THURSDAY’S GAMES 

Class 5A 
Division I 

Tascosa (5-5) at El Paso Americas (3-6), 7 p.m. CST, Socorro Student Activity Complex II
Tascosa rides into the playoffs with serious momentum and confidence with that impressive win over Amarillo High.  Americas three wins are over teams with a combined 3-27 record. … Tascosa 42, Americas 20.

Class 4A 
Division I

West Plains (7-3) vs. Clint (4-6), 7.p.m., Artesia, N.M.
It’s time to stop being surprised by West Plains, which is in its third straight trip to the postseason in its third year of existence. Not only that, but the Wolves have shown that they more than belong in 4A Division I after going unbeaten in District 2-4A Division I this year. This is a rematch from last season, when West Plains routed Clint 41-14 en route to reaching the 4A Division II state quarterfinals. West Plains junior quarterback Reid Macon has been in as many or more playoff games than most quarterbacks who have already graduated. Nothing’s guaranteed in the postseason, of course, but the Wolves look like as close as you can get to a sure bet this week. … West Plains 47, Clint 7.

Randall (9-1) vs. Ysleta (8-2), 7 p.m., Hobbs, N.M.
Like fellow Canyon ISD rival West Plains, Randall is going to New Mexico to play an El Paso area school to open the postseason. The Raiders are also on a roll entering the playoffs, but the difference is they look to have a tougher opponent than the Wolves. West Plains was the only team to beat Randall this year, but the Raiders have bounced back with two decisive wins to claim the No. 2 seed from 2-4A DI. They have one of the area’s most balanced offenses led by the passing of Kaison Benton and the running of Dylan Ray. That balance should be what carries them to the next round and will make CISD two-for-two coming back from New Mexico. … Randall 48, Ysleta 7.

CLASS 3A
Division I 

Bushland (9-1) vs. Kermit (2-8), 6 p.m. Thursday, Lobos Stadium, Levelland
Expect this game to be out of hand from the moment it kicks off. Bushland soars into the second round. … Bushland 56, Kermit 7. 

River Road (4-6) vs. Lamesa (4-6), 7 p.m. Thursday, Peoples Bank Stadium, Frenship High School
Here’s a rematch from a great non-district matchup where River Road escaped Lamesa with a 35-34 overtime win earlier in the year. The Wildcats were in control most of that game but did let the Tors back in late. That won’t happen this time. … River Road 33, Lamesa 21. 

Class 3A
Division II 

Canadian (7-3) vs. Muleshoe (6-4), 7 p.m., Happy State Bank Stadium
This will be a much different looking game than the shootout back in Week 3 where Canadian won a wild one 74-67 in a game that saw over 1,300 combined yards. A lot has happened since then and injuries have played a factor for both teams. … Canadian 28, Muleshoe 14. 

Tulia (3-7) vs. Idalou (8-2), 5:30 p.m., Patriots Stadium, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty
Kudos to the Hornets for making the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Tulia will hang tough, but the Wildcats prevail in the end. … Idalou 39, Tulia 15. 

Class 2A
Division I 

Sunray (10-0) vs. Olton (5-5), 4 p.m., Happy State Bank Stadium
There is a lot of expectation surrounding the Bobcats heading into the postseason. … Sunray 54, Olton 12. 

Class 2A
Division II 

Stratford (6-3) vs. Crosbyton (4-6), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
There’s not a much better combo than the Stratford Elks and playoff football. … Stratford 47, Crosbyton 13. 

Wellington (8-2) vs. Petrolia (5-5), 7 p.m., Cameron Stadium, Lawton, Okla.
The Skyrockets are taking the Region II route which looks very unfamiliar than the past few years. This region is loaded but look for Wellington to handle things well in the first round. … Wellington 34, Petrolia 18. 

Wheeler (8-2) vs. Electra (8-2), 7 p.m., Leo Brittain Field at Lions Stadium, Vernon
The Mustangs have put a great regular season together and look to forward that momentum behind their great defense. … Wheeler 29, Electra 14. 

Shamrock (6-4) vs. Archer City (7-3), 7 p.m., Charlie Johnston Field at Fair Park Stadium, Childress
This should be a good one in Childress. The Irish offense needs to limit mistakes and rely heavily on QB Philip Cook. … Shamrock 26, Archer City 23. 

