Week 10 will see a lot of Texas Panhandle and South Plains teams clinch playoff berths and move up and down the district standings. See how the Press Pass Sports team of Lance Lahnert, Lee Passmore, Kale Steed and Craig Sperry having it playing out.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
CLASS 5A
DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION I
Frenship Memorial (1-7, 0-5) at Caprock (1-7, 0-5), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
Both teams are out of the playoff picture and playing for pride. The Rock has struggled on offense most the season. Memorial has struggled in its first-ever varsity season with no seniors. Go with the home team. … Caprock 17, Memorial 14.
CLASS 1A
DISTRICT 1-1A DIVISION II
McLean (4-4, 2-0) at Groom (3-5, 2-1), 7:30 p.m.
A win gives McLean the district title and they’ve an extra week to get healthy for this game. Groom is fighting hard with a thin roster but that won’t be enough to take down a rejuvenated black and gold Tigers squad. …McLean 66, Groom 18.
DISTRICT 2-1A DIVISION II
Guthrie (2-6, 0-3) at Paducah (6-2, 2-1), 7:30 p.m.
If the Dragons take care of business in this one, they have a big one next week with Motley County. Don’t expect Paducah to be looking forward to next week. …Paducah 54, Guthrie 6.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION I
Amarillo High (7-1, 5-0) at Lubbock High (3-5, 2-3), 7 p.m., Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park, Lubbock
The Amarillo High train rolls into Lubbock having clinched a playoff berth and looking to secure the No. 1 seed and home playoff game with a win. And how bout those Westerners? Lubbock owns a rare two-game winning streak. AHS is just too much with its ball-hawking defense and balanced offense. Note: the state of Texas’ longest consecutive game winning streak officially ended last year with AHS forfeiting its win on the field over Lubbock High because of an ineligible player. AHS had beaten Lubbock High 44 games in a row dating back to 1974. Still, counting games played on the field AHS incredibly owns 45 straight wins over Lubbock High. … Amarillo High 48, Lubbock High 7.
Abilene High (5-3, 4-1) at Tascosa (5-3, 4-1) 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
Humongous game for these two as hosting a home playoff game could go to the winner. Tascosa has caught fire and with its perked-up offense won three in a row and four of its last five. Abilene High was the pre-season fav to win this district and remains one of the best in this district. If Tascosa avoids fumbles and giving up too many big plays to dangerous Abilene QB Tristan Beal, hand it the home playoff game. … Tascosa 28, Abilene 21.
Lubbock Monterey (4-4, 2-3) at Frenship (4-4, 3-2), 7 p.m., Peoples Bank Stadium, Wolfforth
Monterey has to win or its playoff hopes end. Frenship secures a playoff berth with a win. Go with the Tigers at home if their able to handle Monterey’s strong mid-range passing game. … Frenship 35, Monterey 28.
DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION II
Wichita Falls Memorial (3-5, 1-3) at Lubbock Cooper (1-7, 1-3), 7 p.m., Pirate Stadium at First United Park, Woodrow
Memorial has hung tough in losses the past two weeks to Palo Duro and Wylie. Cooper’s first losing season since 2009 continues. … Memorial 31, Cooper 14.
Lubbock Coronado (1-8, 0-4) at Abilene Cooper (5-3, (3-1), 7 p.m., Shotwell Stadium, Abilene
Cooper can clinch a playoff berth and is in the hunt for that No. 2 seed. Cooper owns just too much firepower for Coronado. … Cooper 45, Coronado 14.
Abilene Wylie (5-3, 3-1) at Wichita Falls Legacy (5-3, 2-2), 7 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Wichita Falls
Interesting one here. Wylie clinches a playoff berth with a win. A Legacy win coupled with WF Memorial loss puts Legacy in the playoffs. … Wylie 21, Legacy 20
– Lance Lahnert
Last week: 7-0 (1.000)
Season: 44-11 (.800)
CLASS 4A
DISTRICT 2-4A DIVISION I
West Plains (5-3, 3-0) vs. Randall (7-1, 2-1), 7 p.m.
These Canyon ISD neighbors are in a position to grab a No. 1 playoff seed with a victory. West Plains will clinch a playoff spot with a win and both clinch if Randall wins and Canyon or Hereford loses. What ifs are irrelevant to both teams since subplots and postseason ambitions are the main motivators. West Plains has won 20 straight district games and beaten Randall in both their meetings. The fact that West Plains has so many players who started in the Randall system before the campus opened in 2022 adds some spice. The teams feature top runners in Slade Russell of West Plains and Drayden Ray of Randall. Defense and consistency, though, lift the Wolves. … West Plains 23, Randall 20.
Canyon (5-3, 1-2) at Pampa (0-8, 0-3), 7 p.m.
“What ifs”, on the other hand, have to be plaguing Canyon right now. The Eagles have lost to CISD rivals West Plains and Randall by a combined five points, indicating how close they are to having sole possession of the district lead. Now they’re fighting for their playoff lives, but they have their destiny in their own hands. The best news for them is that they’re facing a Pampa team which is looking for any kind of a good news in a season gone completely wrong. A loss officially eliminates the Harvesters from playoff consideration. Canyon is caught between last week’s tough loss to Randall and overconfidence against a winless team. Eagles will overcome the latter. … Canyon 45, Pampa 14.
