Thursday’s games
District 2-4A
Division II
Perryton (2-5, 1-0) at West Plains (7-1, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The math here is very basic: Winner claims sole possession of the district lead. If West Plains wins, the Wolves clinch a playoff berth and have the inside track on the No. 1 seed. Both will clinch a postseason spot if Perryton wins and Borger beats Levelland. West Plains, though, appears to be a team of destiny in only its second season, and the Wolves appear to be closing in on their first ever district title. The Wolves appear to do whatever they want offensively throwing or running the ball. Maybe Perryton can slow them down, but that’s it. … West Plains 41, Perryton 14
District 1-1A
Division I
McLean (5-2, 0-0) at White Deer (3-4, 0-0), 7:30 p.m.
An injury riddled Bucks team will be looking to play the spoiler role in a competitive district. For the Tigers they must take care of this game to ensure they have a shot at a playoff spot. …McLean 48, White Deer 18
District 1-1A
Division II
Silverton (6-2, 2-0) vs. Darrouzett (0-7, 0-1), 7:30 p.m., Tigers Stadium, Groom
There’s nothing you can sugar coat about this game. The Owls are the best team in this district by a long shot and the Longhorns are enduring a very tough season. …Silverton 60, Darrouzett 6
Non-district
Booker (5-3) vs. Whitharral (7-1), 7:30 p.m., Longhorns Stadium, Vega
On paper, the highly ranked Panthers are clear cut favorites, but Booker continues to get better as the season moves on and won’t be a push over. The Kiowas defense will be the key for them to try and pull an upset, but Whitharral’s offense is tough to stop. … Whitharral 52, Booker 24
Friday’s games
District 2-5A
Division I
Caprock (1-7, 0-4) vs. Tascosa (2-4, 1-2), 7 p.m.
This city rivalry game first played out in 1963. This week it’s a survival game for both. A loss pretty much eliminates Caprock from the playoff race. A loss pretty much cripples Tascosa bid for the playoffs. … Tascosa 42, Caprock 7
Abilene High (6-2, 4-0) at Lubbock Coronado (2-5, 1-2), 7 p.m.
Abilene used a little miracle to beat Cooper last week. This week it’s much easier as a district title is around the corner. … Abilene 48, Coronado 14
Lubbock Monterey (3-4, 1-2) at Lubbock Cooper (4-3, 2-1), 7 p.m.
Cooper is stinging from letting the big fish (Abilene (High) get away last week. Monterey snags this one and the road to the playoffs gets clearer. … Cooper 45, Monterey 21
District 2-5A
Division II
Palo Duro (3-3, 1-1) at Wichita Falls Rider (5-2, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The Dons stubbed their toe last week against Cooper and travel to the top team in the district. I’d love to see the upset special but Rider too much on offense. … Rider 35, Palo Duro 21
Plainview (5-2, 1-1) at Abilene Cooper (2-5, 1-1), 7 p.m.
This one has huge playoff implications. Cooper might be the best 2-5 team in Texas. Plainview has won five of its seven games this year. Make it six of eight in the minor upset. … Plainview 28, Cooper 24
Abilene Wylie (4-3, 1-1) at Lubbock High (0-2, 2-5), 7 p.m.
If Wylie wants in the playoffs this is a must win in Lubbock. … Wylie 48, Lubbock High 14
– Lance Lahnert
Last week: 5-1 (.833)
Season: 24-7 (.774)
District 3-4A
Division I
Randall (5-3, 2-0) vs. Canyon (6-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.
As usual, this Canyon ISD showdown has major implications for everyone involved. The winner will have sole possession of the district lead. If Randall wins, the Raiders will clinch a playoff spot, and if Canyon wins, the Eagles will do the same with a Pampa loss. Look for a fairly physical game with both teams playing solid defense as of late and running the ball well. It will likely come down to a late defensive stop and both teams are certainly capable of that. Canyon got a quality win over Hereford last week doing just that, so give the Eagles the edge due to momentum. … Canyon 21, Randall 14
Dumas (2-5, 0-1) at Pampa (2-6, 0-2), 7 p.m.
It isn’t a stretch to call this a potential elimination game, since both teams are winless in district and another loss puts either team behind the 8-ball. Dumas has had a week to prepare for a road game against a young and beat-up Pampa team. That should give the Demons the advantage here, not to mention that they opened district with a strong defensive effort in a tough loss to Randall. Pampa should be pumped about returning home for a big game so there is an emotional component here, but not enough to win for the Harvesters. … Dumas 23, Pampa 13
District 2-4A
Division II
Levelland (2-6, 0-2) at Borger (3-4, 0-1), 7 p.m.
This is another de facto elimination game between teams without a district win. Both are coming off humbling routs last week and need something positive to happen quickly. Borger has shown improvement, but after an open date to start district, the Bulldogs were shut out by Seminole. Playing their district home opener will help with morale in a game where either team will seek whatever edge it can find. Look for a fairly close contest, but Borger will emerge with some hope and a victory at the end of the day. … Borger 20, Levelland 14
– Lee Passmore
Last week: 3-1 (.750)
Season: 32-9 (.780)
District 2-3A
Division I
Bushland (7-1, 2-0) at Shallowater (3-4, 0-1), 7 p.m.
