The sun sets over Falcons Stadium in Bushland during a game last season. [John Moore/ Press Pass Sports]
Class 6A
Friday’s games
Tascosa at Abilene High, 7:30 p.m. Not an easy opener at all for Rebs with Abilene returning 17 starters from last year’s 5-5 team. Tascosa’s option offense led by senior QB Joseph Plunk will be too much … Tascosa 38, Abilene 21.
Amarillo High at Frenship, 7 p.m. Sandies second year under Chad Dunnam will be a good one. And that starts with a win over a Frenship team improved from last year’s 3-7 record. … Amarillo High 24, Frenship 21.
Class 5A
Friday’s games
Midland High at Randall, 7 p.m. Randall will be the first CISD team to play in the “new” Bro. No easy task with 6A Midland High on the menu. Randall does return 10 starters from playoff team.
Midland is picked to finish last in 2-6A. Randall finds a way to a W. … Randall 17, Midland 15.
Hereford at Caprock, 7:30 p.m. If this game is anything like last year’s fans will be in for a treat. The Rock will likely move playmaker Tarik Williams from QB to WR giving defenses fits. The Herd is coming off an outstanding regional finalist season but will start the chore of replacing workhorse RB Seth Dixon. Go with Caprock at home …. Caprock 28, Hereford 14
— Lance Lahnert
Class 4A-3A
Friday’s games
Pampa (0-0) at Borger (0-0), 7 p.m. Pampa leads this rivalry that dates back to 1929, 46-40-2. The Harvesters have also won the last four meetings. The Bulldogs will scrap, but it will be the Harvesters with more bite. … Pampa 37, Borger 13.
Perryton (0-0) at Dumas (0-0), 7 p.m. This should be a very entertaining opener between two solid football teams. Last year, the Demons rallied from a halftime deficit for a hard earned win. … Dumas 27, Perryton 21
Bushland (0-0) at Childress (0-0), 7 p.m. What a way to kickoff the season with two traditional small school powers. Last year, the Bobcats scored late to ground the Falcons in a shootout. What does this year have in store. … Bushland 34, Childress 16
Muleshoe (0-0) at Dalhart (0-0), 7 p.m. The Mules are coming off a dismal season while the Golden Wolves are coming off a playoff run despite multiple injuries. Dalhart’s physical front is the difference. … Dalhart 33, Muleshoe 12.
Farwell (0-0) at Friona (0-0), 7 p.m. Keep an eye out of the Chieftains. Head coach Jimmy Arias’ team was impressive in both scrimmages. Farwell’s reputation always speaks for itself. This should be a dandy. … Friona 23, Farwell 20.
Sanford-Fritch (0-0) at Slaton (0-0), 7:30 p.m. The Eagles will have to find a way to make possessions count, and slow down a speedy Tigers team. … Slaton 32, Sanford-Fritch 16.
Memphis (0-0) at Spearman (0-0), 7:30 p.m. Coach Aaron Witten isn’t wasting anytime. Friday’s season opener is Spearman’s Homecoming game. It should be a happy one. … Spearman 45, Memphis 7
— Kale Steed
Class 2A
Friday’s games
Canadian (0-0) at West Texas High (0-0), 7 p.m. West Texas High returns key starters from a quarterfinal run in receiver Jaykob Hernandez and quarterback Avian Cruz. However, the No. 3 Canadian Wildcats out of Class 3A return 13 starters from a miraculous 2018 state finals appearance. The Wildcats take this one over the Comanches … Canadian 41, WT High 12
Dimmitt (0-0) at Lubbock Christian (0-0), 7 p.m. Although the Bobcats won only a single game last season, expect Dimmitt to improve its record in a tough Class 3A Division I.. Lubbock Christian on the other hand, returns several significant offensive weapons. The Eagles win a high scoring affair. … Lubbock Christian 42, Dimmitt 27.
