It’s the halfway point of the Texas High School Football season and while District 2-5A Division I and II are in full swing there are a lot of teams taking a bye week getting geared up for league play next week. With that said, there is still plenty of games across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains to keep an eye on Thursday and Friday. See how the Press Pass Sports team of Lance Lahnert, Lee Passmore, Kale Steed and Craig Sperry having it playing out.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION I
Frenship Memorial (1-3, 0-1) at Lubbock Monterey (2-2, 1-0), 7 p.m., Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park, Lubbock
Monterey woke up last week on offense with Jonah Reed’s return to quarterback after he missed the opening three games due to an injury. Memorial is still young and the district learning lessons in its first year of varsity football will continue with a revived Plainsmen offense. … Monterey 31, Memorial 14.
DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION II
Abilene Cooper (3-2, 1-0) at Palo Duro (4-1, 1-0), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
We have an early district showdown as the winner could sit atop the district all by its lonesome. Palo Duro has been on an absolute roll the last three weeks going 3-0, averaging 44 points per game and winning by an average margin of 29.6 points. Plus, PD is 7-0 in its last seven games played in this district. Meanwhile, Cooper owns good ol Mr. Momentum having won three in a row after opening the year with losses to Azle and Abilene High. … Palo Duro 38, Cooper 21.
CLASS 2A
McCamey (5-0) vs. Bovina (3-1), 6 p.m.
The Badgers make the four-hour bus drive to take on a Mustang team fresh off a bye week. … McCamey 35, Bovina 21.
Ropes (4-0) vs. West Texas High (4-1), 7 p.m. at Whiteface Stadium, Hereford
Not many teams has looked as good as the Eagles out of the gates so far. It will take perfect football from the Comanches to pull the upset. … Ropes 42, WT High 14.
CLASS 1A
Follett (3-2) at Vernon Northside (5-0), 7 p.m.
A week after dealing with Valley, the Panthers take on an Indians squad that is deep with talent, undefeated and playing at home. All of that adds up to a long bus trip back home for the Panthers. … Northside 60, Follett 6.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION I
Amarillo High (3-1, 1-0) vs. Tascosa (2-2, 1-0), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
The second longest consecutive series between two Amarillo-area teams plays out for the 70th time with the winner keeping legit district championship hopes alive. (By the way, Pampa-Borger is the longest at 83 consecutive years). After last year’s craziness when Amarillo High cranked out 63 points _ the most points scored by a team since this rivalry started in 1958 _ and won by 42 points, emotions still remain at a fever pitch between these two programs. Bottom line, AHS has its best overall defense in a long time and nobody game plans the Tascosa Flexbone offense any better than AHS coach Chad Dunnam and Sandies DC Tony Cavalier. Tascosa? Well, if the Rebs win the score will be 28-27 as that’s the final score of their two victories this year. And there’s this: we all know in this Tascosa-AHS rivalry the team in the underdog role, which Tascosa is, seems to come out with the W. … Amarillo High 28, Tascosa 14.
Caprock (1-3, 0-1) at Abilene High (2-2, 1-0), 7 p.m., Shotwell Stadium
Caprock’s offense has sputtered the past three weeks scoring one touchdown in those 12 quarters. Abilene High is not what the doctor ordered for The Rock to get well on offense. … Abilene 35, Caprock 7
Lubbock High (1-3, 0-1) at Frenship (1-3, 0-1), 7 p.m., Peoples Bank Stadium, Wolfforth
Not the lopsided game most would think. Lubbock High’s final scores might not show, but its playing good ball. Frenship is a two-point conversion away from being 1-0 in district. Frenship takes over late. … Frenship 28, Lubbock High 14.
District 2-5A Division II
Lubbock Coronado (1-4, 0-1) at Wichita Falls Memorial (2-3, 0-1), 7 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Wichita Falls
Huge game for both when it comes to keeping hopes alive for a possible playoff berth. Coronado is getting better but Memorial gunslinger Cole Birkhead at quarterback is just too much for these ‘Stangs … Memorial 42, Coronado 21.
Wichita Falls Legacy (3-2, 0-1) at Lubbock Cooper (0-4, 0-0), 7 p.m., Pirate Stadium, Lubbock
Last time Cooper opened 0-4 was before many attending Cooper HS were born (2009). Legacy opened district last week and took one on the chin to powerful Palo Duro (50-9). Cooper isn’t on PD’s level but want no part of 0-5. … Cooper 24, Legacy 21.
