The Texas High School football is in full swing with Week 3 coming up Thursday and Friday across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Take a look at how the Press Pass Sports team of Lance Lahnert, Lee Passmore, Craig Sperry and Kale Steed see it playing out.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
CLASS 5A
Canyon (1-1) at Caprock (1-1), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
Both teams are coming off losses where each showed some nice moments in the sun. These two have played some doozies over the years. Look for the Canyon running game orchestrated by Brox Hacker to be the difference. … Canyon 28, Caprock 14.
CLASS 4A
Snyder (0-2) at Lubbock Estacado (2-0), 7 p.m.
This game, on the other hand, appears to have mismatch written all over it. Estacado has averaged almost 50 points in winning its first two games, while Snyder, which went winless last season, has lost to Canyon and San Angelo Lake View by a combined 121-13. Such trends figure to continue this week, although Estacado might be vulnerable defensively after giving up 50 to Sweetwater last week. The Matadors, though, will have far more than enough to compensate offensively. … Estacado 49, Snyder 13.
CLASS 2A
Highland Park (0-2) at Gruver (2-0), 7 p.m.
Through the first two weeks of the season, the Greyhounds look to be farther along than expected. Quarterback Jett Pittman and running back Quinn Conyers have stepped up nicely. … Gruver 48, Highland Park 12.
CLASS 1A
Claude (1-1) vs. Hermleigh (2-0), 7 p.m., at Jayton
This is a great matchup and will be a measuring stick for both squads to see where they matchup in the region. Hayden Simpson for the Cardinals will be the key in stopping Hermleigh. The Mustangs will need to run the ball early and often to limit the chances a high-powered Cardinals offense gets. … Claude 60, Hermleigh 52.
Amarillo PCHEA (0-2) at Wildorado (2-0), 7 p.m.
Stand up if you had the Mustangs undefeated at this point of the season and heavy favorites to stay that way. Head coach DJ Howell has a star in the making with his freshman quarterback, and son, Chowder Howell. Mustangs roll. … Wildorado 62, Amarillo PCHEA 18.
San Jacinto Christian Academy (2-1) at White Deer (2-0), 7 p.m.
The Bucks have gotten off to a fast start thanks to Kaleb House and the running attack under head coach Ruben Guerrero. That attack will ground and pound the Patriots into submission. … White Deer 52, San Jacinto Christian Academy 13.
Hart (2-0) at Lefors (0-2), 7 p.m.
Another good regional matchup to decide where both teams stand. It’s been a tough start for the Pirates so they want to prove they are a legitimate playoff contender while the Longhorns are quickly opening eyes in Region I. Hart’s trip back home will be a glorious one as the Longhorns continue to impress. … Hart 66, Lefors 38.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
CLASS 5A
Tascosa (1-1) vs. Palo Duro (1-1), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
City rivalry time and the 65th meeting between these two dating back to 1958. Tough one to figure out because of the discombobulation the PD’s expected potent offense has shown the opening two games. Tascosa’s Flexbone offense is starting to percolate behind QB Brayden Lineman. … Tascosa 24, Palo Duro 21.
Amarillo High (1-1) at Midland High (0-2), 7 p.m., Astound Broadband Stadium, Midland
No doubt Midland will play desperate as no team on planet Earth likes to see 0-3 next to its name. It’s also Homecoming for Midland High. Nobody likes to be scheduled for an opponents Homecoming. Also, AHS is playing some mucho nice football to open the season. … AHS 31, Midland 21.
San Angelo Lake View (2-0) at Lubbock High (0-2), 4 p.m. Plains Capital Park at Lowrey Field, Lubbock:
Records don’t lie. … Lake View 35, Lubbock 14.
Abilene Wylie (1-1) at Frenship (1-1), 7 p.m., Peoples Bank Stadium, Wolfforth
Good one here. Wylie was impressive last week while Frenship took one on the chin to the best 5A in the 806 Lubbock Cooper Liberty. Wild one. … Frenship 42, Wylie 40.
