The UIL Texas High School Football playoffs continue with the area round on Thursday and Friday. Here’s how Lee Passmore, Kale Steed and Craig Sperry, see matchups involving teams across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains playing out.
THURSDAY’S AREA ROUND GAMES
Class 5A Division I
Lubbock Monterey (7-4) vs. Fort Worth Arlington Heights (10-1), 7 p.m. Shotwell Stadium, Abilene
The third-seed is probably the best road out of District 2-5A Division I. The Plainsman looked strong last week putting up the points during a 50-32 win at El Paso Americas. The third-seed is most likely the best road out of District 2-5A Division I as now Monterey gets Fort Worth Arlington Heights while avoiding Denton Ryan and Aledo. This won’t be an easy test by any means, but it’s one they can pass. … Monterey 45, Arlington Heights 35.
Class 3A Division I
Dalhart (9-2) vs. Paradise (10-1), 6:30 p.m. Fair Park Stadium, Childress
The Panthers are no strangers to deep playoff runs as well as being the defending regional champions last year. Paradise has also won eight straight headling into this matchup with Dalhart. The Golden Wolves are the expected underdogs and will need to play that way on top of a heavy dose of QB Hunter Trusler. … Paradise 37, Dalhart 28.
Class 3A Division II
Childress (8-3) vs. Wall (11-0), 6:30 p.m. Grant Teaff Tiger Stadium, Snyder
The Bobcats will try to do what no one else has done this year and that’s ground a very potent Hawks’ team with state championship aspirations. … Wall 42, Childress 14.
Class 2A Division I
West Texas High (11-0) vs. Hawley (8-3), 6 p.m. PlainsCapitol-Park at Lowrey Field, Lubbock
This is one of three really good matchups that cross between District 1-2A and District 4-2A. The Bearcats have been there done that, winning a state championship in 2022. The Comanches have yet to taste defeat this year, but will need to play well all four quarters to get this win. … Hawley 34, WT High 30.
New Home (9-2) vs. Stamford (7-4), 7 p.m. Wolves Stadium, Colorado City
This isn’t the same Bulldogs team that won the region a year ago. Stamford was hit hard by graduation, but the Bulldogs are still a proud team with lots of tradition. Look for the Leopards to pull away in the second half. … New Home 35, Stamford 20.
Class 2A Division II
Bovina (4-5) vs. Seagraves (7-3), 7 p.m. Wildcats Stadium, Littlefield
The Eagles got the better of Bovina with a 37-0 thumping back in Week 4. Mustang standout Angel Lara didn’t play in that game and it was early in head coach Wade Wilson’s term. Bovina is beaming with confidence after knocking off Hale Center last week and Lara is good to go this time around. This should be a much closer. … Seagraves 29, Bovina 22.
FRIDAY’S AREA ROUND GAMES
Class 5A Division I
Tascosa (7-5) vs. Aledo (11-0), 7 p.m. Memorial Stadium, Big Spring
You can’t count on one hand how many people are picking the Rebels to win this game. That can be motivating when facing a Texas Panhandle killer like Aledo has been for two decades. Ball control, and mistake-free football are essential for Tascosa but will that be enough to take down this juggernaut. … Aledo 48, Tascosa 14.
Class 5A Division II
Palo Duro (10-1) vs. Anna (9-2), 6:30 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, Wichita Falls
The drama and subplots for this one almost tend to overwhelm the matchup itself. Palo Duro, with 10 straight wins under coach and PD alum Eric Mims, entering round number two of the postseason after the school’s first playoff win since 2014, is a worthy storyline in and of itself. Standing opposite the Dons is Anna, a Class 4A Division I state champion two years ago coached by Seth Parr, a former Palo Duro assistant whose father Steve coached the Dons for 17 seasons. Anna’s superintendent is former Canyon ISD athletic director Toby Tucker. As for the football, Palo Duro has an extra day to prepare after a Thursday game last week. That gives the Dons the slightest advantage. … Palo Duro 31, Anna 28.
Lubbock-Cooper (7-4) vs. Walnut Grove (11-0), 3 p.m. Anthony Field, Abilene Christian University
Hats off to the Pirates. After a sluggish start in district, LCP regrouped and have won four in a row. This Wildcat team will be the best the Pirates have played in weeks and are unbeaten for a reason. Expect LCP to hang but come up short in the end. … Walnut Grove 49, Cooper 19.
