By Jake Shaw and Travis Stewart/TexasFootball.com
Every once in a while you need a little shake-up. That was our thought with this week's version of Games to Watch. We called a play action ... rather than the normal template of five games to watch per classification, we're catching you, the reader, off guard with a different look for Week 7.
This weekend features eight games where Top 25 teams square off. We have to talk about those eight, don't we?
But what about ranked teams not playing other ranked teams, surely there could be some upsets? Coppell showed us that last week, so we picked eight games that could go the way of the unranked. We're not elitists, either, so we're also featuring eight more matchups without any ranked teams involved.
Call it crazy eights, call it what you will. No matter the name, here are the games we're keeping an eye on this weekend:
The Eight Best Ranked vs. Ranked MatchupsClass 5A: No. 11 Allen (5-1, 2-0 in 8-5A) at No. 2 Plano (7-0, 3-0)Not that you needed any convincing, but check out the picks by the two experts below. Add them up, and Plano is still just a three-point favorite against Allen. For all our talk about Plano's incredible offensive talent (RB Rex Burkhead, QB Carson Meger, WR Kris Lott, etc.), the unit that might have impressed us most this year is Allen's defense, which has allowed more than 20 points just once all season, including a shutout last week against McKinney Boyd. Plano has started slow in several games this year, so don't be surprised to see Allen get an early lead on the road.
Padilla Poll says: Plano by 1
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Plano by 2
TexasFootball.com says: Plano 27, Allen 24
Class 4A: No. 2 Longview (5-2, 3-0 in 13-4A) at No. 23 Marshall (5-1, 2-0)No matter what the spreads say -- and they're hardly ringing endorsements for Marshall -- this is still one of the state's biggest games every year. More important than just the matchup's history -- which is substantial, to be sure -- is the fact that due to realignment, this game actually has district and playoff implications for the first time in a while. Marshall would be the prohibitive favorite against a good chunk of 4A teams, but Longview has looked like a force of nature all year long. The spreads are big, but fair.
Padilla Poll says: Longview by 23
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Longview by 16
TexasFootball.com says: Longview 28, Marshall 14
Class 3A: No. 6 Abilene Wylie (4-2, 1-0 in 2-3A) at No. 9 Snyder (5-1, 1-0)Not all 4-2 records are created equal, and Abilene Wylie's is certainly one of those that carries more weight than others -- its only two losses are a nail-biting affair to Liberty Hill and a tough matchup with 4A power Wolfforth Frenship. But that's not to sell Snyder short at all, especially considering the Tigers were picked to finish ahead of the Bulldogs in our 2008 predictions. Just like last year, Snyder is really going to hammer the ball along the ground, while Abilene Wylie will take a slightly more balanced approach. The Bulldogs have played arguably the toughest schedule in the state so far -- that experience should come through here.
Padilla Poll says: Wylie by 16
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Wylie by 8
TexasFootball.com says: Abilene Wylie 24, Snyder 16
Class 3A: No. 8 Gilmer (5-1, 1-0 in 17-3A) at No. 22 Tyler Chapel Hill (5-0, 1-0)This wasn't a date we had circled on the calendar back in August, but Chapel Hill RB Matthew Tucker has forced our hand. The senior has rushed for 1,357 yards and 16 TDs in only five games, which not only has landed him on the major recruiting radar, but he has also propelled 5-0 Chapel Hill (2-3 at this point last year) onto the statewide radar, as the ranking indicates. But as good as Tucker is, this game likely will be decided by the Chapel Hill defense's ability to slow down Gilmer.
