Thursday’s bi-district games
Class 5A Division II
Palo Duro (3-7) at Canutillo (8-2), 7 p.m., Julius and Irene Lowenberg Stadium, El Paso
How bout those Dons! In coach Eric Mims second year at the helm he has his alma mater in the playoffs with that win last week over Plainview. This is a major step for the program. But winning a playoff game against: 1) a No. 1 seed; 2) a team riding a six-game win streak; 3) a team with two losses to teams losing a combined two games all year; 4) after a road trip all the way down to El Paso; may be too much to ask. Still, playoffs is what the Dr. ordered for this PD team in 2022. … Canutillo 30, Palo Duro 14
Class 4A Division II
West Plains (6-4) vs. Pecos (4-6), 7 p.m., Wigwam Stadium, Seminole
The area’s newest school will be one of the first to start postseason action in what has been a season which has defied expectations so far. West Plains enters the playoffs as the No. 2 seed from District 2-4A Division II and it’s safe to say that their cover as a first-year or “expansion” program is blown. The Wolves will continue to burnish their reputation in this one by scoring a decisive playoff win over Pecos, with running back Jordi Hernandez leading the way. … West Plains 37, Pecos 13
Class 3A Division I
Denver City (6-4) vs. Dalhart (4-5), 7 p.m., Thursday, PlainsCapital Park at Lowrey Field, Lubbock
This is one of the better games on the Thursday schedule. The Golden Wolves will need to rely on a huge performance from QB Kyler Read. … Dalhart 26, Denver City 23
Bushland (9-1) vs. Kermit (4-6), 7 p.m., Thursday, Peoples Bank Stadium, Wolfforth
The Falcons make this a quick night on the South Plains. … Bushland 50, Kermit 13
Brownfield (8-2) vs. Muleshoe (7-3), 7 p.m., Thursday, Lobos Stadium, Levelland
Here’s a rematch from a great contest back in Week 6 where the Mules handed Brownfield its first loss. Can Muleshoe do it again? … Muleshoe 35, Brownfield 32
Class 3A Division II
Canadian (8-2) vs. Lubbock Roosevelt (4-6), 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Happy State Bank Stadium
Canadian is primed and focused for a deep playoff push. To get that going, the Wildcats have to take down last year’s Region I champion in Roosevelt. … Canadian 42, Roosevelt 14
Class 2A Division I
Stratford (10-0) vs. Sundown (3-6), 7 p.m., Thursday, Whiteface Stadium, Hereford
The Class 2A Division II state champions are now in Division I. Things don’t change much as the Elks roll in a big way. … Stratford 45, Sundown 7
New Deal (7-3) vs. Highland Park (3-7), 7 p.m., Thursday, Bobcat Stadium, Dimmitt
Tip of the cap to Highland Park for showing the grit to make the playoffs, however, the Lions may have too much roar in this one. … New Deal 40, Highland Park 12
Olton (7-3) vs. Farwell (8-2), 7 p.m., Thursday, Wildcat Stadium, Littlefield
The Steers need to use their physicality and let quarterback Alec Atkinson and running back Corey Stancell do their thing. … Farwell 28, Olton 21
Class 2A Division II
Vega (6-4) vs. Memphis (5-5), 7 p.m., Thursday, Bulldog Stadium, Borger
Not many teams are playing better than the Longhorns at the moment. … Vega 35, Memphis 14
Seagraves (5-5) vs. Bovina (4-6), 6 p.m., Thursday, Tigers Stadium, Slaton
Ignore the Mustangs record. Bovina has been playing solid football through the district season. Look for running back Darian DeLaRosa to have a big outing. … Bovina 27, Seagraves 21
Wellington (9-1) vs. Boys Ranch (5-5), 7 p.m., Thursday, Comanche Field, Stinnett
Congrats to the Roughriders for snapping a 14-year postseason skid. But this will be a tough matchup facing Wellington and a defense limiting teams to less than 10 points a game. … Wellington 47, Boys Ranch 10
Clarendon (7-3) vs. Gruver (7-3), 7 p.m., Thursday, Dick Bivins Stadium
This is one of the best games on the Thursday night docket. Gruver’s mission is simple. Slow down Jmaury Davis. For Clarendon, don’t let running back Ridge Holland loose. … Clarendon 26, Gruver 20
Friday’s bi-district games
Class 5A Division I
Amarillo High (5-5) at El Paso Parkland (7-3), 6 p.m., Friday, Matador Stadium, El Paso
Amarillo High’s crazy ride of season ended in the playoffs because these Sandies put their act together at the right time winning over Abilene High and Monterey to end its regular season. AHS has the playmakers to give defenses fits like receiver Jameson Garcia. Parkland has had its moments in the sun and its struggles. I see this one as a struggle for Parkland as the long trip won’t phase Coach Dunnam and his players. … Amarillo High 38, EP Parkland 17
El Paso Ysleta (3-7) at Tascosa (9-1), 6 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
The Rebs are riding in on a roll having won seven in a row and owning its first outright district title since 1988. While all these numbers on nice, what’s not so nice for Ysleta is facing a Tascosa triple option getting better every game behind the ever-improving skills of quarterback Hudson Farris. Plus, Tascosa’s defense is flat out smothering. Give Ysleta credit, it knocked off EP Hanks last week 28-10 to earn this playoff berth. But it’s one and done for Ysleta after a long road trip. … Tascosa 55, Ysleta 7
– Lance Lahnert
– Last week: 3-1 (.750)
– Season: 28-10 (.736)
Class 4A Division I
Randall (7-3) vs. Springtown (3-7), 6 p.m., Tigers Stadium, Snyder