– Lance Lahnert
Last week: 7-0 (1.000)
Season: 21-9 (.700)
CLASS 4A
Childress (3-2) at Perryton (3-2), 7 p.m.
Both teams are coming off wins heading into their final predistrict tune-ups, with Perryton having routed out of state opponent Guymon and Childress scoring an impressive win over Panhandle, the third straight victory for the Bobcats. The winner will head into district play with a winning record and some momentum. On paper, this should be a fairly high-scoring game and might come down to who can make a late defensive stop. The Rangers have homefield advantage and a bit more depth, so that gives them an edge in one of the more intriguing nondistrict games of the night. … Perryton 34, Childress 28.
Dumas (1-3) at Lubbock-Cooper Liberty (5-0), 7 p.m.
This is another case of teams making their rehearsals before district play, but these two have had quite divergent results. Dumas has struggled defensively, giving up 38 points a game, while Liberty, with the exception of a one-point squeaker over West Plains (against whom Dumas opens District 2-4A Division I play next week), has beaten its opponents by at least 31 points. The Demons can’t be counted out offensively due to four-year starting quarterback Colton Mills, but if this is a shootout as expected, the Patriots and their homefield get the edge. … Liberty 41, Dumas 33.
Shallowater (4-1) at Plainview (2-3), 7 p.m.
These teams are coming off losses to unbeatens, although in quite different fashions. Plainview was crushed 63-0 by Liberty, while Shallowater suffered its first loss to Idalou in a shootout, 46-35. Both of them are looking for some positive momentum to take into their respective district schedules. Plainview has shown the ability to score points but has had a hard time stopping people so far. Shallowater’s defense has been a little better, but still look for the scoreboard operator to stay busy. More will be on the visitor’s side at the end of the night, though. … Shallowater 35, Plainview 31.
Andrews (3-2) at Lubbock Estacado (5-0), 7 p.m.
This game might be a better matchup than it would appear just by glancing at the records. Estacado has been every bit as good as advertised so far, especially on offense. Andrews, meanwhile, has been outstanding defensively but inconsistent offensively. That’s what should keep this game competitive, at least for awhile. Homefield advantage, incentive to stay undefeated and overall depth will all work in Estacado’s favor as the Matadors will enter District 3-4A Division II play with a perfect mark. … Estacado 38, Andrews, 21.
– Lee Passmore
Last week: 8-1 (.889)
Season: 30-12 (.714)
CLASS 3A
Borger (1-4) at River Road (2-3), 7 p.m.
The Wildcats lost a heartbreaker last week and are glad to be back in the home confines. The Bulldogs present a tough task and will bring strong competition. … Borger 28, River Road 21.
Muleshoe (0-5) at Denver City (2-3), 7 p.m.
The Mustangs gallop past the Mules down the stretch. … Denver City 38, Muleshoe 30.
Slaton (3-2) at Bushland (3-2), 7 p.m.
The Tigers have the speed and have put back-to-back wins together, but can their defense find a way to slow down the high-flying Falcons offense that is averaging 57 points a game over the last three contests. … Bushland 50, Slaton 28.
Dalhart (4-1) at Canadian (3-2), 7 p.m.
It’s hard to believe this is the first meeting between the two school’s since 1985. The Golden Wolves are physical and have talented skill to be scary for a Wildcat team decimated by injuries and playing a third string QB. … Canadian 28, Dalhart 21.
Friona (4-1) at Brownfield (1-4), 7 p.m.
The Chieftains are quietly putting together a solid season and that continues with a beating of Brownfield. … Friona 45, Brownfield 19.
Littlefield (4-1) at Dimmitt (5-0), 7 p.m.
The Dimmitt Bobcats are going for their first 6-0 start for the first time since 1988. Littlefield will be its best opponent to date and a team that can score right with them, so it won’t be easy. It also won’t be easy without starting QB Kaden Carpio. … Dimmitt 49, Littlefield 45.
Vernon (3-2) at Idalou (5-0), 7 p.m.
Idalou passed a huge test last week by handling Shallowater. The Lions come in wanting to roar but that ain’t going to happen. … Idalou 45, Vernon 21.
– Kale Steed
Last week: 3-2 (.600)
Season: 26-8 (.764)
CLASS 2A
Spearman (2-3) at Guymon, Okla. (2-3), 7 p.m.
The Lynx looked strong last week against Abernathy. Let’s make it two in a row heading into district. … Spearman 48, Guymon 18.
New Deal (4-1) at Sunray (0-5), 7 p.m.