Class 4A Division I
Randall (9-2) vs. Burnet (4-7), 3 p.m. Hawks Stadium, Iowa Park
Randall carries plenty of momentum into this one, especially defensively, as the Raiders scored their fourth shutout of the season in last week’s 49-0 rout of El Paso Austin in the bi-district round. Burnet beat Andrews 21-7 last week, so this one could be a defensive struggle. That’s what could keep this game close in spite of what the records say. The difference in this one, though, should be offense. Randall’s move to Braylon Preciado at quarterback has paid dividends in the passing game, and Burnet hasn’t been as consistent with the ball. That should give the Raiders the offensive, and overall edge. … Randall 28, Burnet 14.
Canyon (7-4) vs. Brownwood (7-4), 7 p.m. Ratliff Stadium, Odessa
This should be one of the more intriguing matchups during the second round of the playoffs. The teams carry identical records into this week after decisive wins last week. Canyon’s passing combination of Brox Hacker to Bayler Schilling has caught fire late in the season and will be a major factor for Brownwood’s defense. On the other hand, both defenses have also been playing well as of late, so a shootout might not materialize. What Canyon has to focus on is not looking past this game to a potential matchup next week with Canyon ISD rival West Plains. That’s enough incentive. … Canyon 28, Brownwood 24.
West Plains (10-1) vs. Lampasas (9-2), 7 p.m. Grant Teaff Tiger Stadium, Snyder
Another potentially outstanding matchup with some recent history behind it. Last season these two teams met in the regional round of the playoffs in a wild shootout early but resulted in West Plains scoring on every possession for a 63-35 win. West Plains crushed grossly overmatched El Paso Irvin 85-0 last week in a game where most of the regulars never even saw the field in the second half. The Wolves figure to get a far sterner test from Lampasas in a game which could see a lot of scoring. That will happen again, and like last year, most of it will be by West Plains. … West Plains 55, Lampasas 31.
Dumas (8-3) vs. Stephenville (11-0), 7 p.m. Leo Brittain Field, Lions Stadium, Vernon
After a clean sweep last week by District 2-4A Division I schools over El Paso area schools, Dumas far and away has the toughest route to get to the next round out of 2-4A DI. The Demons definitely have a big-time offense, as evidenced by them hanging up 83 on El Paso Riverside last week. They’ll need to be on top of their game against a Stephenville team which is highly familiar with making it well past this round almost every year. This could be yet another high-scoring game with two prolific offenses going after it. History dictates that it’s likely Stephenville who will do more of it. … Stephenville 58, Dumas 33.
Class 4A Division II
Lubbock-Cooper Liberty (10-1) vs. Graham (8-3), 6 p.m. Shotwell Stadium, Abilene
Liberty is following a path highly similar to West Plains, as a second-year program making a big splash sooner than expected. Both the Patriots and Graham are coming off decisive shutout wins to open the playoffs last week and Liberty forced five turnovers, so points shouldn’t necessarily come easy for either team. Liberty might not be as far ahead of the game as fourth-year West Plains right now, but the Patriots are still on track for something big very soon. The momentum will last for at least another week. … Liberty 30, Graham 15.
Lubbock Estacado (8-3) vs. Brock (11-0), 7 p.m. San Angelo Stadium, San Angelo
Estacado has as tough a task as any team in the area this week, as the Matadors face an unbeaten Brock team which went to the state semifs last year. The Eagles are giving up only eight points a game while averaging over 55 points a game, so it’s not overstating it to say Estacado faces a tall order to stay alive. As usual, Cedric Ross will be counted on by the Matadors to produce both as a runner and receiver. That could make it interesting and keep it competitive for awhile, but it won’t be enough. … Brock 38, Estacado 14.
Class 3A Division I
Shallowater (8-3) vs. Peaster (10-1), 7 p.m. Fair Park Stadium, Childress
What a dandy this is shaping up to be in Childress on Friday night. Both teams are playoff savvy, and both are playing really good football at the moment. … Peaster 32, Shallowater 28.
Bushland (5-6) vs. Jim Ned (10-1), 7:30 p.m. PlainsCapitol-Park at Lowrey Field, Lubbock
it’s not often the Falcons play a heavy underdog role, but here we are. If standout wide receiver is back in the lineup for Bushland, then the Falcons have a chance. The Bushland defensive front is also good enough to play with the run-heavy Indians. … Jim Ned 35, Bushland 21.
Class 3A Division II
Canadian (10-1) vs. Coahoma (9-2), 6 p.m. Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldogs Stadium, Plainview
Here’s a rematch from last year’s area round matchup where the Wildcats outscored the Bulldogs 63-35. If Canadian keeps playing like they have of late, look for something similar. … Canadian 54, Coahoma 26.
