WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS: Who wins Rider-Old High, Iowa Park-Holliday and other games?

Happy football season, everyone.

The feeling for high school football fans is similar to waking up Christmas morning. Finally, we’re back at the stadiums watching Texas’ favorite pastime.

Future editions of this blog will offer a random list ranging from favorite high school football stories to the best versions of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

But please understand this is one of the busiest weeks of the year for me.

I’ve wrapped up preseason coverage with two lengthy stories, including in depth research of the 1972 and ‘73 Goree state championship football teams and the second Red River 22 Super Team.

More:THE BEST AROUND: Revealing the 2nd annual Red River 22 Super Team

Then moved into Week 1 preview coverage with games starting Thursday night, a full Friday night schedule and getting up early Saturday morning to cover Hotter ‘N Hell.

I’m going to “phone it in” a little and not come up with a list this week, moving right into Week 1 predictions.

There are two new faces on the TRN Sports panel this season, including TRN Sports photographer Naomi Skinner and KAUZ sports director Robyn Hearn. I think both are worthy additions.

They join TRN Sports freelancer and Dave Campbell’s small college reporter Cory Hogue, KFDX’s Tobin McDuff and MJ Baird, and myself to form this year’s high school pick-it line.

You can find all of their picks included below along with a brief explanation of my selections.

On to the picks… and may your Friday nights be grand.

CLASS 5A

Rider 50, WFHS 16 – This is actually the average score of this game over the past seven meetings. While I think the Coyotes are going to have a winning season, they are a bit banged up right now. Rider’s overall depth will wear Old High down.

CLASS 4A

Hirschi 48, Clint 8 – Expect the Huskies to make a strong statement to open their 2022 campaign. They’re the third ranked team in the state for a reason. The Huskies should be better against Clint’s triple-option offense after seeing it in the playoffs last season.

More:THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Hirschi meets Clint in rematch of playoff game

Bridgeport 32, Burkburnett 28 – Very tempted to take Burkburnett here, but I want the Bulldogs to prove they can win first. Yes, that’s a challenge. I think the program is headed in the right direction under coach Brad Boyd and every report I’ve heard from the preseason has been positive. But they have to find success on the field before we can be comfortable picking them.

Graham 41, Bowie 7 – Tough matchup for Hugh Farmer’s debut as Bowie head coach. The Pigskin Prep line on this game is 59. That’s extreme. But the Rabbits aren’t ready to keep up with Graham.

CLASS 3A

Holliday 31, Iowa Park 15 – The “Battle of the Birds” has produced a series of entertaining games in recent memory. On paper, Holliday is a bit stronger than Iowa Park, but a Pigskin Prep line of 26 is too heavy. I can’t picture this game being that lopsided.

Jacksboro 30, Breckenridge 27 – Great matchup. I’m rolling with Jacksboro, and its new offensive system. The Tigers are one of the more intriguing teams this season.

City View 28, Vernon 20 – This is the first ever meeting between these two. City View’s size up front combined with its athleticism at the skill positions give it the edge. Both are playoff teams this season.

CLASS 2A

Windthorst 22, Henrietta 21 – Tempted to take Henrietta, but I’m rolling with Windthorst thanks to the experience of its backfield. It’s a tossup, though. Great season-opening matchup.

Olney 37, Alvord 32 – This would be a quality win for Olney and a great indicator of how far the program has come under coach Jody Guy. I love this flexbone offense with experience and depth in the backfield.

Seymour 44, Anson 0 – The spread is 24. I clearly think it’s more lopsided than that. I saw a bit of Anson in a scrimmage with City View and the Tigers looked overwhelmed. I think Seymour would provide a bigger challenge to the Mustangs. Panthers return too much talent.

Nocona 31, Era 14 – Nocona’s first game in Class 2A should be a win. The Indians have a strong core back, and will be a factor in their district this season.

Archer City 36, Quanah 25 – Both teams have questions going into the season, but I like Archer City’s answers more. Quanah is more senior-heavy, but the Wildcats have athleticism the Indians will struggle to match across the field.

Santo 38, Electra 12 – Tough opener for Electra, which is transitioning back to a wing-T offense. It will get better, but Santo is on another level right now.

Munday 28, Mercy Culture Prep 21 – I don’t know much about Mercy Culture Prep. I had to look up where it’s located. It’s Fort Worth, by the way. I’m taking the team I know more about.

Muenster Sacred Heart 42, Petrolia 18 – Petrolia is going to be better than many think. The Pirates lost some big pieces, but there are good athletes stepping into those roles. That said, Sacred Heart is a tough way to open the season.

SIX-MAN

Saint Jo 57, WCS 29 – Saint Jo has been a solid six-man program the past few seasons. This is a difficult matchup for a young Stars team.

Strawn 46, Knox City 39 – Strawn was hit hard by graduation and a transfer. Knox City’s junior class is legit, but I want the Greyhounds to prove it against a perennial Class A Division II power.

Northside 39, Patton Springs 27 – This goes back to picking the team I know better. Northside has enough talent to open with a win against Patton Springs.

Azle Christian 54, Bryson 22 – Young Bryson team runs into a strong private school program.

Gordon 46, Throckmorton 42 – Throckmoreton is a 15-point favorite, but I worry about the Greyhounds early this season based on the talent they graduated. Those are some big pieces for a six-man program to replace.

Benjamin 45, Moran 0 – Benjamin can pick its point total. The Mustangs are loaded and will be executing the mercy rule regularly this season.

Klondike 62, Crowell 38 – I drove through Klondike often early in my career, making my way from Midland to Lubbock. And I never remember the Cougars being great at football. Times change. With 14 returning lettermen, the Cougars have solid depth for the division.

Chillicothe 40, Darrouzett 38 – Darrouzett is still a young program that has made strides each season. Chillicothe still holds the Longhorns off for now.

Paint Creek 50, Harrold 36 – With former Benjamin coach Shannon Waters now at Paint Creek, expect the Pirates to start improving in a hurry.

Newcastle 52, Ranger 35 – It’s not easy to find a lot of information about Ranger because it doesn’t play in a district. I’ll take Newcastle which is dropping down from Division I to Division II.

Gold-Burg 61, Perrin-Whitt 45 – Coach Joe Helms retired but left the Gold-Burg program better than how he found it. The Bears should continue to thrive. Forestburg 44, North Texas Spartans 23 – What do I know about the North Texas Spartans? Next to nothing. It’s a homeschool program that plays an outlaw schedule. That should be a win for the Longhorns who return most of their starters.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Rider-WFHS, Iowa Park-Holliday, 2022 high school football predictions