SIX-MAN LOOKAHEAD: ACS-Jonesboro, May-Whiteface headline season-opening slate

It’s hard to believe, but the 2025 high school football season is officially upon us.

In fact, for a number of our area six-man programs — including defending state champs Gordon (Division I) and Jayton (Division II) — it has already begun.

But even after a hefty Thursday slate, the scores from which can be found on our Six-Man/Class 1A Central page, there’s plenty of six-man football still to look forward to this week.

As we did last year, we’re going to break down the biggest area matchups weekly in this column. So let’s go ahead and dive in with the biggest games of Week 1.

GAMES OF THE WEEK

FRIDAY

• Abilene Christian (0-0) at Jonesboro (0-0) — This matchup pits a private school with state championship aspirations against a top-15 Division I program that won 10 games a year ago. But while this one looks like a doozy on paper, a pretty significant experience gap between the squads could prove the difference. ACS returns the bulk of its talent from last year’s 6-4 squad, bringing back 12 of 16 lettermen and four starters on both sides, while Jonesboro has only two returning lettermen and one player with starting experience on its roster. With veteran QB Pierson Walters leading their offense against a youthful Eagles defense, the Panthers could turn what’s expected to be a close game into a multi-score victory if a Jonesboro offense with six new starters struggles out of the gate. Either way, don’t expect a repeat of last year’s 60-13 romp by JHS.

SATURDAY

• May (0-0) vs. Whiteface (0-0) at Jayton — The final game in a loaded slate at the Jayton Gridiron Classic, this top-five matchup between two Division I heavyweights should be a brawl. No. 2 Whiteface, the defending state runner-up, is the favorite on paper, but May will put the more experienced team on the field, with RB Kobey Morrison leading a group of five starters back both ways for the Tigers. The Antelopes will have some reloading to do after graduating six lettermen, including three starters on both sides, but junior QB/LB Isaak Soliz provides a talented leader to rally around. One key storyline here will be a change on the May sideline, where James Ball has taken over the Tigers program after 20-year head coach Craig Steele left to take the Borden County job in the offseason.

OTHER TOP MATCHUPS

FRIDAY

• Ackerly Sands (0-0) at Hermleigh (0-0) — This high-profile tilt has Sands, the No. 14 team in Division II, visiting HHS, the No. 21 team in Division I, in what should be an ultra competitive game between two teams with playoff aspirations. Both rosters have loads of experience back from quality teams a year ago, as the Cardinals return 12 lettermen and nine starters (4 offense, 5 defense) from last year’s 7-3 product and the Mustangs bring back 10 lettermen and four starters both way from a bunch that went 8-4 a year ago. An experienced Hermleigh defense led by DL Justin Smith and linebackers Hayden Simpson and Markius McClure will need to slow down standout running back Gordo Soliz, a 2,075-yard rusher in 2024, if the Cardinals hope to follow last year’s 54-34 win over the Mustangs with another victory Friday.
• Medina (0-0) at Rochelle (0-0) — In another matchup of ranked opponents, Division II No. 25 RHS will host Division I No. 20 Medina in a game that produced a lopsided win for the Hornets last season. But the Bobcats return all but one letterman from their 2024 roster, including five starters both way, while Rochelle will have to replace three regulars on both sides. Led by QB Davis Peterson and WR Zy’Heme Jones, a junior-led Medina should put up a much better fight this time around against a Hornets squad that will lean on SB/DE Jayce McCormick and FB/DL Xavier Mendez for leadership on both sides of the ball.

SATURDAY

• Knox City (0-0) vs. Cherokee (0-0) at Jayton — This season-opening matchup presents a reloading Knox City team with an early-season opportunity to score a signature win against an Indians squad that opens the season ranked No. 5 in Division II. But that could be easier said than done as the Greyhounds return only one starter — junior RB Zander Abila — against a Cherokee tribe that brings back 18 of 20 lettermen from last year’s 10-2 outfit. Expect a heavy dose of running backs Cayden Houston and Weston Woolsey against a green Knox City defense as the Indians try to kick off the year with a win over a larger opponent.

UNDER THE RADAR

With no games having been played yet or results on the books to offer data points, picking competitive games in Week 1 is largely guesswork. But there are a number of lower profile matchups involving teams in the Big Country Preps coverage area that could treat those in attendance to an entertaining product. Here are some to keep an eye on:

• FRIDAY
  • Veribest at Zephyr — While Division II No. 11 ZHS is the clear favorite here, this could be a sneaky competitive game if the Division I Falcons can find some playmakers around what should be strong offensive and defensive line groups.
  • Milford at Baird — A battle of Division I playoff hopefuls, this should be a really fun contest between two veteran clubs.
  • Gustine at Paint Creek — Gustine is the favorite in this Division II matchup, but a Paint Creek team with five starters back both ways should keep it competitive. 
  • Blanket at Menard — This should an interesting game between a pair of experienced teams that made the playoffs last year and expect to again in 2025.

NOTEBOOK

Defending champs open season with victories

Included in the list of area teams to get their seasons underway Thursday where defending state champions Gordon and Jayton, both of which kicked off their seasons with victories.

Gordon faced little resistance in a 52-6 win over Division II No. 3 Richland Springs, while the weather got the better of Jayton and Ira in a game that went down as a forfeit win for the Jaybirds.

Jayton led Ira 36-16 when the game was stopped in the first half due to weather, and Ira opted not to resume the game once the delay ended.

Lueders-Avoca routs Moran to snap losing skid

The Lueders-Avoca football team had itself a night as well Thursday, snapping a 17-game losing streak with a 54-0 victory over Moran.

It was the first career win for coach Donny Waters, whose team will face off with Lohn next week with a chance to start a streak in the other direction.

PREDICTIONS

(Projected winners capitalized)

Bryson vs. GARDEN CITY (at Jayton)

KNOX CITY vs. Cherokee (at Jayton)

PERRIN-WHITT at Bowie Gold-Burg

Ackerly Sands at HERMLEIGH

Ira at JAYTON

Lorenzo at ROBY

Rising Star at HIGHLAND

Trent at ROTAN

WESTBROOK vs. Nazareth (at Jayton)

Paint Rock at EDEN

ROBERT LEE at Loraine

Veribest at ZEPHYR

Grandfalls-Royalty at WATER VALLEY

MILFORD at Baird

GORDON vs. Richland Springs (at Priddy)

Gorman at LOMETA

Lingleville at STEPHENVILLE FAITH

Ranger at WALNUT SPRINGS

May vs. WHITEFACE (at Jayton)

Santa Anna at BRONTE

BLACKWELL at Aspermont

Olfen at WELCH DAWSON

BENJAMIN at Amarillo PCHEA

Guthrie at PADUCAH

GUSTINE at Paint Creek

MORAN at Lueders-Avoca

Vernon Northside at RULE

Turkey Valley at STRAWN

Throckmorton at BLUFF DALE

Harrold at WOODSON

THREE WAY at Evant

Blanket at MENARD

SIDNEY at Strawn JV

BROOKESMITH at Mullin

PRIDDY at Panther Creek

Lohn at NUECES CANYON

Medina at ROCHELLE

ABILENE CHRISTIAN at Jonesboro