THURSDAY’S GAMES 

Class 5A

Canyon (2-1) at Caprock (1-2), 7 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
Both teams are coming off impressive wins. Canyon pulling off a second-half comeback scoring 15 unanswered points for the W over Palo Duro. Caprock rides Big MO into this one having ended a nine-game losing streak thumping Pampa 33-8 and scoring the most points in a game since September 23, 2022. I’ll give the nod to Canyon because of its ever-improving run game.  … Canyon 27, Caprock 13.

Class 1A

Silverton (1-2) vs. Booker (3-0), 7 p.m., at Groom
Injuries have derailed the Owls season, and the schedule doesn’t get easier with the undefeated Kiowas playing well. This one could get out of hand early as Booker’s high-flying offense is tough to stop. … Booker 66, Silverton 21.

Boys Ranch (0-3) at McLean (1-2), 7 p.m.
It’s been a tough start for the Roughriders and things don’t get easier this week. Despite a 1-2 record, the Tigers are still a formidable team that is scrappy and full of fight. … McLean, 48 Boys Ranch 28.

Miami (2-1) at White Deer (2-1), 7 p.m.
Miami has looked solid the last couple of weeks while the Bucks are dealing with injuries and barely averted a loss last week. The playmakers for the Warriors will be the difference in this one. … Miami 52, White Deer 38.

Chillicothe (3-0) at Hedley (0-3), 7 p.m.
Both teams have a common opponent in Amarillo PCHEA with the Eagles getting a 24-point win while the Owls dropped a close one to the Warriors. Hedley will play hard in this one but fall short. … Chillicothe 60, Hedley 32.

Hart (0-2) at Wildorado (1-1), 7 p.m.
Don’t let the Longhorns record fool you. Both losses were to playoff teams so it’s still hard to judge Hart. The Mustangs offense can put up a lot of points in a hurry and that trend will continue as they come out with a tight win at home. … Wildorado 66, Hart 57.

Amarillo PCHEA (2-1) at Follett (1-2), 7:30 p.m.
The Warriors have started the season on a positive note, but the Panthers are a team that is just at a different level and tough to beat at home.  Look for Follet’s running game to run rough shod over the visitors. … Follett 60, Amarillo PCHEA 12.

FRIDAY’S GAMES 

Class 5A

Palo Duro (2-1) vs. Amarillo High (1-1), 7:00 p.m., Dick Bivins Stadium
This is the 65th meeting between Amarillo’s two oldest schools, the first one taking place in this same stadium all the way back in 1955. Palo Duro plays with emotion and skill led by junior DB-RB-punt returner Darien Lewis and would be 3-0 if not for seeing a 12-point lead slip away in the second half last week. Meanwhile, Amarillo High scores points at a crazy, crazy rate averaging 45 a game in its two outings. However, AHS also allows points at a crazy, crazy, crazy rate giving up 47 a game. I give the nod to Amarillo High’s offense and junior QB Jett Lopez. … Amarillo High 38, Palo Duro 28.

Tascosa (1-2) at Odessa Permian (3-0), 7 p.m., Ratliff Stadium, Odessa
Permian’s three victories have arrived by a combined total of 15 points. Tascosa’s D stepped up in the loss last week to Lubbock Cooper, but the offense sputtered. To me, for now, the bottom line in this one is if Permian can beat District 2-5A favorite and No. 8-ranked Abilene High it can beat Tascosa. … Mojo 34, Tascosa 21.

– Lance Lahnert
Last week: 3-0 (1.0000)
Season: 7-1 (.875)

CLASS 4A

Wichita Falls Legacy (0-3) at Randall (3-0), 7 p.m., Friday, Happy State Bank Stadium
Randall might be the most consistent metro team going now, as the Raiders appear to be picking up strength each week with a balanced offense. They’ve gone well over 40 points in winning two long road trip games and are returning home to face a “new” school in Legacy. This doesn’t add up to a promising trip to Happy State Bank Stadium for the opponent and the Raiders should be happy to be back home after three weeks. Their biggest obstacle might be overconfidence, but coach Dan Sherwood is unlikely to let that set it. … Randall 35, Legacy 17.