Class 1A 
Division II 

Follett (6-3) vs. Paducah (6-3), 7:30 p.m., Tigers Stadium, Groom
This should be a great first round matchup as the Panthers David Meeks and Paducah’s Darren Mackey get most of the headlines.  Both spread backs can put up big numbers in a hurry.  The difference in this one, though, will be the size and strength of Follett’s line being able to control both sides of the line. … Follett 62, Paducah 42.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Class 5A 
Division I 

Amarillo High (5-4) at El Paso El Dorado (10-0), 7 p.m. CST, Socorro Student Activity Complex II
Record wise this is a mismatch with unbeaten El Dorado holding the edge. But look closer behind El Dorado’s record and one team on its schedule has a winning record. It won’t be easy because El Dorado’s gifted junior running back Ryan Estrada will eventually run for a DI school. But this AHS offense with trigger man Jett Lopez is legit. … Amarillo High 48, El Doroado 42.

– Lance Lahnert
Last week: 5-1 (.833)
Season: 42-8 (.840)

Class 4A 
Division I 

Dumas (4-6) vs. El Paso Austin (9-1), 6 p.m., Mustangs Stadium, Denver City
This one looks like another mismatch on paper, only it’s against the Panhandle team. However, Dumas has played the tougher schedule and been competitive against some of the better teams from 2-4A DI. The Demons are dynamic offensively, led by sophomore quarterback Colton Mills, who routinely throws for over 300 yards a game. Austin is a run-heavy team led by sophomore Sal Duarte,  ran for 1,610 yards this season and averaged over 10 yards a carry. Dumas will likely present him with several eight-man fronts and dare Austin to throw the ball. If the Panthers can’t adapt, they’ll have a long night against the Demons. Look for that to be the case. … Dumas 42, Austin 17.

Hereford (7-3) vs. El Paso Riverside (9-1), 6 p.m., Ratliff Stadium, Odessa
On paper, again, this looks like the most competitive matchup involving a 2-4A DI team this week, at least looking at the records of the two teams. Hereford had a chance to get the district’s No. 1 seed last week at West Plains, but settled for No. 3 after losing. That could provide some incentive for the Whitefaces this week. They have a diverse offense led by quarterback Kalub Ramirez, throwing to receivers Tell Bryant and Ethan Gonzales as well as running back Brylyn Lopez. Riverside’s Carlos Rojas III has run for 1,527 yards and is averaging over 10 yards a carry with 23 touchdowns. Balance, though, is key, and the Herd has more of it. … Hereford 35, Riverside 21.

Class 4A 
Division II 

Borger (3-7) vs. Midland Greenwood (9-1), 7 p.m., Patriots Stadium, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty
This is an especially tall order for Borger, which got in despite losing to Perryton in last week’s regular finale and taking the fourth seed from District 2-4A Division II. Borger has struggled to find an offensive identity all season and Greenwood, a perennial contender, is ranked No. 9 in the state. The Bulldogs will have to hope to keep it fairly close early and maybe frustrate Greenwood. If that doesn’t happen, it will be a long night for Borger until the end of the season. … Greenwood 41, Borger 11.

Perryton (4-6) vs. Monahans (5-5), 7 p.m., First United Park, Lubbock-Cooper
A more competitive game looks possible on paper, at least glancing at the records. Perryton reached the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in 2-4A DII by beating Borger 41-7. Quarterback Cooper Schilling has been one of the more overlooked two-way threats in the area, and he could keep the Rangers competitive. At this time of the season, though, teams need more than one key player to advance to the next round. This one should still be fairly entertaining. … Monahans 33, Perryton 21.

– Lee Passmore
Last Week: 5-0 (1.000)
Season: 36-18 (.667)

Class 3A 
Division I 

Dalhart (7-3) vs. Denver City (2-8), 7 p.m., PlainsCapital Park-Lowrey Field, Lubbock
The Golden Wolves physical attack will wear down the Mustangs. … Dalhart 40, Denver City 14. 