Padilla Poll says: Gilmer by 9
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Gilmer by 10
TexasFootball.com says: Gilmer 35, Chapel Hill 24
Class 3A: No. 12 Giddings (4-2, 1-0 in 25-3A) at No. 18 Bellville (6-0, 1-0)By numbers alone, this looks like a huge mismatch, considering Bellville's defense has allowed just 84 points in six games and Giddings' has given up well over twice that amount; then again, Giddings' offense is scoring slightly under 40 points per contest. I think this one is pretty even -- as a matter of fact, one nameless member of the DCTF staff even blanched when confronted with this game, pleading "pick'em" status. Luckily, not all of us are so squeamish. Giddings may have started off a bit slowly, but the Buffaloes get the nod ... barely. WAIT! Is it too late to change? It is? Augh! What a tough game to pick.
Padilla Poll says: Giddings by 5
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Bellville by 3
TexasFootball.com says: Giddings 21, Bellville 20
Class 2A: No. 1 Cisco (6-0, 1-0 in 6-2A) at No. 14 Clyde (5-1, 1-0)Few teams go wire-to-wire as the No. 1 teams in their classification. With all respect to the rest of 6-2A, a Cisco win Friday night will at least allow this team to finish the regular season as No. 1, because no other team in this district will present a challenge as tough as the hosts. Clyde has several resume-building wins to its credit (and its only loss came top 3A top 25 Sweetwater), but last week's 49-14 pounding of Merkel may have topped them all. Clyde raced to a 14-0 lead, led by 14 at the half, and scored 21-unanswered in the third quarter, getting at least 100 rushing yards from both Brad Willis and Jacob Gonzales (who also threw for 178 yards). Clyde had 545 yards of offense in that game, and it will take a similar effort to unseat the 2A's top team.
Padilla Poll says: Cisco by 7
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Cisco by 10
TexasFootball.com says: Cisco 35, Clyde 27
No. 9 Idalou (6-0, 3-0 in 3-2A) at No. 23 Littlefield (6-0, 3-0)Has any top 10 team in the state hovered under that state spotlight more than Idalou this year? Not only are the Bobcats undefeated, only one team -- 3A Seminole -- has played Idalou within a 10-point decision, while Idalou has shut out two teams and held two more under 10 points. But beware of Littlefield, whose offense and defense ranks closely with Idalou's. While Idalou outgains Littlefield by an average of 21 yards per game (both average at least 325 per night), Littlefield's defense has been slightly better, holding teams to 245.7 yards per game, nine yards better than Idalou.
Padilla Poll says: Idalou by 7
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Idalou by 7
TexasFootball.com says: Idalou 27, Littlefield 21
Class 1A: No. 6 Stratford (5-1, 1-0 in 1-1A) at No. 2 Canadian (6-0, 1-0)High school football experts have been licking their chops for this district matchup since realignment brought the two teams together during the offseason. We all hoped for an undefeated battle of the titans, but even though Stratford has already been tagged with a loss, both are still flying high in 1-1A and the district title is still very much up for grabs. That said, Canadian is averaging more than 50 points per game on offense -- and allowing just over 10 -- and the twin-twins (the Reyes and Cockrell brothers) present arguably the greatest multi-faceted mismatch in Texas. Stratford is good, but Canadian is
really good.
Padilla Poll says: Canadian by 9
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Canadian by 15
TexasFootball.com says: Canadian 42, Stratford 30
The Eight Best Ranked vs. Unranked Matchups5A: No. 24 Coppell (5-1, 1-0 in 6-5A) at Hebron (3-3,1-0)We've got a pretty good clue what Coppell coach Bob Shipley is preaching to his Cowboys fresh off their upset of Southlake Carroll: We CAN'T have a letdown game. Not after a program-defining win like that. But here's the deal -- if Coppell brings the same intensity (and same offense) against Hebron, the team with the best defense in this district, Shipley and his team won't get a win as big as beating Carroll, but it will count the same in the standings.
