Thursday’s games 

Class 5A

West Plains (0-3) at Palo Duro (1-2), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
The first-year West Plains Wolves play their first-ever game in Dick Bivins Stadium against the ever-improving Dons. Palo Duro’s offense is perked up after scoring 31 in a win over Estacado last week. Won’t be a walk in the park but it will be a Dons win. … Palo Duro 24, West Plains 13

Class 4A

Canyon (3-0) at Caprock (3-0), 7 p.m.
This might be the predistrict game of the year in the area for the Panhandle’s bigger schools as the two former district rivals enter this interclass game unbeaten. Canyon’s offense has had some big moments, but Caprock’s defense gets stingier by the week, as the Longhorns peaked last week by shutting out Pampa and have given up only 10 points this season. That won’t happen again, but Canyon will have a tough time scoring. … Caprock 17, Canyon 14

Class 2A

Morton (2-1) at Boys Ranch (2-1), 7 p.m.
The Roughriders bounce back from their first loss and send the crowd home happy with a Homecoming victory. … Boys Ranch 27, Morton 16

Class 1A

Darrouzett (1-2) vs. Cotton Center (1-2) 5:30 p.m., at White Deer
Another road game for the Longhorns meeting Cotton Center on a neutral field.  Take the Elks in this one. … Cotton Center 64, Darrouzett 16

Groom (0-3) at Claude (2-1), 7 p.m. 
Before the season this was an easy one to pick but now it’s a toss-up.  Javon Lee vs. Stephen Kuehler in a good spread back matchup with Lee and the Mustangs getting the W. … Claude 59, Groom 55

Kress (2-1) at Happy (2-1), 7 p.m.
An athletic Kangaroo’s team will cause the Cowboys some issues but Happy will just be too much for Kress. … Happy 62, Kress 41

Lazbuddie (1-2) at Silverton (2-1), 7:30 p.m. 
The Owls made it known last week they are a team that can contend. This week will do nothing to dispel that. … Silverton 54, Lazbuddie 6

Miami (3-0) at Paducah (3-0), 7:30 p.m.
An early match-up of unbeaten teams. I’ve learned my lesson and can’t pick against the Warriors despite Paducah being a really good home team. … Miami 48, Paducah 46

Friday’s games

Class 5A

Odessa High (2-1) at Amarillo High (1-2) 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
Simple as a QB sneak in this one. Which Amarillo High team will show up? The one that mauled Midland High last week doing so many good things, or the one that coughed up 11 turnovers the opening two weeks against Legacy and Cleveland (N.M.). Odessa can crank out some points averaging nearly 35 a game. Looks like to me AHS as its act together. … AHS 31, Odessa 28

– Lance Lahnert
– Last week: 2-2 (.500)
– Season: 7-3 (.700)

Class 4A

Tascosa (2-1) at Hereford (0-3), 7 p.m.
Frankly, a Hereford win would be an even bigger surprise than the US beating the Russians in the Miracle on Ice. That’s all the more reason for Tascosa to take this one seriously, especially considering that the Rebels are coming off their first loss, a frustrating one-point defeat by Odessa Permian last week. Hereford is giving up almost 54 points a game and Tascosa’s ground-bound offense will take advantage of that. … Tascosa 45, Hereford 14

Plainview (1-2) at Dumas (2-1), 7 p.m.
Dumas appears to have recovered from a season opening loss with two straight wins, including stopping a two-point attempt by Perryton to preserve last week’s win. Plainview has done the opposite, losing two straight after a season opening win. Emmanuel Ibanez has shown improvement at quarterback each week for the Demons and could be primed for a true breakout game at home. … Dumas 31, Plainview 15

Decatur (0-3) at Pampa (2-1), 7 p.m.
Pampa will return home looking to bounce back from a shutout by Caprock last week, and Decatur would appear to the ideal team to do that against considering the record. But Decatur has lost to three quality opponents making any such anticipation premature. The Harvesters, though, are at home and will have an extra day to prepare, giving them the slightest edge over the Eagles. … Pampa 24, Decatur 23

Wichita Falls (2-1) at Randall (2-1), 7 p.m.
These two schools were district rivals, but UIL realignment separated them this fall. Both have won two straight after losing their season openers. Randall quarterback Nathan White had his biggest game in last week’s win over Snyder and Nathan Baker is one the area’s biggest playmakers at receiver. With a solid defense from day one, the Raiders are obvious favorites. … Randall 31, Wichita Falls 13

Bushland (3-0) at Borger (2-1), 7 p.m.
Bushland might be the hottest metro team as the Falcons have shown their offensive explosiveness and can boast consecutive wins over Canadian and Childress heading into this week. Borger has shown major improvement with wins over River Road and Lamesa. The Falcons have seemed eager to embrace challenges each week, and they’ll meet this one on the road. … Bushland 41, Borger 21

