
Thursday’s games
District 2-5A Division I
Caprock (5-3, 2-2) vs. Tascosa (6-1, 3-0), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
This is the 34th career meeting between these Amarillo city teams that first played in 1963. Ok, the history lesson is over. Tascosa can clinch a playoff berth with a win. Caprock pretty much the same in my opinion. I love Caprock’s grit, tenacity and simply the fact these guys love to play football. But I love more the fact Tascosa has outscored its opponents 112-10 in the first quarter this year and not given up a first quarter TD since week two. … Tascosa 35, Caprock 14
District 1-1A Division I
Miami (5-2, 0-0) at Follett (6-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The Panthers size and defensive front is just too much for the Warriors to overcome. … Follett 56 Miami 13
District 1-1A Division II
Darrouzett (1-6, 0-1) vs. Silverton (5-3, 1-1), 7 p.m. at Lefors
The Owls are still upset about their loss to Groom last week and now the Longhorns have to pay for it. … Silverton 54, Darrouzett 6
Friday’s games
District 2-5A Division I
Lubbock Cooper (6-1, 3-0) at Lubbock Monterey (0-7, 0-2), 7 p.m., Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park
I’ll say it again, Monterey is the best 0-7 team on planet Earth. Cooper just knows how to win. Closer than the records would indicate. … Lubbock Cooper 24, Lubbock Monterey 14
Lubbock Coronado (2-5, 1-2) at Abilene High (3-5, 2-2), 7:00 p.m., Shotwell Stadium
Man, this is a toughie to figure because Coronado is impossible to predict even this late into the season. Abilene has been on a lose and then win streak the last five weeks. Abilene lost last week. … Abilene 17, Coronado 13
District 2-5A Division II
Wichita Falls Rider (4-3, 1-1) at Palo Duro (2-5, 1-1), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
Palo Duro has definite playoff hopes alive and its players remain resilient under coach Eric Mims. Rider, is one ticked off team from last week’s 39-38 loss to Wylie week when it gained more than 500 yards of offense. Not sure PD’s offense can keep up in this one. … Rider 38, Palo Duro 21
– Lance Lahnert
– Last week: 3-1 (.750)
– Season: 18-8 (.692)
District 3-4A Division I
Canyon (7-0, 1-0) vs. Randall (6-2, 2-0), 7 p.m., Happy State Bank Stadium
There’s no need to overhype this one, as there’s plenty of anticipation for this meeting between the two Canyon ISD rivals which is finally a district game again. Winner will have the outright district lead and Randall will clinch a playoff berth with a win. Don’t look for a shootout here since both teams have solid defenses, although both have playmaking ability on offense. Both teams have shown some grit, especially Canyon without starting quarterback Derrek Clements the last two games. That ability to adapt gives the Eagles the slightest edge in a game which will be decided late. … Canyon 20, Randall 17
Pampa (5-3, 1-1) at Dumas (4-3, 0-1), 7 p.m.
Dumas has had a week to get over a district-opening loss to Randall and extra time to prepare for Pampa, which is good news for the Demons. Pampa has one of the best running games in the area led by freshman Max Neff, which should be a challenge for Dumas defensively. But the Demons are also one of the better defensive teams the Harvesters will face. Dumas also has an experience edge, not to mention finally getting to play a district home opener, and both factors should carry the Demons to their first district win and back into the playoff conversation. … Dumas 35, Pampa 21
District 2-4A Division II
Borger (2-5, 0-1) at Levelland (1-7, 0-2), 7 p.m.
This could almost be considered an elimination game since the loser will have an extremely tough time reaching the postseason. Borger showed some offensive promise in a 48-32 loss to first-place Seminole, as the Bulldogs racked up nearly 500 yards of offense. Levelland has struggled on both sides of the ball and carries in no momentum after a 52-7 loss at West Plains. The road trip alone will be an obstacle for Borger, but the Bulldogs have more than enough to overcome that and get back into the playoff picture. … Borger 26, Levelland 16
West Plains (4-4, 1-1) at Perryton (2-5, 1-0), 7 p.m.
Either one of these teams will make the playoffs with a victory if Borger beats Levelland. West Plains has been a feel-good story and four the last five games. The Wolves have improved each week and don’t look like a first-year program. Perryton’s record is misleading since the Rangers have played a tough schedule and they broke a five-game losing streak by beating Levelland in the district opener before last week’s open date. But the Wolves have the momentum, and they’ll take that on the road. … West Plains 28, Perryton 20
– Lee Passmore
– Last week: 4-0 (1.000)
– Season: 35-8 (.813)
District 2-3A Division I
Shallowater (6-1, 1-0) at Bushland (8-0, 2-0), 7 p.m.
