Blitz Picks - Week 2
It sure was nice to have football back across the Lone Star State, but with week one in the books we are all ready to see who got better from week one to week two.
The week one picks were honestly better than I expected them to turn out, 58 out of 69 for 84.06%.
Time to see the picks for week two, and best of luck to 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
Brady leads series 35-26-1
Last meeting: Mason 47-19 in 2024
We start with Brady at Mason. The Bulldogs rolled on the road to a 60-0 win over San Antonio YMLA last week and now face a Mason squad hoping to bounce back from a 48-7 loss to Wall. This will be the first test of the season for Brady, and an opportunity to see if they can avenge a 47-19 home loss to the Punchers in 2024. The pick is Brady to earn a close victory and get their first win in the series since 2007.
THE SPREAD: Mason by 1
THE PICK: Brady
Photo: Brady High School
Photo: Eli Humber
Albany leads series 21-5-1
Last meeting: Hawley 21, Albany 0 in 2024
Number four: Hawley visits Albany. The Lions showed they will be a force this season by beating Stamford with a freshman quarterback last week, now they will get tested again by the Bearcats. Hawley got the job done against Roscoe on the ground in week one, rushing for 293 yards behind John Doershcuk and Camden Ables. Albany’s defense held Stamford to just 174 yards last week and is the reason I’m going with the Lions to get the win in this one.
THE SPREAD: Albany by 15
THE PICK: Albany
Photo: Skyler Blanton
Stamford leads series 3-2
Last meeting: Stamford 44, De Leon 20 in 2024
Our number three game in the Big Country this week is De Leon at Stamford. Both teams are in the state rankings this week, the Bearcats in at number 10 and the Bulldogs at number eight. Stamford will surely figure some things out and bounce back, but they’ll have their hands full with a De Leon offense that put 68 points on the board last week. I think this will be a game in the fourth quarter, and De Leon is the pick to improve to 2-0.
THE SPREAD: Stamford by 2
THE PICK: De Leon
Sweetwater leads series 14-6
Last meeting: Sweetwater 29, Greenwood 25 in 2024
At number two, we’re going with Midland Greenwood at Sweetwater. The Mustangs hung 44 on a good Idalou squad last week and will be tested further by the Rangers, who doubled up Childress in week one 42-21. Sweetwater beat Greenwood 29-25 a year ago, and I expect the Rangers to come up a little short in their bid at revenge and fall to the Mustangs in a close contest Friday night at the Bowl.
THE SPREAD: Greenwood by 15
THE PICK: Sweetwater
Cooper leads series 36-27-1
Last meeting: Abilene High 42, Cooper 33
And our top Big Country 11-man game of the week is the 65th edition of the Crosstown Showdown as Abilene High faces Cooper. Both teams are coming off great wins in week one, the Warbirds 42-21 over San Angelo Central and the Cougars 49-25 at Azle. The Coogs turned some heads with their win, but their improved offense will be tested by an improved Abilene High defense that held the 6A Bobcats to under 200 yards last week. The Eagles won a good contest by 9 over Cooper a year ago, and they are the pick to get the job done again and run their winning streak in the series to four.
THE SPREAD: Abilene High by 19
THE PICK: Abilene High
TOP FIVE 6-MAN GAMES OF THE WEEK
Benjamin leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Benjamin 81, Follett 48 in 2024
We start with Follett at Benjamin. Both teams are in the 1A Division 2 top ten on sixmanfootball.com, the Mustangs at number eight and the Panthers at number ten. Benjamin took care of Amarillo PCHEA on the road last week, while the Panthers lost a last second heartbreaker to 1A Division I Saint Jo at the Jayton Gridiron Classic. Follett has certainly been tested more than Benjamin, but the Mustangs still have Keegan Hayes and that is enough to pick Benjamin to win.
PIGSKINPREP: Benjamin by 17
SIXMANFOOTBALL: Benjamin by 6
THE PICK: Benjamin
Richland Springs leads series 17-15-1
Last meeting: Richland Springs 68, May 47 in 2019
Number four, the new number two Division One team in the state May visiting Richland Springs. The Coyotes have certainly loaded up their non-district schedule this year, facing #1 Gordon last week and now #2 May. The Tigers topped Whiteface, the state runner up a year ago, in week one, and look to be a team that could make a good run in the playoffs. Richland Springs went toe to toe with the Longhorns in the first quarter last week, but look for May to pull away and get the win in this one.