Tulia (0-0) at Panhandle, (0-0) 7 p.m. Tulia made school history by making a run to the 3A Division II regional round in 2018. Panhandle is in spots, but bring back stud running back Houston Heck and a physical defense. Panthers will prove too stout in this one. … Panhandle 48, Tulia 18
Highland Park (0-0) at Booker, (0-0) 7 p.m. Highland Park return several starters from a year ago. Booker is fairly thin on both sides of the ball. Look for a slow paced game with a “grit”. Hornets take this tight game … Highland Park 22, Booker 18
Stratford (0-0) at Sunray, (0-0) 7 p.m. Though they aren’t in the same district anymore the two teams carry on the rivalry. Sunray struggled last year under new coach Matt Strickland. Stratford looks to add to another deep playoff run, starting with a W on Friday. … Stratford 34, Sunray 7
Bovina (0-0) at Boys Ranch (0-0), 7 p.m. The Mustangs lost key starters up front on the offensive and defensive side of the football while Boys Ranch looks to try to improve from last year’s 0-10 season. Bovina wins this season opener. … Bovina 42, Boys Ranch 12
Lockney (0-0) at Clarendon (0-0), 7 p.m. The Broncos graduated several weapons from 2018. Lockney aims to build off a winless season. The two teams both have something to prove in 2019. Expect a bruising Clarendon win. …Clarendon 33, Lockney 8
Texhoma, Okla. (0-0) at Gruver (0-0), 7 p.m. The Greyhounds are hoping to capitalize off a historic run to the Class 2A Division II state title game. Expect a big showing from Oklahoma commit and Gruver QB Jalin Conyers. Greyhounds roll in this one. … Gruver 56, Texhoma 28
Vega (0-0) at Crosbyton (0-0), 7 p.m. The Chiefs are coming into 2019 after a 2-9 season last fall. Anticipate a big game by electric dual-threat quarterback Carson Kirkland leading the Longhorns to a win … Vega 42, Crosbyton 20
Wheeler (0-0) at Lubbock Trinity (0-0), 7 p.m. The Mustangs are a year older and a year wiser. Quarterback Gustavo Andrade and running back Hesston Marshall make up one of the best small school backfields in the area. Look out for the Mustangs. … Wheeler 36, Lubbock Trinity 14
Ralls (0-0) at Shamrock, (0-0) 7 p.m. The Irish haven’t forgotten last years matchup where they saw a two touchdown lead slip away leading to a season-opening loss. Shamrock is dead set on getting a measure of revenge. … Shamrock 27, Ralls 19
Wellington (0-0) at Clayton, N.M., (0-0) 7 p.m. For the first time in 11 years the Skyrockets won’t have Wade Williams pacing the sideline as head coach. Enter Greg Proffitt from Goldthwaite, who is ready to earn his first victory in the red and white. … Wellington 44, Clayton 8.
— Bo Dickinson
Class 1A
Friday’s games
Claude (0-0) at Follett (0-0), 7 p.m. Follett is in full rebuild mode after last season’s state final appearance. The Mustangs got a taste of Six-man after making the jump a year ago. Spread back Nash Stapp is the difference in this game. … Claude 66, Follett 15
Groom (0-0) at Silverton (0-0), 7:30 p.m. Silverton brings back the entirety of its roster after a playoff berth in 2018. But Groom is the team to watch for as a regional favorite in Division II. This could be one of the highest scoring games of the night. … Groom 75, Silverton 30
Kress (0-0) at Lefors (0-0), 7:30 p.m. Cooper Bye is a player to keep an eye on this season for the Kangaroos. He’s an all-around back who can get it done on the ground and through the air. This game could go all four quarters. … Kress 58, Lefors 50
Saturday’s games
All games at Jayton
Happy (0-0) vs. Knox City (0-0), 12:30 p.m. Happy looks to bounce back after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011. First-year coach Stacy Perrymon needs to get as much as he can from his newcomers. The Cowboys have their hands full with a high powered Knox City offense … Knox City 60, Happy 14
Valley (0-0) vs. Morton (0-0), 3 p.m. New head coach John Stanaland comes into Valley with a stacked district schedule. The good news for Stanaland, he will benefit from having talented QB Parker Carson back for his senior season. Morton will be a good test early for Valley. Valley 76, Morton 40
McLean (0-0) vs. Blum (0-0), 5:30 p.m. Ben Crockett is back after earning the Class 1A Player of the Year, and leading McLean to a 1A Division state title. McLean will have their hands full in the battle of top ten teams but expect the Tigers to make it 16 straight wins. … McLean 72, Blum 46
White Deer (0-0) vs. Spur (0-0), 8 p.m.
The finale of the Jayton Gridiron Classic will be a knock down drag out game between the Bucks and Bulldogs. Though the White Deer offense is a question mark, the Bucks will run away in what will be the most physical game of the weekend. … White Deer 68, Spur 22
— Tommy King