Randall’s in a curious spot entering the postseason. The Raiders had an open week to end the regular season, and that came after a shocking loss to previously winless Hereford after they’d already clinched the district’s No. 1 playoff seed. That week gave them extra time to forget about that loss, and despite the records, take Springtown seriously. The Raiders can’t afford to not take an opponent seriously right now. … Randall 31, Springtown 14
Canyon (9-1) vs. Burkburnett (7-3), 7 p.m., Fair Park Stadium, Childress
This should be a highly competitive game if the records are to be trusted. That should work in Canyon’s favor since those are the types of games the Eagles have been winning this season, especially lately. They’ve used four players at quarterback in district play and somehow made it work in coming from behind to beat Dumas and Pampa the last two weeks. That and a stout defense is a good recipe for this one. … Canyon 28, Burkburnett 21
Dumas (6-4) vs. Wichita Falls High (6-4), 7 p.m., PlainsCapital Park at Lowrey Field, Lubbock
Records indicate that this one should be even more of a competitive game. After rolling into the playoffs the last few years, Dumas needed to beat Hereford in the regular season finale to clinch a postseason spot. That could give the Demons just the momentum they need heading into the playoffs. Dumas was only seven points away from being the District 3-4A Division I champion, and the Demons will show why. … Dumas 23, Wichita Falls 16
Pampa (5-5) vs. Decatur (7-3), 7 p.m., Leo Brittain Field at Lions Stadium, Vernon
Pampa carries a three-game losing streak into the playoffs after winning the 3-4A DI opener. With freshman sensation Max Neff leading the running game, though, the Harvesters would seem well-equipped for the postseason. Defense, though, is more of a question mark at this time of the season, and how it stands up to Decatur’s passing attack will determine how successful Pampa is. Either way, look for a lot of offense. … Decatur 34, Pampa 21
Class 4A Division II
Perryton (3-7) vs. Fort Stockton (9-1), 7 p.m., Antelopes Stadium, Post
If there’s a possible sleeper in the area from 4A, it’s Perryton. The Rangers have a misleading record due in large part to a tough schedule, and they played a solid game last week in losing to Seminole, who has the same record as Fort Stockton. Playing respectably with such a challenge gives Perryton some momentum going into this game, and should help the Rangers reach the next round, despite the numbers. … Perryton 30, Fort Stockton 20
– Lee Passmore
Last week: 4-0 (1.000)
Season: 42-12 (.777)
Class 3A Division II
Abernathy (8-2) vs. Spearman (3-7), 4 p.m., Friday, Happy State Bank Stadium
Abernathy is the District 4-3A Division II champions and are playing much better as the season has progressed. Spearman played its best game last week to get in the playoffs, but will they have enough firepower for the Antelopes. … Aberathy 34, Spearman 18
Idalou (7-3) vs. Friona (5-5), 7 p.m., Friday, Lobos Stadium, Levelland
Both teams love to run the football and rely on strong defenses. Let’s take Friona and the upset. … Friona 23, Idalou 21
Childress (6-4) vs. Coahoma (7-3), 7 p.m., Friday, Tyer Stadium, Floydada
It’s redemption time for the Bobcats. One year ago a No. 3-ranked Childress team was stunned by Stanton shocking the entire state with one of the biggest upsets of the first round. Childress is focused this time around and ready to break that curse. … Childress 35, Coahoma 13
Class 2A Division I
Panhandle (8-2) vs. Floydada (6-4), 7:30 p.m., Friday, Happy State Bank Stadium, Canyon
The Panthers open the playoffs with a lopsided win on Friday night. … Panhandle 47, Floydada 17
Class 2A Division II
Sunray (8-2) vs. Shamrock (7-3), 7 p.m., Friday, Bulldog Stadium, Borger
What a great first round matchup. The Irish are going to want to slowdown Sunray’s air raid attack, while the Bobcat defense have to get their hands on standout running back Caden Peevey. This should be fun. … Sunray 36, Shamrock 33
– Kale Steed
– Last week: 10-3 (.769)
– Season 125-27 (.822)
Class 1A Division I
Happy (9-1) vs. Miami (7-3), 5 p.m., Friday, Bucks Stadium, Bucks Stadium, White Deer
The Warriors will be looking to pull off a stunner in the first round using a spread attack against an imposing Cowboys front. This one might be closer than some expect. … Happy 68, Miami 32
Follett (9-1) vs. Nazareth (8-2), 7:30 p.m., Friday, Bucks Stadium, White Deer
Best game on the docket in Six-Man. These two teams are mirror images. Potent running attacks, stingy defense, and physical lines. The winner is likely the team that can hit a big pass or star in the kicking game. In a tight one I’ll go with the slight upset. … Follett 48, Nazareth 44
Class 1A Division II
Groom (5-5) vs. Amherst (8-2), 6 p.m., Friday, Longhorns Stadium, Lockney
A rematch from week two where the Bulldogs manhandled the Tigers. Groom is playing much better since then, but Amherst is sneaky good. … Amherst 62, Groom 52
Whitharral (9-1) vs. Silverton (7-3), 8 p.m. Friday, Longhorns Stadium, Lockney
Using a goal-line stand the Owls upset the Panthers earlier in the season. Silverton will need another effort like that to pull this one off, but Whitharral’s Shamadrick Weaver just has too much speed for the Owl defense. … Whitharral 54 Silverton 18
– Craig Sperry
– Last Week 7-0 (1.000)
– Season 74-15 (.831)
