WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS: Jumping right into the high school football season

The first week of the high school football season is always the busiest, so no light-hearted list to introduce this predictions blog.

I’m just gonna jump right in!

You can find all the picks from our esteemed “expert panel” in the spreadsheet below.

WFISD

Rider 42, WFHS 28 – It feels like the biggest game of this storied rivalry. It all comes to an end Friday at Memorial stadium.

On paper, this is the closest Old High has matched up with Rider since 2015. And there are plenty of reasons to believe the Coyotes can win this final matchup.

But I can’t talk myself into making that pick. Rider ends this rivalry series with a 10-game win streak.

Hirschi 48, Clint 13 – The Lions haven’t been close to the Huskies the past two seasons, and they aren’t getting there Thursday night in Andrews, either.

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CLASS 4A

Burkburnett 27, Bridgeport 9 – There are plenty of questions to be asked about the Bulldogs, primarily where are the big plays coming from, but the Bulls may be facing even more uncertainty.

Graham 55, Bowie 6 – This is a tough way for first-year head coach Tyler Price to start his tenure at Bowie. Graham is loaded with experience and talent.

CLASS 3A

Jacksboro 46, Breckenridge 20 – When Jacksboro lost to the Buckaroos last season, it caught us off guard, but Breckenridge proved to be a good team. Jacksboro should be better prepared this season. And we obviously have high expectations for the Tigers after voting them No. 1 in the first TRN Top 10.

Holliday 25, Iowa Park 15 – There has to be some learning curve for Holliday’s new spread offense, but the Eagles are equipped with the skill position players to make the offense work. Expect Iowa Park to be improved this season, but this rivalry remains in Holliday’s favor.

Vernon 40, City View 21 – This game snowballed into a head-turning Vernon blowout a season ago. It should be closer this season, but Vernon has the athletic advantage here. And the Lions’ slot-T offense is difficult to prepare for in Week 1.

CLASS 2A

Windthorst 33, Henrietta 28 – I’m sure Henrietta fans are tired of hearing this, but will a playmaker emerge beside quarterback Garrett Blevins? There are candidates but until one steps up I like Windthorst to get the win Friday.

Olney 34, Alvord 23 – Obviously Olney is going to miss quarterback Gatlin Guy who transferred to Wellington. But the Cubs aren’t going to slip as much as some may think because of his absence.

Nocona 48, Era 8 – The Indians should cruise to a win here given the amount of firepower they return this season.

Seymour 48, Anson 12 – Anson still hasn’t built up enough to slow down or keep up with Seymour’s high-powered spread offense. The Panthers will still be throwing the ball all over the yard.

Archer City 39, Quanah 7 – This is the last time I will mention that Archer City was hit hard by transfers. Quanah was hit hard by graduation. The Indians are young, and the Wildcats’ cupboard of athletes isn’t bare.

Santo 44, Electra 17 – We expect the Tigers to be one of the most improved teams in the area, but Santo is a tough program to open the season against.

Muenster Sacred Heart 55, Petrolia 13 – PigskinPrep.com says Petrolia is a 68-point underdog. That’s steep. But the Pirates do draw a tough opener.

Mercy Culture Prep 44, Munday 17 – It does sound like a turnaround could be starting in Munday, but the Moguls upgraded its Week 1 opponent from last season.

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SIX-MAN

Westbrook 54, Knox City 48 – This is such a compelling game, and I’m thrilled it’s being played Thursday night so I can make the trip to Jayton to check it out. Westbrook is the two-time defending state champs, and the early favorite to repeat. I expect Knox City to keep it close, but with former Seymour quarterback joining a Westbrook backfield that isn’t short on experience, the Wildcats open 2023 with an impressive win.

Azle Christian 50, Bryson 40 – Both teams were solid last season, but ACS is returning more starters.

Northside 60, Patton Springs 26 – Northside has the makings of a solid backfield with juniors Kaden Hall and Matthew Brooks. The Indians look a lot better than Patton Springs on paper.

Perrin-Whitt 44, Gold-Burg 32 – These two are comparable, but I’m siding with the bigger school in this case.

Benjamin 78, Follett 18 – The real question is will this game make it past halftime. There are some worried that Benjamin will take a step back because of graduation. The Mustangs still have the best six-man player in the state. That goes a long way in that game.

Strawn 56, Crowell 50 – Great Week 1 six-man matchup. Improvement is expected in Crowell, but the same is true in Strawn.

Newcastle 45, Rule 0 – This game is over by halftime via the mercy rule.

Chillicothe 40, Darrouzett 38 – Same reasoning as above. Chillicothe has more starters returning.

Harrold 48, Paint Creek 18 – I expect Harrold to be the most improved six-man program in the area. The uptick in their girls athletic teams started last season. Now it begins for the boys.

Gordon 62, Throckmorton 26 – Throckmorton looks like a solid six-man Division II squad, but Gordon profiles as a state title contender in Division I.

Dallas Lakehill 48, Forestburg 30 – Again with the starters thing. Lakehill has more returning.

WCS 52, Athens Christian 6 – This game was added to the schedule late. Athens Christian is a first-year program, giving Wichita Christian an advantage.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls area high school football Week 1 predictions