High School football teams across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains will see Week 10 matchups have district championship and playoff seeding implications. Check out how the Press Pass Sports team of Lance Lahnert, Lee Passmore, Craig Sperry and Kale Steed see things going.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
District 2-5A Division I
Tascosa (5-3, 3-1) vs. Caprock (3-5, 2-2), 7 p.m. Dick Bivins Stadium
City rivalry time as this game was first played in 1963 and this one marks the 37th meeting. Caprock has revived its season winning two in a row and has playoff destiny in its own hands if it beats Tascosa and then closes with a win over Monterey. Despite the loss to Abilene, Tascosa can still host a playoff game with wins over Caprock and Amarillo High. … Tascosa 35, Caprock 14.
District 2-4A Division I
Dumas (6-2, 2-1) at West Plains (7-1, 3-0), 7 p.m. Happy State Bank Stadium
What’s at stake here is obvious as far as playoff seedings. West Plains has already clinched a postseason spot and if the Wolves win, they’re guaranteed no worse than a share of the district title and the district’s No. 1 playoff seed. If Dumas wins, the Demons clinch a playoff spot and still have a shot at a No. 1 seed. This has the trappings of a playoff game between two teams with something to prove. The difference is, the Wolves have the more lucrative recent track record, and their seniors are motivated by their final home game. … West Plains 38, Dumas 21.
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District 2-4A Division II
Lubbock-Cooper Liberty (7-1, 2-0) at Lubbock Estacado (7-2, 3-0), 7 p.m. PlainsCapital-Park at Lowrey Field, Lubbock
This is the likely district championship game, with the winner taking the inside track to the district’s No. 1 playoff seed. Both teams have fairly cruised through district thus far, making this Lubbock showdown seem inevitable. One or the other will finally meet their match in this one. While Estacado is at home, Liberty has had an extra week to prepare with last week’s open date. Fresher legs will help the Patriots make a statement to the rest of the area in only their second season. … Liberty 31, Estacado 21.
District 3-1A Division II
Whitharral (8-0, 2-0) at Anton (3-5, 1-1), 7:30 p.m.
A win wraps up a district title for the Panthers but this team is looking beyond that and wanting to make an impression in the playoffs. … Whitharral 64, Anton 8.
District 5-1A Division I
Lorenzo (2-6, 0-2) at Silverton (2-7, 1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Neither team has had the season they would have wanted and both teams may be playing for nothing but pride unless Spur can upset Valley to give the winner a glimmer of hope. This should be a tight game with the Owls scoring late for the win. … Silverton 44, Lorenzo 40.
Class 1A non-district
Follett (4-5, 2-1) at McLean (2-6, 1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Despite the loss last week, Follett is gearing up for the playoffs and will use this game to get ready for the playoffs but the Tigers won’t go quietly into the night. … Follett 62, McLean 50.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
District 2-6A
Odessa Permian (7-1, 3-0) at Frenship (4-4, 2-1), 7 p.m. Peoples Bank Stadium, Wolfforth
Interesting one here. Frenship can move into a tie for first place in 2-6A with a W. A Mojo win clinches Permian the No. 1 seed in 2-6A. Frenship is definitely playing better but Permian has been the real deal all year long. … Odessa Permian 44, Frenship 28.
District 2-5A Division I
Lubbock High (1-7, 0-4) at Amarillo High (6-2, 3-1), 7 p.m. Dick Bivins Stadium
Some series history with this one. This is the 103rd meeting between AHS and Lubbock (the first game played way back in 1924). The Sandies have won an incredible 44 games in row against Lubbock High. Make it 45 as this AHS offense is legit and keep the chance of a home playoff game alive. … AHS 52, Lubbock High 14.
Lubbock Monterey (4-4, 2-2) at Abilene High (7-2, 5-0), 7 p.m. Shotwell Stadium, Abilene
Monterey will try and do something nobody in 2-5A DI has managed this year. Beat Abilene. Eagles not about to lose at home with a district title and a No. 1 seed on the line. … Abilene 28, Monterey 14.
District 2-5A Division II
Palo Duro (7-1, 4-0) at Wichita Falls Legacy (2-6, 1-3), 7 p.m. Memorial Stadium, Wichita Falls
Palo Duro is on a flat out roll having won seven in a row and clinched a playoff berth. Legacy is a whole lot better than last year but the Dons will go on the road and clinch a share of the 2-5A DII title. … Palo Duro 45, Legacy 13.
Wichita Falls Memorial (5-3, 1-3) at Plainview (3-5, 1-3), 7 p.m. Greg Sherwood Memorial Stadium, Plainview
Special night before this one even kicks off with The Parr’s (Steve, Scott and Seth) inducted into the Plainview Hall of Honor. When this one does kick off it’s going to be feisty as the loser can pretty much kiss the playoffs good-bye. … Memorial 28, Plainview 27.
