THURSDAY’S GAMES
Class 4A
Palo Duro (2-0) at Canyon (1-1), 7 p.m.
This is the most intriguing game involving metro teams this week, so it’s appropriate that it will have the spotlight to itself to start the week. Palo Duro has perhaps been better than advertised, particularly on defense, as the Dons haven’t given up a point in almost six full quarters. Canyon recovered from a disappointing opening loss to Perryton with a solid win over Andrews. The Eagles will challenge Palo Duro with a strong running game while the Dons have been more prolific throwing the ball. Call it a hunch, but that gives PD the edge. … Palo Duro 23, Canyon 20.
Class 1A
Groom (2-0) at Booker (2-0), 7 p.m.
First team to one hundred wins this offensive shootout. Both teams can light up the scoreboard with electric passing games Groom’s Greyson Peet and Booker’s Chase Nelson are two of the better Six-Man quarterbacks in the Amarillo-area. Booker’s depth will be the difference in this one. … Booker 82, Groom 62.
Wildorado (1-0) at Miami (1-1), 7 p.m.
After lighting up the Lefors defense two weeks ago, the Mustangs will take their high-flying offense on the road to face a solid Warriors defense. The difference in this one will be the ball hawking secondary Miami has that will change the game. … Miami 52, Wildorado 30.
Nazareth (1-1) at Silverton (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
One of the biggest upsets last week was the Owls loss to Northside. Now a Swifts team that is coming off a big-time fourth quarter rally shows up with Silverton trying to heal up. The size advantage will be massive in this one as Nazareth takes care of the Owls easily. … Nazareth 48, Silverton 12.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
CLASS 5A
Tascosa (1-1) vs Lubbock-Cooper (2-0), 7 p.m. Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium, Canyon
Tascosa bounced back in a big way from its open-season loss breaking the 500-yard rushing mark in crushing Wichita Falls Legacy. Cooper is a step up in competition. I think this one will be closer than a wide receiver’s hand in a glove. The edge goes to Cooper kicker Cub Patton and his thunder leg. … Cooper 31, Tascosa 28.
Midland High (1-1) at Amarillo High (1-0), 7 p.m. Dick Bivins Stadium
Amarillo High survived a wild ride of a game last week holding off SA Central. Sandie QB Jett Lopez is the real deal. But Midland’s version of the Flexbone offense out of the shotgun formation is a tough one to defend with a week of practice. … Midland High 38, Amarillo High 31.
Hereford (2-0) a Plainview (1-1), 7 p.m., Greg Sherwood Memorial Stadium
It’s always emotional for a coach to bring his team in for a game against his alma mater like The Herd’s Adam Naron will do in this one. And it’s always good to bring a team with momentum, a legit running game led by Brylyn Lopez and an offense averaging 45 points. Plainview’s no slouch. But Hereford is too much. … Hereford 45, Plainview 28.
– Lance Lahnert
Last week: 3-0 (1.000)
Season: 4-1 (.800)
CLASS 4A
Caprock (0-2) at Pampa (1-1), 7 p.m.
Both of these teams struggled last week, as Caprock hasn’t scored a touchdown for almost two full games and Pampa couldn’t stop Plainview, so something has to give. Pampa running back Max Neff looks back in form after missing almost all of last season with an injury, but otherwise don’t expect a lot of offense here. Caprock stayed in last week’s game against PD exclusively with defense. This will be the first trip away from Dick Bivins Stadium for the Longhorns, so give Pampa the advantage with another home game. … Pampa 19, Caprock 14.
Randall (2-0) at Perryton (1-1), 7 p.m.
Randall appears to be humming along on schedule and is coming off a convincing road win at Monahans where Dylan Ray ran for over 200 yards. Perryton had an impressive offensive performance to beat Randall’s fellow Canyon ISD school Canyon in the season opener but is coming off a 38-point loss at Dalhart. The Raiders will present at least a similar defensive challenge for Perryton. One thing Randall will have to deal with this week is a second consecutive long road trip. It’s a challenge but won’t be insurmountable. … Randall 38, Perryton 20.