Idalou (8-3) vs. San Angelo Grape Creek (7-4), 6:30 p.m. Wolves Stadium, Colorado City
Not many teams have looked as good as Idalou over the past six weeks. Look for the Wildcats to be playing Thanksgiving weekend. … Idalou 39, Grape Creek 16.
Class 2A Division I
Spearman (7-4) vs. Anson (8-3), 7 p.m. Antelopes Stadium, Abernathy
Here’s a battle of two lower seeds that moved on from last week. Both come from very strong districts and this should be one of the better games of the night. Give me that Lynx run game to prevail. … Spearman 28, Anson 21.
Panhandle (9-2) vs. Cisco (10-1), 7 p.m. Jimmie Redman Memorial Stadium, Post
Here we go. Two powerhouses meeting up in the area round. This feels more like a regional championship game than it does a second round matchup. This round has given head coach Dane Ashley and his team a lot of headaches in the past. If Panhandle can win this one, the path looks really good going forward. … Panhandle 35, Cisco 27.
Class 2A Division II
Stratford (9-2) vs. Tahoka (7-4), 7 p.m. Younger Field, Tulia
The Elks are playing very good football and should roll to the Thanksgiving weekend. … Stratford 42, Tahoka 14.
Farwell (7-3) vs. Ropes (10-1), 7 p.m. Wildcats Stadium, Littlefield
The Steers picked up a huge win last week over Sudan, but the level of competition just went up. The Eagles are many peoples favorite in this region. … Ropes 39, Farwell 16.
Gruver (9-2) vs. Wink (9-2), 7 p.m. Tyer Stadium, Floydada
Another game of the night contender. The Greyhounds have turned a corner the last few weeks and have seemed to be playing well at the right time. We all know how great Wink has been over the years through multiple battles with Texas Panhandle squads. … Gruver 28, Wink 27.
Wheeler (10-1) vs. Collinsville (9-2), 7:30 p.m. Hawks Stadium, Iowa Park
Wheeler head coach Matt Hoover has only had a week to figure out his quarterback situation since the loss of Creed Newkirk last Friday to a season-ending injury. The Mustangs will have to heavily rely on the defense and pull out the kitchen sink on offense. … Collinsville 30, Wheeler 14.
Wellington (9-2) vs. Muenster (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday, Bulldogs Stadium, Burkburnett
This shows you the power of Region II. The Skyrockets are a dang good football team, but are having to run into the defending state champions in the second round. It will be a long night for Wellington if Hornet QB Casen Carney gets going. … Muenster 38, Wellington 18.
Class 1A Division I
Nazareth (8-3) vs. Rankin (9-2), 6 p.m. Cardinal Stadium, Hermleigh
An intriguing matchup as both squads run the ball well but can put it in the air when needed for big plays. The key for the Swifts will by trying to contain the overall team speed of the Red Devils. In classic Tyler Goodwin fashion, the shorter Nazareth can make this game the better its odds are of pulling the upset. The Swifts will make this closer than most expect but it might not be enough for the win. … Rankin 48, Nazareth 32.
Booker (9-2) vs. Whiteface (9-2), 7 p.m. Mitchell Zimmerman Field, Lockney
The Kiowas will have to strap on the pads a little tighter in this one as Whiteface is one of the more physical teams in the state. Diversity on offense will be key to try and keep the Antelopes defense guessing and using the speed of Reydn Rosales and Axel Valdivia. Booker has a chance but they will have to play a perfect game to get it done. … Whiteface 62, Booker 36.
Valley (5-6) vs. Robert Lee (10-1), 6:30 p.m. Coyote Stadium, Borden County
A dream second half of the season may come to screeching halt this week. Brenner Sherwood of the Steers is one of the top players in the state and Robert Lee has been highly ranked all season. The Patriots will have to create turnovers and contain Sherwood and use Damian Valdes as a battering ram on offense to have a chance. … Robert Lee 60, Valley 14.
Class 1A Division II
Miami (11-0) vs. Sands (7-4), 6:30 p.m. Cowboy Corral, Happy
Don’t make the mistake of looking at the numbers and assuming a Warrior victory. The Mustangs will be the toughest team the Warriors have played all season. Gordo Soliz is a dynamic back on a team that plays extremely hard. Miami needs to line up behind Kris Gorecki and pound out yards which will hopefully allow the passing game to find holes in the secondary. … Sands 52, Miami 38.
