LAST WEEK: 47-5, .903
SEASON TOTAL: 438-91, .827
With the column hitting at more than 90 percent accuracy last week, we now close the regular season on the upswing and with something uncommon: A local Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
While our weekly picks column generally highlights the top area game outside of the Abilene city limits, this week seems to call for us to stay at home with rivals Wylie (6-3, 3-1) and Cooper (4-5, 3-1) fighting for sole possession of the No. 2 seed in District 2-5A Division II.
Jim Ned 36, Vernon 32— Brayden Shipman rushed for 241 yards and two scores, including a 63-yard run with 1:00 left in the game to set up the game-inning TD. 
It really didn’t take long for people to start talking about the Hawley – Stamford matchup in 2023. In fact, this one was on our calendar as a possible Game of the Week before the season even started. 
Clyde 48, Bowie 21 — The Bulldogs (8-0, 3-0) remained unbeaten, clinched a playoff spot and took another step toward a district title with a road win at Bowie. 
As Week 9 of the 2023Texas High School football season gets underway, there are multiple high-profile games that would qualify as our Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
Vernon 42, Breckenridge 20 — The Lions pounded out 388 yards rushing to hand Breckenridge a loss at Buckaroo Stadium. 
Big Country Preps makes a point of sharing the love and we look for opportunities to take our Game of the Week to as many different places that make sense each year. 
Jim Ned 34, Bowie 6 — Brayden Shipman rushed for 126 yards and one score and Dean Guffey threw for 84 yards and another TD to lift Jim Ned to a win over Bowie. 
Breckenridge 36, Benbrook 28 — The Buckaroos allowed more than 400 yards in total offense to Benbrook, but survived a shootout on the road.
TUSCOLA — Jim Ned coach Matt Fanning is one of those guys who barely flinches when someone mentions his accomplishments. So it should come as no surprise that he had to be told early in the season that he was approaching the school record for career wins by a football coach. 
Jim Ned 38, Rockdale 12 — Dean Guffey threw for 201 yards and two scores and Aiden Ellis rushed for 150 yards and another TD to keep Jim Ned (4-0) unbeaten. 
Breckenridge 41, Cisco 6 — Breckenridge (1-2) earned its first win of the year after forcing five Cisco turnovers.
TUSCOLA — What had the early look of a Jim Ned rout got turned on its head by the visiting Wall Hawks on Friday night. And by evening’s end, the Indians needed some late heroics to escape with a 17-14 overtime win in a classic Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
Clyde 34, Eastland 21 — Clyde rolled up 441 yards in total offense and shut Eastland out after the break to improve to 2-0. 
HOLLIDAY – It took Jim Ned the final three minutes of the first half to turn a deficit against Holliday into a comfortable lead. 
TUSCOLA — Jim Ned may not have appeared diversified in its season-opening rout of Hawley on Friday. But the Indians didn’t really have to be — opting instead to spend much of the night running between the tackles in a punishing 34-12 win over the defending 2A DI state champions in the Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
TUSCOLA —One year ago, a Jim Ned team that would eventually finish 8-4, struggled out of the gate with an 0-3 start, missing several starters due to injuries. 
TUSCOLA — What a difference a day makes. 
TUSCOLA — In the aftermath of Jim Ned’s 10-0 win over Coahoma on Tuesday, there was almost no acknowledgement of the fact that Jim Ned’s Garan Millican had just thrown a no-hitter. 
It’s always a good sign early in the season when you’re getting good pitching against quality competition. And in the case of the Big Spring Lady Steers, the numbers in the circle thus far are downright encouraging. 
WOLFFORTH —While 6-foot-2 Holliday post Jalynn Bristow was projected to be major challenge for Jim Ned in Saturday’s Region 1-3A championship game, the Iowa State signee may have exceeded expectations.