Our choices for game of the week, ones to watch and weekly picks in football
It's week seven of the high school football season. Time to take a look at our choices for Game of the Week, other games to watch, and of course our weekly picks.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Seminole at West Plains
7 p.m. Friday at Happy State Bank Stadium in Canyon
One of the wildest games of the 2022 season could end up having epic stakes down the line.
Last year, Seminole won the District 2-4A D-II title thanks in large part to a rain-delayed 35-28 victory over West Plains that was a tight affair throughout the evening. Fast forward to now, Seminole is undefeated while West Plains is 5-1 with a one-possession loss to Bushland in the season opener its only blemish.
Perryton and Levelland are each under .500 while Borger enters district play with an even record. Obviously, anyone could end up winning, but the general consensus is that this week could, and should end up determining the district champion. Seminole is one of the top teams in the High Plains and West Plains is one of the best in the Panhandle.
Reid Macon, Jordi Hernandez, Kyron Wooten and King Tallant have given West Plains one of the best skill position groups in West Texas, the offensive line has consistently been praised and the defense has improved each week. The Wolves have played a litany of great teams, but Seminole may be their toughest challenge yet.
Seminole is undefeated for a reason. Its schedule has been as competitive as West Plains'. On paper, this truly is as good of a matchup as you could hope for. It should be a tight, tight contest, but give me the home team this week.
PREDICTION: West Plains 45, Seminole 42
More: Top volleyball performers from last week in the Texas Panhandle
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
Bushland at Muleshoe, 7 p.m. Friday
While the belief entering the season was that Bushland and Shallowater would fight for the district crown, it looks more like the Falcons and Mules will the contenders. Muleshoe is undefeated and dominating on both sides of the ball. Bushland's only loss is to Canadian and the Falcons look dominant all over. This should be a great game, but give us last year's victors playing road spoiler this year.
PREDICTION: Bushland 42, Muleshoe 35
More: Wall and Pebble Hills fall after close losses in the Week 7 West Texas Power Rankings
Stratford at Farwell, 7 p.m. Friday
The Elks haven't lost a game in the regular season since 2020. Farwell has one loss this season. Corey Stancell has been an unstoppable force at running back for the Steers while Bryce Braden has been an immovable object at linebacker for Stratford. Both excel on the other side of the ball as well. A huge district opener, give me the 2021 state champs in this one.
PREDICTION: Stratford 31, Farwell 21
More: Top football performers from last week in the Texas Panhandle
Amarillo High at Lubbock-Cooper, 7 p.m. Friday
The Sandies have been rolling in district at 2-0 and were a competitive 1-3 before that. Cooper is 3-2 with a pair of 35-34 losses to Frenship and Abilene Wylie. The district is wide open this year but this one should have massive implications for down the road. Expect a competitive game, but I'll take the Pirates in this one.
PREDICTION: Cooper 35, Amarillo High 24
PICKS FOR THE WEEK
Hart's record last week: 24-3
Hart's record this season: 156-69
*Winners picked in bold
Thursday, Oct. 5
District 2-5A Division II
Lubbock Monterey at Tascosa, 7 p.m.
Non-District
Gruver at Guymon (OK), 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6
District 2-5A Division I
Amarillo at Lubbock Cooper, 7 p.m.
Abilene at Caprock, 7 p.m.
District 2-5A Division II
Palo Duro at Lubbock, 7 p.m.
Abilene Wylie at Plainview, 7 p.m.
District 3-4A Division I
Randall at Dumas, 7 p.m.
Hereford at Pampa, 7 p.m.
District 2-4A Division II
Seminole at West Plains, 7 p.m.
Levelland at Perryton, 7 p.m.
District 2-3A Division I
Dalhart at River Road, 7 p.m.
Bushland at Muleshoe, 7 p.m.
District 3-3A Division II
Childress at Canadian, 7 p.m.
Dimmitt at Spearman, 7 p.m.
Tulia at Friona, 7 p.m.
District 1-2A Division I
Panhandle at Highland Park, 7 p.m.
Stratford at Farwell, 7 p.m.
Sanford-Fritch at West Texas, 7 p.m.
District 2-2A Division I
Post at Olton, 7 p.m.
District 1-2A Division II
Boys Ranch at Vega, 7 p.m.
District 2-2A Division II
Wheeler at Clarendon, 7 p.m.
Wellington at Shamrock, 7 p.m.
Memphis at Quanah, 7 p.m.
District 3-2A Division II
Bovina at Ralls, 7 p.m.
Crosbyton at Lockney, 7 p.m.
District 3-1A Division I
Anton at Kress, 7 p.m.
District 1-1A Division II
Groom at Darrouzett, 7 p.m.
Lefors at Silverton, 7:30 p.m.
District 2-1A Division II
Whitharral at Hart, 7:30 p.m.
Non-District
Class 2A
Sunray at Lubbock Christian, 7 p.m.
Class 1A
Miami at Nazareth, 7:30 p.m.
Follett at Claude, 7 p.m.
McLean at Happy, 7 p.m.
White Deer at Valley, 7 p.m.
Lubbock Kingdom at Wildorado, 7 p.m.
Whiteface at Springlake-Earth, 7:30 p.m.
Hedley at Booker, 7:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: High school football game of the week, ones to watch and picks.
