High School football teams across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains continue with the district schedule going into Week 8 that sees some very good ball games. 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 2-4A Division I
Pampa (1-5, 0-1) at West Plains (5-1, 1-0), 7 p.m., Happy State Bank Stadium
This appears to be a huge mismatch on paper considering that West Plains is a district favorite with state title aspirations and that Pampa has struggled most of the season, especially on defense. This would be a “trap” game for West Plains, since the Wolves could get caught looking ahead to a much-anticipated game against Canyon ISD rival Randall next week, and they’ve been vulnerable defensively. West Plains seems to avoid such pitfalls, though, and the Wolves will validate their status. … West Plains 42, Pampa 17.
District 2-4A Division II
Perryton (3-4, 0-1) at Lubbock Estacado (5-2, 1-0), 7 p.m., Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park, Lubbock
This figured to be a game which might determine the district title before the season started, and it still could be. Perryton has a short week to get ready for this one after being routed by Lubbock-Cooper Liberty Cooper in the district opener, while Estacado won a hard-fought decision over Levelland. There could be a lot of points scored here, so it’s who gets a key stop or two which will make the difference. That will most likely be Estacado at home. … Estacado 42, Perryton 31.
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Class 1A non-district
Plainview Classical (1-5) at Hart (5-1)
The Longhorns will be in no mood to be gracious hosts for this one. Still stinging from their first loss of the year will just motivate Hart to get back in the win column quickly. … Hart 72, Plainview Classical 12.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
District 2-6A
Midland Legacy (2-4, 1-0) at Frenship (3-3, 1-0), 7 p.m., People’s Bank Stadium, Wolfforth:
Frenship is playing better these days and coming off nice district-opening win over Midland. Problem is, Legacy is the best 2-4 team in Texas. … Legacy 42, Frenship 35.
District 2-5A Division I
Lubbock Coronado (0-7, 0-3) at Caprock (1-5, 0-2), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
Both teams look at their opponent and say, “Yeah, we can win this one.” Neither has been able to say that much this year. I’m thinking first one to 28 points wins. And I’m thinking Caprock at home. … Caprock 28, Coronado 24.
Tascosa (4-2, 2-0) at Lubbock Monterey (4-3, 2-1), 7 p.m., Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park, Lubbock
Interesting one here in the 50th meeting between these two with the winner taking a HUGE step toward a playoff berth. Monterey getting better under first-year coach Jason Sims. Tascosa a beast on defense with 24.5 sacks and 48 QB hurries. Defense travels. … Tascosa 31, Monterey 17.
Lubbock High (1-5, 0-2) at Abilene High (5-2, 3-0), 7 p.m., Shotwell Stadium, Abilene
Look at the records of the two teams. … Abilene High 38, Lubbock High 7.
District 2-5A Division II
Palo Duro (5-1, 2-0) at Lubbock-Cooper (4-3, 1-2), 7 p.m., Pirate Stadium at First United Park, Lubbock
The Dons are on a serious roll having won five in a row and averaging 45 points in two district wins over good WF Memorial and Wylie teams. Cooper has given up 55 and 66 points in district losses to Plainview and Abilene Cooper. Dons reach six wins in a season for first time since 2012. … Palo Duro 48, Cooper 24.
Wichita Falls Memorial (4-2, 0-2) at Abilene Wylie (4-3, 2-1), 7 p.m., Hugh Sandifer Stadium, Abilene
Man, what a matchup. Memorial entered district riding high at 4-0 and now suddenly is reeling with an 0-2 district mark. Wylie’s three losses are to teams with a combined 15-4 record, the latest one a comeback just short against Palo Duro. Who would have thunk it, but Memorial will be 0-3 in district. … Wylie 38, Memorial 28.
Abilene Cooper (4-3, 2-1) at Plainview (3-3, 1-1), 7 p.m., Greg Sherwood Memorial Stadium, Plainview
Cooper and Plainview opened eyes last week. Cooper by putting up 66 on Lubbock Cooper, Plainview losing to one-win WF Legacy. Cooper keeps opening eyes. … Abilene Cooper 48, Plainview 21.
Lance Lahnert
Last week: 5-2 (.714)
Season: 33-13 (.717)
District 2-4A Division I
Dumas (4-2, 0-1) at Canyon (4-2, 0-1), 7 p.m., Happy State Bank Stadium
There’s definite sense of urgency around this one, as both teams want to avoid staying winless in district. This is the second of three trips Dumas will make to Happy State Bank Stadium this season to play Canyon ISD schools, and Canyon is playing its second game under Matt Lovorn as Todd Winfrey was removed as head coach before the Eagles started district. Neither team did much offensively last week, but quarterback Colton Mills gives the Demons the slightest of edges. … Dumas 21, Canyon 20.
