No. 11 Happy (4-0) v. No. 2 Sterling City (4-0) in Gail (Borden County)

Thursday night, 7:00 p.m.

This should be a wild one and a matchup many feel we could see again in December in the state semifinals. This will be a classic between two veteran squads.

Both teams have an abundance of speed. Happy will center their attack around Stetson Jameson, but he’ll have the support of Bryson Morris in the backfield. One tough break for the Cowboys is they will be missing QB Camden Sperry, who is out injured for another few weeks. Expect Sterling City’s DL Chance Ferguson to have a big night upfront if the Eagles hope to slow down the run.

Sterling City’s Cross Knittel is a dual-threat in the backfield. So far this season he and Francisco Gonzales have carried the load, but they expect some good news this week as Kamden Pruitt should see his first live-action of the season. They will need them all as the Cowboys are known for their solid tackling on defense.

PREDICTION: Sterling City 54, Happy 30

GAMES OF NOTE:

D2 No. 3 Calvert at D1 No. 4 Rankin (3-1) – The Trojans travel all the way to Red Devil Stadium to play this matchup of speed. It will be interesting to see what Rankin has left after last week while Calvert must deal with a road trip of 355 miles I the yellow dog.

D2 No. 6 Strawn at D1 No. 1 Westbrook (4-0) – Can Westbrook continue their amazing run against a tough Greyhound squad? Strawn’s only loss was a week 1 squeaker to White Deer.

No. 8 Leakey at TAPPS D3 No. 1 Fredericksburg Heritage – Do the Eagles have anything left in the tank after last week’s amazing game against Rankin? They will get another test against one of the perennial powerhouses in TAPPS.

No. 6 May (3-1) at No. 12 Blum (2-1) – May’s only loss is a close one to Sterling City. Defending state champion Blum looks to rally after last week’s loss to Jonesboro.