High School Playoff Games This Weekend

WEST ORANGE-STARK (8-4) over JASPER (12-0)—The Mustangs look like their old selves now that playoff time is here--allowing zero touchdowns in the first two post-season contests and showing a potent, but streaky offense. Although the Bulldogs are undefeated in their dozen games this season, I can’t even remember the last time the ‘Stangs lost twice to the same team in the same season. Throw in the fact the Bulldogs’ leading ball carrier, Montavien Hunt, missed the first two playoff games with a badly-sprained ankle, he will play this week, but shouldn’t gain over 300 yards like he did in October against the Mustangs.

OTHER PLAYOFF GAMES OF INTEREST TO AREA—Beaumont West Brook (10-2) over Houston Tompkins (10-2), Summer Creek (9-2) over Cypress Creek (7-5), Fort bend Marshall (12-0) over Port Neches-Groves (9-3), Marshall (10-2) over Huntsville (11-1), Carthage (12-0) over Midlothian Heritage (11-1), Van (10-2) over Henderson (8-4), Giddings (11-1) over Silsbee (8-4), Cameron Yoe (11-1) over East Chambers (11-1), Daingerfield (8-3) over Corrigan-Camden (10-2), Newton (12-0) over Troup (10-2), Garrison (10-2) over San Augustine (10-2), Tenaha (9-3) over Price Carlisle (12-0), Muenster (11-1) over Evadale (9-3), Mart (11-1) over Grapeland (11-1).

COLLEGE—Buffalo over Northern Illinois and Washington over Utah (both Friday); Texas over Oklahoma (Upset Special), Alabama over Georgia, Clemson over Pittsburgh, Ohio State over Northwestern, Central Florida over Memphis, Boise State over Fresno State, Middle Tennessee State over UAB, Appalachian State over Louisiana-Lafayette.

PRO PICKS—New Orleans over Dallas (Thursday); Houston over Cleveland, LA Rams over Detroit, Carolina over Tampa Bay, Green Bay over Arizona, Denver over Cincinnati, Baltimore over Atlanta, NY Giants over Chicago (Upset Special), Indianapolis over Jacksonville, Miami over Buffalo, Tennessee over NY Jets, Kansas City over Oakland, Seattle over San Francisco, New England over Minnesota, LA Chargers over Pittsburgh (all Sunday); Philadelphia over Washington (Monday Night).