Perryton (1-2) at Hereford (3-0), 7 p.m., Friday
On paper, Hereford and Randall look to be the teams to beat in District 2-4A Division I, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves in forecasting this week for the Herd. Hereford is also offensively balanced, with Kalub Ramirez throwing to Tell Bryant and Brylyn Lopez leading the running game. Perryton has had some excellent moments offensively this season, but the Rangers have struggled defensively in all three games. Hereford’s defense has been overshadowed by its offense, but it will be good enough for the win. … Hereford 41, Perryton 16.

Borger (1-2) at Pampa (1-2), 7 p.m., Friday
This is one of the area’s most storied rivalries in its 89th meeting and carries intrigue, even if it’s a non-district game with nothing more than pride on the line. Both teams need to show improvement soon prior to starting district, and Borger moved in the right direction with a road win at Big Spring last week, while Pampa has lost two straight at home. Zach Thomas Stadium will help provide an edge this week, as the Harvesters will find their footing defensively and make it third time’s a charm at the field named after their greatest player. … Pampa 26, Borger 20.

Dumas (2-1) at Plainview (1-2). 7 p.m., Friday
Both teams are coming off tough losses on their home fields last week and have something to prove. Dumas has been productive offensively, but the Demons showed some cracks defensively in losing to Canadian last week, and Plainview slowed down Hereford’s offense as effectively as anybody has this season, but still couldn’t win. This should be a competitive game, with Colton Mills of Dumas and Plainview’s Seth Mayberry providing and interesting quarterback matchup. Balance will carry the Demons. … Dumas 27, Plainview 21.

– Lee Passmore
Last week: 2-4 (.333)
Season: 10-8 (.556)

Class 3A

West Plains (2-1) at Bushland (3-0), 7 p.m.
In short three years this matchup has turned into a great non-district rivalry. With it being back at Bushland, you can bet it will be standing room only. The Wolves have yet to get a win in the two meetings. Bushland hopes to keep it that way. … Bushland 35, West Plains 30.

Panhandle (3-0) at River Road (2-0), 7 p.m.
Through the first three weeks it’s hard to find a hole in Panhandle’s arsenal. The Wildcats are much improved and will be amped up for Homecoming, they just can’t make costly mistakes. … Panhandle 45, River Road 20. 

Friona (0-3) at Dalhart (2-1), 7 p.m.
The Golden Wolves suffered their first loss and are still trying to figure it out with QB Kyler Read sidelined with injury. Hunter Trusler will continue to improve as the new signal caller and help Dalhart get back in the win column. … Dalhart 45, Friona 14. 

Muleshoe (3-0) at Canadian (2-1), 7 p.m.
It’s hard to believe but this is Canadian’s first home game of the season. This is also a Class 3A Division II regional contest between two teams with deep playoff aspirations. Both offenses can light it up. Which defense can make the plays. … Canadian 35, Muleshoe 21.

Dimmitt (1-2) at Lamesa (0-3), 7 p.m.
The Bobcats go on a long road trip to face a Lamesa team looking for that first win. Dimmitt needs to cleanup mistakes from last week to get that second win on the year. … Lamesa 45, Dimmitt 23. 

Sunray (3-0) at Childress (2-1), 7 p.m.
It’s the battle of the Bobcats. How about a first ever meeting between these two programs. Sunray is on a roll right now to start the year. Childress will give them a fight at home but look for Sunray to pull away. … Sunray 35, Childress 18. 

– Kale Steed
Last week: 5-0 (1.000)
Season: 15-4 (.789)

Class 2A 

Tulia (1-2) at West Texas High (2-1), 7 p.m.
The Hornets defense is good and will meet a match against Cayde Winters and the Comanche offense. It will be up to the Tulia offense to make the plays if the Hornets want to get a W. … WT High 30, Tulia 22. 

Texhoma, Okla. (1-1) at Spearman (1-2), 7 p.m.
As the season goes on the Lynx only continue to get better through a physical run game and a defense that leaves it on the field. … Spearman 34, Texhoma 21. 

