Blitz Picks - Week 1
We made it through another long, football-free summer and have emerged with, well, still the summer, but we do have football!
I am quite serious when I say week one this week features some super tough games to pick, and the week one picks could be a disaster. But that’s the fun part, right? Thinking you have an idea of which teams will be better than others this season, only be surprised at how things turn out after the first round of battles under the lights.
Last season Blitz Picks went 524 out of 663, good enough for a solid 79.3% rate of correct guesses.
Here’s to a great season for all our area teams and, to a lesser extent, the success of the Blitz Picks (only if I’m picking your team...)
*The spread is from PigskinPrep.com for 11-man games and Pigskin Prep and sixmanfootball.com for six-man games.
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TOP FIVE 11-MAN GAMES OF THE WEEK
Wylie leads series 13-6-1
Last meeting: Weather delayed, no game in 2024, Brownwood 35, Wylie 21 in 2023.
At number five, a classic Big Country contest between Brownwood and Wylie. The Lions have a new head coach in Jeryl Brixey, but the same old high expectations. The Bulldogs will be breaking in a new quarterback, but having Julius Laine back in the backfield would help out any QB. Wylie doesn’t have a lot of returning starters, but they do have a bunch of returning players ready to step up. Brownwood has some great weapons of their own, but I’m going with the Bulldogs to earn the win in this one.
THE SPREAD: WYLIE BY 22
THE PICK: WYLIE
Anson leads series 53-43-4
Last meeting: Anson 34, Hamlin 21 in 2024
Number four: a Jones County clash between Hamlin and Anson. The Tigers beat the Pied Pipers 34-21 a year ago, but this time around it’s Hamlin that welcomes back the more experienced squad… especially at quarterback. Anson will have a new QB this season, maybe a freshman, which makes me give the slight edge to the Piper defense and Hamlin overall in what could be considered an upset to kick off the season.
THE SPREAD: ANSON BY 17
THE PICK: HAMLIN
Estacado leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Estacado 14, Jim Ned 7 in 2024
The number three game in the Big Country this week is Lubbock Estacado at Jim Ned. The Indians lost a 14-7 battle to the 4A matadors a year ago, and will be looking for revenge Friday night in Tuscola. Estacado is the favorite to win its district and is the number 21 preseason team in 4A Division 2. It may be a battle of the Estacado speed against the Jim Ned strength, and my pick is with the Matadors this week.
THE SPREAD: ESTACADO BY 4
THE PICK: ESTACADO
Cisco leads series 17-15
Last meeting: Clyde 43, Cisco 42 in 2024
At number two, we’re going with Cisco at Clyde. These two played a great one to open 2024, with Clyde earning a 43-42 win to kick off the Johnathon Haddock era. Both squads expect to be back in the playoffs once again when the regular season matches up, and the 2A Division I Loboes certainly aren’t afraid to punch up against the 3A Division I Bulldogs. Look for Clyde QB Devan Wright to lead the Bulldogs to close win in a game that may not be able to live up to the 2024 edition.
THE SPREAD: CISCO BY 11
THE PICK: CLYDE
Stamford leads series 26-15-3
Last meeting: Stamford 50, Albany 6 in 2024
And our top Big Country 11-man game of the week is Stamford at Albany. There are many different ways to look at this one. The Bulldogs lost a lot, namely Kaston Vega, Christian Duran, Drew Faulks and their entire dominant offensive line, but their defense may be as strong as ever. Albany lost this matchup 50-6 to kick off 2024, but they bring back a ton of talent and will be primed to get some revenge. This one truly was a coin flip for me, and I’ll go with the home team Albany to get the job done.
THE SPREAD: PICK ‘EM
THE PICK: ALBANY
TOP SIX 6-MAN GAMES OF THE WEEK
Series tied 1-1-1
Last meeting: 14-14 tie (weather) in 2024
I couldn’t trim the list to six, so we have six games this week, starting with Blanket at Menard. These two didn’t get to finish a lightning delayed game that ended in a 14-14 tie last season. The 1A Division II number 21 Tigers are loaded entering 2025, led by Kannon Kensing, Mason, Beck and Brian Shannon, while Menard has five starters back on both sides of the ball for the 19th ranked 1A D1 team in the state in the Dave Campbell’s preseason poll. I think Blanket will give the Yellowjackets a run for their money, but the pick is the home team in this one.