Padilla Poll says: Coppell by 2
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Coppell by 4
TexasFootball.com says: Coppell 28, Hebron 23
4A: Stephenville (4-2, 3-0 in 8-5A) at No. 3 Everman (6-0, 3-0)After getting dismissed form the rankings, Stephenville has a fail-safe way of getting back in. No matter how it does it -- a 3-0 win or a 33-30 win -- a Stephenville win would not just guarantee a ranking, something the coaches likely care less about, it would give this team a huge confidence boost and send a clear signal that it remains a Region I (and beyond) contender. The offense needs big games from QB Brad Picha (1,432, 12 TDs passing) and Brad Mills (681 yards, 12 TDs), but the defense must find a way to bottle up Everman rushing trio Ryan Smith, Ruben Fletcher and Chris Franklin. A daunting task, yes, but not one outside of Stephenville's reach.
Padilla Poll says: Everman by 13
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Everman by 13
TexasFootball.com says: Everman 30, Stephenville 21
No. 5 Port-Lavaca Calhoun (5-0, 3-0 in 30-4A) at Gregory-Portland (3-3, 2-0)After seeing Calhoun's triple-option assault in person at the season-opening Texas Football Classic victory over Mercedes, it's hard to imagine any defense not named "Dallas Lincoln" (allowing 13 points through six games? Jeez.) really being able to get a handle on all the ways the Sandcrabs can beat you. RB Xavier Archangel -- who's still a candidate for the state's best name -- and QB James Ezzell are just the beginning of the Rubik's Cube, and that's not even counting FB Sterling Jones. GP has won two straight district games, yes, but this Calhoun run game is just so difficult to stop -- if this game doesn't exceed the experts' spreads, it would be a mild surprise.
Padilla Poll says: Calhoun by 5
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Calhoun by 1
TexasFootball.com says: Calhoun 28, Gregory-Portland 13
No. 8 Kerrville Tivy (5-1, 3-0 in 27-4A) at New Braunfels Canyon (4-2, 2-1)The most immediate answer would be Tivy, right? The Antlers are one of the best offenses in the state, and had it not been for the heroics of San Antonio Madison RB Aaron Green earlier in the season, Tivy would be 6-0 and probably ranked even higher. But there are still some uncertainties going forward for this team, as quarterback Colton Palmer has now moved from the starting quarterback spot into a hybrid QB/WR, and Johnny Manziel has assumed the bulk of the snaps. With RB Quincy Kibbett running the ball they way he is, however, it may not matter. Uncertainties and all, we'll still take Tivy.
Padilla Poll says: Tivy by 7
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Tivy by 9
TexasFootball.com says: Tivy 38, New Braunfels Canyon 28
3A: No. 21 Celina (4-2, 1-0 in 9-3A) at Prosper (5-1, 1-0)So here's the question: has Celina temporarily passed the torch in 9-3A? Yes, the two losses (Whitehouse and Daingerfield) were surprises, but a big portion of the offense (RB Charley Waldrep, etc) was out with injuries. Now those guys are working their way back in the lineup -- does that immediately make the Bobcats talented enough to upend a possibly equally talented Prosper team? Eagles' QB Hunter Nix can really throw the ball around -- as evidenced by the nearly 40 points per game his offense is posting -- and his team poised for a district title. The 9-3A crown could come down to this.
Padilla Poll says: Celina by 7
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Celina by 5
TexasFootball.com says: Celina 24, Prosper 21
2A: New Waverly (4-0, 1-0 in 21-2A) at No. 12 Corrigan-Camden (5-0, 1-0)Both teams had schedules impacted by Hurricane Ike, but neither has shown any after-effects. Corrigan-Camden has won its last three games by an average of 3 TDs per game after having a game against Coldspring-Oakhurst canceled. And half of New Waverly's four wins have come since two games were canceled, including opening district with a 42-0 pasting of Centerville, a game where NW turned to sophomore RB K.D. Scott, who responded with 61 yards and a TD on 11 carries, adding a score on a blocked punt return. Playing on the road transforms New Waverly into bigger underdogs, but playing a team like Corrigan-Camden close will show if New Waverly is as good as its perfect record indicates.