Shamrock (2-1) at Sanford-Fritch (1-2), 7 p.m.
The Irish have seen some crazy ups and downs through the first three weeks. Fritch won’t be a walk in the park either, but Shamrock has enough to come away with a win. … Shamrock 27, Fritch 14. 

Memphis (1-2) at Highland Park (2-1), 7 p.m.
The Hornets have been putting things together since a season-opening loss to Wheeler. The Cyclones also found confidence after snapping a 13-game losing skid last week. … Highland Park 29, Memphis 12. 

Gruver (3-0) at Clarendon (0-3), 7 p.m.
It’s hard to believe these two teams met in the third round of the playoffs less than a year ago with the Broncos taking the win. Since then, Gruver looks to be a contender once again while the Broncos are trying to get things going in the right direction. … Gruver 42, Clarendon 14. 

Vega (1-2) at Sudan (1-2), 7 p.m.
It’s been a frustrating start to the season for the Longhorns offense that has yet to find an identity. The defense has been good enough to keep them in games, Vega just needs the offense to get clicking. … Sudan 22, Vega 16. 

Abernathy (1-2) at Farwell (1-2), 7 p.m.
Both teams earned their first win of the year last week. Who carries that momentum into this week. … Abernathy 26, Farwell 23. 

Ralls (2-1) at Wheeler (2-1), 7 p.m.
The Mustangs bounce back in a big way after dropping their first game of the season last week. … Wheeler 28, Ralls 12. 

Lubbock Christian (2-1) at Wellington (3-0), 7 p.m.
These two teams have had some great games over the past few years. Lubbock Christian is led by talented QB Welker Horn. This should be a dandy. … Wellington 22, LCHS 21. 

Bovina (1-2) at Seagraves (1-2), 7 p.m.
If the Mustangs defense plays like they did last week they will make it two W’s in a row. … Bovina 26, Seagraves 19. 

– Kale Steed
Last week: 8-2 (.800)
Season: 22-11 (.666)

Class 1A

Lefors (1-2) at Anton (1-2), 7 p.m., at Silverton
Both teams have struggled the last couple of years and looking to make the next step in the progression of their programs.  Former Red Raider Brian Duncan has the Bulldogs believing in a turnaround and the Pirates are fighting to gain respectability again.  This will likely be a back-and-forth game that Anton pulls out in the end. … Anton 58, Lefors 52.

Whitharral (2-1) at Happy (2-1), 7 p.m.
For the third straight week the Cowboys play a team ranked in the top ten as the Panthers bring a dynamic offense to town. Whitharral can match the speed of Happy but how they match up physically will be the key to this game.  In another tight game the Cowboys come out victorious in the end. … Happy 62, Whitharral 58.

Groom (2-1) at Claude (2-1), 7 p.m.
I’m not sure anyone would have circled this game as a must see but here we are. The Mustangs have surprised many with back-to-back upset wins while the gritty Tigers continue to make teams sit up and pay attention to that offense. In the end, Groom’s penchant for winning close games will matter. … Groom 54, Claude 48.

Lazbuddie (0-3) at San Jacinto Christian (0-3), 7 p.m.
Both teams are winless on the season so someone will go home happy after this one with their first win of the year. The Patriots almost pulled one out on the road last week and are poised to win big in this one. … San Jacinto Christian 60, Lazbuddie 18.

Holy Cross Catholic Academy (1-1) at Benjamin (1-1), 7 p.m.
The state’s longest winning streak came to an end last week at 30 games as Benjamin lost to Borden County. Don’t expect the home team Mustangs to be in a good mood as the road team Mustangs come to town. … Benjamin 66, Holy Cross Catholic Academy 12.

Valley (0-3) at Nazareth (2-1), 7:30 p.m.
Coming off back-to-back losses to two of the best teams Six-man has to offer, the Patriots will feel like they are getting a break with the Swifts. Unfortunately, Nazareth is one of the biggest squads they will see and extremely tough to beat at home. … Nazareth 54, Valley 8.

– Craig Sperry
Last Week: 10-1 (.909)
Season: 27-8 (.771)