– Lee Passmore
– Last week: 5-0 (1.000)
– Season: 15-3 (.833)

Class 3A

Perryton (1-2) at Canadian (1-2), 7 p.m.
The Highway 83 rivalry continues with both teams in much need of a victory. The Rangers are better than past years, but can they keep up with that Wildcat tempo. … Canadian 35, Perryton 23

Dalhart (1-1) at Friona (0-2), 7 p.m.
It’s been an emotional couple of weeks for the Dalhart community, but it didn’t stop the Golden Wolves from playing inspired football last Friday against Spearman. Don’t expect that to change. … Dalhart 33, Friona 26 

Muleshoe (2-1) at Tulia (2-1), 7 p.m.
Don’t sleep on a Muleshoe team that is starting to click offensively. … Muleshoe 35, Tulia 21

Panhandle (3-0) at River Road (1-2), 7 p.m.
If the Wildcats can use their strong run game to keep the ball away from Landyn Hack and the explosive Panthers offense, then they’ll have a chance. That might be easier said than done. … Panhandle 34, River Road 16 

Holliday (3-0) at Childress (1-2), 7 p.m.
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for a Bobcat team still trying to find their way. The No. 2-ranked Eagles are the real deal and a state contender in Class 3A Division II. … Holliday 45, Childress 14 

Dimmitt (0-3) at Brownfield (3-0), 7 p.m.
It could be a long night on the South Plains for the Bobcats. … Brownfield 40, Dimmitt 13

Wellington (2-1) at Spearman (1-2), 7 p.m.
Spearman showed grit by rallying back against Dalhart last week while the Skyrockets put a full game together in a rout of River Road. This contest comes straight down to who wins up front. … Wellington 26, Spearman 20

Class 2A

Highland Park (0-3) at Gruver (1-2), 7 p.m.
The Hornets have been close in all three losses this season. The Greyhounds better be on full alert especially with Highland Park’s pass happy offense. It’s a bold call, but I’m going upset. … Highland Park 39, Gruver 34

Stratford (3-0) at Vega (1-2), 7 p.m.
Nobody is playing better football at the moment than the defending state champion Stratford Elks. The Longhorns are a solid football team, but the Elks are a different animal. … Stratford 42, Vega 15 

Farwell (3-0) at Texico, N.M (3-1), 7 p.m.
Another week and another stiff test for the Steers. I say they pass. … Farwell 28, Texico 21

Shamrock (2-1) at Sanford-Fritch (0-3), 7 p.m.
The Irish are playing very well on the offensive side of the football behind running back Caden Peevey. … Shamrock 47, Sanford-Fritch 17

West Texas High (2-1) at Sunray (2-1), 7 p.m.
The Comanches are much improved from a year ago but facing the Bobcat offense can flip it into another gear at any time. … Sunray 45, West Texas High 18 

Memphis (2-1) at Booker (2-1), 7 p.m.
This is an intriguing matchup between two improved teams that continue to try and prove people wrong. … Booker 22, Memphis 20 

Clarendon (1-2) at Smyer (1-2), 7 p.m.
The Broncos make it two wins in a row in convincing fashion. … Clarendon 38, Smyer 12

Wheeler (1-2) at Windthorst (0-2), 7 p.m.
The Trojans are a much better football team than their record indicates. … Windthorst 30, Wheeler 14 

Bovina (1-2) at Olton (3-0), 7 p.m. 
Expect Olton to stay unbeaten in the battle of Mustangs. … Olton 35, Bovina 13 

– Kale Steed
– Last week: 11-5 (.687)
– Season: 32-14 (.695)

Class 1A

Follett (2-1) vs. Borden County (3-0) 4 p.m. at Nazareth 
An intriguing tilt on a neutral field. Neither team is a stranger to big games, but the Coyotes will have too much for Follett to overcome. … Borden County 52, Follett 34

Valley (1-2) at Nazareth (3-0), 7:30 p.m.
A battered and bruised Patriots team is looking for revenge after being upset by the Swifts last year.  Unfortunately, Valley is missing too many pieces to take out Nazareth. … Nazareth 45, Valley 38

McLean (3-0) at Lefors (0-3), 7 p.m.
The Tigers are a team that is undefeated, and no one realizes it.  We will be saying the same thing next week as the Tigers take this one with few issues. … McLean 64, Lefors 18

Wildorado (1-2) at White Deer (3-0), 7 p.m.
One team has strong momentum and the other is still trying to put all the pieces in place.  Bucks stay undefeated in this one. … White Deer 52, Wildorado 16

Hedley (1-2) at Patton Springs (1-2), 7:30 p.m. 
Hedley found the win column last week and now they make it two in a row. … Hedley 55, Patton Springs 41

– Craig Sperry
– Last Week 7-3 (.700)
– Season 25-6 (.806)