Padilla Poll says: Corrigan-Camden by 19
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Corrigan-Camden by 19
TexasFootball.com says: Corrigan-Camden 27, New Waverly 13
1A: Chilton (3-3, 0-1 in 25-1A) at No. 25 Goldthwaite (5-1, 1-0)Chilton sends more mixed signals than a blind man running air-traffic control. There are good wins -- beating Italy and 2A Kerens, a team which knocked off 1A top 10 Cayuga -- there are close, respectable losses -- a 1-point game to Bremond, and the 24-16 loss to Mart to open 2008 -- and then there's last week's 39-16 defeat, at home no less, to Bosqueville. Believe us, Bosqueville is an above average team, but if Chilton is supposed to be a major contender, it doesn't lose that kind of game. That makes this week's game vs. Goldthwaite all the more important. Chilton, riding a two-game losing skid, needs confidence, but more importantly, it really needs a district win. Perhaps now is the time to rebound, as Goldthwaite’s defense just allowed 42 points last weekend, albeit in a 75-42 win against Evant.
Padilla Poll says: Goldthwaite by 8
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Goldthwaite by 12
TexasFootball.com says: Goldthwaite 35, Chilton 32
No. 21 Junction (6-1, 3-0 in 29-1A) at Rocksprings (5-0, 2-0)Earlier we joked about the dominance of Dallas Lincoln's defense -- 13 points allowed in six games -- but we can do that one better: Rocksprings has allowed just ONE touchdown in five games. That said, Junction is still easily the toughest test the Angoras have faced this year, and throwing the parking brake on an offense rolling to the tune of 30+ points per game is not going to be easy. If you're one of the fans that have rightfully trumpeted Rocksprings' incredible efforts this season, this is the chance to finally prove it beyond a doubt. A 5-0 record and 1983 Daingerfield-esque defense have to be worth something, right?
Padilla Poll says: Junction by 1
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Junction by 2
TexasFootball.com says: Rocksprings 27, Junction 23
The Eight Best Unranked vs. Unranked Matchups5A: SA Clark (7-0, 5-0 in 28-5A) at SA Warren (4-2, 4-0)Clark is entering the second half of a two-week stretch where not only are we learning how good Clark can be, the team is learning the same thing. The first half went well, though it might've added some gray hairs to Clark's fans. A successful two-point conversion in OT gave Clark a 32-31 win over O'Connor. Like always, RB Jock Tilghman had a big part in the win, rushing for 206 yards on 35 carries. Warren will counter with QB Daniel Horstman (898 yards, 8 TDs) and a defense that has allowed 14 or fewer points in its last four games, all of them wins. The last one came two weeks ago, when Warren handled that same O'Connor team, 33-14.
Padilla Poll says: Warren by 6
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Warren by 7
TexasFootball.com says: Warren 37, Clark 28
Midland (5-1, 5-0 in 2-5A) at Amarillo (4-2, 3-2)Let's go ahead and put away the Cedric Benson bobbleheads for a minute -- this 5-1 team is that OTHER team from Midland, the non-Friday Night Lights one. The Bulldogs have fashioned together a fine 2008, rolling to a 5-0 start in district and doing some serious heavy lifting towards clinching a playoff spot out of the 10-team 2-5A. Odds are this matchup will end up being an old-fashioned shootout, as both Midland and Amarillo have ... well, let's just say they haven't been defensive minded. The offenses are in full swing though, and this one could get to the 40s before the night is over. A tough pick, but we've got to give Midland the nod. Should be entertaining, though.
Padilla Poll says: Midland by 4
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Midland by 4
TexasFootball.com says: Midland 42, Amarillo 35
Cy Falls (2-3, 2-1 in 16-5A) at Cy Ridge (3-2, 2-1)Then again, if Midland/Amarillo can get into the 40s, this one could hit the 100s. Both Cy Falls and Cy Ridge have been scoring and allowing close to or more than 30 points per game, and with QB Russell Shepard and RB Hasan Lipscomb leading the charge for the Rams and QB Kolby Gray guiding the Golden Eagles, expect the ball to be whipping around like a ping pong ball down in the Houston area. Though Shepard (LSU pledge) and Lipscomb (Minnesota pledge) will be the two biggest recruits on the field, don't blink when Gray has the ball -- he's one of the region's best at producing points.
