THURSDAY’S GAMES
Class 4A
Class 2A
Gruver (4-0) at Guymon, Okla. (1-3), 7 p.m.
The Greyhounds have been hitting on all cylinders during this 4-0 start to the year. A great offense led by a stellar line and dangerous skill players to go with a stingy defense will be too much trouble for a struggling Tigers team. … Gruver 48, Guymon, 14.
Class 1A
White Deer (2-2) at Silverton (1-3), 7 p.m.
Both of these teams have been dealing with injuries that have impacted the past couple of games with both of them losing big last week. This should be a competitive game, but the Bucks appear to be playing at a higher level right now. … White Deer 46, Silverton 34.
Springlake-Earth (2-1) at Happy (3-1), 7 p.m.
This is a rare matchup of two district foes facing off in the non-district portion of their schedule. The Wolverines always play tough and has the athletes to give the Cowboys fits. Happy is looking to improve line play on both sides of the ball and will focus on that in this game. … Happy 52, Springlake-Earth 32.
McLean (2-2) at Miami (3-1), 7 p.m.
What a dandy of a matchup. The Tigers have been a tough team to figure out all season, but they play hard and won’t back down in any matchup. Miami looks to be finding its groove which has resulted in a balanced attack on offense and a swarming defense. Go with the home team in this one but it won’t be easy. … Miami 48, McLean 42.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Distirct 2-5A Division I
Caprock (1-3, 0-0) at Abilene High (2-2, 0-0), 7 p.m., Shotwell Stadium, Abilene
The District 2-5A DI season has arrived. Abilene looked the prohibitive fav to win this district after week two. But this district has been turned upside down the last two weeks with Abilene giving up gargantuan points in losses to Permian (42-37) and SA Central (62-42). Caprock’s D is legit. But the Horns flat out struggle to score producing one TD and one field goal combined in its three losses. … Abilene High 42, Caprock 13.
Lubbock Coronado (1-3, 0-0) at Tascosa (1-3, 0-0), 7 p.m. Dick Bivins Stadium
Coronado has lost three in a row after opening with a win over common opponent (with Tascosa) Wichita Falls Legacy. The Mustangs are allowing 43.2 points per game. Tascosa also sits at 1-3, its lone won over Legacy. The Rebs have struggled at times this year. But that was a revived Tascosa squad in that 50-48 road loss to Permian last week with QB Coltyn Fulton tossing THREE first-half touchdown passes. … Tascosa 43, Coronado 28.
Amarillo High (1-2, 0-0) at Lubbock Monterey (1-3, 0-0), 7:00 p.m., PlainsCapital Park-Lowrey Field, Lubbock
Tough to figure out these two teams even as we have reached week 5 and the district opener. AHS defense is a mystery while its offense was a scoring-machine for two weeks then held in check last week by Palo Duro. Monterey got a 57-burger put on it last week but played a legit Wylie team to within a point. … Amarillo High 34, Monterey 31.
– Lance Lahnert
Last week: 2-1 (.666)
Season: 9-2 (.818)
Class 4A
Bushland (4-0) at Dumas (2-2), 7 p.m.
Bushland isn’t afraid to punch up, as the Class 3A Falcons are coming off an impressive win over 4A West Plains, so this should be one of the most intriguing games in the area this week. Dumas needs to bounce back after a pair of close losses before opening district play. Both offenses are well-equipped for a shootout so this one should be entertaining. The difference is that Bushland has some momentum and confidence which comes with being undefeated and Dumas is looking to get those things back. Bushland will keep them in the end. … Bushland 35, Dumas 27.
Pampa (2-2) at Perryton (1-3), 7 p.m.
Pampa saw a confidence surge last week in beating archrival Borger to break a two-game losing streak, while Perryton is looking to recapture the magic from a season-opening win over Canyon. The Harvesters finally got some defense in their win last week with a big game from defensive back Christian Davalos, who also led Pampa in rushing. Perryton has struggled defensively against a strong slate of opponents. Don’t look for a shootout here, but expect a close game. Pampa won its only game on the road so far and will eke out this one. … Pampa 21, Perryton 20.
Dalhart (3-1) at Borger (1-3), 7 p.m.