PIGSKINPREP: May by 10
SIXMANFOOTBALL: May by 16
THE PICK: May
Wesbrook leads series 3-0
Last meeting: Wesbrook 68, Jonesboro 36 in 2024
Our third best six-man game this week in the Big Country is Westbrook at Jonesboro. The Wildcats took down Nazareth to kick off the season last week, while the Eagles outlasted Abilene Christian in a 59-56 shootout. The Wildcats have beaten Jonesboro in week two in each of the past three seasons, and the pick is for Westbrook to pull away late again and run their winning streak in the series to four.
PIGSKINPREP: Jonesboro by 1
SIXMANFOOTBALL: Westbrook by 10
THE PICK: Westbrook
First meeting in series
Number two is a battle of 2024 state champions as 1A Division II champ Jayton meets TAPPS Division I defending champion Pasadena First Baptist in Oglesby Saturday morning. Due to weather, the Jaybirds only got to play a quarter in their 36-16 win over Ira last week, while the Warriors took down Wylie Prep 50-0. Jayton enters on a 16 game winning streak, First Baptist has won 14 in a row. Something’s gotta give, but until proven otherwise I’m going to pick Jayton to take care of business and pick up the win.
PIGSKINPREP: First Baptist by 3
SIXMANFOOTBALL: Jayton by 37
THE PICK: Jayton
Hermleigh leads series 8-2
Last meeting: Hermleigh 36, Water Valley 28 in 2024
And our top Sixman game of the week in the Big Country is Water Valley at Hermleigh. The Cardinals took care of Sands to win in week one, while the Wildcats shut out Grandfalls-Royalty 54-0. Hermleigh won this matchup 36-28 on the road a year ago, and it proved to be the last Water Valley loss until they fell in the state semifinals to Whiteface. These two could end up meeting again in the bi-district round of the playoffs. I’m going with the Wildcats to get a little revenge and win a close one over the Cardinals.
PIGSKINPREP: Water Valley by 18
SIXMANFOOTBALL: Water Valley by 34
THE PICK: Water Valley
THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
Wylie (1-0) at Lubbock Monterey (0-1)
Wylie leads series 5-4
Last meeting: Wylie 29, Monterey 28 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Monterey by 4
THE PICK: Wylie
Photo: Snyder ISD
San Angelo Lake View (1-0) at Snyder (0-1)
Snyder leads series 34-18-1
Last meeting: Snyder 40, Lake View 34 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Lake View by 7
THE PICK: Snyder
#3 Wall (1-0) at Brownwood (0-1)
Brownwood leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Brownwood 17, Wall 7 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Wall by 10
THE PICK: Wall
Everman (0-1) vs. #4 Stephenville (1-0)
Stephenville leads series 17-13
Last meeting: Stephenville 59, Everman 21 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Stephenville by 59
THE PICK: Stephenville
Springtown (1-0) at #9 Graham (1-0)
Springtown leads series 8-6-1
Last meeting: Springtown 35, Graham 21 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Graham by 8
THE PICK: Graham
Lake Worth (0-1) at #4 Brock (1-0)
Brock leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Brock 51, Lake Worth 13 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Brock by 48
THE PICK: Brock
Mineral Wells (1-0) at Iowa Park (1-0)
Series tied 12-12-1
Last meeting: Mineral Wells 36, Iowa Park 6 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Mineral Wells by 13
THE PICK: Mineral Wells
Photo: Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan
Breckenridge (0-1) at Childress (0-1)
Breckenridge leads series 6-3
Last meeting: Childress 35, Breckenridge 7 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Childress by 33
THE PICK: Childress
Photo: Clyde CISD
Clyde (1-0) at Eastland (0-1)
Eastland leads series 28-23
Last meeting: Eastland 35, Clyde 14 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Clyde by 26
THE PICK: Clyde
Comanche (0-1) at #7 Llano (1-0)
Llano leads series 8-2
Last meeting: Comanche 34, Llano 21 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Llano by 41
THE PICK: Llano
Photo: Scott Burkhalter Photography
Jim Ned (1-0) vs. Cedar Hill Trinity Leadership (0-1) - at Mineral Wells
First meeting in series
THE SPREAD: Jim Ned by 24
THE PICK: Jim Ned
Bangs (0-1) at Merkel (1-0)
Bangs leads series 9-6