Hereford (3-5, 1-2) at Dumas (3-5, 2-1), 7 p.m.
This game is for playoff positioning and for Dumas, it’s quite simple. The Demons are in the playoffs with a win and Hereford stays alive with the same thing. Like Canyon, Dumas isn’t that far from being alone atop the district, as the Demons lost to West Plains by three to open district but have dominated over the last six quarters to beat Randall and Pampa, overcoming injuries to nine starters. Hereford is looking to get back in the win column after being routed by West Plains. This is the last home game of the season for the Demons, so they’ll have plenty of incentive and the seniors will leave the field for the last time with a playoff berth. … Dumas 31, Hereford 20.
DISTRICT 3-4A DIVISION II
Borger (2-7, 0-3) at Perryton (4-4, 0-2), 7 p.m.
It’s as cut and dried as it gets for these two teams. The winner clinches the district’s final playoff spot, so it’s essentially a playoff game. Both teams have struggled in their own ways in district, but a win will put the lucky team in the postseason at the end of Friday night. Perryton has had a week off to prepare, and this isn’t uncharted territory for these teams. They faced a similar winner take all situation heading into last season’s finale with the victor going to the playoffs and the loser getting ready for basketball. Perryton won, and will do so again, with Borger’s season ending before Halloween. … Perryton 42, Borger 20.
Lubbock-Cooper Liberty (8-0, 2-0) at Levelland (6-2, 2-0), 7 p.m.
Math here is also pretty simple: Winner takes sole possession of the district lead and has the inside track to the district championship and the No. 1 playoff seed. Liberty rolled in last week’s highly anticipated showdown between undefeateds, crushing fellow Lubbock school Lubbock Estacado 63-18. Levelland has been one of the more improved teams around this season and the Lobos could make noise in the playoffs. They face a much tougher task in closing the regular season against Liberty and Estacado, though, and it will show on the scoreboard. … Liberty 45, Levelland 23.
– Lee Passmore
Last week: 4-1 (.800)
Season: 45-16 (.738)
CLASS 3A
DISTRICT 1-3A DIVISION I
Brownfield (1-8, 0-3) at Bushland (5-3, 1-1), 7 p.m.
This won’t be close, Bushland is just much powerful and will coast to a playoff berth. … Bushland 58, Brownfield 7.
Dalhart (7-1, 2-0) at Shallowater (7-1, 2-0), 7 p.m.
This is a huge battle on the South Plains with first place of the district lead on the line. The Mustangs have the speed and the athletes while the Golden Wolves bring the size and want to win the line of scrimmage. … Shallowater 42, Dalhart 28.
DISTRICT 1-3A DIVISION II
Childress (4-4, 1-1) at River Road (2-6, 0-2), 7 p.m.
Childress needs to regroup and refocus after a blowout loss to Canadian last week. Look for the Bobcats to come out fast and not give the Wildcats any momentum on the way to a convincing W. … Childress 48, River Road 14.
Dimmitt (6-3, 1-2) at Friona (6-2, 1-1), 7 p.m.
What a matchup between two teams that have made major strides from the past few years. The winner of this contest secures third place while the loser is more than likely the No. 4-seed. The Chieftains have owned this series winning 26 of the last 28 meetings, but give me the Bobcats. … Dimmitt 47, Friona 40.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIVISION II
Muleshoe (1-7, 0-2) at Slaton (5-3, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The Tigers won’t overlook the Mules before a showdown with Idalou next week in the regular season finale. … Slaton 51, Muleshoe 19.
Littlefield (6-3, 1-2) at Lubbock Roosevelt (2-6, 0-2), 7 p.m.
The Wildcats secure a playoff bid with a win on the road. … Littlefield 48, Roosevelt 13.
– Kale Steed
Last week: 6-0 (1.000)
Season: 48-12 (.800)
CLASS 2A
DISTRICT 1-2A DIVISION I
Spearman (5-4, 2-1) at Sunray (0-8, 0-2), 7 p.m.
Sunray is fighting for its playoff lives as well as for first win of the season. Don’t expect that to come here, the Lynx take care of business on the road. … Spearman 45, Sunray 16.
Highland Park (2-6, 0-2) at Sanford-Fritch (3-5, 1-1), 7 p.m.
The Eagles are looking to get into the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The Hornets have the offense to hang, but the Fritch run attack prevails. … Fritch 40, Highland Park 24.
DISTRICT 2-2A DIVISION I
Hale Center (4-4, 0-2) at Floydada (4-4, 0-2), 7 p.m.
Both teams have struggled since entering district play and are wanting to find their footing. The winner also keeps postseason hopes in tact. … Hale Center 27, Floydada 23.
Farwell (3-6, 2-1) at Olton (7-1, 1-1), 7 p.m.
Just going by the records Olton should roll. That’s not the case here. The Steers have played better football the past few weeks. However, give the edge to the Mustangs. … Olton 30, Farwell 22.