Frenship Memorial (0-2) at Lubbock Coronado (1-1), 7:30 p.m., Plains Capital Park at Lowrey Field, Lubbock: Second half of a doubleheader at Lowrey on this 9-11 night. Memorial still trying to figure this varsity thing out and this presents its best chance to earn the school’s first-ever W in football. Coronado won’t let that happen. … Coronado 21, Memorial 14
Lubbock Monterey (1-1) at Wichita Falls Legacy (2-0), 7 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Wichita Falls
Hmm. Figuring out Monterey is like figuring out when we will ever use Algebra in our lives. Can’t do it. Legacy might not be a world beater but 2-0 is 2-0. … Legacy 21, Monterey 20.
Lubbock Cooper (0-2) at Stephenville (2-0), 7 p.m., Art Briles Stadium, Stephenville
Not sure anybody had on their bingo card Cooper starting the season 0-3. Visiting the No. 1 team in Class 4A DI is not the team or place to go get well on. … Stephenville 38, Cooper 17.
– Lance Lahnert
Last week: 4-4 (.500)
Season: 10-5 (.666)
CLASS 4A
Randall (2-0) at Borger (0-2), 7 p.m.
Borger has homefield advantage in this one, but that’s about it. Randall carries momentum and an unbeaten record into on the road, as the Raiders rallied from a 14-point deficit to force overtime at Wichita Falls Memorial, where they finally won 35-34. Sophomore quarterback Hendrix Funk (easily the best new name in the Panhandle) has taken the reins on a unit featuring proven playmakers Drayden Ray at running back and Phoenix Sherwood at receiver and kept a steady hand. Borger is just looking for some improvement after a winless 2025, and the Bulldogs could be making it. That doesn’t mean a win here. … Randall 45, Borger 20.
Seminole (1-1) at West Plains (1-1), 7 p.m.
An intriguing matchup between teams who were district rivals during West Plains first two years as a program, both of whom figure to light up the scoreboard. West Plains is averaging over 40 points a game through two contests, as senior running back Slade Russell has been at least as good as advertised with over 200 yards rushing in each of the first two games. Seminole is a more pass-oriented attack under former Pampa coach Greg Poynor. It will take a lot of points to win, but give the Wolves the edge with homefield and a defense more capable of making key stops. … West Plains 42, Seminole 31.
Pampa (0-2) at Perryton (1-1), 7 p.m.
These are two other 4A teams facing distinct challenges during predistrict schedules. A young Pampa team is looking for any kind of offensive progress after scoring only 15 points in the first two games and definitely needs to start games faster. Perryton is having to adjust with veteran quarterback Cooper Schilling playing with a brace on his knee. That has blunted what the Rangers can do through the air, but playing at home against a Pampa team still searching for an identity should be the right medicine to get Perryton over .500 for the first time this year. … Perryton 34, Pampa 15.
Plainview (0-2) at Hereford (2-0), 7 p.m.
A definite case of two teams headed in opposite directions out of the gate. Hereford has gone over 30 points winning the first two games of the season, as senior wide receiver-defensive back Brix Machen is proving himself one of the best overall athletes in the area on both sides of the ball. Plainview, meanwhile, is averaging 31 points through two games but has given up 49 apiece in losing two straight. That could make this a potential scoreboard fireworks show, and being at home gives the Whitefaces a distinct edge in such a scenario. … Hereford 41, Plainview 28.
Bushland (0-2) at Dumas (1-1), 7 p.m.
An interesting interclass game should help determine where both of these teams stand before they get ready for their respective districts. Dumas got back into offensive form in last week’s 49-28 win over Plainview giving the Demons their first win. Meanwhile, give Bushland and coach Josh Reynolds credit for scheduling “up” as the Class 3A Falcons have lost to always powerful Canadian and 4A Shallowater to open their season. Numbers wise, Dumas has the advantage, not to mention homefield, but that doesn’t mean this won’t be entertaining. … Dumas 48, Bushland 28.
Midland Greenwood (2-0) at Lubbock-Cooper Liberty (2-0), 7 p.m.
This should be one of the more entertaining games of the evening in the area between two teams off to fast starts. Liberty has beaten the two Frenship schools by an aggregate 93-27 margin, and Greenwood can claim impressive victories over Jim Ned and Lubbock-Cooper to start the year. The homestanding Patriots should get a tougher fight than they did the first two weeks, but they haven’t looked anything like a mere third-year program after two weeks. That will continue this week. … Liberty 42, Greenwood 23.