Last meeting: Bangs 20, Merkel 14 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Merkel by 23
THE PICK: Merkel
Photo: Eli Humber/Shots By Eli
Coahoma (1-0) at Roscoe (0-1)
Series tied 8-8-2
Last meeting: Coahoma 48, Roscoe 14 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Coahoma by 9
THE PICK: Coahoma
Millsap (0-1) at Dublin (0-1)
Dublin leads series 15-8
Last meeting: Millsap 42, Dublin 13 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Millsap by 13
THE PICK: Millsap
Photo: Mike Jones/Brownwoodnews.com
Early (1-0) at Hamilton (1-0)
Hamilton leads series 15-7
Last meeting: Hamilton 41, Early 21 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Hamilton by 49
THE PICK: Hamilton
Photo: Chad Anders/Colemantoday.com
Coleman (1-0) at Clifton (1-0)
Clifton leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Clifton 33, Coleman 12 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Clifton by 4
THE PICK: Clifton
Tolar (0-1) at Teague (1-0)
Tolar leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Tolar 23, Teague 21 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Tolar by 4
THE PICK: Teague
Colorado City (0-1) at McCamey (0-1)
McCamey leads series 4-2
Last meeting: McCamey 40, Colorado City 24 in 2024
THE SPREAD: McCamey by 8
THE PICK: McCamey
Archer City (0-1) at Anson (1-0)
Anson leads series 3-2
Last meeting: Anson 50, Archer City 28 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Anson by 32
THE PICK: Anson
Photo: Gary Stennett
TLCA San Angelo (0-1) at Cisco (0-1)
Cisco leads series 3-0
Last meeting: Cisco 62, TLCA San Angelo 8 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Cisco by 36
THE PICK: Cisco
TLCA Abilene (0-1) at Cross Plains (0-1)
Cross Plains leads series 3-0
Last meeting: Cross Plains 64, TLCA 8 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Cross Plains by 27
THE PICK: Cross Plains
Ballinger (0-1) at Christoval (0-1)
Ballinger leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Ballinger 21, Christoval 0 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Christoval by 2
THE PICK: Ballinger
Moody (1-0) at Hico (0-1)
Series tied 6-6
Last meeting: Hico 25, Moody 23 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Hico by 12
THE PICK: Hico
Junction (1-0) at San Saba (1-0)
San Saba leads series 10-8
Last meeting: Junction 28, San Saba 27 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Junction by 11
THE PICK: San Saba
Haskell (1-0) at Quanah (1-0)
Haskell leads series 17-12-2
Last meeting: Haskell 25, Quanah 19 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Haskell by 5
THE PICK: Haskell
Winters (0-1) at Munday (1-0)
Munday leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Munday 41, Winters 6 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Munday by 12
THE PICK: Munday
Photo: Gary Ford
Seymour (1-0) at Hamlin (0-1)
Seymour leads series 13-11
Last meeting: Hamlin 21, Seymour 20 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Hamlin by 10
THE PICK: Hamlin
Miles (0-1) at Sterling City (0-1)
Sterling City leads series 22-12-1
Last meeting: Miles 56, Sterling City 20 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Miles by 6
THE PICK: Miles
Photo: Terry Thompson
Center Point (1-0) at Goldthwaite (0-1)
Goldthwaite leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Goldthwaite 62, Center Point 6 in 2024
THE SPREAD: Goldthwaite by 39
THE PICK: Goldthwaite
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
#6 Strawn (1-0) at Knox City (0-1)
Knox City leads series 5-1
Last meeting: Knox City 75, Strawn 54 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Strawn by 28
6MFB: Strawn by 45
THE PICK: Strawn
Photo: Sasha Duck/Texas 1A Fan
Crowell (0-1) at #10 Newcastle (1-0)
Crowell leads series 6-5
Last meeting: Newcastle 60, Crowell 14 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Newcastle by 45
6MFB: Newcastle by 45
THE PICK: Newcastle
Baird (0-1) at Bryson (0-1)
Bryson leads series 3-0
Last meeting: Bryson 64, Baird 14 in 2023
PIGSKIN PREP: Baird by 2
6MFB: Bryson by 1
THE PICK: Baird
Perrin-Whitt (1-0) at #5 Aquilla (1-0)
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: Aquilla by 14
6MFB: Aquilla by 23
THE PICK: Aquilla
Photo: Mark Martinez/Double Mountain Chronicle
Roby (1-0) at #8 Motley County (1-0)
Motley County leads series 3-1