This is a game both teams have had circled since fall workouts in August. Though the season hasn’t played out like the Mustangs have thought so far don’t think for a second the Falcons are taking this one lightly. Last year, Shally came to Bushland and put a whooping on a favored Falcons squad. This year, the Falcons are focused to return the favor. … Bushland 42, Shallowater 21
Muleshoe (6-1, 0-1) at River Road (1-7, 0-2), 7 p.m.
The Mules have had two weeks to digest their first loss of the year to Bushland two weeks ago. That’s bad news for a struggling Wildcat team that will see a Muleshoe offense ready to let out its frustration. … Muleshoe 55, River Road 8
District 3-3A
Division II
Canadian (7-0, 2-0) at Friona (4-3, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The winner of this game will take the outright district lead. It’s weird to say, but usually when there is a game between two teams battling for first some expect it to be close. However, Canadian is a step above the rest. … Canadian 49, Friona 13
Childress (4-3, 1-1) at Spearman (3-4, 1-1), 7 p.m.
This is one of the better games on Friday night with the winner keeping themselves in a chance for second place out of the district. … Childress 27, Spearman 21
Dimmitt (1-6, 0-2) at Tulia (1-6, 0-2), 7 p.m.
Yes, both teams have struggled. Yes, both teams are probably on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs. But with that said, look for a very competitive matchup with the Bobcats coming away with their first district victory. … Dimmitt 34, Tulia 22
– Kale Steed
Last week: 4-1 (.800)
Season: 40-6 (.869)
District 1-2A
Division I
Panhandle (6-1, 1-1) at West Texas High (4-3, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The Panthers are on the prowl after dropping their first game of the season a week ago as the Comanches have been a feel-good story so far through two district games. WT High puts up a fight, but Panhandle is too salty in the end. … Panhandle 48, WT High 21
Sanford-Fritch (0-7, 0-2) at Stratford (7-0, 2-0), 7 p.m.
Look for the Elks to end this one in a hurry. … Stratford 50, Sanford-Fritch 7
Highland Park (4-3, 0-2) at Farwell (5-2, 1-1), 7 p.m.
If the Hornets want any chance at making the playoffs, they’ll have to leave all on the field. So far, Highland Park has struggled stopping the run and that doesn’t bode well against a talented workhorse like Corey Stancell on the other side. … Farwell 49, Highland Park 30
District 1-2A
Division II
Gruver (6-2, 1-0) at Sunray (7-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.
Let’s face it. This rivalry game is for the outright 1-2A Division II outright championship. No question Sunray is the heavy favorite behind one of the best offenses in the state. But that gives the Greyhounds a nothing to lose mentality. This should be fun. … Sunray 44, Gruver 27
District 2-2A
Division II
Wheeler (2-5, 1-1) at Wellington (5-2, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The Skyrockets keep a firm grip of the district lead with another convincing win. … Wellington 36, Wheeler 12
Memphis (0-7, 0-2) at Clarendon (4-3, 2-0), 7 p.m.
Look for the Broncos to make it five straight wins after an 0-3 start to the year while staying unbeaten in the district. … Clarendon 45, Memphis 6
Quanah (1-6, 1-1) at Shamrock (3-4, 0-2), 7 p.m.
The Irish get their first district win and keep their playoff hopes well intact at the same time. … Shamrock 45, Quanah 8
District 3-2A
Division II
Bovina (2-5, 1-1) at Hale Center (1-6, 0-2), 7 p.m.
A win for the Mustangs puts them in good shape when it comes to playoff positioning. … Bovina 27, Hale Center 23
– Kale Steed
Last week: 7-2 (.777)
Season: 47-8 (.854)
District 1-1A
Division I
Follett (5-2, 0-0) at Miami (7-0, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Grab your favorite coin and flip it to determine the winner in this battle for district supremacy. Follett’s offense has gotten better while the Warriors haven’t been tested all year. Can the Panthers defense stop Haiden Thompson and, vice versa. Can Miami’s defense stop David Meeks? In a very tightly contested contest, the leg of Thompson might just be the difference. …Miami 46, Follett 42
District 2-1A
Division I
Nazareth (2-5, 0-0) at Happy (6-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Injuries have begun to pile up for both teams, but the Cowboys are healthier and playing in the friendly confines of the Cowboy Corral. Happy is 11-1 since both teams began playing Six-Man ball with the Cowboys grabbing win 12 on Friday night. …Happy 58, Nazareth 22
Wildorado (2-5, 0-0) at Claude (2-5, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Wildorado boasts a ton of speed with Blu Washington and Aden Woodard while Claude likes to get physical with a bruising running game. The last team with the ball will likely win this one. … Wildorado 72, Claude 70
District 4-1A
Division I
Spur (1-6, 0-0) at Valley (3-4, 0-0), 7 p.m.
Simply put, this is a mismatch. The Bulldogs are in rebuild mode while the Patriots have their eyes on a playoff appearance. Valley won’t mess around with Spur and will send the home crowd to the house early. …Valley 60, Spur 12
– Craig Sperry
Last Week: 3-0 (1.000)
Season: 59-11 (.843)