Abilene Wylie (4-4, 2-2) at Lubbock-Cooper (5-4, 2-3), 7 p.m. Pirate Stadium at First United Park, Woodrow
Game of the night in this district. I’m thinking since Cooper won the wild one over WF Memorial last week it uses that momentum to slip past Wylie and secure a playoff berth. … Cooper 34, Wylie 31.
Lance Lahnert
Last week: 6-1 (.857)
Season: 43-15 (.741)
District 2-4A Division I
Hereford (2-6, 1-2) at Canyon (5-3, 1-2), 7 p.m. Happy State Bank Stadium
This is the district’s most vital game in terms of necessity. The winner is in a very strong position for no worse than the fourth and final seed, and the loser is in serious trouble. Canyon enters with some confidence after getting the first win for head coach Matt Lovorn over Pampa last week, and Hereford’s experiencing some offensive uncertainty due to the unknown status of an ankle injury to quarterback Kalub Ramirez. Homefield advantage will also be a factor here, so the Eagles are more likely to soar when all is said and done. … Canyon 28, Hereford 14.
Randall (6-2, 2-1) at Pampa (1-7, 0-3), 7 p.m.
Both teams are coming off big losses last week, as Randall was routed by West Plains and Pampa was crushed by Canyon. The biggest difference between them are their playoff prospects. Randall will clinch a playoff spot with a win, and Pampa will be eliminated with a loss. There’s a danger in Randall looking past this game to next week’s game against longtime rival Canyon, and Pampa has the incentive of playing in its final home game. It could be close early, but the Raiders have far more depth and defense. … Randall 38, Pampa 14.
District 2-4A Division II
Borger (0-8, 0-2) at Levelland (5-3, 1-1), 7 p.m.
All of the incentive here is on Levelland’s side, since the Lobos will clinch a playoff spot with a victory. Winless Borger is still alive no matter what, since next week’s game against idle Levelland will determine a district playoff spot. The Bulldogs need anything positive to happen sometime soon, but at least know they aren’t eliminated with a loss. That’s motivation enough to play well this week, but it won’t mean a victory. … Levelland 41, Borger 13.
Lee Passmore
Last week: 4-1 (.800)
Season: 40-12 (.769)
District 1-3A Division I
Dalhart (7-1, 1-0) at Bushland (3-5, 0-1), 7 p.m.
The Golden Wolves have been putting together a special season and have a huge win against Panhandle under their belts. On the other hand, the Falcons have won 11 straight in this series and will be playing with their backs against the wall. This will be a dandy. … Dalhart 29, Bushland 27.
River Road (1-7, 0-1) at Shallowater (5-3, 1-0), 7 p.m.
After an up and down non-district, the Mustangs have put it together the last few weeks and are playing really good football. … Shallowater 52, River Road 12.
District 1-3A Division II
Dimmitt (5-3, 1-1) at Canadian (7-1, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The Wildcats will want to take care of business and take care of this one early before a showdown with Childress looming in Week 11. … Canadian 48, Dimmitt 13.
Friona (1-7, 0-2) at Tulia (2-7, 0-3), 7 p.m.
The scenario is simple. The winner heads to the playoffs while the loser heads to basketball season. … Tulia 40, Friona 33.
District 2-3A Division II
Idalou (5-3, 2-0) at Slaton (7-1, 2-0), 7 p.m.
It doesn’t get much bigger than this. This is the district championship game with the winner getting the No. 1-seed out of the league heading into the postseason. Both teams love to run the football, but the Wildcats seem to be more complete at the moment. … Idalou 42, Slaton 21.
Lubbock Roosevelt (2-6, 0-2) at Littlefield (7-2, 1-2), 7 p.m.
The Wildcats can clinch a playoff spot with a win and will do everything they can to bounce back from a tough loss at Idalou last week. … Littlefield 40, Roosevelt 26.
Kale Steed
Last week: 6-0 (1.000)
Season: 56-11 (.835)
District 1-2A Division I
West Texas High (8-0, 3-0) at Spearman (6-2, 3-0), 7 p.m.
Throughout the season, nobody has talked about the Lynx though Spearman has put together six straight wins. That’s probably the way head coach Brandon Reagan likes it. His team will be fired up and playing with passion looking for an upset, but the Comanches prevail and take the outright district lead. … WT High 42, Spearman 22.
Panhandle (6-2, 2-1) at Highland Park (3-5, 1-2), 7 p.m.
The Panthers and head coach Dane Ashley keep adding to their win total. … Panhandle 54, Highland Park 14.
Sanford-Fritch (3-5, 0-3) at Sunray (0-8, 0-3), 7 p.m.
The winner is still in the hunt for a playoff spot. … Fritch 28, Sunray 21.
District 2-2A Division I
New Deal (5-2, 3-0) at New Home (6-2, 2-1), 7 p.m.
The Leopards will be hungry for a win and get put a real wrinkle into the top of this district with a victory. … New Home 41, New Deal 28.
Post (6-2, 2-1) at Floydada (0-8, 0-3), 7 p.m.
It will be a quick night of work for the Bold Gold. … Post 48, Floydada 8.
Olton (3-5, 1-2) at Abernathy (4-3, 1-2), 7 p.m.