Last meeting: Motley County 46, Roby 0 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Motley County by 45
6MFB: Motley County by 22
THE PICK: Motley County by 45
Photo: Mark Martinez/Double Mountain Chronicle
Rotan (1-0) vs. Miami (1-0) - at Valley
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: Miami by 34
6MFB: Miami by 42
THE PICK: Miami
Photo: SMcCowen Sports Photography
Ira (0-1) at Spur (0-1)
Ira leads series 8-1
Last meeting: Spur 30, Ira 26 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Ira by 11
6MFB: Ira by 45
THE PICK: Ira
Nueces Canyon (1-0) at Highland (0-1)
Highland leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Highland 62, Nueces Canyon 16 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Nueces Canyon by 6
6MFB: Highland by 45
THE PICK: Highland
Photo: Maranda Hood
Garden City (1-0) at Robert Lee (1-0)
Garden City leads series 20-13
Last meeting: Garden City 68, Robert Lee 60 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Robert Lee by 24
6MFB: Robert Lee by 36
THE PICK: Robert Lee
Loraine (0-1) at Paint Rock (0-1)
Loraine leads series 11-3
Last meeting: Loraine 52, Paint Rock 6 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Loraine by 29
6MFB: Loraine by 45
THE PICK: Loraine
#1 Gordon (1-0) at Valley (0-1)
Gordon leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Gordon 68, Valley 6 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Gordon by 45
6MFB: Gordon by 45
THE PICK: Gordon
Brookesmith (1-0) at Gorman (0-1)
Gorman leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Gorman 45, Brookesmith 0 in 2017
PIGSKIN PREP: Gorman by 1
6MFB: Gorman by 45
THE PICK: Gorman
Ranger (1-0) at Woodson (0-1)
Ranger leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Woodson 68, Ranger 8 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Woodson by 10
6MFB: Woodson by 45
THE PICK: Ranger
Lingleville (0-1) at Rising Star (1-0)
Lingleville leads series 5-1
Last meeting: Rising Star 20, Lingleville 0 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Rising Star by 40
6MFB: Rising Star by 45
THE PICK: Rising Star
Rocksprings (1-0) at Santa Anna (0-1)
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: Rocksprings by 32
6MFB: Santa Anna by 42
THE PICK: Rocksprings
Menard (1-0) at Rochelle (0-1)
Menard leads series 8-3
Last meeting: Menard 43, Rochelle 0 in 1989
PIGSKIN PREP: Menard by 18
6MFB: Menard by 38
THE PICK: Menard
Rule (0-0) at Bronte (1-0)
Series tied 3-3-1
Last meeting: Bronte 28, Rule 18 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Bronte by 15
6MFB: Bronte by 45
THE PICK: Bronte
Zephyr (1-0) at Blackwell (0-1)
Zephyr leads series 4-0
Last meeting: Zephyr 56, Blackwell 8 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Zephyr by 26
6MFB: Zephyr by 26
THE PICK: Zephyr
Trent (0-1) at Wilson (0-1)
Wilson leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Wilson 44, Trent 16 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Wilson by 10
6MFB: Trent by 1
THE PICK: Trent
May JV at Olfen (0-1)
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: N/A
6MFB: May JV by 45
THE PICK: May JV
Southland (0-1) at Aspermont (1-0)
Southland leads series 3-2
Last meeting: Southland 48, Aspermont 47 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Aspermont by 45
6MFB: Aspermont by 45
THE PICK: Aspermont
Paint Creek (0-1) at Moran (1-0)
Paint Creek leads series 18-13
Last meeting: Paint Creek 52, Moran 24 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Paint Creek by 33
6MFB: Paint Creek by 33
THE PICK: Paint Creek
Lohn (0-1) at Lueders-Avoca (1-0)
Lohn leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Lohn 60, Lueders-Avoca 0 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: L-A by 13
6MFB: Lohn by 15
THE PICK: Lueders-Avoca
Harrold (1-0) at Throckmorton (0-1)
Throckmorton leads series 5-1
Last meeting: Harrold 39, Throckmorton 33 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Harrold by 34
6MFB: Harrold by 45
THE PICK: Harrold
Photo: Southern Sass Photography
Cranfills Gap (1-0) at Blanket (0-1)
Blanket leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Blanket 60, Cranfills Gap 0 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Blanket by 37
6MFB: Blanket by 45
THE PICK: Blanket
