We’ve reached Week 8, and playoff races are starting to take shape in our area six-man districts.

While most of our best matchups are still to come, this week’s slate, which is headlined by a marquee District 7-1A Division I clash between No. 8 Westbrook and fellow toughie Ira, has its share of intriguing games.

Without further adieu, let’s go ahead and jump into this week’s “Lookahead.” We hope you enjoy this preview of the week’s action and encourage you to check out our Six-Man/Class 1A Central page for more information on your favorite team(s).

GAME OF THE WEEK

• Westbrook (5-1, 1-0) at Ira (4-2, 1-0) — While District 7-1A Division I action kicked off officially last week, the league’s championship push starts in earnest with this matchup between two perennial six-man powers. These two, along with fellow playoff hopeful Hermleigh (4-2, 1-0), are part of a three-way race for the district’s two playoff spots, and a win in this game would virtually lock up a postseason berth for the team that secures it. No. 8 Westbrook, which is led by quarterback Caleb Browne, is a 16- to 17-point favorite, but that’s not much in a six-man game. And Ira comes in playing well, having won its last three games and four of its last five, with losses only to DII No. 1 Jayton and DI No. 5 Robert Lee. 

OTHER TOP MATCHUPS

• Bryson (4-2, 0-0) at Perrin-Whitt (5-2, 0-1) — District 6-1A DI has quickly become one of the more intriguing leagues in the Big Country Preps coverage area, and this is a big game with playoff implications for both teams. Newcastle established itself as the league’s favorite with last week’s 53-14 win over Perrin-Whitt, making this a potential playoff eliminator for the Pirates, while Bryson, which had the week off last week, will be looking to kick off league play with a win. Perrin-Whitt, which had a four-game win streak snapped with last week’s district-opening loss, is a three-score favorite. But in a league with no bad teams, every game will be a test, and the Cowboys are capable of pushing them to the brink.
• Blanket (6-1, 1-0) at Rising Star (4-3, 0-1) — BHS passed its first District 13-1A DII test with flying colors last week, routing a good Gustine squad 57-12 to join district favorite Zephyr atop the league’s standings. But the Kannon Kensing-led Tigers will need to pass another here to stay there heading into a potential Game of the Week matchup with the Bulldogs next week. Blanket is the favorite by 17 to 27 points depending on the power ranking service, but Rising Star is a quality team, and the Wildcats could make this interesting if the Tigers get caught looking ahead to next week.
• Crowley Nazarene Christian (3-4, 1-0) at Abilene Christian (6-1, 1-0) — Don’t let the records of these two squads deceive you, this is a big game in TAPPS Division II District 1 play. And Nazarene Christian made it an even bigger one with its 50-44 upset of Fort Worth Covenant Classical last week. As was the case in that game, the Lions come into this one a two- to three-score underdog, but you can take that with a grain of salt. Quarterback Pierson Walters and the Panthers will need to show up expecting a fight from a Nazarene Christian team that can make itself the district championship favorite with another upset win.

UNDER THE RADAR

While the sections above are meant highlight the week’s biggest, most meaningful and/or most high-profile matchups, here we’re looking for competitive games that might not draw the same level of attention. Here are some matchups we’re keeping an eye on:

• FRIDAY
  • Roby (4-2, 0-1) at Highland (2-4, 0-1) — This game isn’t likely to factor into the District 7-1A DI playoff race, but a win will extend one of these team’s hopes for another week. Expect a competitive matchup between two programs looking for positives they can build on as the regular season winds down.
  • Blackwell (2-5, 1-0) at Loraine (0-7, 0-1) — This a must-win for both teams in the District 6-1A DII race, but it’s especially big for the Hornets, who will close out their league schedule with games against district favorite Bronte and fellow playoff hopeful Trent.
  • Throckmorton (1-5) at Forestburg (0-7) — One of few nondistrict games being played this week, this is a chance for two struggling teams to build some positive momentum heading into district play. A confidence-boosting win could be particularly meaningful for Throckmorton, which will be competing with winless teams from Moran and Woodson for District 9-1A DII’s second playoff spot behind Strawn.
  • Panther Creek (4-3, 1-0) at Brookesmith (3-4, 0-1) — While Richland Springs and Rochelle are the clear favorites to finish first and second in District 15-1A DII, the winner of this game force itself into the race for the league’s second playoff spot. And there’s not much separating these two squads in a game that is expected to be tight throughout.

PREDICTIONS

• LAST WEEK: 23-3, .884
• SEASON TOTAL: 191-33, .852

Bryson (4-2, 0-0) at PERRIN-WHITT (5-2, 0-1)

NEWCASTLE (4-2, 1-0) at Knox City (1-6, 0-1)

Rotan (2-4, 0-1) at HERMLEIGH (4-2, 1-0)

WESTBROOK (5-1, 1-0) at Ira (4-2, 1-0)

ROBY (4-2, 0-1) at Highland (2-4, 0-1)

Paint Rock (3-4, 0-1) at ROBERT LEE (1-0)

WATER VALLEY (6-0, 0-0) at Veribest (2-5, 1-0)

Lingleville (0-6, 0-1) at BAIRD (1-6, 0-1)

GORDON (6-0, 1-0) at Ranger (3-3, 0-0)

BLACKWELL (2-5, 1-0) at Loraine (0-7, 0-1)

Olfen (0-7, 0-1) at TRENT (5-1, 0-0)

Crowell (0-6, 0-0) at HARROLD (4-3, 0-1)

Chillicothe (6-1, 1-0) at GUTHRIE (4-2, 0-1)

Lueders-Avoca (1-4, 0-0) at ASPERMONT (7-0, 1-0)

Rule (0-6, 0-1) at JAYTON (7-0, 1-0)

STRAWN (5-1) at Azle Christian (6-1)

THROCKMORTON (1-5) at Forestburg (0-7)

Iredell (4-3, 1-0) at BLUFF DALE (6-1, 1-0)

Kopperl (5-1, 0-0) at THREE WAY (6-1, 0-1)

BLANKET (6-1, 1-0) at Rising Star (4-3, 0-1)

Sidney (2-4, 0-0) at GUSTINE (4-2, 0-1)

Mullin (1-6, 0-1) at EVANT (2-4, 0-0)

PANTHER CREEK (4-3, 1-0) at Brookesmith (3-4, 0-1)

ROCHELLE (1-5, 0-0) at Lohn (3-4, 0-1)

RICHLAND SPRINGS (5-1) at Leander Founders Classical (6-1)

Crowley Nazarene Christian (3-4, 1-0) at ABILENE CHRISTIAN (6-1, 1-0)

IDLE: May (6-1), Santa Anna (3-4), Bronte (4-3), Benjamin (5-0), Paint Creek (5-2), Moran (0-5), Woodson (0-7), Zephyr (6-1), Priddy (1-6)