Top Match ups of Week 5
Presented by PME Fabrication
Iowa Park (3-1) at Vernon (2-2), Friday at 7pm
Two teams that have found their footing over the last couple of weeks. Vernon has found success in the run game with Thomas Gonzales and Trey Rivas after being plagued by injuries through the first couple of weeks. Iowa Park’s defense has allowed just eight points over the last three games, while sophomore RB Whitley Slaughter has emerged as the star of the Hawks’ offense after rushing for four touchdowns last week. Both teams are coming off dominant wins over City View in the last two weeks. I like Iowa Park’s defense to be the difference in this game, but this will be the toughest test the Hawks have faced in the 2026 season. Computer Pick: Even Line
#3 Collinsville (4-0) at Alvord (4-0), Friday at 7pm (Game of the Week)
Collinsville made a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback over state-ranked Muenster last week to remain unbeaten and pick up its biggest win of the season. The Pirates now face another tall task against a physical and also unbeaten Alvord Bulldogs squad. Alvord spoiled Era’s undefeated season a week ago behind a massive offensive performance from RB Cutter Hamilton. QB Max Prcin has filled the quarterback spot and has performed well through the air, connecting with Beckham Taylor in the win over Era. This will be my first time getting a chance to watch the Matt Fanning-led Bulldogs in person, and it comes on the heels of a massive non-district showdown. The winner will head into district play with plenty of momentum. Give me the underdog Bulldogs to gut this one out. Computer Pick: Collinsville by 11.
#4 Jacksboro (4-0) at Cisco (2-2), Friday at 7pm
The Jacksboro Tigers are legit, and with the realignment of Wall and Gunter moving up a division, the door has opened for new contenders to emerge. Jacksboro has made themselves as clear contenders that could be the next name to make its way to Arlington. Obviously, there are many weeks between now and then, but the Tigers are loaded with playmakers and have good size in the trenches. Cisco is a very good 2-2 team that has played a tough schedule. The Loboes were state-ranked just a week ago but fell out of the rankings after a loss to Stamford. Cisco will be hungry to bounce back against Jacksboro, but I like the Tigers to keep the momentum rolling. Computer Pick: Jacksboro by 11.
Crawford (2-2) at Santo (3-1), Friday at 7pm
This game has a chance to go a long way toward deciding the District 8-2A Division II champion. Santo, Mart and Crawford are the clear top three teams in the district, and this will be a massive opportunity for each team to start district play 1-0 against another front-runner. Santo began the season with a win over state-ranked Chilton but fell to Haskell in Week 3. Crawford sits at 2-2 on the season, with its two losses coming against Centerville and Marlin, two games in which the Pirates entered as at least two-touchdown favorites. Santo’s offense has been rolling, averaging 50 points per game over the last three weeks, and I like the Wildcats to use that firepower to run away with this one. Computer Pick: Santo by 11
Memorial (2-2) at Abilene Cooper (2-2), Friday at 7pm
The Mavs finally got on the right side of an outcome after letting a lead against Canyon Randall slip away and having a historic offensive performance against Decatur wiped away in a 71-64 loss. Memorial scored 36 points in the final quarter against Chisholm Trail and got a big game from RB Gage Wuthrich. The Mavs’ offense is one of the most explosive in the 940 and is led by one of the best quarterbacks in the area, Cole Birkhead. On paper, Abilene Cooper doesn’t appear to be a significant step up from Chisholm Trail. If the Mavs can put together four clean quarters, I see no reason they can’t take care of business on the road once again and pick up another key district win over Abilene Cooper. Computer Pick: Abilene Cooper by 11.
Nocona (4-0) at Era (3-1), Friday at 7pm
Coach Jeff Hill has the Nocona Indians rolling through the first four weeks of the season. The Indians are coming off an impressive blowout win over Petrolia and will face their toughest test of the 2026 season this Friday. Era is coming off a loss to a very good Alvord team and now gets a chance to earn a solid bounce-back victory. I think this game has a chance to be a shootout, with explosive players such as Era’s Cope Thomas and Nocona’s Logan Gaston lighting up the stat sheet so far this season. This was a very tough game to pick and could go either way, but give me the more battle-tested Era Hornets to bounce back and pick up the win. Computer Pick: Era by 7
Others Games to Watch
Canyon (3-1) vs Sanger (4-0) (Thursday at Vernon), Computer Pick: Canyon by 3
Palo Duro (3-1) at WF Legacy (3-1), Computer Pick: Palo Duro by 5
Pilot Point (3-1) at Farmersville (2-2), Computer Pick: Pilot Point by 7
Bryson (2-2) at Bluff Dale (1-3) (Thursday), Computer Pick: Bluff Dale by 5
Guthrie (2-2) at Woodson (3-1) (Thursday), Computer Pick: Woodson by 8
Harrold (2-2) at #4 Benjamin (3-1) (Thursday), Computer Pick: Benjamin by 20