Buckholts (1-0) at Gustine (1-0)
Gustine leads series 11-2
Last meeting: Gustine 70, Buckholts 20 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Gustine by 34
6MFB: Gustine by 45
THE PICK: Gustine
Eden (1-0) at Sidney (1-0)
Sidney leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Sidney 26, Eden 25 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Eden by 12
6MFB: Eden by 12
THE PICK: Eden
Panther Creek (1-0) at Mullin (0-1)
Panther Creek leads series 11-10
Last meeting: Mullin 47, Panther Creek 0 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Panther Creek by 17
6MFB: Panther Creek by 14
THE PICK: Panther Creek
Bluff Dale (1-0) at #3 Oglesby (1-0)
First meeting in series
PIGSKIN PREP: Oglesby by 18
6MFB: Oglesby by 45
THE PICK: Oglesby
Stephenville Faith (1-0) at Three Way (1-0)
Faith leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Stephenville Faith 50, Three Way 0 in 2023
PIGSKIN PREP: Three Way by 31
6MFB: Three Way by 39
THE PICK: Three Way
Leakey (0-1) at #5 Cherokee (1-0)
Cherokee leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Cherokee 51, Leakey 0 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: Cherokee by 45
6MFB: Cherokee by 45
THE PICK: Cherokee
Midland Trinity (0-1) at Abilene Christian (0-1)
ACS leads series 8-2
Last meeting: ACS 58, Midland Trinity 54 in 2024
PIGSKIN PREP: ACS by 17
6MFB: ACS by 24
THE PICK: Abilene Christian
Photo: Kaylee Kahn
COLLEGE
#23 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN (0-1) AT #17 ACU (0-1) - SATURDAY, 7 P.M.
SFA leads series 13-12
Last meeting: SFA 32, ACU 19 in 2024
The Wildcats host Stephen F. Austin in a FCS Top 25 battle in the home opener Saturday night.
Both teams fell on the road last week to FBS schools: ACU 35-7 at Tulsa and SFA 27-0 at Houston.
THE PICK: ACU
PACIFIC (OR) AT HOWARD PAYNE - THURSDAY, 7 P.M.
First meeting in series
Howard Payne will kick off the Coby Gipson era of Yellow Jacket football at Gordon Wood Stadium Thursday night against Pacific University from Forest Grove, Oregon.
The Boxers went 5-5 last season and were picked to finish fifth in the Northwest Conference, which inlcudes national powers like Linfield and Pacific Lutheran.
HPU went just 2-8 at year ago and was picked to finish in fourth place out of four teams in the American Southwest Conference.
Pacific is led by D3football.com preseason all-second team running back Brody Bantolina.
THE PICK: Pacific
SOUTHWESTERN AT MCMURRY - SATURDAY, 6 P.M.
Southwestern leads series 7-1
Last meeting: Southwestern 24, McMurry 20 in 2024
The War Hawks will get to play on their new maroon and gray striped turf Saturday night against Southwestern.
The Pirates beat McMurry 24-20 in the season opener in Georgetown last year, a loss that likely kept the War Hawks out of the D3 playoffs.
McMurry was picked second in the SCAC behind Texas Lutheran in the preseason poll, while Southwestern, who ended up 4-6 last season, was picked to finish sixth out of eight teams in the SAA (Southern Athletic Association).
THE PICK: McMurry
#6 HARDIN-SIMMONS AT CHAPMAN (CA) - SATURDAY, 9 P.M.
HSU leads series 2-1
Last meeting: HSU 48, Chapman 19 in 1998
The sixth ranked Cowboys will head out west to Orange, California for their season opener this year and their first meeting with Chapman University in 27 years.
Chapman went 7-3 last season and played for the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship. The Panthers are the preseason pick to win the SCIAC this season.
Hardin-Simmons is the preseason favorite in the American Southwest Conference.
THE PICK: Hardin-Simmons
CISCO COLLEGE AT COFFEYVILLE (KS) COMMUNITY COLLEGE - SATURDAY, 1 P.M.
Last meeting: Coffeyville 37, Cisco 19 in 2024
The Wranglers are headed north to Kansas for their 2025 opener to begin year two under head coach Charlie Rizzio.
The Coffeyville Red Ravens are the opponent, a traditionally strong program that is picked to finish fourth in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conferece. They went 8-3 in 2024.
The Wranglers are hoping scrimmages against McMurry and Mary Hardin-Baylor have them ready for a tough road opener. Cisco was picked fifth out of eight teams in the SWJCFC coaches poll, and seventh in the SWJCFC media poll.
THE PICK: Coffeyville