DISTRICT 3-2A DIVISION I
Sundown (0-8, 0-2) at Post (7-1, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The Bold Gold Antelopes of Post can lock up the No. 1-seed in the league with a W. … Post 50, Sundown 14.
New Home (6-3, 1-2) at Abernathy (1-7, 1-1), 7 p.m.
Both teams are banged up, both teams are still looking for an identity and both teams need a win. … New Home 27, Abernathy 24.
DISTRICT 1-2A DIVISION II
Gruver (9-0, 3-0) at West Texas High (6-2, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The Greyhounds can finish the season unbeaten with a 10-0 mark and probably want some payback after losing this game in non-district last season. … Gruver 52, WT High 16.
Stratford (5-2, 1-1) at Vega (4-3, 0-2), 7 p.m.
The Elks are headed back to the playoffs if they take down the Longhorns. … Stratford 49, Vega 7.
DISTRICT 5-2A DIVISION II
Wellington (6-1, 2-0) at Wheeler (7-0, 2-0), 7 p.m.
This game is for the outright district championship and for a second year in a row in lands back at Nicholson Field in Wheeler. The Mustangs blanked the Skyrockets last season and have won 13 straight regular season games. These two teams are eerily similar with both allowing under 230 yards per game. Points could be at a premium. … Wheeler 20, Wellington 14.
Clarendon (3-5, 1-2) at Quanah (4-4, 1-1), 7 p.m.
When it comes to playoff seeding, this game has major impact. These winner most likely gets third place out of the district with the loser taking the fourth and final spot. … Clarendon 35, Quanah 30.
– Kale Steed
Last week: 10-0 (1.000)
Season: 87-16 (.844)
CLASS 1A
DISTRICT 1-1A DIVISION I
Boys Ranch (7-0, 2-0) at White Deer (8-0, 2-0), 7 p.m.
Two of three undefeated Class 1A teams in the Texas Panhandle are in this one which should translate into a great game. However, the Roughriders are just playing at a higher level right now and the Bucks are going to struggle to shut down Isaac Acosta and company. …Boys Ranch 72, White Deer 32.
Wildorado (3-5, 0-3) at Booker (4-4, 0-2), 7 p.m.
This one might be closer than people expect as both teams are already out of the playoff picture. The Kiowas are tough to take down at home and they pull away in the second half. …Booker 52, Wildorado 28.
DISTRICT 2-1A DIVISION I
Nazareth (6-2, 1-0) at Springlake-Earth (2-6, 0-1), 7 p.m.
The Wolverines always seem to play the Swifts tough, especially at home. A win puts Nazareth on the brink of a playoff berth so look for them to treat this very much like a business trip. …Nazareth 56, Springlake-Earth 20.
Whitharral (2-6, 0-1) at Whiteface (7-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.
Ranked No. 2 in Division I, the Antelopes are big, fast and athletic. That’s not a good sign for a Panthers squad that is struggling down the stretch. …Whiteface 56, Whitharral 8.
DISTRICT 3-1A DIVISION I
Happy (5-3, 1-0) at Silverton (4-4, 0-1), 7 p.m.
Riding a five-game winning streak, the Cowboys are looking to make it 10 straight wins over the Owls. Luke Dempsey is carrying on the tradition of strong running backs in Happy and Silverton will have to shut him down for a win. …Happy 58, Silverton 26.
Petersburg (2-6, 0-1) at Kress (2-6, 1-0), 7 p.m.
This game just got really interesting after the Kangaroos upset Silverton last week. A Kress win coupled with a Happy victory puts the Kangaroos in the playoffs while a Buffaloes win creates a potential mess for the number two spot heading into next week. …Petersburg 46, Kress 42.
DISTRICT 2-1A DIVISION II
Crowell (4-4, 1-2) at Valley (5-3, 2-1), 7:30 p.m.
The biggest district tests are out of the way for the Patriots so they just need to win out to seal a playoff berth. Don’t expect a let down as Dax Allen won’t let his crew overlook the Wildcats. …Valley 64, Crowell 30.
Motley County (8-0, 3-0) at Chillicothe (3-5, 1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Matador running back Culley Lawrence is the best player on the field. That’s all you need to know. …Motley County 54, Chillicothe 6.
DISTRICT 3-1A DIVISION II
Hart (8-0, 2-0) at Lazbuddie (4-4, 2-1), 7:30 p.m.
Coming off a forfeit win, Hart was able to heal up and get ready for a potential playoff run. It’s been a solid season for Lazbuddie but the battle of the cattle goes to the visitors. …Hart 66, Lazbuddie 13.
Lorenzo (0-8, 0-2) at Anton (7-0, 2-0), 7:30 p.m.
It’s been a long season for the Hornets and a magical one for the Bulldogs. A win for Anton sets up a massive matchup next week with Hart. …Anton 58, Lorenzo 7.
TAPPS DISTRICT 1-1A
Lubbock Christ the King (6-2, 1-1) at San Jacinto Christian Academy (3-6, 1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Christ the King is a solid team that won’t overlook a Patriots team that is reeling. …Lubbock Christ the King 54, San Jacinto Christian Academy 16.