– Lee Passmore
Last week: 7-2 (.778)
Season: 12-5 (.706)
CLASS 3A
Shallowater (2-0) at Canadian (2-0), 7 p.m.
Through the first two games, the Mustangs offense is in midseason form putting up 43 points a game. This will be the best defense Shallowater has played, but it QB Weston Mitchell is out as expected, I don’t know if the Wildcat offense will have enough. … Shallowater 35, Canadian 20.
Denver City (1-1) at Friona (1-1), 7 p.m.
Despite a loss to Hereford last week, Friona seems to be much better than the past couple years. Another strong run effort can lead to another W for the Chieftains. … Friona 40, Denver City 28.
Dimmitt (2-0) at Muleshoe (0-2), 7 p.m.
Here’s a battle of two teams heading in total opposite directions. The Mules are reeling and the Bobcats have come out swinging. Dimmitt is going for its first 3-0 start in a decade and they’ll get it. … Dimmitt 48, Muleshoe 20.
River Road (1-1) at Farwell (0-2), 7 p.m.
This is a more interesting contest than we thought a couple weeks ago. The Steers have stumbled out of the gate but have the talent to turn the tides. The Wildcats defense is going to have to slow down Farwell and take advantage of any opportunity given on offense. … Farwell 29, River Road 19.
Elk City, Okla. (0-1) at Childress (0-2), 7 p.m.
It hasn’t been the start the Bobcats were looking for to start the year. The Elks are always a tough opponent because of their physicality, but Childress finally breaks into the win column. … Childress 28, Elk City 22.
Levelland (2-0) at Idalou (2-0), 7 p.m.
Levelland has been a surprise team to start the year and have vastly improved. Now comes a real deal test with the Wildcats, who are clicking on all cylinders. … Idalou 35, Levelland 20.
– Kale Steed
Last week: 4-2 (.666)
Season: 10-5 (.666)
CLASS 2A
Dalhart (2-0) at Panhandle (1-1), 7 p.m.
Panhandle shut a lot of doubters up last week by steamrolling Stratford in what was suppose to be a marquee matchup. The Golden Wolves are doing what they are suppose to do to open the season and that’s beating who is in front of them. It’s a big test for Dalhart and Homecoming for Panhandle. Give the edge to the home team. … Panhandle 34, Dalhart 23.
Littlefield (2-0) at Abernathy (0-2), 7 p.m.
The Wildcats are posting the points averaging close to 45 a game in their first two wins. The competition rises with Abernathy, which is still trying to figure it out despite being very close. … Littlefield 42, Abernathy 28.
Slaton (1-1) at New Deal (2-0), 7 p.m.
Here’s a good one on the South Plains. New Deal is a great team and will do big things as the season progresses but the Tigers will have too much in the end of this game. … Slaton 34, New Deal 21.
Hooker, Okla. (1-1) at Spearman (0-2), 7 p.m.
The Lynx have had a rough start against two very solid opponents. Spearman will be fine and will only get better as the season moves on. The wins start against the Bulldogs. … Spearman 36, Hooker 20.
Sanford-Fritch (1-1) at Bovina (2-0), 7 p.m.
It’s been a decade since the Mustangs started a season 3-0. Coming off of last year’s playoff run and how they’ve started, Bovina has a lot of momentum. The Eagles enter this game coming off a big victory against Clarendon and would love nothing more than to spoil a Mustangs home celebration. Both teams love to run the ball, so It will come down to who does it better. … Bovina 27, Fritch 22.
Wellington (2-0) at Sunray (0-2), 7 p.m.
The Skyrockets should be in control from the start and stay unbeaten. … Wellington 48, Sunray 12.
Sudan (1-1) at Olton (2-0), 7 p.m.
Olton is eager to get back on the field after having to pick up a forfeit win against Morton last week. These two teams are no strangers to each other. I like the Mustangs down the stretch. … Olton 42, Sudan 16.
Wheeler (2-0) at Hale Center (2-0), 7 p.m.
A year ago, Hale Center handed Wheeler its only regular season loss at Nicholson Stadium, 8-0. Expect another tough tangle but this time on the Owls home field. … Wheeler 20, Hale Center 14.
Sundown (0-2) at Tulia (1-1), 7 p.m.
Make it two wins in a row for Tulia against a Roughnecks team still trying to figure it out. … Tulia 30, Sundown 20.