This game has been on the radar since February’s realignment. In August, I gave Shallowater the edge for the district championship, but nine weeks later have things changed. The Falcons fly high at home. … Bushland 36, Shallowater 17
River Road (2-6, 0-2) at Muleshoe (5-2, 0-1), 7 p.m.
Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives. The Wildcats are severely banged up while Muleshoe is fresh off a bye week. … Muleshoe 42, River Road 13
District 3-3A Division II
Friona (4-3, 2-0) at Canadian (5-2, 2-0), 7 p.m.
On paper this contest for the outright district lead. On the field, the Wildcats have looked unstoppable the past few weeks. Friona will have to find a pass game to give Canadian a challenge. … Canadian 38, Friona 14
Spearman (2-5, 1-1) at Childress (3-4, 1-1), 7 p.m.
The winner gets a fast track to the second-place spot in the district chase. The Bobcats have come a long way since Week 1 and are always tough to beat at home. … Childress 29, Spearman 12
Tulia (2-5, 0-2) at Dimmitt (0-7, 0-2), 7 p.m.
If the Hornets want any shot at the playoffs, they have to take care of business on the road and stop this three-game losing skid. … Tulia 45, Dimmitt 13
District 1-2A Division I
Farwell (6-1, 1-1) at Highland Park (2-5, 1-1), 7 p.m.
The Steers make it back-to-back district wins despite a valiant effort from the Hornets. … Farwell 34, Highland Park 14
West Texas High (3-4, 0-2) at Panhandle (5-2, 1-1), 7 p.m.|
The Panthers proved a lot despite a loss at Stratford last Friday. The Comanches are reeling with injuries, and this might not be pretty by nights end. … Panhandle 50, WT High 10
Stratford (7-0, 2-0) at Sanford-Fritch (1-6, 1-1), 7 p.m.
The Elks continue one of the state’s longest winning streaks. … Stratford 48, Fritch 13
District 1-2A Division II
Sunray (6-1, 1-0) at Gruver (6-2, 1-1), 7 p.m.
This is the biggest challenge to date for the Bobcats. This game comes down to Sunray’s offense and can it put up the points against a scrappy Gruver squad which continues to turn heads. The winner puts themselves in a really good district position. … Sunray 32, Gruver 20
Vega (4-4, 2-0) at Booker (4-2, 0-1), 7 p.m.
A win and the Longhorns punch a ticket to the playoffs. A Booker win keeps its postseason hopes alive. … Vega 36, Booker 15
District 2-2A Division II
Clarendon (5-2, 2-0) at Memphis (4-3, 1-1), 7 p.m.
The Broncos are red hot and don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. … Clarendon 47, Memphis 12
Shamrock (5-2, 1-1) at Quanah (1-6, 0-2), 7 p.m.
The Irish offense cruises in this lopsided affair. … Shamrock 46, Quanah 6
Wellington (6-1, 2-0) at Wheeler (1-6, 0-2), 7 p.m.
Wellington’s defense hasn’t allowed a point in 10 quarters. Does that streak continue at Wheeler? We’ll see. … Wellington 39, Wheeler 7
District 3-2A Division II
Hale Center (3-4, 1-1) at Bovina (2-5, 1-1), 7 p.m.
A win for the Mustangs and it is a step closer to securing second place in the district. … Bovina 27, Hale Center 21
– Kale Steed
– Last week: 14-0 (1.000)
– Season 88-23 (.792)
District 1-1A Division I
White Deer (5-2, 0-0) at McLean (6-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
There’s no love lost between these two teams with the winner of this one getting a leg up in a battle for a playoff spot. … McLean 54 White Deer 44
District 2-1A Division I
Happy (6-1, 0-0) at Nazareth (6-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Friday night lights doesn’t get better than this matchup between two teams that don’t like each other. Decades long rivals with the winner the likely district champ. Yes, I’m biased. Happy in a tight one. … Happy 48 Nazareth 44
Claude (3-4, 0-0) at Wildorado (1-6, 0-0), 7 p.m.
No matter what happens the Mustang will win this game. Both of these teams have been reeling from injuries, but the road Claude takes it. … Claude 77 Wildorado 56
District 4-1A Division I
Valley (4-3, 0-0) at Spur (5-2, 0-0), 7 p.m.
In a week littered with big games this is another one. The winner of this one has a huge advantage for a playoff spot. The Patriots are getting healthy and that’s the difference. … Valley 62 Spur 58
District 1-1A Division II
Hedley (3-4, 1-0) at Groom (3-5, 2-0), 7:30 p.m.
After a huge win last week, the Tigers are prime for an upset. The Owls will try but they just won’t have an answer for Stephen Kuehler. … Groom 68 Hedley 22
– Craig Sperry
– Last Week: 3-1 (.750)
– Season: 56-13 (.811)