PIGSKINPREP: MENARD BY 10
SIXMANFOOTBALL: MENARD BY 4
THE PICK: MENARD
Aspermont leads series 3-0
Last meeting: Aspermont 64, Blackwell 44 in 2024
At number five, a great 1A Division II matchup between Blackwell and Aspermont. The Aspermont Hornets have beaten Blackwell in the season opener the past three seasons, in games decided by six, 16, and 20. Both teams welcome back some very talented players, and Blackwell is number 15 in the preseason poll. Despite that, my pick is Aspermont behind Kolby Bradshaw and Caleb Broshears to get the job done in a close one.
PIGSKINPREP: BLACKWELL BY 9
SIXMANFOOTBALL: BLACKWELL BY 37
THE PICK: ASPERMONT
Jonesboro leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Jonesboro 60, Abilene Christian 13 in 2024
Number four is a good battle of ranked teams as Abilene Christian visits Jonesboro. The Panthers are number two in the state in the TAPPS Division Two rankings on Sixman football.com, while Jonesboro is preseason number 12 in 1A Division I according to Texas Football. ACS lost this matchup 60-13 at home a year ago, but they should be able to make it more of a game this time around. Jonesboro only has one starter back, but you can never count them out. The pick is the Panthers on the road.
PIGSKINPREP: PICK ‘EM
SIXMANFOOTBALL: ABILENE CHRISTIAN BY 3
THE PICK: ABILENE CHRISTIAN
Sands leads series 15-5
Last meeting: Hermleigh 54, Sands 34 in 2024
The third best six-man game this week in the Big Country is Sands at Hermleigh. I expect big things from the Cardinals this season, and it starts with a challenge against the 14th ranked Division II team in the state. Hermleigh, checking in at 21 in the Texas Football preseason poll, won this matchup by 20 on the road last season. This one may be a little closer, but I’m picking Hermleigh to earn the win.
PIGSKINPREP: PICK ‘EM
SIXMANFOOTBALL: SANDS BY 2
THE PICK: HERMLEIGH
Richland Springs leads series 6-3
Last meeting: Richland Springs 92, Gordon 44 in 2012
Number two, two-time defending 1A Division I state champ Gordon meets preseason number three in Division II and perennial power Richland Springs in Priddy Thursday night. Gordon was historically good a year ago, and has plans to be the first Sixman team to three-peat since Richland Springs did so from 2010 to 2012. The Coyotes should be a D2 title contender this season, but I expect the Longhorns to pull away and extend their winning streak to 31.
PIGSKINPREP: GORDON BY 8
SIXMANFOOTBALL: GORDON BY 45
THE PICK: GORDON
First meeting in series
And the best Six-Man game of the week in the Big Country is in Jayton Saturday night when #4 May and #2 Whiteface meet to wrap up the Gridiron Classic. May welcomes a new coach in Jacob Brown, but he gets to take over a team with five starters back on both sides of the ball. Whiteface, the 2024 1A Division I state runner up, has a total of six starters back. This one could go down to the wire, but I’m picking the Tigers to take it in a little bit of an upset.
PIGSKINPREP: WHITEFACE BY 3
SIXMANFOOTBALL: WHITEFACE BY 16
THE PICK: MAY
THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
San Angelo Central at #9 Abilene High
Abilene High leads series 50-47-6
THE SPREAD: Abilene High by 29
THE PICK: Abilene High
Cooper at Azle
Series tied 2-2
THE SPREAD: Azle by 4
THE PICK: Azle
Snyder at Pecos
Pecos leads series 15-4
THE SPREAD: Pecos by 5
THE PICK: Snyder
#4 (4A DI) Stephenville at #17 (5A DII) Midlothian Heritage
Heritage leads series 4-3
