Amarillo High opens District 2-5A Division I play Thursday night in Lubbock. [Photos by John Moore & Audrey Kerr]
The game: Amarillo High Sandies (2-2, 0-1) at Lubbock Monterey Plainsman (2-3, 0-1).
When: 7 p.m. Thursday.
Where: PlainsCapital Park-Lowrey Field, Lubbock.
The matchup: What a way to kickoff week six with a key District 2-5A Division I game in Lubbock. Amarillo High is fresh off a bye week heading to Lowrey Field to take on a slumping Lubbock Monterey squad. Though it’s a district opener for the Sandies, it’s a crucial game. A win can set AHS up well when it comes to a postseason spot. The key will be jumping on a Plainsman team that’s stumbled over their last three games. Since starting 2-0, Monterey has dropped three straight, including a 70-49 loss to Ablilene Cooper last week. If Sandies quarterback Will Maynard and the offense gets a rhythm early, it could be a big night for AHS.
Big Spring quarterback Brett Leach comes to Hereford to battle the Whitefaces at 7 p.m. Friday. [Photos by Tony Venegas and Ben Jenkins]
The game: Andrews Mustangs (4-1) at Hereford Whitefaces (3-2).
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Where: Whiteface Stadium.
The matchup: One thing is for certain, Hereford has played one of the toughest nondistrict schedules in the state. Andrews comes to Whiteface Stadium boasting an impressive 4-1 record this year with that lone loss coming at the hands of Lubbock Cooper. The game-plan for Hereford will be long sustaining drives led by running back Xavier Gonzalez (720 yards rushing this season).
The more Hereford keeps the ball away from Andrews quarterback Brett Leach the better. Through the first five games Leach has thrown for 1,639 yards (327.8 yards a game) with 20 touchdown passes. The Hereford secondary will need to be on its toes.
Pampa squares off against Dalhart at 7 p.m. Friday night at Memorial Stadium in Dalhart. [Photos by David Erickson and Bill Kelly]
The game: Pampa Harvesters (4-1) at Dalhart Golden Wolves (3-2).
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Where: Memorial Stadium, Dalhart.
The matchup: Pampa is a six-point loss to Lubbock Estacado from being undefeated. The catalyst to the 4-1 start for the Harvesters is their dynamic offense that puts up 35 points a game. Dalhart has seen played a tough schedule but if they want to stay in this game they’ll have to slow down the Texas Panhandle’s top passer in Pampa quarterback Tucker Bridwell. Bridwell has picked up where he left off last season, throwing for 1,447 yards with 10 touchdowns.
Wheeler‘s Hesston Marshall and the Mustangs host Jalin Conyers and the No. 9 Gruver Greyhounds at 7 p.m. Friday. [Photos by Hale Hughes and Tyler Anderson]
The game: No. 9 Gruver Greyhounds (4-1) at Wheeler Mustangs (3-1).
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Where: Mustangs Stadium.
The matchup: What a matchup between two of the most explosive players in the Amarillo-area. Wheeler running back Hesston Marshall has been a terror on the ground, rushing for 727 yards and nine TDs in five games.
Gruver counters with Oklahoma commit Jalin Conyers. The dual-threat quarterback is putting up video game type numbers so far this year. Conyers has thrown for 1,266 yards, ran for 526 yards, combining for 28 touchdowns. Do the Mustangs have enough around Marshall to stay with Gruver is the question.
Happy‘s Kristain Wilhite, right, and McLean’s Ben Crockett go head-to-head at 7:30 p.m. at Duncan Field in McLean on Friday night. [Photos by Happy athletics and Bobbie Brown]
The game: Happy Cowboys (4-1) at No. 6 McLean Tigers (4-1).
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Duncan Field, McLean.
The matchup: These two teams have been in the upper echelon of Six-man Division over the last several season. Happy made three straight trips to the state semifinals from 2014-2017. McLean took over the dominance by winning the Division I state title last season.
This year, Happy is hot, winners of four straight behind running back Kristain Wilhite and his 693 yards with his 14 touchdowns.
The Tigers counter with one of the best to ever wear a McLean uniform. Spread back Ben Crockett has piled up over 750 yards with 28 Tds this season.
Notable games
Lubbock High at Palo Duro, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dick Bivins Stadium.
Big Spring at Canyon, 7 p.m. Friday, Kimbrough Stadium.
Borger at Dumas, 7 p.m. Friday, Demons Stadium.
Perryton at Stratford, 7 p.m. Friday, E.L. “Sam” Bass Stadium.
White Deer vs. Milford, 3 p.m. Saturday, Knox City.