Randall (5-1, 1-0) at Hereford (2-4, 1-0), 7 p.m.
The winner of this one is guaranteed of no worse than a share of the district lead. Randall jumped to a big early lead and coasted in the second half to beat Dumas while Hereford overcame a slow start to beat Pampa. The most intriguing matchup of this game is Randall’s stout defense against Hereford’s high-powered offense. Something will have to give, and considering how vulnerable Hereford has been defensively, that’s what will gave Randall the edge and a still unbeaten district mark. … Randall 38, Hereford 23.
District 2-4A Division II
Borger (0-6, 0-0) at Lubbock-Cooper Liberty (6-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.
Borger is looking for anything positive to happen, and the Bulldogs drew the district’s open week last week, giving them extra time to prepare for Liberty. They’ll need it, since the Patriots have been one of the most solid teams in the area all season, particularly on offense. Borger’s best hope is to keep the score down to stay competitive. Liberty, however, is playing with too much confidence, and has a huge advantage in the home district opener. … Liberty 45, Borger 13.
Lee Passmore
Last week: 4-1 (.800)
Season: 31-11 (.738)
Class 3A non-district
Guymon, Okla., (2-4) at River Road (1-5), 7 p.m.
The Wildcats can get some much-needed momentum with a home win to close out the non-district portion of the schedule. … River Road 35, Guymon 21.
District 1-3A Division II
Canadian (5-1, 0-0) at Friona (1-6, 0-1), 7 p.m.
Fresh off a bye week, the Wildcats are looking to open district play in a big way and get the taste of the Shallowater loss out of their mouth. … Canadian 54, Friona 12.
Tulia (2-4, 0-1) at Childress (5-2, 1-0), 7 p.m.
The Bobcats are hot and looking for a third straight win with a chance to stay unbeaten in district action. … Childress 45, Tulia 16.
District 2-3A Division II
Muleshoe (3-4, 1-0) at Littlefield (6-1, 0-1), 7 p.m.
There is nothing more than Littlefield wants than to regain the momentum before a tough loss to Slaton last week. On the other hand, Muleshoe would like to build on an overtime victory against Lubbock Roosevelt. Expect points in this league clash. … Littlefield 48, Muleshoe 28.
Idalou (3-3, 0-0) at Lubbock Roosevelt (2-5, 0-1), 7 p.m.
The Wildcats are coming off a bye week and ready to get district rolling on the right foot. … Idalou 49, Roosevelt 14.
Kale Steed
Last week: 6-2 (.750)
Season: 46-10 (.821)
District 1-2A Division I
Panhandle (5-1, 1-0) at West Texas High (6-0, 1-0), 7 p.m.
Expect a packed house at Comanche Stadium with a lot of eyes focused on this showdown from across the state. This is the small school game of the night in the Texas Panhandle. The Comanches have been on a season-long roll but will face their stiffest test to date. The Panthers are battle tested and are wanting to prove why they are the favorite. … Panhandle 48, WT High 34.
Sanford-Fritch (3-3, 0-1) at Spearman (4-2, 1-0), 7 p.m.
The Lynx are hot winners of four straight with no signs of slowing down. After a 2-0 start, the Eagles have seemed to be grounded in recent weeks. … Spearman 47, Fritch 19.
Highland Park (2-4, 0-1) at Sunray (0-6, 0-1), 7 p.m.
The winner of this game keeps their playoff hopes alive while the loser has major work to do. The Bobcats have to be excited to be back at home but it’s time for a W. The Hornets offense isn’t a slouch and can score points. … Highland Park 29, Sunray 26.
District 2-2A Division I
Floydada (0-6, 0-1) at New Home (5-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.
This will be a quick night of work for the Leopards. … New Home 55, Floydada 13.
New Deal (3-2, 1-0) at Abernathy (3-3, 0-1), 7 p.m.
New Deal made quite the statement getting a win over Post in the district opener last week. The Antelopes have been decimated by injuries but are a team that can complete. This is a game that has playoff positioning written all over it. … New Deal 34, Abernathy 23.
District 1-2A Division II
Vega (3-3, 0-0) at Farwell (5-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.
This is the Longhorns district opener and it sure ain’t easy. The Steers are playing some really good football. … Farwell 38, Vega 16.
Bovina (2-3, 0-1) at Gruver (5-2, 0-1), 7 p.m.
The Greyhounds bounce back from a tough loss to Stratford and earn their first district win. … Gruver 46, Bovina 14.
District 2-2A Division II
Crosbyton (1-5, 0-1) at Hale Center (5-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.