Lubbock Estacado (1-1) at West Plains (1-1), 7 p.m.
The winner will move above .500 in a clash between two teams coming off opposite results last week, as West Plains got its first win by routing Horizon 63-14 and Estacado lost to Hereford. Quarterback Reid Macon had a huge game for West Plains, throwing for 292 yards and three touchdowns, while the Wolves held Horizon to 141 yards of offense. Estacado will provide more of a challenge, but where the Wolves will have an advantage, though, is playing their first “home” game at Happy State Bank Stadium. … West Plains 35, Estacado 28.
Canadian (1-1) at Dumas (2-0), 7 p.m.
The most interesting interclass game in the area so far this year features perennially powerful Class 3A Canadian visiting Class 4A postseason regular Dumas. Canadian is coming off a rare lopsided regular season loss at Bushland, while Dumas is rolling along after routs of Caprock and Borger. The host Demons have been as consistent as anybody in the area on both sides of the ball, but Canadian always presents a challenge. Canadian has been good about fighting up in class, but Dumas looks a bit too strong. … Dumas 31, Canadian 28.
Borger (0-2) at Big Spring (0-2), 7 p.m., Friday
A sense of urgency is in the air for this one with two teams both looking to get in the win column. Borger has had a tough schedule thus far, losing to Bushland and Dumas, a pair of unbeaten teams who combined for 99 points in the two games. The big challenge for the Bulldogs this week is handling a long road trip against a hungry team. That won’t help an offense which gained only 54 yards last week against Dumas. Borger should keep it close, but homefield gives Big Spring an edge. … Big Spring 20, Borger 14.
– Lee Passmore
Last week: 4-2 (.667)
Season: 8-4 (.667)
CLASS 3A
Muleshoe (2-0) at New Home (1-1), 7 p.m.
This is Muleshoe’s biggest test so far as the road will continue to get tougher. The Leopards are well coached and very talented, but will they have enough to hang with QB Nathan Martens and the offense. … Muleshoe 38, New Home 22.
Midland Christian (1-1) at Bushland (2-0), 7 p.m.
Two games in and it looks like the Falcons are going to be series contenders behind a tremendous defense. The Mustangs will present some problems with their size but in the end the Falcons stay high-flying. … Bushland 35, Midland Christian 20.
Childress (1-1) at Frederick, Okla. (0-1), 7 p.m.
It was a huge bounce back win for the Bobcats last week who will now look to make it two in a row over a Frederick team that struggled against Wellington. … Childress 27, Frederick 18.
Sanford-Fritch (1-1) at Tulia (0-2), 7 p.m.
This game has a lot of intrigue after the Eagles snapped a 14-game losing skid last week. The Hornets maybe 0-2 but they have been in both matchups so far. I look for Tulia to finally get in the win column. … Tulia 30, Sanford-Fritch 21.
Wellington (2-0) at Friona (0-2), 7 p.m.
The Skyrockets run-heavy offense will wear down a Chieftains team still trying to figure it out. … Wellington 38, Friona 14.
– Kale Steed
Last week: 5-2 (.714)
Season: 10-4 (.714)
CLASS 2A
Dalhart (2-0) at Panhandle (2-0), 7 p.m.
For the first time in three years the Golden Wolves are playing without senior leader Kyler Read after the QB suffered a broken leg last week and will miss significant time. It’s not the best timing when you are on the road at a Panther team oozing with confidence coming off a win at Stratford. … Panhandle 37, Dalhart 26.
Hooker, Okla. (1-1) at Spearman (1-1), 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs are big, physical and took Sunray to the limit in Week 1. The Lynx did pick up a huge W last week, but this will be a tougher challenge. … Hooker 34, Spearman 16.
Stratford (1-1) at Sunray (2-0), 7 p.m.
Here’s a game of the year contender between two rivals with not a lot of love for one another. Both these teams have had this one circled since a classic matchup last year. The Bobcats, which haven’t beaten the Elks since the 2011 season, are hungry for this win and being at home will do anything to get it. However, Stratford would love nothing more than to spoil those plans in Sunray. … Sunray 28, Stratford 24.