This is a very pivotal game for both teams trying to find their way into the playoffs. … Abernathy 33, Olton 28.
District 1-2A Division II
Vega (3-5, 0-2) at Stratford (5-2, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The Elks can wrap up a at least a share of the District 1-2A Division II title with a victory. … Stratford 49, Vega 12.
Farwell (6-1, 2-0) at Gruver (7-2, 2-1), 7 p.m.
What a matchup under the lights at Greyhounds Stadium on Friday night. The Steers are wanting to prove they’re for real and put the region on notice while the Greyhounds are wanting to show they are legit contenders heading into the postseason. This one should be a lot of fun for fans in attendance. … Gruver 34, Farwell 30.
District 2-2A Division II
Hale Center (8-1, 3-0) at Lockney (4-4, 2-1), 7 p.m.
Don’t expect a let down from the Owls following a double overtime thrilling win at Sudan last week. … Hale Center 35, Lockney 14.
District 5-2A Division II
Wellington (7-1, 3-0) at Wheeler (7-1, 3-0), 7 p.m.
These two teams have had this game circled since the summer. This is the district title game with an expected jam-packed crowd that will be full of energy. This writer picked the Mustangs to win the district back in August, but as the season progressed, it’s hard to pick against the Skyrockets. … Wellington 30, Wheeler 20.
Shamrock (2-6, 2-1) at Quanah (4-4, 1-2), 7 p.m.
The winner of this clash will more than likely end up in third place of the district. … Quanah 37, Shamrock 14.
Clarendon (0-8, 0-3) at Memphis (2-6, 0-3), 7 p.m.
Let’s see if the Broncos can break through and get that first W on the year and snap an 18-game losing skid. … Clarendon 32, Memphis 26.
Kale Steed
Last week: 11-1 (.916)
Season: 65-20 (.764)
District 1-1A Division I
Wildorado (0-8, 0-2) at Booker (6-2, 2-0), 7 p.m.
A win coupled with a White Deer loss puts the Kiowas into the playoffs. Booker’s offense is a nightmare that will haunt the Mustangs early and often. … Booker 66, Wildorado 6.
White Deer (6-2, 1-1) at Claude (7-2, 2-1), 7 p.m.
For the Bucks to have any playoff hopes they have to take down the Mustangs on the road while Claude is looking to get that first ever playoff appearance in Six-Man action. Both teams sport good running attacks but it’s the Mustangs defense that will be the difference in this one. … Claude 58, White Deer 20.
District 2-1A Division I
Happy (2-6, 1-1) at Hart (6-2, 0-2), 7 p.m.
If the Cowboys want any shot at the playoffs, they will have to beat a Longhorns squad that has dropped two tough district games but feels like it can compete with anyone. The key for Happy will be handling the speed of Tradien Worsham who can score from anywhere on the field. … Hart 62, Happy 48.
Kress (4-4, 0-2) at Springlake-Earth (4-5, 2-1), 7 p.m.
A win secures a playoff berth for the Wolverines so they won’t be looking past a Kangaroo squad looking to spoil the hopes of the home crowd. … Springlake-Earth 52, Kress 14.
District 5-1A Division I
Valley (2-6, 2-0) at Spur (0-8, 0-2), 7:30 p.m.
Another team who can clinch a playoff berth with a win, the Patriots can’t look past the Bulldogs. After a rough non-district, head coach Daxton Allen’s squad has found district play more to their liking putting up two straight mercy rule wins. … Valley 60, Spur 13.
District 1-1A Division II
Lefors (5-3, 1-1) at Miami (8-0, 1-0), 7:30 p.m.
What a performance from the Warriors last week as they ran for over 600 yards on the road against district rival Follett. A win over the Pirates secures a district title in front of the home crowd and that’s one of the goals this squad wanted. … Miami 72, Lefors 18.
District 2-1A Division II
Paducah (7-0, 1-0) at Motley County (7-1, 1-0), 7:30 p.m.
The game of the week across the state as the No. 10-ranked Dragons walk into Motley County looking to take a step closer to the playoffs over the No. 8-ranked Matadors. Paducah will want to run the ball to control the clock and wear down a smaller defense while Motley County is a pesky, disciplined squad that is tough to beat at home. … Motley County 52, Paducah 46.
TAPPS District 1 Division III
Holy Cross Catholic Academy (0-5, 0-2) at San Jacinto Christian Academy (4-4, 1-1), 7 p.m.
The Patriots lost a close one last week to Lubbock Christ the King and now SJCA has to win out in the final two weeks to secure a playoff spot. This game will be a warmup before next week’s pivotal game against Lubbock Kingdom Prep. … SCJA 60, HCCA 6.
Non-district
Amarillo PCHEA (3-5) at Groom (2-6), 7:30 p.m.
It’s been a tough season for the Tigers while PCHEA has stumbled down the stretch. Look for a lot of points and a game that will go four quarters. Jake Babcock will be the difference in this one. … Groom 74, PCHEA 62.