The Owls keep on cruising with another strong defensive effort. … Hale Center 53, Crosbyton 8.
District 5-2A Division II
Memphis (2-4, 0-1) at Wheeler (5-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.
The Cyclones are improved but the Mustangs defense can flat out get after it. … Wheeler 42, Memphis 12.
Clarendon (0-6, 0-1) at Shamrock (1-5, 1-0), 7 p.m.
After a winless non-district schedule, the Irish can all of a sudden be in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot with a win. … Shamrock 43, Clarendon 28.
Wellington (5-1, 1-0) at Quanah (3-3, 0-1), 7 p.m.
Give me the Skyrockets in a big way. … Wellington 49, Quanah 13.
Kale Steed
Last week: 8-2 (.800)
Season: 55-19 (.743)
District 1-1A Division I
Wildorado (0-6, 0-0) at White Deer (5-2, 0-1), 7 p.m.
Coming off a loss to Boys Ranch, the Bucks aren’t in a good mood and know they can’t afford to lose another district game. That focus doesn’t bode well for the Mustangs. … White Deer 54, Wildorado 6.
Boys Ranch (6-1, 1-0) at Claude (5-2, 0-1), 7 p.m.
The Mustangs have been shooting for a playoff berth all season long and now their backs are against the wall. Now they have to try and cover a Roughriders offense that creates mismatches on the edge with their speed. If Claude can get two stops per half this will be a close one but that’s a tall ask. … Boys Ranch 60, Claude 54.
District 2-1A Division I
Happy (1-5, 0-0) at Kress (4-3, 0-1), 7 p.m.
You have to go back to 2011 to find the last time the Kangaroos beat the Cowboys. Happy owns a 15-2 record all-time against Kress in Six-Man ball but this may be the best opportunity for the Roos to get a win. This will be a tight one but the physical play of the Cowboys will be the difference. … Happy 46, Kress 38.
Nazareth (4-3, 1-0) at Springlake-Earth (3-4, 1-0), 7 p.m.
A de facto district title game as both squads will be heavy favorites the rest of the year. If the Swifts want a victory they have to stop Froylan Agundiz. The lefty spread back has thrown for 29 touchdowns and ran for six more accumulating over 2,000 combined yards through seven games. A tall task but the Swifts will have enough firepower to outgun Agundiz. … Nazareth 72, Springlake-Earth 66.
District 5-1A Division I
Valley (0-6, 0-0) at Lorenzo (2-5, 0-1), 7:30 p.m.
In a district where the overall record of the five teams is 6-28, Valley looks like the favorite. A very tough schedule is a big reason the Patriots are winless but this team has some talent and possibly the best player in the district in Damian Valdes. … Valley 60, Lorenzo 18.
Petersburg (2-5, 1-0) at Silverton (2-5, 1-0), 7:30 p.m.
At the start of the year, I’m not sure anyone would have seen this as a pivotal district game but here we are. The winner of this one will be in great shape for a playoff berth. Silverton has won two straight and looks to be improving each week. … Silverton 42, Petersburg 38.
District 1-1A Division II
Follett (3-4, 1-0) at Groom (2-4, 0-0), 7:30 p.m.
It’s been a tough year for the Tigers but Tory Peet’s squad will continue to play hard. Unfortunately, they just don’t have the talent to match up with the Panthers. … Follett 60, Groom 14.
District 2-1A Division II
Paducah (6-0, 0-0) at McLean (2-5, 1-0), 7 p.m.
One week after changing head coaches, the Tigers find the tenth ranked Dragons coming to town and must get a win for any shot at a playoff berth. Paducah’s Darren Mackey is uber talented but the Dragons have more than just him and roll in this one. … Paducah 56, McLean 22.
District 3-1A Division II
Amherst (2-3, 0-0) at Whitharral (7-0, 1-0) 7:30 p.m.
A big-time mismatch but not all is lost for the Bulldogs as they will still be in the hunt for a playoff berth with a loss. … Whitharral 66, Amherst 8.
TAPPS District 1 Division III
Holy Cross Catholic Academy (0-4, 0-0) at Midland Holy Cross (2-5, 0-1), 7:30 p.m.
A long road trip and a thin roster is not a good combination for the Mustangs. … Midland Holy Cross 54, Holy Cross Catholic Academy 6.
Non-district games
Amarillo FFC (1-5) at Hedley (0-6), 7 p.m.
This is an important game for the Owls. With top ten squads Motley County and Paducah left on the schedule, Hedley sees this as a way to get their first victory of the season. With that kind of momentum, the Owls will soar to victory. … Hedley 66, Amarillo FFC 48.