Another game featuring a 3A school (Dalhart) at a 4A school (Borger) where both teams have something to prove. Borger needs to find some consistency, especially on offense, after last week’s tough loss at Pampa. Dalhart got a good performance from quarterback Hunter Trusler, replacing an injured Kyler Read, in last week’s rout of Friona. The Golden Wolves take some momentum into Borger, which is still searching for an identity. Dalhart’s been more consistent offensively, and that will make the difference. … Dalhart 28, Borger 18.
Piedra Vista, N.M. (1-3) at Canyon (3-1), 7 p.m.
Canyon has used defense and a strong running game with increasing effect each week to win three straight games. The Eagles haven’t allowed a touchdown in the last five quarters in beating Amarillo ISD schools in back-to-back games. Piedra Vista represents the final nondistrict game for Canyon, and like most out of state opponents, the Panthers are a bit of an unknown quantity. The Eagles have the advantage of momentum and home field, not to mention playing under a set of rules unfamiliar to Piedra Vista. … Canyon 45, Piedra Vista 20.
– Lee Passmore
Last Week: 3-1 (.750)
Season: 13-9 (.591)
Class 3A
West Texas High (3-1) at River Road (2-1), 7 p.m.
Here’s a matchup getting overshadowed but should be better than some may expect. The Comanches jump up to 3A Division I to tangle with a much-improved River Road squad. WT High is big up front and explosive behind QB Cayde Winters. The Wildcats have the numbers and the depth and will do their best to wear down the Comanches. … WT High 35, River Road 30.
Canadian (3-1) at Sunray (4-0), 7 p.m.
Another week another huge matchup between two teams that have ran a gauntlet through the non-district schedule. This is the first meeting between the two school’s in 13 years. You can bet it will be standing room only with an electric atmosphere. Who wins the trenches and can the Wildcat secondary stay with the talented Bobcat receivers. … Sunray 48, Canadian 43.
Childress (2-2) at Wichita Falls City View (3-1), 7 p.m.
Here’s a matchup of two former district rivals from almost two decades ago. Childress played excellent defense despite a loss to Sunray last week. Now it’s up to the offense to make some plays. … WF City View 30, Childress 21.
Friona (0-4) at Abernathy (2-2), 7 p.m.
It’s been a rough start to the year for the Chieftains and the schedule doesn’t get any easier. … Abernathy 38, Friona 16.
Highland Park (3-1) at Dimmitt (1-3), 7 p.m.
The Hornets are hot and looking for a fourth straight win on the road at Dimmitt. … Highland Park 28, Dimmitt 14.
Tulia (1-3) at Lamesa (1-3), 7 p.m.
Tulia will have to contain a Lamesa offense that can flat out score. If QB David Molina can get going for the Hornets, then they can hang in. … Lamesa 37, Tulia 26.
Clyde (2-2) at Muleshoe (3-1), 7 p.m.
Coming off a tough loss at Canadian, the Mules still have to feel good about seeing the offense at full potential. When clicking, the Muleshoe offense can score with anyone. … Muleshoe 40, Clyde 30.
– Kale Steed
Last week: 6-0 (1.000)
Season: 21-4 (.840)
Class 2A
Wellington (3-1) at Panhandle (4-0), 7 p.m.
This has become a must watch non-district rivalry over the years. Wellington isn’t flashy and likes it that way. The Skyrockets also have that knack for exploiting a team’s weakness. However, this Panhandle team has yet to show a weakness especially on the defensive side of the ball. … Panhandle 37, Wellington 19.
Lubbock Trinity Christian (2-1) at Stratford (1-2), 7 p.m.
No one needed a bye week more than the Stratford Elks after dropping two in a row. It’s been two weeks for a great coaching staff to correct mistakes and get the Elks back on track. It won’t be easy, Trinity is a very good TAPPS squad. … Stratford 29, Trinity 23.
Olton (2-2) at Vega (1-3), 7 p.m.
The Longhorns are still trying to find an identity on offense. Give the edge to the Mustangs in this one. … Olton 30, Vega 16.
Bovina (1-3) at Smyer (0-4), 7 p.m.
Bovina hits the road looking for its second win on the year against struggling Smyer. Give me the Mustangs. … Bovina 35, Smyer 20.
Farwell (1-3) at Post (4-0), 7 p.m.
Don’t let the records deceive you. The Steers are very dangerous and will be in all four quarters of this contest. … Post 37, Farwell 32.
