcats on a 155-mile trip down 287 to Bowie. It’s been a rough go of late for the Bobcats, but they’ll claw their way back on track by the end of Friday night. … Childress 38, Bowie 13

Class 2A

Dimmitt (0-4) at Highland Park (0-4), 7 p.m.
If there is one bold prediction to be made it’s that one of these teams will leave with their first win of the season. Highland Park’s last win came against Dimmitt, 46-0, on Oct. 20 of 2020. That was 693 days and 11 losses ago.  … Highland Park 26, Dimmitt 22 

Friona (1-2) at Farwell (4-0), 7 p.m.
The Steers put their unbeaten record on the line in a very good test against a big, athletic Chieftains team. This should be very physical. … Farwell 29, Friona 21

Tulia (2-2) at Clarendon (2-2), 7 p.m. 
The Broncos have found their stride over the last two weeks, but the competition gets tougher in Tulia. Give me Damian Cedillo vs. Jmaury Davis on the field every week. … Clarendon 26, Tulia 23

Panhandle (4-0) at Wellington (3-1), 7 p.m.
This is one of the better games around West Texas at the small school level. It sounds repetitive but can the Skyrockets slowdown QB Landyn Hack. But on the other hand, can the Panhandle defense stop a potent Wellington run attack. … Panhandle 23, Wellington 19 

West Texas High (2-2) at Lockney (1-3), 7 p.m.
The Comanches make a long road trip well worth it. … WT High 21, Lockney 13

Boys Ranch (3-1) at Memphis (2-2), 7 p.m.
It’s been quite the turnaround season for the Roughriders who are now favorites instead of underdogs on some occasions. This is one of those. … Boys Ranch 35, Memphis 19

Sunray (3-1) at Crosbyton (1-3), 7 p.m.
The “Sunraid” offense hits the South Plains looking to rack up some points behind QB Armando Lujan and his talented cast of receivers. … Sunray 44, Crosbyton 14

Vega (1-3) at New Deal (1-3), 7 p.m.
The Longhorns and Lions have played extremely tough schedules and are much better teams than their records indicate. For Vega to come out with a victory, Joaquin Segovia needs another stellar performance. … New Deal 30, Vega 21

Bovina (1-3) at Shamrock (3-1), 7 p.m.|
The Irish are too strong at home for the Mustangs. … Shamrock 37, Bovina 19 

– Kale Steed
– Last week: 14-2 (.875)
– Season: 46-16 (.741)

Class 1A

Groom (1-3) at McLean (4-0), 7 p.m. 
Groom picked up its first win of the season and McLean is quietly undefeated.  However, Groom’s schedule has been tougher so look for Groom to get the win in this tussle of Tigers. … Groom 76 McLean 52

Springlake-Earth (1-3) at White Deer (4-0), 7 p.m. 
Justin Rucker has his team running all cylinders, but the Wolverines are better than the 1-3 record will make you think. In a tight one the Bucks’ prevail. … White Deer 54 Springlake-Earth 52

Meadow (1-3) at Claude (2-2), 7 p.m.
Despite two straight losses the Mustangs are playing good ball. Javon Lee is the difference in this one. … Claude 68 Meadow 64

Lubbock Titans (1-3) at Happy (3-1), 7 p.m. 
It’s homecoming at the Cowboy Corral and the Cowboys have no interest in letting people “Remember the Titans” in front of a packed house. … Happy 58 Lubbock Titans 12

O’Donnell (2-2) at Nazareth (4-0), 7:30 p.m. 
This isn’t Hayden Fox’s Screaming Eagles from Minnesota State, but they are a solid team.  However, Naz should be a top ten team. … Nazareth 62 O’Donnell 18

Lubbock Christ the King (3-1) at Miami (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
After falling on the road last week to Paducah the Warriors will be eager to prove their mettle and Christ the King will be on the wrong side of that. … Miami 76 Lubbock Christ the King 22

Whiteface (3-1) at Wildorado (1-3), 7:30 p.m.
Former McLean head football coach Clint Linman leads Whiteface, and they are playing better every week. The Mustangs will have their hands full in this one. … Whiteface 46 Wildorado 12

Petersburg (2-2) at Valley (1-3), 7:30 p.m. 
Valley gets one of three starters back for this one and they are poised to unleash some frustration on the Buffaloes.  Petersburg is playing better but Valley prevails. …  Valley 52 Petersburg 28 

– Craig Sperry
– Last Week 7-3 (.700)
– Season 32-9 (.780)

Saturday’s game

Class 2A

Morton (2-2) vs. Booker (3-1), 5 p.m. at Highland Park
The Kiowas roll to a fourth win of the season in this neutral site matchup. … Booker 33, Morton 20