THE SPREAD: Heritage by 3
THE PICK: Stephenville
#10 Graham at Midland Christian
Graham leads series 1-0
THE SPREAD: Graham by 22
THE PICK: Graham
#14 (4A DI) Decatur at #4 (4A DII) Brock
Brock leads series 1-0
THE SPREAD: Brock by 15
THE PICK: Brock
#7 Holliday at Breckenridge
Holliday leads series 3-2
THE SPREAD: Holliday by 41
THE PICK: Holliday
#18 Idalou at Sweetwater
Idalou leads series 2-1
THE SPREAD: Idalou by 6
THE PICK: Sweetwater
Comanche at Caddo Mills
First meeting in series
THE SPREAD: Caddo Mills by 3
THE PICK: Caddo Mills
Merkel at Ballinger
Ballinger leads series 32-11
THE SPREAD: Ballinger by 21
THE PICK: Merkel
Forsan vs Coahoma
Coahoma leads series 22-16
THE SPREAD: Coahoma by 25
THE PICK: Coahoma
#12 (2A DI) Mason at #3 (3A DII) Wall
Mason leads series 14-11
THE SPREAD: Wall by 18
THE PICK: Wall
Eastland at Coleman
Series tied 19-19
THE SPREAD: Coleman by 16
THE PICK: Eastland
Brady at San Antonio YMLA
Brady leads series 1-0
THE SPREAD: Brady by 37
THE PICK: Brady
Dublin at #11 De Leon
Dublin leads series 46-41-2
THE SPREAD: De Leon by 48
THE PICK: De Leon
Bangs at Early
Bangs leads series 34-30-1
THE SPREAD: Early by 9
THE PICK: Early
San Saba at Grape Creek
San Saba leads series 3-0
THE SPREAD: San Saba by 20
THE PICK: San Saba
Seymour at Colorado City
Series tied 1-1
THE SPREAD: Seymour by 15
THE PICK: Colorado City
Roscoe at #19 Hawley
Roscoe leads series 13-10
THE SPREAD: Hawley by 17
THE PICK: Hawley
Munday at TLCA Abilene - Thursday
Munday leads series 2-1
THE SPREAD: Munday by 6
THE PICK: Munday
#13 Hamilton at Millsap
Hamilton leads series 9-4
THE SPREAD: Hamilton by 24
THE PICK: Hamilton
Hico at Rio Vista
Hico leads series 13-3
THE SPREAD: Rio Vista by 31
THE PICK: Rio Vista
Cross Plains at Haskell
Cross Plains leads series 4-1
THE SPREAD: Haskell by 12
THE PICK: Haskell
Sonora vs Miles
Series tied 3-3
THE SPREAD: Sonora by 8
THE PICK: Sonora
Winters vs Frost - Thursday, Hamilton
Winters leads series 1-0
THE SPREAD: Frost by 20
THE PICK: Frost
#17 Goldthwaite at #12 Junction
Goldthwaite leads series 6-2
THE SPREAD: Junction by 6
THE PICK: Junction
Knox City vs #5 Cherokee - at Jayton
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: Cherokee by 30
6MFB: Knox City by 3
THE PICK: Cherokee
#10 Newcastle at #7 Iredell
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: Iredell by 5
6MFB: Newcastle by 24
THE PICK: Newcastle
Northside at Rule
Rule leads series 12-11
PIGSKIN PREP: Rule by 19
6MFB: Northside by 45
THE PICK: Northside
#23 Perrin-Whitt at #19 Gold-Burg
Perrin-Whitt leads series 4-2-1
PIGSKIN PREP: Gold-Burg by 3
6MFB: Perrin-Whitt by 45
THE PICK: Perrin-Whitt
Lorenzo at Roby
Roby leads series 1-0
PIGSKIN PREP: Roby by 5
6MFB: Roby by 36
THE PICK: Roby
Trent at Rotan
Rotan leads series 2-0
PIGSKIN PREP: Trent by 4
6MFB: Rotan by 45
THE PICK: Rotan
#22 Ira at #1 Jayton - Thursday
Jayton leads series 10-6
PIGSKIN PREP: Jayton by 27
6MFB: Jayton by 45
THE PICK: Jayton
#13 Westbrook vs Nazareth
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: Wesbrook by 22
6MFB: Westbrook by 10
THE PICK: Westbrook
Rising Star at Highland
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: Rising Star by 8
6MFB: Highland by 31
THE PICK: Highland
#15 Robert Lee at Loraine
Robert Lee leads series 21-10
PIGSKIN PREP: Robert Lee by 23
6MFB: Robert Lee by 45
THE PICK: Robert Lee
Irion County at #11 Buena Vista
Buena Vista leads series 9-4
PIGSKIN PREP: Buena Vista by 40
6MFB: Buena Vista by 17