Class 3A
Division II

Childress (5-5) vs. Slaton (7-3), 7 p.m., Tyer Stadium, Floydada
Don’t expect to see the ball going in the air much between two teams that make their living on the ground. The Tigers have been the surprise team on the South Plains so far. The Childress defense can play with anyone but can the Bobcat offense make the plays when needed. … Childress 30, Slaton 28. 

Friona (2-8) vs. Littlefield (6-4), 7 p.m., Wildcats Stadium, Clovis, N.M.
How about a contest out in the Land of Enchantment. Two weeks ago, the Chieftains looked ready to head to basketball, but a strong finish put them in the playoffs. This will be a difficult matchup against a balanced Wildcat squad. … Littlefield 35, Friona 20.

– Kale Steed
Last week: 6-0 (1.000)
Season: 54-12 (.818) 

Class 2A
Division I 

Panhandle (9-1) vs. New Home (5-5) 4 p.m., Happy State Bank Stadium
The Panthers are out to prove a point that they are the real deal and a contender in this region. The Leopards are a very good football team, however, I don’t think they will be on Panhandle’s level. … Panhandle 40, New Home 14. 

West Texas High (7-3) vs. Abernathy (7-3), 7 p.m., Whiteface Stadium, Hereford
Here’s another excellent first round matchup. The Antelopes are physical which can present problems to the Comanches. If QB Cayde Winters can get loose and make the plays needed, WT High has a chance. … Abernathy 37, WT High 22.

Spearman (3-7) vs. Post (10-0), 7 p.m., Younger Field, Tulia
We’ve seen Spearman in this role so many times as the No. 4-seed and counted out. The Lynx thrive on that and play the kind of offense to keep them in games but so does Post. … Post 32, Spearman 15. 

Class 2A
Division II 

Gruver (10-0) vs. Morton (3-7), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
The Greyhounds are out to make an early playoff statement that they are the team to beat in Region I. … Gruver 55, Morton 12. 

Farwell (4-6) vs. Sudan (6-4), 7 p.m., David Wood Field at Benny Douglas Stadium, Muleshoe
The Steers are a tough out and will be once again to open the playoffs. … Farwell 26, Sudan 23.

Bovina (3-7) vs. Hale Center (9-1), 7 p.m., Happy State Bank Stadium, Canyon
Kudos to the Mustangs for showing grit and getting into the playoffs. Running back/ linebacker Angel Lara will give Bovina a fighting chance. … Hale Center 41, Bovina 24. 

– Kale Steed
Last week: 8-0 (1.000)
Season: 75-15 (.815) 

Class 1A 
Division I 

Booker (9-1) vs. Springlake-Earth (5-4), 6 p.m., Tigers Stadium, Groom
A marquee matchup as the Kiowas have rolled over their opponents with a potent passing attack led by QB Chase Nelson. The Wolverines are physical, and Froylan Agundiz is tough to bring down in the open field. Plenty of points will be scored in this one and Booker head coach David Biddler won’t forgive me for this pick. … Springlake-Earth 68, Booker 64.

Wildorado (6-3) at Happy (9-1), 7 p.m.
Since Kole Gibson returned to the starting lineup for Happy, the Cowboys have looked like a team that could have a shot at a regional title. Gibson and Mason Hix will need to get pressure on the Mustang’s Braddek Darnell to avoid him finding Blu Washington. Defense and physicality wins in the playoffs and Happy has both. … Happy 56, Wildorado 20.

Valley (4-6) vs. Knox City (7-3), 7 p.m., Eagles Stadium, Chillicothe
What a story the Patriots have become after starting the season winless in their first five contests. Head coach Crockett Gillmore has his team believing they can make a run.  Unfortunately, they match up with a Greyhounds team that is getting healthy and has a potent rushing attack. … Knox City 54, Valley 32.

Class 1A
Division II 

Miami (6-3) vs. Motley County (10-0), 8 p.m., Tigers Stadium, Groom
Another great matchup as the unbeaten Matadors are playing well with a scrappy defense and opportunistic offense. The Warriors have seen players step up late in the season led by Jack Kotara. Miami seems to be playing with an edge down the stretch so it’s time to call for an upset special. … Miami 46, Motley County 42.

– Craig Sperry
Last week: 8-0 (1.000)
Season: 98-19 (.838)