Padilla Poll says: Cy Ridge by 4
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Cy Ridge by 5
TexasFootball.com says: Cy Ridge 49, Cy Falls 42
4A: Lindale (6-0, 1-0 in 14-4A) at Whitehouse (5-1, 1-0)The experts below don't agree on which team should win, and frankly, we're not so sure ourselves. One thing we do know: it will be close. Since losing its first two games of the season (though one was reversed to a win since the opponent was ruled to have used an ineligible play), Whitehouse has won four straight, but none by more than seven points. There have been impressive wins -- 24-21 against Corsicana, 23-22 over Celina -- but "hard-earned" better describes the games. And despite the fact Lindale is blazing through its schedule, including outscoring its last two victims by a total of 67-17, expect this game to go down to the wire. Lindale may be playing better, but it’s Whitehouse with recent playoff experience and the comfort of having played in pressure situations in the past two years.
Padilla Poll says: Lindale by 6
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Whitehouse by 2
TexasFootball.com says: Whitehouse 28, Lindale 25
3A: Robstown (3-3, 3-0 in 31-3A) at Sinton (5-0, 3-0)Find us a district with so many log-jams in the standings, from the five teams with 3-3 overall records (including Robstown) to the four teams -- these two schools, plus West Oso and Ingleside -- all within one game of each other in the district standings. That's what makes this game so important. The winner will be the only one with a perfect 4-0 record in district with just three games to play and will emerge as the front-runner for the District 31-2A title.
Padilla Poll says: Sinton by 4
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Sinton by 2
TexasFootball.com says: Robstown 27, Sinton 23
2A: Coleman (6-0, 2-0 in 8-2A) at Bangs (5-2, 3-0)Seemingly the only difference between this year's Coleman team and last year's Coleman team is the ranking. Coleman opened 2007 in the top 10 and stayed there until a Week 8 loss to Early, though it did rebound to make the third round of the playoffs (where it lost by just three points to eventual champ Canadian). This year, conversely, Coleman hasn't earned a ranking, though you'd never know. In starting 6-0, Coleman has out-gained its opponents, 1,664 yards to 952, and averages 26 more points per game. Thus, we expect Coleman to eventually get respect, but focusing on exterior issues like a ranking could lead to a slip-up against a team like Bangs, which already has posted upsets against Early, 29-27, and against Hamilton (42-36).
Padilla Poll says: Coleman by 6
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Coleman by 2
TexasFootball.com says: Coleman 37, Bangs 30
Nocona (5-1, 1-0 in 5-2A) at Holliday (6-0, 1-0)Holliday continues to astound -- after the Eagles graduated Mr. Everything Landrey Lemons in the offseason, they were beginning to look a little too young to contend. But behind the efforts of an extremely stingy defense, Holliday has turned just nine returning starters into a 6-0 start. But Nocona can play a little defense, too, and now that the offense is starting to come around, the Indians are starting to look like the team that we picked to finish second in district 5-2A. Another extremely tough game to pick -- seems like there's a bunch of these this week -- but we'll side with Nocona in a last-second finish.
Padilla Poll says: Nocona by 1
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: Nocona by 2
TexasFootball.com says: Nocona 21, Holliday 20
1A: Lindsay (4-3, 1-0 in 13-1A) at Era (5-1, 0-0)Another very difficult game to predict. Lindsay has been the epitome of balance so far -- it's scored an almost identical amount of points as what it's allowed, and it's got a 4-3 record to show for it. Era, on the other hand, jumped out of the gates hot and looks like a team that could contend for a regional final. A pick'em has never looked so tempting, but we'll give Era the nod.
Padilla Poll says: Era by 2
Jerry's TXFB Ratings says: PK
TexasFootball.com says: Era 21, Lindsay 18