Highland Park (1-1) at Clarendon (0-2), 7 p.m.
Clarendon is hurting right now and is in desperate need of a win to gain some confidence. The Hornets were able to battle to a big victory last week and are hoping that starts a trend. … Highland Park 21, Clarendon 20.
West Texas High (2-0) at Gruver (2-0), 7 p.m.
This game could be a lot more entertaining than anyone wants to give it credit for. What a QB showdown between Cayde Winters of WT High and Briggs Satterfield of Gruver. Yes, Gruver probably has a more complete team at the moment but look for some fireworks on both sides. … Gruver 53, WT High 34.
Shamrock (1-1) at Vega (1-1), 7 p.m.
Both teams took very tough losses last week. Shamrock has to secure things on defense while the Longhorns desperately need to find offense. … Shamrock 27, Vega 14.
Dimmitt (1-1) at Bovina (0-2), 7 p.m.
It wasn’t a great Week 2 for either one of these squads. Look for Bovina to find the win column. … Bovina 20, Dimmitt 18.
Sundown (0-2) at Farwell (0-2), 7 p.m.
After a tough start to the year, the Steers earn their first W of 2024. … Farwell 35, Sundown 18.
Wheeler (2-0) at Hale Center (1-1), 7 p.m.
The Mustangs have quietly gone 2-0 behind a strong run attack and steady defense. Expect the same outcome on this long road trip. … Wheeler 30, Hale Center 21.
Memphis (0-2) at Ralls (2-0). 7 p.m.
The Jackrabbits have too much firepower for the Cyclones. … Ralls 35, Memphis 14.
– Kale Steed
Last week: 5-6 (.454)
Season: 14-9 (.608)
CLASS 1A
McLean (1-1) at Claude (1-1), 7 p.m.
This is one of those games where the Tigers appear as heavy favorites, but the Mustangs are starting to open eyes. Expect a close game early but McLean will widen the lead for a win on the road. … McLean 50, Claude 26.
San Jacinto Christian (0-2) at White Deer (1-1), 7 p.m.
This isn’t a favorable matchup for the Patriots. The Bucks are figuring out their identity and they will want to make a statement in this game. White Deer ran wild on the ground last week and that will be the case again this week. … White Deer 60, San Jacinto 12.
Valley (0-2) at Jayton (2-0), 7 p.m.
A week after facing No. 1 Gordon in Division I, the Patriots travel south to take on the top team in Division II. Unfortunately, the Jaybirds are almost as good as the Longhorns. … Jayton 54, Valley 6.
Holy Cross Catholic Academy (1-0) at Lefors (0-2), 7 p.m.
Back-to-back losses has the Pirates in a foul mood and the Mustangs will be in the way of a team wanting to right the ship quickly. The Lefors offense will be too much for the road team. … Lefors 66, Holy Cross 20.
Lubbock Titans (1-1) at Follett (0-2), 7:30 p.m.
No David Meeks in this one but the Panthers won’t need him. Some home cooking is just what the Panthers need. … Follett 62, Lubbock Titans 16.
Happy (1-1) at Klondike (0-2), 7:30 p.m.
Another top five matchup for the Cowboys as they make the long road trip south to face a banged-up Cougars team. Happy has to get their running game revved back up to win this one. It will be a close one, but the Cowboys are healthier right now. … Happy 45, Klondike 42,
Northside (1-1) at Hedley (0-2), 7:30 p.m.
Silverton found out last week that this young Indians team is better than many expected. Make it two straight for Northside as they take down a gutty Owls team. … Northside 56, Hedley 18
Boys Ranch (0-2) at Whiteface (2-0), 7:30 p.m.
The Roughriders will be facing their first true juggernaut this week as Ethan Kauffmann and his bulldozing running style will be unwelcome sight for the Boys Ranch defense. Look for Whiteface to make this a short night. The Antelopes may be the best team in Region I and Boys Ranch will find this out in a hurry. … Whiteface 56, Boys Ranch 8.
– Craig Sperry
Last week: 8-3 (.727)
Season: 17-7 (.708)