Sunray is showing signs of life after taking Wheeler to the fourth quarter before that game got away late. Here comes New Deal, which is another talented squad. I think the Bobcats are improving but the Lions run away down the stretch. … New Deal 35, Sunray 18.
Gruver (5-0) at Panhandle (2-3), 7 p.m.
Don’t look at the Panthers record and schrug this game off. Panhandle has the size up front and the speed to match the Greyhounds, but when it comes down to the second half Gruver just seems to have that “It” factor. … Gruver 45, Panhandle 34.
Floydada (3-2) at Sanford-Fritch (2-3), 7 p.m.
Former West Texas High head coach Jeff Smith returns to Hutchinson County with his much improved Whirlwind team. It’s been incredible to see the turnaround that Smith is doing in Floydada. This should be a good one. … Floydada 23, Fritch 20.
Vega (4-0) at Highland Park (1-4), 7 p.m.
Highland Park is riding high following its first win of the season last week. Vega is coming off a bye week and wanting to stay perfect on the year. … Vega 28, Highland Park 20.
Tulia (3-2) at New Home (2-3), 7 p.m.
These are two teams still trying to figure it all out. Give me the Leopards close at home. … New Home 29, Tulia 26.
Lubbock Roosevelt (1-4) at Abernathy (0-5), 7 p.m.
It’s been a rough start for both of these teams. The Antelopes need a win but I don’t know if it comes here. … Roosevelt 26, Abernathy 23.
Farwell (1-4) at Wink (5-0), 7 p.m.
Wink makes this a long night for the Steers on top of the road trip. … Wink 49, Farwell 13.
Olton (5-0) at Sundown (0-5), 7 p.m.
How bout the Olton Mustangs. Olton has been rolling and are looking for its first 6-0 start since 1970. … Olton 48, Sundown 15.
– Kale Steed
Last week: 8-3 (.727)
Season: 52-9 (.852)
CLASS 1A
McLean (2-3) at Happy (2-3), 7 p.m.
At the start of the season, the Tigers would have been heavy favorites entering this game. Things have changed though as the Cowboys are starting to fire on all cylinders with a rough and tough line while McLean is struggling with health. Look for the Cowboys to lasso the Tigers in this one. … Happy 56, McLean 38.
Kress (1-4) at White Deer (5-0), 7 p.m.
Can the Bucks make it six straight to start the season? A win would match their best start since 2018 when they made the state quarterfinals before falling to the eventual state champions from McLean. This one will be closer than you think but the Bucks are a tough out at home. … White Deer 48, Kress 42.
Holy Cross Catholic Academy (2-1) at Crowell (2-2), 7 p.m.
The road gets tougher this week for the Mustangs as the Wildcats and first year head coach Blake Thompson are playing inspired ball with a young squad. Coach Bryan Welps has Holy Cross looking good but this road game won’t end well. … Crowell 66, HCCA 22.
Booker (3-2) at Chillicothe (2-2), 7 p.m.
Make it two weeks in a row with long road trips for the battle tested Kiowas. The trip back home this week will be much happier. … Booker 68, Chillicothe 13.
Miami (1-3) vs. Happy JV, 7 p.m., at Duncan Field, McLean
Despite small numbers, the Warriors have Gunner Lackey and that will lead to a win in this one. … Miami 46, Happy JV 16.
Lubbock Kingdom Prep (3-3) at San Jacinto Christian Academy (2-4), 7 p.m.
The Warriors have played a tough schedule and gained a ton of experience. None of that bodes well for the Patriots in this one. … Lubbock Kingdom Prep 52, SJCA 6.
Hart (4-0) at Plainview Classical (0-6), 7:30 p.m.
This may be the highest ranking ever in Six-Man football for the Longhorns as they enter this game No. 10 in the sixmanfootball.com rankings. That ranking is no accident, and they will show the Eagles why. … Hart 62, Plainview Classical 6.
Claude (2-3) at Nazareth (3-2), 7:30 p.m.
What an intriguing matchup The Mustangs are stinging from their home loss to Happy while the Swifts buried McLean at home. Both teams were hoping they would have better records at this point of the season so a victory in this one will yield good momentum for the winner. … Nazareth 54, Claude 46.
Springlake-Earth (2-3) at Wellman-Union (2-3), 7:30 p.m.
It’s a battle of the hyphenated teams. The Wolverines have played a solid schedule and that experience will be the difference in this one. … Springlake-Earth 48, Wellman-Union 27.