Lockney (2-2) at Clarendon (0-4), 7 p.m.
Clarendon head coach Aaron Wampler would love to go back to the start of the year and get a mulligan. It’s been that kind of start for the Broncos. Going forward Wampler just wants to see his team start making progress. … Lockney 34, Clarendon 22.
Spearman (1-3) at Shamrock (3-1), 7 p.m.
Here’s another interesting matchup despite the records between the two teams. Shamrock jumps up to take on the Lynx who have yet to figure it all out. The Irish will need to slow down the Spearman run attack to have a chance. … Spearman 33, Shamrock 18.
Sanford-Fritch (1-3) at Wheeler (3-1), 7 p.m.
The Mustangs are quietly putting together a solid season with the run game as their strength. Though the Eagles have improved, Wheeler’s ground attack could ground Fritch in the end. … Wheeler 34, Fritch 14.
– Kale Steed
Last week: 7-3 (.700)
Season: 29-14 (.674)
Class 1A
Amarillo PCHEA (2-2) at Holy Cross Catholic Academy (1-2), 6:30 p.m., at Glenwood Park
PCHEA has already matched their total wins from last year with plenty of the season to go. They’ve improved every year and looking to set a school record for wins if they can take down the Mustangs. Holy Cross is looking to even its record on the season after falling at Benjamin. This will be a tight one, but the Warriors win in the end. … Amarillo PCHEA 66, Holy Cross 46.
Follett (2-2) at Booker (4-0), 7 p.m.
Likely the Six-Man game of the week in the Texas Panhandle and it’s between two teams separated by 23 miles. The Panthers had a tough schedule early but has bounced back with two straight wins using a strong running attack. The game plan for the Kiowas is to throw the ball around to utilize Adrian Rosales and Julian Barton in space. Look for the former Panther in Barton to make a difference. … Booker 60, Follett 54.
Lubbock Kingdom Prep (3-1) at Boys Ranch (0-4), 7 p.m.
The season has been a tough one for the Roughriders and it doesn’t get any easier as Kingdom Prep is a quality opponent and ranked seventh in TAPPS Division III. If the Roughriders can find enough offense, they could have a chance, but the Warriors will just be too tough. … Lubbock Kingdom Prep 60, Boys Ranch 24.
Claude (3-1) at San Jacinto Christian Academy (1-3), 7 p.m.
No one is riding a bigger wave of momentum then the Mustangs as they face off against a Patriots group that picked up their first win of the season last week. Claude has shown to have a balanced attack led by Holden Tice but look for Thomas Slack to have a big game on the ground. … Claude 58, San Jacinto 12.
Whitharral (2-2) at Valley (0-4), 7 p.m.
Facing one of the toughest non-district schedules in the state has led to a winless start for the Patriots and that schedule doesn’t give them any breaks this week. Jack Griffin and Brent Robinson for the Panthers is a tough 1-2 combo that Valley won’t be able to harness. … Whitharral 62, Valley 18.
Lefors (1-3) at Motley County (4-0), 7 p.m.
Getting shut out on the road last week, the Pirates now make the long drive south to Matador to face a Mike Bigham squad that is working to fine tune their game with district on the horizon. The Matadors a tough squad to beat at home and that doesn’t change this week. … Motley County 52, Lefors 6.
Hedley (0-4) at Harrold (1-2), 7 p.m.
Give the Owls credit. They have a ton of fight on the field despite being on the short end of every contest this year. The Hornets are much improved from prior years and that will show up on the scoreboard. … Harrold 54, Hedley 12.
O’Donnell (1-3) at Nazareth (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
If you are looking for a dark horse in Region, I then look no further than the town known more for its basketball squads. The Swifts are firing on all cylinders behind a massive offensive line and a host of skilled players. That line will pave the way to another victory in Castro County. … Nazareth 52, O’Donnell 12.
Wildorado (2-1) at Groom (2-2), 7:30 p.m.
An intriguing matchup and, on cue, Groom is one of the teams involved in it. Both teams have strong passing attacks which could lead to a high scoring affair, but the Tigers are better defensively then they are given credit for. Look for Groom to pull away in the second half in this one. … Groom 72, Wildorado 52.
– Craig Sperry
Last Week: 11-1 (.917)
Season: 38-9 (.809)