THE PICK: Buena Vista
Grandfalls-Royalty at #3 Water Valley
Water Valley leads series 7-1
PIGSKIN PREP: Water Valley by 36
6MFB: Water Valley by 45
THE PICK: Water Valley
Veribest at #11 Zephyr - Thursday
Veribest leads series 3-2
PIGSKIN PREP: Zephyr by 28
6MFB: Veribest by 1
THE PICK: Zephyr
Paint Rock at Eden - Thursday
Eden leads series 26-8-1
PIGSKIN PREP: Eden by 43
6MFB: Eden by 45
THE PICK: Eden
#16 Milford at Baird
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: Milford by 13
6MFB: Milford by 3
THE PICK: Milford
Gorman at #25 Lometa - Thursday
Gorman leads series 27-7
PIGSKIN PREP: Lometa by 27
6MFB: Lometa by 33
THE PICK: Lometa
Ranger at Walnut Springs - Thursday
Walnut Springs leads series 2-0
PIGSKIN PREP: Walnut Springs by 1
6MFB: Walnut Springs by 45
THE PICK: Walnut Springs
Lingleville at Stephenville Faith
Stephenville Faith leads series 2-0
PIGSKIN PREP: Stephenville Faith by 24
6MFB: Stephenville Faith by 7
THE PICK: Stephenville Faith
Santa Anna at Bronte
Bronte leads series 19-7-1
PIGSKIN PREP: Bronte by 30
6MFB: Bronte by 10
THE PICK: Bronte
Nueces Canyon at Lohn
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: Lohn by 5
6MFB: Nueces Canyon by 45
THE PICK: Nueces Canyon
#20 Medina at #25 Rochelle
Series tied 5-5
PIGSKIN PREP: Medina by 6
6MFB: Rochelle by 6
THE PICK: Rochelle
Olfen at Dawson
Dawson leads series 1-0
PIGSKIN PREP: Dawson by 8
6MFB: Dawson by 45
THE PICK: Dawson
Crowell at #9 Borden County
Series tied 2-2
PIGSKIN PREP: Borden County by 39
6MFB: Borden County by 45
THE PICK: Borden County
#9 Benjamin at Amarillo PCHEA
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: Benjamin by 45
6MFB: Benjamin by 45
THE PICK: Benjamin
Harrold at Woodson
Woodson leads series 20-17-1
PIGSKIN PREP: Woodson by 21
6MFB: Woodson by 12
THE PICK: Woodson
#23 Gustine at Paint Creek
Gustine leads series 1-0
PIGSKIN PREP: Gustine by 6
6MFB: Gustine by 45
THE PICK: Gustine
Moran at Lueders-Avoca
Lueders-Avoca leads series 21-9
PIGSKIN PREP: Lueders-Avoca by 1
6MFB: Moran by 45
THE PICK: Lueders-Avoca
Throckmorton at #13 Bluff Dale
Throckmorton leads series 2-1
PIGSKIN PREP: Bluff Dale by 45
6MFB: Bluff Dale by 45
THE PICK: Bluff Dale
#6 Strawn vs Valley - Jayton
Valley leads series 3-0
PIGSKIN PREP: Strawn by 26
6MFB: Strawn by 14
THE PICK: Strawn
Sidney at Strawn JV
PIGSKIN PREP: N/A
6MFB: N/A
THE PICK: Sidney
#17 Three Way at Evant
Evant leads series 2-1
PIGSKIN PREP: Three Way by 18
6MFB: Three Way by 45
THE PICK: Three Way
Brookesmith at Mullin
Mullin leads series 14-12
PIGSKIN PREP: Brookesmith by 19
6MFB: Brookesmith by 36
THE PICK: Brookesmith
Priddy at Panther Creek
Series tied 1-1
PIGSKIN PREP: Priddy by 5
6MFB: Priddy by 28
THE PICK: Priddy
COLLEGE
Hardin-Simmons, Howard Payne, McMurry and Cisco College do not have their first games of the season until September 6.
#16 ACU AT TULSA - SATURDAY, 7 P.M. - ESPN+
First meeting in series
The Wildcats open what head coach Keith Patterson says is the toughest schedule in program history on the road at FBS Tulsa Saturday night.
Patterson will return to familiar ground in Tulsa, where he coached as linebackers coach and then co-defensive coordinator from 2003-2010.
The Golden Hurricane are coming off a 3-9 season, and they have a new head coach this year in Tre Lamb.
The Wildcats nearly pulled off a jaw-dropping season-opening upset of Texas Tech last season, so they’ll certainly be of a mind to get the job done in 2025.
THE PICK: TULSA