Hugoton, Kan. (0-1) at Stratford (1-1), 7 p.m.
This should be a quick night of work for Elks team still angry coming off last week’s loss to Panhandle. … Stratford 45, Hugoton 13.
Guymon, Okla. (1-1) at West Texas High (2-0), 7 p.m.
Under new head coach Hunter Ashley, the Comanches have picked up where they left off last season and are currently riding a 12-game regular season win streak. Let’s make it 13 with a victory against the Tigers. … WT High 50, Guymon 14.
Shamrock (1-1) at Vega (2-0), 7 p.m.
It’s been a quite 2-0 start for the Longhorns and that’s how coach Jason Porton likes it, but a win over Shamrock puts Vega at 3-0 for the first time in seven years and the attention continues to grow. … Vega 38, Shamrock 16.
Clarendon (0-2) at Plains (1-1), 7 p.m.
The Broncos are due after two very close losses to start the season. … Clarendon 27, Plains 21.
– Kale Steed
Last week: 11-2 (.846)
Season: 20-3 (.869)
CLASS 1A
Holy Cross Catholic Academy (0-1) at Plainview Classical (0-3), 6 p.m.
Someone will get their first win of the season and the Mustangs will make the drive home north on I-27 celebrating a victory. … Holy Cross Catholic Academy 36, Plainview Classical 22.
Groom (0-2) at Booker (1-1), 7 p.m.
Something tells me this came will be much closer than people may expect. The Tigers are fighting hard but have been unable to break through while the Kiowas are still stinging from last week’s beating at the hands of McLean. In an entertaining battle. …Booker 52, Groom 46.
Happy (0-2) at Valley (0-2), 7 p.m.
These two teams played each other every year from 2000 to 2021 but this is the first time they have played since then. Valley leads the series 16-11 and looks to be the better team in this matchup. Both Patriots losses have been at the hands of top 10 teams in Division I but the Cowboys haven’t had a cupcake schedule either. … Valley 46, Happy 27.
Southland (0-2) at Kress (0-2), 7 p.m.
After dealing with the speed of Boys Ranch and Sands, the Kangaroos welcome the Eagles to town with open arms. This one will be over in a hurry. … Kress 60, Southland 13.
Whitharral (1-1) at Boys Ranch (2-0), 7 p.m.
What a sneaky good game this might be. The Panthers are perennial playoff contenders and that’s exactly what the Roughriders hope to be. The speed of Boys Ranch is tough to deal with and Isaac Acosta will look to run the Whitharral secondary ragged. In a high scoring affair, Louis Kelley’s squad stays undefeated. … Boys Ranch 72, Whitharral 67.
McLean (2-0) at Logan, N.M. (1-1), 7 p.m.
Not much is known about the Longhorns but plenty is known about the gritty Tigers. Their win against Booker opened eyes and with a week without distractions, they will be flat out scary for the home team. … McLean 62, Logan, N.M. 27.
Motley County (2-0) at Springlake-Earth (1-1), 7 p.m.
A week after dealing with Ethan Garibaldi, the Wolverines now get a look at Culley Lawrence. As good as Garibaldi is, Lawrence might be better. The top team in Division II will make life miserable for the green and gold. … Motley County 54, Springlake-Earth 18.
Nazareth (1-1) at Silverton (2-0), 7:30 p.m.
It will be a step up in competition for the Owls while the Swifts hit the road again reeling from a big loss to Borden County. Silverton will battle early but Tyler Goodwin’s squad has too much talent to drop this one. … Nazareth 56, Silverton 13.
Wellman-Union (1-1) at Petersburg (0-2), 7:30 p.m.
The Buffaloes are looking to get back on track and a bit of home cooking will do the trick. The Wildcats struggled to Silverton’s offense last week and Demetrius Mendez will look to run wild. … Petersburg 52, Wellman-Union 44.
Dawson (2-0) at Lazbuddie (0-2), 7:30 p.m.
You have to go back to 2013 to find the last time Dawson started the season at 2-0. That’s also the last time they started with three straight wins until now. The Dragons are playing well while the Longhorns have started the season with two solid opponents. This one might be closer than you would anticipate but Dawson takes it late. … Dawson 42, Lazbuddie 34.
